A Big Easy For Families

What can a family expect from New Orleans, a city where the hometown motto is “laissez les bons temps rouler” meaning “let the good times roll”? With the right plan, there are plenty of family-friendly areas of the Crescent City to explore.

Visiting during the Mardi Gras period in February isn’t a great idea for parents with young children due to the crowds and the adult-like antics. During this time, whispering “cover your eyes!” to the little ones may become far too frequent. And yet, that doesn’t mean multigenerational groups can’t get some of the Fat Tuesday experience. During other times of the year, families should hop on the Algiers Ferry at Canal Street and cross the Mississippi River to visit Mardi Gras World, the state’s biggest warehouse and festival float builder. Visitors can see and try on elaborate costumes and masks as well as take in the enormous sculptures used in celebrations past.

All creatures great and small are on display at the Audubon Insectarium, the Aquarium and the New Orleans Zoo. But a swamp tour in search of gators is a more exhilarating “when in Rome” experience.

Adults and kids alike will be intrigued by the mysterious ambience of New Orleans’ many voodoo shops, cemetery tours and walking jaunts, including Haunted History Tours’ “Haunted History Ghost Tour of the French Quarter,” where the tour leader’s British accent lends flavor to his chilling tales of New Orleans’ dark past.

While strolling around the city, visitors may recognize some familiar places from recent and classic Hollywood films. Scenes from the “Fantastic Four” and “Green Lantern” movies, among others, were shot there, and classic-film aficionados may recognize the French Quarter from “A Streetcar Named Desire.” While today’s children may not know all the greats that have played in this musical mecca — although they might know that Lil’ Wayne hails from New Orleans — families should be sure to take in a jazz or zydeco show at one of the many music venues around town. The joy in this down-home music is contagious and might even set tiny feet to dancing.

While the bead-throwing can often be an R-rated adventure on legendary Bourbon Street, you don’t want to leave NoLa without a few pairs of beads. Instead, head to souvenir shops on Canal Street where you can pick a necklace from the simple to the outrageously oversized and decadently designed.

Jackson Square, a plaza in the heart of the French Quarter, is a fun spot for families to explore. Be sure to check out The Presbytere, a museum which delves into the city’s past including the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Outside, there are talented street artists, musicians and even psychics whose advice is usually best when taken with a grain of salt.

If all the walking around has made the little ones hungry, you can’t visit NoLa without a trip to the famous Cafe du Monde, which is known for its beignets. These pillow-shaped donuts are doused with powdered sugar and eaten with a strong cup of chicory coffee or rich hot chocolate. Just don’t wear black unless you want to look like you’ve been playing in the snow.

Of course, many families will find that a pre-trip discussion about the history and effects of Hurricane Katrina is in order. Families who want to go one step further can sign up with the New Orleans Marriott’s “Spirit to Serve” hotel package and work with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild local homes. The program is great for clients looking for a voluntourism vacation.

Locals love to talk about the city’s progress after Katrina. The unofficial motto, according to the animated mule-and-carriage drivers that line up along Decatur Street waiting to show off their city is, “Don’t cry for New Orleans unless it’s tears of laughter and joy.”

And, of course, always let the good times roll.

At Mardi Gras World, kids can get a feel for the fun any time of the year without the rowdy crowds. // © 2011 MARDI GRAS WORLD

Navigating the Big Easy

Audubon Insectarium
423 Canal St.
800-774-7394
www.auduboninstitute.org

Audubon Aquarium of The Americas
Canal St.
504-581-4629 
www.auduboninstitute.org

Haunted History Tours   
97 Fontainebleau Dr.  
504-861-2727
www.hauntedhistorytours.com

Swamp Tour Le Tour Shop
638 St. Peter St.
504-581-6815

The Presbytere  
751 Chartres St.
504-568-6968

Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Place 
504-361-7821
www.mardigrasworld.com

Where to Stay:

New Orleans Marriott  
555 Canal Street
504-581-1000 
www.marriott.com

Staybridge Suites
501 Tchoupitoulas Street
504-571-1818   
www.ichotelsgroup.com

Where to Eat:

Brennan’s: A 65-year-old institution serving a table-groaning three-course breakfast complete with flaming bananas foster.
417 Royal Street
504-525-9711
www.brennansneworleans.com

Cafe du Monde:  Everyone comes here for two things—the powdered sugar-topped beignets and the piping hot chicory coffee. Kids can substitute milk or hot chocolate for the coffee and not miss a beat.
800 Decatur Street
504-525-4544
www.cafedumonde.com

Delmonico’s: Parents can sample house-cured salami and cheeses and share antipasti while kids munch on handmade pizzas from this busy John Besh restaurant. 123 Baronne Street
504-648-6020
www.domenicarestaurant.com

Red Fish Grill: Taste Louisiana’s seafood in all forms from soups to salads and sandwiches like the famous shrimp and oyster po-boys. Come for early lunch when Bourbon Street is chaos free.
115 Bourbon Street
504-598-1200
www.redfishgrill.com

When to go:
Fall and early spring are the best seasons to visit New Orleans. The humidity and heat indexes are lower then and there are fewer crowds. Summer can be uncomfortably hot.

Getting There:
The French Quarter is about a 30-minute drive from the Louis Armstrong - New Orleans International Airport. You can reach the city by taxi or shuttle bus from the airport.