New Orleans, home of saucy Creole cuisine, armies of jazz musicians and very old, historic neighborhoods, has made an impressive comeback since Hurricane Katrina. The city continues to undertake a massive rebuilding effort in response to devastating effects of the hurricane, and, fortunately, tourism to the New Orleans has made a significant rebound. Visitor spending in New Orleans since Katrina has reached record-breaking numbers -- and we're not surprised that travelers are once again flocking to the Crescent City.
With its romantic European architecture and mish-mash of African, French, Spanish and Caribbean cultural influences, New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind destination that resembles no other American city. And despite its somewhat roguish reputation (think wild Bourbon Street and boisterous Mardi Gras festivities), the city has plenty of kid-friendly attractions that will keep visiting families thoroughly entertained.
The foodies in your family will discover thousands of fantastic local restaurants in New Orleans (which has earned the much-deserved nickname "the City of Chefs"), serving up tasty Creole and Cajun local specialties. Music lovers of all ages can hear jazz, blues, bluegrass and countless other musical styles in almost every corner of the city, whether strolling past street musicians or attending a festival. Family friendly street performers -- from puppeteers to face painters -- mingle among the jazz musicians in Jackson Square.
The French Quarter, New Orleans' oldest neighborhood, is the most popular place for visitors. It's here that families can find an array of kid-friendly attractions and most of the city's 35,000 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places (more than any other U.S. city). Elegant antebellum mansions line the streets of New Orleans' upscale Garden District, just a short streetcar ride from the French Quarter. Beyond the city, thousands of acres of Louisiana swampland beckon intrepid adventurers young and old. Get off the beaten Bourbon Street and go gator hunting or bird watching in mossy bayous.
New Orleans Family Vacations
New Orleans Family Vacations
Families will love:
- Creole and Cajun restaurants
- The French Quarter with kid-friendly attractions
- All kinds of music including jazz and blues
Written by Caroline Costello
Read more about New Orleans Attractions
Latest New Orleans Trip Report
by salanae7
This city is full of enriching culture that can educate and inspire everyone! It is rich with a local flavor that can't be found anywhere else. The ...
Read more New Orleans Trip Reports
Best New Orleans Family Hotels
© Copyright 2013. The Independent Traveler, Inc.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
- Independent Traveler independenttraveler.com
- Cruise Critic cruisecritic.com
-
FREE Family Travel Newsletter -
Family Travel Tips (10 New)
– Family Planning and Tips
- OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips All About the Extras Sail & Sign Card Carnival ships feature Sail & Sign cards, which make life so much easier. All you do is link a debit card or credit card to your Sail & Sign Card at Guest Relations or a kiosk on the ship. You'll then use your Sai...
- OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips Carnival is known for its plethora of onboard activities, and the Miracle is no exception to this. Listed in the Fun Times, the ship's daily newsletter, activities include beanbag tosses, trivia, bingo, games, dance classes (including a "Thriller" class) ...
- OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips During the cruise, I quickly learned that cruise food is every bit as big of a deal as the cruise itself. And when it comes to dining, the Carnival Miracle does not disappoint. Bacchus Restaurant Thousands of purple, bubble-like lights embellish Bacc...
- OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips Carnival Miracle's rooms are simple, yet comfortable and clean, with flat-screen TV's, phones, complimentary bathrobes and stocked mini-bars. Anything consumed from the mini bars, which offer alcohol, sodas and energy drinks, will cost you an extra fee. ...
In what seems like the blink of an eye, the kids you've raised are all grown up and off to college. As parents, you're worried. More importantly, you're anxious to visit them!
Lucky for you, we here at Family Vacation Critic know what it means to be concerned parents. With that, we've taken the t...- OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips One of four Spirit class ships, Carnival Miracle made its magical debut in 2004. While it's certainly not Carnival's grandest ship, it's definitely something of a "miracle" for families, who find an ample amount of amenities and activities on board. Amid ...
With a state (New York) that offers more ski resorts than any other place in the country and the entire region of New England to boot, the East Coast hardly lacks for quality ski resorts, making the task of listing the best areas a difficult one. Nevertheless, these are our favorites, in no particul...
You've unpacked your boxes full of gloves, ski masks and snowsuits. You've repaired your ski poles and sharpened your skis. Now, where should you go? More importantly, where will you find a good deal, preferably one that packages lodging and lift tickets? We've uncovered the best early (and even win...
So, you've got one day to see the most popular theme park in Walt Disney World. Twenty-four hours to conquer The Kingdom, the holy grail of family entertainment, all 107 jam-packed acres. Can it be done? Should it be done? I've read a lot of articles on how to see the Magic Kingdom in one day, m...- No doubt about it: Walt Disney World puts Orlando on the tourism map. Additional major theme parks, like Universal Studios Florida, SeaWorld Orlando and LEGOLAND, Florida have only added to the region's lure as a family vacation destination. But there's more to see in Central Florida, both in Orland...