New Orleans Travel Forum

Just curious. I've never been before and I'm wondering if others have and what their experiences were like. OR, if you haven't been, would you ever?

When I think of New Orleans, I think of Mardi Gras and partying, but would you bring your kids there?

Please let me know :-) Just thinking of travel destinations for a family vaca.
Thanks!

I have been there. NO is a great city, but not exactly a family travel/place for kids destination in my opinion. I read the other day the streetcars are running again...so cleanup is still underway.

I would be happy to offer travel destinations, how far do you want to travel and what time of year?

Did not think much of New Orleans prior to Katrina, and was there after Katrina, and it certainly was not any better. This is one of the last places I would suggest for a family vacation. Having the honor of being the murder capital of the U.S. and if your adults who like to party and get drunk then this is the place for you.

As a lifelong New Orleanian I would highly recommend New Orleans as a family vacation spot. Specifically, the kids would enjoy the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium, the IMAX theatre, the Louisiana Children's museum, a riverboat ride, eating biegnets at Cafe du Monde, and a streetcar ride down St. Charles Avenue. Obviously, the places to avoid with kids are Bourbon Street and the casino.

If you are looking for a vaction on a budget I would recommend a trip in April, during French Quarter Festival. We bring the kids every year. It's a free festival with lots of food and music. Mardi Gras is another great time to visit since all the entertainment is free. But if you come during Mardi Gras you need to do some planning so that you find a safe spot to view a parade in a family friendly environment.

I'm curious as to why "yvr", who does not care for New Orleans, is in fact here at a New Orleans message board slamming the city. Very strange person that yvr.
Do a Google search for "murder capitol" and you'll find that numerous cities take that "honor" as yvr calls it. Even our nation's capitol, Washington, D.C. gets the "honor", and Boston, and L.A. and on and on.
Before Katrina New Orleans was one of the top 5 destinations for tourists in the U.S. Slowly, as things improve, it is regaining that distinction and probably has already.
As for children there I don't think it's Disney World but there are plenty of things for the kids to do.
yvr speaks with ignorance or prejudice or both, surely not with facts.

Personally, I would never bring kids to New Orleans during Mardi Gras. And I lived there for many years. There are family friendly areas in Metarie and such. But as a tourist, you would likely be unfamiliar with how to get to these areas. The parades in the Quarter are madness and the crowds can be very hostile.

However, outside of Mardi Gras, I think that the city really could be a delightful holiday. The poster above mentioned the zoo and the aquarium. There are also the plantation and swamp tours outside the city. Even spending the day exploring the french quarter could be great fun for children. There are so many interesting stores to browse in and so many different things to eat. Fill your kids up on sugar dredged beignets or pralines and have them run off that energy walking down Royal Street, windowshopping.

Just keep in mind that the summers start early and are extremely hot and humid.