Known for Mardi Gras parties, its vibrant multi-ethnic culture and jazz, New Orleans, still rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina, is the spot for a great family vacation.

Dubbed “The Big Easy” and “The Most Interesting City in America” depending on your viewpoint, New Orleans, Louisiana will not disappoint anyone on your next family vacation.  This charming Southern belle boasts a culture that is unique, music that is truly inspiring, cuisine to die for, entertainment that is wild and a dark history that will intrigue.  Straddling the mouth of the Mississippi River, still growing and recovering after the devastating Hurricane Karina of 2005, New Orleans can be as tame or as wild as your taste prefers, and is a must-see American city.

For Little Kids (to age 8)

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
1 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504/581-4629 or 800/774-7394)
Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
(866/ITS-AZOO or 800/774-7394)
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is hailed as one of the top aquariums in America. See the 30-ft-long Caribbean reef tunnel and then say hello to Spots, the white alligator, penguins, and Buck and Emma, two sea otters rescued by the zoo.  Visit Adventure Island too, a fun interactive exhibit.  The Audubon Zoo, one of the top ranked zoos in the U.S, has animals from all over the world. Try out the rock climbing wall, the endangered species carousel, the archaeological dig, and the safari simulator ride. Visit the red river hogs, sea lions, white tigers, and other exotic species.  By Rachel Taube  

Louisiana Children’s Museum
420 Julia Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504/586-0725 ext 210)
Young children will love the hands-on, educational activities at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. They can scale a climbing wall, sail down the Mississippi, trap their shadow, stand inside a giant bubble, make art, lift 500 pounds, and more.  Younger children can role-play in a pint-sized grocery store, or enjoy making music.  Admission for tinies under-12-months is free; adults must accompany anyone under 16. Several free programs, including acting workshops and weekend movies, are featured; check the website for schedules.  By Rachel Taube

New Orleans Botanical Gardens
City Park
1 Palm Drive
New Orleans, LA 70124
(504/482-4888)
The Botanical Gardens, originally a project of the Works Progress Association during the Great Depression, is one of the few remaining examples of public garden design from the Art Deco period.  Though it was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it re-opened six months later due to a massive volunteer effort.  You can wander the gardens and enjoy over 2,000 varieties of plants.  Events go on regularly, including twilight concerts, educational programs and plant sales.  The Botanical Gardens are open Tuesday though Sunday, 10am-4:30pm, and admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children (5-12), and free for kids under 5.  By Rachel Taube

Patchwork Players
Rogers Memorial Chapel
Tulane University, Uptown Campus
Broadway between Oak and Zimpel
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504/314-7760)
Young children will love seeing a play performed by the Patchwork Players, an improvisational theater company run by Tulane University.  Enjoy a silly presentation that will have the kids giggling the whole time.  The shows only run mid-June through mid-July, so this is a great activity to fill up a hot summer day. Summer 2009 is showing “Snow White” and “Pecos Bill.” Tickets are just $7.50 a seat.  By Rachel Taube

For Older Kids (8-16)

Historic New Orleans Collection
533 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/523-4662
Anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things will love the restored French Quarter’s southern homes in the Historic New Orleans Collection. Visit one of the HNOC buildings on the famous Royal Street to see art and photography from artists like Josephine Crawford and Michael P. Smith.  A great way to learn about Louisiana and the Cajun way of life, the Collection operates a museum, which includes the Williams Gallery and the Louisiana History Galleries. Be sure to visit the Williams Residence, an 18^th century home that has been largely untouched since the 1940s. Children and parents will like the HNOC’s Concerts in the Courtyard, an outdoor concert series with local musicians and complimentary food and beverages.  By Rachel Coleman

Confederate Museum
929 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/523-4522
The Civil War Museum’s Memorial Hall is the oldest museum in Louisiana and has the second largest collection of Confederate memorabilia in the US. All members of the family are sure to find something that interests them in the thousands of Confederate artifacts. Popular attractions include Confederate soldier uniforms, guns and swords, battle flags, paintings, and photographs. Be sure to see exhibits about Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, who was placed at Memorial Hall after his death for one and a half days, when more than 60,000 people came to pay their respects.  By Rachel Coleman

Magic Tours
327 Belleville Street
New Orleans, LA 70114
504/588-9693
For a fun-filled, historically accurate experience, take a Magic Tour through historic New Orleans. Featuring scenic tours through the mansion-lined Garden District, the French Quarter, and the St. Louis Cemetery, the tour group offers themed tours based on culinary arts, New Orleans scandals, and literature. But a visit to New Orleans would not be complete without a true ghost tour. Since its founding, New Orleans has suffered numerous incidents of disease, disasters, destruction, and death, and it seems that almost every building has its own haunting story. If your family enjoys thrills, take an after-dark ghost walk to hear the ghost stories, vampire tales, and voodoo legends of New Orleans and see who can spot the living dead. Each tour leaves from a different location, so check the company’s website for details. Reservations are required for all tours.  By Rachel Coleman

Louisiana Superdome
1500 Sugar Bowl Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/587-3663
Besides being the home of the New Orleans Saints football team, the iconic Superdome also became a shelter for 30,000 people when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2006. And as the largest fixed dome structure in the world, the Superdome, located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, has hosted Pope John Paul II, the 1988 Republican National Convention, and the Rolling Stones in the world’s largest indoor concert ever. It cost $134 million to repair the Dome after Hurricane Katrina, and the building’s renovations include 192-foot windows, new sound systems, and four new scoreboards. Stop by the Dome with your family to see the massive building or catch one of the many concerts and shows that take place there during the year. Car and boat shows, house exhibits, and the Sugarbowl are just a few of the Dome’s huge annual events that your family can experience.  By Rachel Coleman

Riverwalk Marketplace
1 Poydras Street, Suite 101
New Orleans, LA  70130
504/522-1555  
It's hard to get a feel of what authentic New Orleans life is really like at Riverwalk Marketplace, the bustling marketplace along the Mississippi, but it's a fun tourist destination. Built on the site of the 1984 World’s Fair, this festive marketplace has lots of places to shop, eat, and find entertainment. Also located next to one of the busiest seaports, you can see cruise ships, freighters, and riverboats.  By Vanessa Cubillo

Mid City Lanes Rock 'n Bowl  
3000 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
504/861-1700
Experience New Orleans nightlife with a twist at Mid City Lanes Rock ‘n Bowl. Enjoy some classic New Orleans rock while you bowl in this retro style, 18-lane bowling alley. Hear live music as you bowl; the whole family can dance on the lanes as you play.  By Vanessa Cubillo

The National World War II Museum
945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/527-6012
The National World War II Museum, formerly the D-Day Museum and now part of the Smithsonian, is packed with exhibits and some of the most important artifacts of that time, as well as some of its most haunting images. Highlights of the museum include actual soldier's uniforms, weapons displays and oral history stations where visitors can hear the stories of veterans while watching film footage related to their experiences.  Check out the 110-seat Malcolm S. Forbes Theater, which shows Academy Award-nominated films about the war effort.  By Vanessa Cubillo

Southern Food and Beverage Museum
Riverwalk
1 Poydras Street #169
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/569-0405
The American South knows food and if the family really wants to get deep into understanding this unique culinary experience, the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB) is the place to be.  Opened in 2008, SoFAB’s mission is for visitors to discover, understand and celebrate the culture of Southern food and the unique people and ethnicities that have helped create it over the centuries.  Opened seven days a week from 10am-7pm (with limited hours on Sunday), the museum hosts exhibits, demonstrations, lectures and even tastings.  Past exhibits include: “Lousiana Eats!,” “Eating in the White House” and even an Elvis display.  SoFAB offers summer cooking classes for kids and is sponsoring a Menu Project in an effort to collect menus from Southern-style eateries all over the globe.  Admission is $10.  By Jillian Ryan

Magazine Street
Spanning 6-miles east to west from Canal Street until Audubon Park, Magazine Street is a shopper’s paradise.  Boasting unique antique shops, delicious restaurants and interesting people, the street has it all.  It’s great for a family stroll (or get a one-day unlimited bus pass for $5), but make sure mom and dad watch their wallets.  For yummy treats stop by Blue Frog Chocolates at 5707 for fine domestic and imported chocolates; Lucky You! Candy Company at 4505 is a sweetshop that has everything from pez dispensers to cupcakes and popcorn to salt water taffy; and Sophies is an old-fashioned ice cream parlor serves up homemade gelato at 1912.  Kids will love to visit the stores that have things just for them.  Check out Angelique Baby at 3719 for funky clothing; Little Laughter at 5530 to browse child furniture; Magic Box , Ltd., a specialty toy store, at 5508; and Pippen Lane at 2929, a children’s emporium.  Adults will like Fleur d' Orleans at 3701A which features unique gifts designed with inspiration from New Orleans.  And after a long day of shopping, hit Joey K’s Restaurant, a neighborhood eatery that has Creole pot cooking and fried seafood.  By Jillian Ryan  

Fun for the Whole Family

French Quarter
The oldest and most famous neighborhood in New Orleans, the French Quarter was first settled in 1718.  Now a National Historic Landmark, the 78-square-block section of NOLA is a great place to spend the afternoon.  Stroll down famous Bourbon Street.  This strip, known for its crazy Mardi Gras parties and drinking establishments, has beautiful architecture that shouldn’t be missed. (See the listing for Historic New Orleans Collection above, for information on entering a few of the house museums.)

Spend some time in Jackson Square, a park in the center of the French Quarter.  Families can visit the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continually open cathedral in the US, and the Cabildo, Colonial New Orleans’ old city hall and the site of the official signing of the Louisiana Purchase.  Currently, the structure is a museum. 

Do some shopping in Jax Brewery, a former beer distillery that is now a shopping complex.  Kids will love Gumbo Kids, a custom t-shirt store.  Finally, after a carriage ride through the French Quarter, stop by Café du Monde for some famous tasty beignets. By Jillian Ryan

Preservation Hall
726 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
504/522-2841
Located in the heart of New Orleans, in the French Quarter, is Preservation Hall. This renowned music venue is multi-faceted, operating as a performance center, a record label, and a band. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Hall’s namesake, performs all around the world, introducing others to the jazz of New Orleans. Open seven days a week, the Hall welcomes all ages to enjoy a jazz performance by artists young and old at a price of $10. Providing a smoke-free environment, Preservation Hall offers families an enjoyable cultural experience.  Note, however, there is no air-conditioning, and no refreshments are provided so be sure to grab some dinner before settling in for a night of jazz. Tickets may be purchased only at the door. By Maureen Linehan

Gray Line Tours
504/569-1401 or 800/535-7786
Almost five years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the city is still recovering and rebuilding from the ground up. With its Ninth Ward or Hurricane Katrina Tour, Gray Line Tours offers an up-close look into the destruction the storm caused and the recovery efforts, providing visitors with hope for the future of this once majestic city. The tour educates guests on the history behind the city, why it was built at the specific location along the Mississippi River, and how the city of New Orleans is a major provider of seafood throughout the country. A guide narrates the tour, which offers one stop for a 15-minute bathroom and food break. Tours are three hours long and depart at 1pm from the Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office (Toulouse Street & the Mississippi River in the French Quarter). The buses accommodate up to 50 passengers. Rates: Adults- $35, Children- $28, Groups- $28.75 (minimum 10 adults). There is a parking fee of $11-$13 for up to four hours.

Gray Line also offers a Swamp and Bayou Tour, a major part of the New Orleans culture. Take a motorcoach ride across the Mississippi River to discover the historical routes of New Orleans and their famous swamps, which provide seafood to people throughout the country. Guests will travel through the Barataria Preserve in Jean Lafitte National Historic Park, and see the habitats of alligators, egrets, raccoons, and a variety of snakes. Tours depart from the Gray Line ticket office, daily at 11am and 1pm. It is just under four hours long and costs $48 for adults and $24 for children. Group rates are available as well. Reserve your tickets for both tours ahead of time. Other swamp tour operators to check out include Insta-Gator Alligator Ranch & Hatchery or Honey Island Swamp Tours, on the outskirts of New Orleans.  By Maureen Linehan

Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70130
800/362-8213 or 504/361-7821
In the past Mardi Gras was an annual tradition in February, but now you can experience the fun of Carnival any day of the year at Mardi Gras World. Operated by Blaine Kern Studios, one of the premier sculpture and float designers for the annual parades down Bourbon Street, Mardi Gras World invites guest to walk among the glamorous costumes and floats of this cultural event. You can choose a combo cruise/tour where you board the Creole Queen en route to a tour of the Mardi Gras memorabilia. The cruise departs from the Canal Street Dock, adjacent to the Hilton Riverside Hotel, and then embarks to the tour. With two daily excursions leaving at 10am and 1:30pm, this tour provides three hours of fun, Mardi Gras style. Guests will witness the masters of sculpture and float design who make the parade a visual masterpiece and each year more outlandish than the last. A free shuttle bus is offered from the Canal Street ferry, which transports guests who are interested in touring the studios only. Tours take place every 30 minutes from 10am-5pm, seven days a week. General Admission: Adults- $18, Youth (4-11)- $11. Tour/Cruise Combo Rates: Adults- $36, Seniors- $30, Youth (3-12)- $21.  By Maureen Linehan

New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park
916 North Peters Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
504/589-2133
Jazz, a combination of blues, gospel and ragtime genres mixed with improvisation, was born in New Orleans.  And at this National Park’s visitor’s center families have the perfect home base to explore the art form in its birthplace.   There are Ranger-led demonstrations, walks and video documentaries.  Groups can even take a self-guided audio tour of the surrounding area to learn more about jazz history.  (Maps and the downloadable audio file are available online).  And the best part: free live jazz performances five days a week (check the website for official schedule).  Kids will also love the music workshop led by the Storyville Stomper Brass Band.  Plus, they even have the opportunity to become JAZZ Junior Rangers during their visit.  By Jillian Ryan

For more information on family-friendly attractions in NOLA, check out the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website or call 800-672-6124.  Also visit http://www.neworleansonline.com/ for further insight into The Big Easy.