What to do in New Orleans?

[etwahl]

we will be going in about a month for dh's work, and staying about 7-9 days. just wondering what we could do there? he'll be working during most of the days, but another friend of mine will be there.

any good suggestions?

Tammy,
Mom to Lauren Genevieve
03/12/2003
www.evantammy.com

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

I've always wanted to go!!!
I'm sure you'll get great ideas here, but if I were you I'd also go online and order their "travel" info...jsut do a search, they are easy to order over the internet or usually have a 1-800 number...


Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[Karenn]

Tammy,
We're going in about a month for DH's work too! I've bought a guide book and looked at a couple of websites- but I haven't found a ton of info. There were a few articles on family fun's website. (I think it's familyfun.com)

I'm definitly planning a trip to the zoo, the aquarium and the children's museum. We'll be there for St. Patrick's day, so we might try to catch the parade. I'm not sure where else we'll go beyond that. It doesn't seem like it's the most toddler friendly town, but I'm sure we'll manage. :)

[Momof3Labs]

We were there when Colin was an infant (about 3 months old) and didn't find it too baby friendly. Of course, we didn't have a rental car and didn't stray too far from the hotel (which was near the big casino - Bally's, maybe?), so maybe that was the problem.

[gour0]

I highly recommend the aquarium there. Dh and I went pre-baby and thought it was a very good one. Not sure what else, except to say that you should bring a sling or carrier because the sidewalks are really bumpy. :)

[pritchettzoo]

EAT! :)

Other than that, there's a Zoo which is accessible from the St. Charles Trolley. You can stroll up and down St. Charles Street looking at the houses. There are some riverboat tours as well. You can sit around Cafe Du Monde and sip coffee and eat beignets. There's an aquarium and large indoor mall down near the river.

We went to New Orleans on our honeymoon, and we just wandered around, ate, drank, and relaxed. Beware the Hurricanes at Pat O'Brien's!

I recommend Fodor's guide. It was very helpful to us! It lists all the restaurants as well as the attractions. I really liked their feature of walking tours--it sets out what to look at and a map of the little area so you don't have to pay for a guided tour.

Anna
Mama to Gracie (9/16/03)

[hobey]

DH & I went last summer pre-baby but I was PG at the time so no hurricanes for me.

The zoo and aquarium are awesome. You can get passes to both which include a boat ride on the Mississippi or get to the zoo on the trolley where they run a shuttle from the trolley stop to the zoo itself (I think the walk through the park is a good 3-4 miles).

The Mardi Gras museum by the catherdral is also interesting and has some floats and examples of throws....beads, coconuts, etc.

We mostly ate and walked around the French Quarter. Depending on when Lauren's bedtime is, the ghost tours are pretty cool.

I'd stay away from Bourbon Street and stick to the places around Cafe du Monde and the cathedral. Bourbon St was way over the top if you're not a drunk college student on Spring Break.

We splurged and ate at NOLA (one of Emeril's places) while we were there and if you like seafood, check out the Acme Oyster House.

Hope you have fun!

Raquel
Nathan's Mom 12/19/03

[AngelaS]

Another vote for the Cafe du Monde--must eat beignets in NO!! :D

[KGoes]

Another vote for the aquarium and Cafe du Monde. There are tons of good restaurants in New Orleans - ask at the hotel for some suggestions of new restaurants. We did that and ate great food with no waiting for reservations like some of the more trendy places. There are also walking tours of the garden district, which you can get to by trolley from the Quarter. One of my favorite parts is the arts district, which is walking district from the Quarter. Lots of galleries, fun shops and a glass art school that sells really cool stuff.
I love New Orleans, but I confess we have yet to try it with an infant in tow! ;)
Kelley
DD born 7/03

[nyc mom]

Looks like most of the must-sees have been covered (the zoo, the aquarium, the children's museum, Cafe Du Monde). If it's hot, the JAX brewery (which is really a mall) and the Riverwalk (both on the river, near the Quarter) are fun, air-conditioned places to walk around. City Park is a great if you want to just spend some low-key time out doors. A car might be convenient if you are good with directions and have an excellent map (I grew up there and still get lost) otherwise the buses and street cars are pretty easy to navigate. (As a little one growing up there, that's how we got around - my mom didn't drive.) Another fun excursion is a riverboat ride. The one from the aquarium to the zoo is fine, but there are longer ones, too.

New Orleans definitely has its share of attractions for the spring break set, but it's also a family-friendly city, where it's not unusual to see kids at restaurants and bars. It's not just tourists who believe in having a good time. Another thing you could do is take one of the many tours that take you out from the City to see alligators (I have seen alligators and bayous - this is not something *I* would pay for) or plantation homes.

Have a great time! (Also be prepared for rain, and humid, hot weather as well as cool and very damp.)

[jbowman]

IMO the *ultimate* reason to go to NO is Cafe du Monde! I have been to NO many times and that is my favorite place (just don't wear dark colors b/c you'll get powdered sugar everywhere!).

I think you've received good advice. To the previous suggestions I'd add Cafe Maspero--right near the cathedral--they have great po boys and it is casual (i.e. kid friendly). The market around Cafe du Monde is fun too.

I would suggest taking the trolley to the Garden District & Tulane. You can stroll around there, which is pleasant.

I was PG the last time I was there and my husband and I went to the BRU in Baton Rouge on the drive home (we don't have a BRU where I live). I actually enjoyed that more than our visit to NO! Oh how my life had changed!

[Hallie_D]

DH grew up in New Orleans and we visit at least twice a year. Another vote for the zoo--DS loves it. We haven't been to the aquarium but I've heard it is very nice. We've done a bayou tour and a plantation tour, but both before DS was born--I don't know if I'd recommend it with a little one.

New Orleans is a great city for walking and there are so many beautiful neighborhoods. The Garden District is always fun to wander around. Also, the French Quarter, as many other posters mentioned, is really great. DS goes crazy for all the colorful sights, sounds and smells. There are always street musicians, puppeteers, and artists.

And you can eat, eat, eat!

[Karenn]

Hallie,
Is a Bayou tour a riverboat tour? I'm thinking a riverboat tour would be fun, but I'm not sure my very active toddler would go for it. He's not into sitting still for more than 30 seconds when we're out and about. ;) Would you do it with your little one? (I notice he's about the same age.)

[parkersmama]

We visited NO when Wesley was about 11mos and Parker was 3 1/2. It was my mom & us (visiting my aunt & uncle who live in Slidell). I had a crappy stroller at the time and it wasn't convenient but wasn't *that* bad.

The children are *fascinated* with all the sights and sounds. NO is definitely a city for the senses! They loved just strolling around the Quarter. Also, the streetcar ride to the Garden District is a nice (and cheap!) treat if the weather is good. The aquarium is terrific! One of the best that I've been to. The plantation tours are great, especially since you'll be there for a long stay...they are a little ways out of the city (you'll need a car).

Another place that we love to eat (besides our #1 place...Cafe du Monde! which is just beignets and coffee for the most part) is the Central Grocery. It doesn't look like much but their muffelatas are *to die for*! (I guess as long as you're not a vegetarian!) They are a sandwich with several types of deli meats, cheeses, and a wonderful olive salad topping. Yummy. The Central Grocery is basically a hole in the wall across from the French Market but it is very crowded at mealtimes. You stand in line and order and can eat standing up in the back at the counter if you'd like. We usually take ours out to the park area to eat. :) Another NO delicacy are the pralines (pronounced: prah-leens by those in the know ;) ). In short, don't plan on dieting while you're there...the eating is one of the top attractions!

[jbowman]

Central Grocery also has wonderful vegetarian muffalettas!

[Hallie_D]

I know there are riverboat tours on big boats along the Mississippi, but what we did was a much smaller boat out on the bayou, looking at Cajun fishing camps, alligators, cypress trees, etc. Honestly I wouldn't do it with DS yet because it was long and I don't think he could handle being confined for that long--and the sides of the boat were pretty open, so it isn't like I could let him run around. The riverboat tours sound interesting to me and I'm pretty sure there is room for toddlers to run around, but I have no idea of how long each tour lasts. If it was an hour, I'd probably try it with DS as long as he could run around a little. He likes to say "boat" and "wawa" so just repeating those words would easily eat up half an hour!! ;-)

[Hallie_D]

Oh, Denise, Central Grocery now makes vegetarian muffalettas--cheese, cheese, more cheese, and olive salad. Not quite the same as the regular (I've had several before I became a vegetarian) but still pretty amazing! I think the secret is the bread.

And after extensive taste testing, my personal favorite for pralines is Southern Candy Makers--mere steps from Central Grocery (and across the street) for ease of consumption!!! Of course, this is all just down the street from Cafe du Monde, but it is probably better not to eat everything in one day.

[nyc mom]

I didn't mention Central Grocery in my last post b/c I thought I might seemed too food-obsessed, but it is definitely one of DH and my "must" stops whenever I am home. I also LOVE their stuffed artichokes. The two of us usually get one of those, a muffelata and a couple of bottle of Barq's root beer and eat lunch at the little plaza at the end of the street. YUM!

[trumansmom]

Anna-

Sounds like we had the exact same honeymoon!!

And we used Fodor's as well. It was great!
Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/29/01 and EDD 4/23/04!

[duein june2003]

I live in NO and here are a few suggestions.

1. the sidewalks and streets are terrible! I'd strongly suggest a stroller with airfilled rubber tires.

2. Get the Zagat restaurant guide if you are a foodie. My recommendations are: The Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter for lunch. Jacques Imos Cafe for dinner- you might want to take a cab there- it is not in the best neighborhood, but you'll thank me again and again for the delicious food!! They only take reservations for parties of 5 or more. Get there at 5pm if you don't have a reserv. or you'll wait 1+ hour... Order the Alligator sausage cheesecake! :-)

3. go across the river to see Kern's Mardi Gras workshop. A free boat can take you there if you won't have a car. They make the huge floats there and it is a good tour!

Have fun! Ruth, Mom to Cole 5/21/03

[pritchettzoo]

Where did you stay? We found a great little B&B on St. Charles.

Anna
Mama to Gracie (9/16/03)

[Gayletmomto4]

Tammy,
I am a mom to four from N.O. and now live about 45 minutes away. While most people come to the city to act like college kids on Spring Break, it really is a very nice family town. My dh and I have just returned from 5 days in the city where we rent a place for Mardi Gras! We don't miss a parade but instead take the kids to the family friendly parts of the route (obviously, not the French Quarter).

First, I would second all of the wonderful advice you have gotten here regarding attractions and restaurants. If the weather is nice (and you have a good shot of that next month)the zoo will be lovely. You can rent a stroller there or a wagon and keep in mind that it is big-you can really do two days there easily. It's a great place for toddlers. There is a new carousel that mine love to ride and also a playground for when the kids can't stand to just watch anymore.

If you are interested in architecture and/or history, I would recommend the Garden District walking tour that someone else mentioned. I think it is through the Park Service-they should know at your hotel. It's really interesting and, of course, your toddler can run about without disturbing anyone!

As for restaurants, my favorites in the "big deal" places are August, Bayona and Peristyle. Make reservations now. I have not taken my kids to these although I think you could do it (depending on your comfort level)at lunch or an early dinner. Another thing my dh and I have done when travelling is to put the kids to bed a little early and then get a sitter through the hotel to come in. I don't know that I would trust an unknown sitter otherwise but there are several reputable services in NO (tourism is our bread and butter)and once my little ones are asleep they rarely wake up. Then you get to go out for a grown up meal! I have also taken my little ones to brunch at Commander's Palace and they were most welcome-lots of families. Remember, however, that the bulk of our restaurants are very casual and you can take kids most anywhere here.

Additionally, if you are the kind of person who likes a reference book, there is a great one on kids activities in the city. I can't recall the name but the author is an acquaintance of mine named Janis van Meerveld. She reviewed all sorts of great activities and donated all of the profits to children's charities. We have an excellent local book store -The Maple Street Bookstore 504.866.4916 or 504.861.2105. They are very nice and if anyone can get the book, they can. Also, they have a Children's Book Shop that often features storytellers and local authors.

Finally, on Monday of each week the local paper (Times Picayune)has a calendar of family activities for the week. It's on page 3 of the Living section so be sure and pick it up. The Friday paper also has an entertainment section called "Lagniappe" that will describe festivals and stuff for the coming weekend. Some of these are really terriffic and you get a lot of local color.

I hope you have a great visit. Those of us from the city love nothing more than having visitors enjoy it as much as we do! Be sure to ask locals for their suggestions while you're here and don't hesitate to contact me ([email protected]) if you need anything.

Gayle