Since our journey guides to Charleston with youngsters and Palm Springs with youngsters have elicited requests for extra journey concepts with youngsters, we’re again with an overdue recap of our 3-night journey to New Orleans. We’d by no means been to The Large Straightforward earlier than and have been impressed by how family-friendly the town is. It’s not all booze, beads, and Bourbon Avenue! So right here’s a take a look at the place we stayed, what we did, and what we’re excited to do subsequent time we return – as a result of we will certainly return!
The 4 of us (nicely, 5 in case you depend our chihuahua!) went to NOLA for 3 nights in November of 2022. On the time, our children have been 8 and 12 years outdated. So sadly we will’t vouch for our strategies being a superb match for toddlers or youthful kids. Though I’m positive ours would’ve liked the Louisiana Youngsters’s Museum and Storyland playground again within the day!
Why Trip In New Orleans With Youngsters?
New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind metropolis in the US due to its numerous cultural influences, together with French, Spanish, and African heritages. It’s identified for its music, meals, festivals, artwork, and even for ghost excursions & the historical past of voodoo. It gives all kinds of sights and actions for all ages, and its distinctive structure and flavors typically make it really feel such as you’ve traveled to an entire new nation!
We selected it for lots of the causes above, and now that we reside within the Florida Panhandle, it’s solely a brief drive away. We heard so many good issues about it from mates and neighbors that we rapidly added it to our “should go to” listing after transferring right here.
When To Go to New Orleans
Unsurprisingly, the preferred time to go to New Orleans is round their world-famous Mardi Gras celebration (usually in February or March), however since we have been going with our children and aiming for a extra laid again expertise, we selected a much less busy time for our inaugural go to (November). Coming within the late fall is an effective way to keep away from the new, muggy summer season months. Plus we bought to see some vacation decorations begin to pop up round New Orleans! A number of lovely wreaths have been held on the historic outdated properties too.
The one draw back to visiting in November was that it was a bit chilly and wet at some point (which is why you’ll see heavy coats on in a few of these pics). Fortunately, by the top of our go to, we have been carrying shorts once more. Good factor we’re used to fickle climate right here on the Gulf Coast! However subsequent time we’d time our go to for September or October once we’re extra more likely to get hotter climate.
The place We Stayed In New Orleans
Our household loves discovering walkable cities to trip in (that’s one more reason we liked Charleston a lot). So we selected to remain in this artsy Airbnb in Uptown New Orleans close to the Backyard District. It’s positioned proper on Journal Avenue, one of many essential procuring districts in New Orleans. That meant we may entry tons of eating places, shops, and parks with out getting in our automobile. Plus, it solely a brief drive or steetcar experience to the French Quarter. It was an superior location!
The Airbnb itself was enjoyable and colourful, with a lot of cool murals and daring wallpaper. Our youngsters liked drawing on the massive whiteboard within the hallway and we appreciated that it was additionally dog-friendly. We advocate bringing a sound machine as a result of the entrance bedrooms face Journal St and there may be some avenue noise, however nothing loopy. The Airbnb is positioned on the second flooring (the primary flooring is a shoe retailer) however we heard mainly nothing from under.
Our favourite a part of the Airbnb was undoubtedly its location. Not solely did we’ve easy accessibility to Journal Avenue, we additionally may simply peruse lovely areas just like the Backyard District, St. Charles Avenue, and Audubon Park. The structure within the Crescent Metropolis is simply so distinctive, we may’ve spent all day simply strolling round taking a look at homes!
Once we come again, we’ll keep in the same space for positive – in all probability someplace between St. Charles Ave and Journal Avenue. The one purpose we’ll in all probability decide a distinct Airbnb is as a result of we at all times love attempting new homes!
What We Did In New Orleans With Youngsters
We are usually extra go-with-the-flow vacationers, slightly than cram-in-all-the-sights vacationers. Quite a lot of our 3-day journey to New Orleans was spent winding our solution to varied meals & locations, simply taking within the sights alongside the way in which. However don’t fear, we hit up some must-see spots too. Right here’s a fast overview of our favourite kid-friendly actions.
Stroll & Window Store On Journal Avenue
Journal Avenue is a six-mile walkable stretch of eating places and outlets, each native and chain. We spent one night and the next morning leisurely exploring about half of it. From our Airbnb close to Napolean Ave, we largely walked East towards downtown. One among our children’ favourite outlets was Lionheart Prints, thanks largely to this mesmerizing wall of colourful pens and markers.
We additionally all had a good time exploring H. Rault Locksmiths. Sounds unusual, I do know, however it is a practically 200-year-old locksmith that has fascinating collections of outdated locks and different architectural salvage.
Our youngsters particularly liked this bin of tiny novelty keys.
Another favourite stops have been Peaches Information & Tapes and our daughter actually liked trying out Buffalo Trade. It had a very good vary of secondhand clothes once we ducked inside, and it ignited her love of thrift retailer procuring, which continues to be going robust two years later.
Discover The Backyard District
I’m in all probability utilizing the time period “Backyard District” a bit usually, however the neighborhoods between our Airbnb and St. Charles Avenue (which is a part of the Mardi Gras parade route) have been enjoyable to stroll round. Along with the charming properties, there have been random bookstores, cafes, and eating places that we’d pop into alongside the way in which.
St. Charles Avenue reminded us a variety of the downtown space of our former city, Richmond, Virginia. There are lovely, large bushes, gorgeous homes, and – oh yeah! – an iconic streetcar that goes down the center of the highway!
I really went for a run yet one more alongside the streetcar tracks and it was one among my all-time favourite runs. The tracks aren’t electrified and the road vehicles are comparatively sluggish & rare, so a lot of individuals use the world (known as the “impartial floor”) for jogging or strolling. Clearly, simply keep conscious of your environment and step off to the aspect each time a streetcar is approaching.
Oh, and for any of my fellow MTV era youngsters on the market, you might acknowledge that huge home a few pictures up because the one from Actual World: New Orleans.
Go to Audubon Park
New Orleans’ Metropolis Park is its largest and hottest public park, however our Airbnb was nearer to the smaller Audubon Park. It’s nonetheless lots huge and is even house to the Audubon Zoo. We didn’t have time to go to the zoo, however there’s nonetheless lots else to take pleasure in within the park. They’ve bought playgrounds, fountains, tennis courts, a golf course, and an excellent paved strolling & biking path. There are additionally picnic shelters and large shady bushes to seize lunch beneath.
The southern finish of Audubon Park borders the Mississippi River so there are additionally views of the water with close by playgrounds and sports activities fields.
Journey A Streetcar
The St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line is the oldest repeatedly operated streetcar line on this planet… and it’s only a brief stroll from Journal Avenue. A experience is simply $1.25 for adults and $0.50 for youngsters, so our entire household rode it to the French Quarter and again for less than $7! You possibly can pay in money, or obtain the Le Move app. There are many clearly marked stops alongside St. Charles Ave and the experience to the turnaround level at Canal Avenue took about half-hour.
Using the streetcar felt like a step again in time and a pleasant leisurely solution to see extra of the town. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless an energetic public transit system so be aware of the locals utilizing it to get to work.
Expertise The French Quarter
NOLA’s French Quarter might be its best-known and hottest vacationer vacation spot. You might write an entire put up nearly issues to do, see, and eat within the French Quarter. We spent a day there after trying out of our Airbnb, and it was actually like visiting one other nation. Want we may have spent extra time there. We undoubtedly shall be again.
Even within the daytime, there’s an thrilling vitality with artists, performers, and musicians on nearly each nook. We parked in one of many paid public heaps and spent a enjoyable couple of hours popping into outlets, exploring totally different streets, and listening to some nice reside music alongside the way in which. We stayed between the river and Royal Avenue (pictured right here) as a result of we heard Bourbon Avenue (one block additional up) isn’t at all times as kid-friendly.
The historic centerpiece of the French Quarter is Jackson Sq.. The fenced sq. isn’t dog-friendly (we had our pup with us since we had already checked out of our Airbnb) however we nonetheless bought to benefit from the open-air artist market across the perimeter. Throughout the road is the long-lasting espresso and beignet store known as Cafe du Monde and the artisan cubicles of the French Market.
We have been within the French Quarter the morning earlier than Thanksgiving, so it was pretty busy with vacation holidays. For these unaccustomed to busy cities, it could be a bit overwhelming. So that you would possibly wish to plan for a much less busy day if you wish to keep away from crowds.
Test Out The Audubon Aquarium
When rain washed out our plans one afternoon, we fortunately checked out the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas downtown for a enjoyable indoor exercise. This was in 2022 earlier than its current renovation added the Audubon Insectarium and butterfly backyard as nicely. However even then it had tons of enjoyable options like contact tanks, digital actuality experiences, and extra.
As an grownup, I additionally loved visiting a neighborhood aquarium that taught me a bit extra concerning the distinctive ecosystems of Louisiana and the Mississippi River. When you plan to go to the zoo and aquarium, make sure you purchase your tickets on the identical time – you’ll obtain a reduction!
The place We Ate In New Orleans
New Orleans has a well-known culinary scene, and the meals was nice! We simply discovered some nice eating places that all of us liked. That is undoubtedly not a fancy-foodie listing of the most popular “must-eat” eating places in New Orleans – however in case you’re touring with younger diners, these have been a few of our favourite locations to seize a chew.
French Truck Espresso
We walked to breakfast at French Truck Espresso one morning (the placement on Dryades St) and had the yummiest breakfast on their patio. The youngsters had waffles and my solely remorse is that Sherry and I hadn’t began ingesting espresso but as a result of it smelled scrumptious in there! We’ll be again.
Dat Canine
One other place I’m excited to return to is Dat Canine, which is a cool scorching canine spot with actually cool out of doors eating. It was fairly low-key on the chilly November night time we went, however we will think about it being tremendous full of life and enjoyable in higher climate. I bought their particular Thanskgiving-themed scorching canine and it DID NOT disappoint!
There are a number of areas in New Orleans, however we went to the Freret Avenue location. Their photos on-line offer you a good suggestion of its vibe.
Cafe Beignet
You possibly can’t come to New Orleans and never get beignets. Cafe du Monde might be essentially the most well-known spot to get these heat powdery pastries, nevertheless it had a very lengthy line so we ended up grabbing some from Cafe Beignet, which has a handy location on Canal Avenue close to the top of the streetcar line.
I’m no beignet connoisseur however my evaluation could be 5 stars, no complaints. And it was actually enjoyable to experience a streetcar and hop off for some New Orleans beignets. Another iconic New Orleans dishes embrace gumbo and crimson beans & rice, so we’ll need to get some once we return.
Sucré
To maintain our children’ energized on our day strolling Journal Avenue, we popped into a good looking candy store known as Sucré (there are different areas within the metropolis too). We shared some gelato and macarons for a pleasant sugar increase, whereas absorbing its Artwork Deco decor.
La Boulangerie
One other cease on Journal Avenue was a French bakery cafe known as La Boulangerie that’s identified for its breads and pastries. It was fairly busy, however we have been in a position to snag a desk exterior and deal with ourselves to (extra) yummy carbs.
Barracuda
My essential remorse from our journey was getting takeout from Barracuda Taco Stand (to eat at our Airbnb) as a substitute of eating in individual. The climate was a bit chilly so dragging everybody out to a “margarita backyard” on a darkish November night time didn’t sound attractive. However after I went to choose up the meals it regarded like a enjoyable place to hang around (and so they had out of doors heaters!). The meals was nonetheless scrumptious once we ate it at our Airbnb, however I want we had gone to the restaurant. Subsequent time!
Empanola
Empanola was a cute little empanada place on Journal Avenue that supplied us some fast gasoline on our procuring day. There have been a ton of flavors of empanadas to select from, and so they have been heat and scrumptious.
Different Child-Pleasant Actions In New Orleans
We will certainly be going again to New Orleans! There’s a lot we didn’t get an opportunity to do but (and many stuff above that we wish to do once more!). So listed below are a number of the issues we’d add to our itinerary subsequent time:
Mardi Gras World
This self-guided tour grants you behind-the-scenes entry to the artist studios the place the extravagant Mardi Gras parade floats and decorations are made. It appears like an effective way to expertise Mardi Gras with out coming throughout that wild week of precise Mardi Gras.
Metropolis Park
The most important inexperienced area in New Orleans is Metropolis Park, positioned north of Downtown. It’s twice as giant as New York’s Central Park and has every part from an Artwork Museum, Botanical Backyard, and Sculpture Backyard to sights like mini golf and even a small amusement park.
Nationwide WWII Museum
The sprawling Nationwide World Struggle II Museum could not appear to be a spot to take your youngsters, however the TripAdvisor critiques are stellar for individuals of all ages. Households say its enjoyable, interactive, academic, and eye-opening. It appears like one other nice rainy-day various to the Aquarium!
Riverboat Cruise
A number of firms, like Steamboat Natchez, supply daytime and night cruises alongside the Mississippi River full with reside jazz music and a meal. This looks like a enjoyable solution to see the town on an enthralling outdated paddlewheel boat.
Swamp Tour
Barely exterior the town are boat and kayak excursions of the swamp the place you possibly can spot wildlife, together with alligators. Cajun Encounters appears to be a preferred choice as a result of their flat-bottom boats aren’t as loud as airboats. Additionally they supply transport from the French Quarter.
Ghost Tour
This ghost tour firm gives a family-friendly tour that guarantees a enjoyable glimpse into New Orleans’ haunted aspect with out being too spooky. It looks like a cool solution to be taught some historical past whereas conserving the children entertained.
Issues To Do In New Orleans With Youngsters: A Abstract
When you’re somebody who likes having a listing of issues to do, here’s a fast bulleted abstract of all the sights, eats, and actions we mentioned above.
Different Child-Pleasant Journeys We’ve Taken
When you’re fascinated by our tackle different locations or are in the hunt for family-friendly journeys, you may also take pleasure in these posts: