New Orleans is a great place to bring kids, especially those who love nature and animals. There are festivals taking place every month and numerous parks and gardens to relax in while your kids run riot. There are many nature reserves to visit as well as animal attractions such as the Audubon Zoo and the Aquarium of the Americas. With the year-round warm temperatures, even winter sees a number of wildlife species drawn to the parks and woodlands.
Aquarium of the Americas
This aquarium can be found in Uptown New Orleans, on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is home to a highly impressive selection of aquatic life from various environments across the world including the Amazon and the Mississippi Delta. You will find an amazing 7,000 species to view including sharks, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions, jellyfish, eels and turtles. Phone: +1 504 861 2537
Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo is continuously regarded as one of the best zoos in the whole of America. You will find an incredibly wide range of array of animals from around the world including a large number of endangered species. You will also find live animal presentations at the Shell’s Wildlife on Stage and hands-on encounters with many animals at Discovery Walk and the ever-popular Embraceable Zoo.
Phone: +1 504 861 2537; website www.auduboninstitute.org
Entergy IMAX Theatre
This theatre can be found next door to the Aquarium of the Americas and is one of the only theatres in the world to boast a flat screen with high definition 3D capabilities, allowing for a truly spectacular picture. The theatre specialises in nature documentaries, which are guaranteed to fascinate both kids and adults.
Phone: +1 504 581 4629; website: www.auduboninstitute.org
New Orleans’ cultural offerings will guarantee to satisfy all tastes. The historic French Quarter is home to many of the city’s museums, which are all within walking distance of each other. You will find a wide array of information documented including the history of jazz, carnivals, art and culture. You will also find a good number of churches including the oldest cathedral in the country. The city was at the forefront of the slave trade, and many of the slaves from Africa brought with them a spiritual magic which they called voodoo. You will find that voodoo is still practiced today, so be careful who you annoy!
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
This is not only a museum, but also a workshop where Mardi Gras floats are built every year. The museum offers interactive displays, tours of the workshop and the chance to dress up in costume.
Phone: +1 504 361 7821; website: www.mardigrasworld.com
Confederate Museum
This museum opened in 1891 and is the oldest museum still in operation in Louisiana. It is home to one of the biggest collections of civil war memorabilia in the world. Highlights include original battle flags, soldiers' uniforms, armoury, weapons and rare photographs.
Phone: +1 504 523 4522; website: www.confederatemuseum.com
Historic New Orleans Collection
Located in the French quarter and spread throughout four 18th and 19th century buildings, this collection houses permanent historical artefacts detailing the city’s history. The museum was founded in 1889, and the home of General and Mrs L Kemper Williams (the museum’s founders) is open for tours.
Phone: +1 504 523 4662; website: www.hnoc.org
Louisiana State Museum
This museum can be found in the French Quarter and is home to an extensive display of local culture and heritage. There is a popular New Orleans jazz exhibit displaying Louis Armstrong’s first horn and a large exhibit on the state’s carnival tradition. There is also further information on Louisiana’s history, music, immigrants and burial customs.
Phone: +1 504 568 6968; website: lsm.crt.state.la.us
New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
This is without doubt one of the most unusual museums in the world. A visit to the Voodoo Museum will teach you about the mysterious mixture of African and Catholic rituals which were brought to New Orleans in the 18th century. There are pictures of rituals on display as well as artefacts that were used and old maps detailing the journey of slaves from Africa. There is even information and photographs on modern day voodoo ceremonies.
Phone: +1 504 680 0128; website: www.voodoomuseum.com
New Orleans Museum of Art
This museum was first opened in 1910 and is regarded as being one of the finest museums in the Southeastern corner of the United States. The museum aims to preserve works of art, which date from ancient times to the present day. Paintings, drawings and prints document the development of western civilisation, with highlights including French and American art, photography, glass, African and Japanese works, and a stunning sculpture garden.
Phone: +1 504 488 2631; website: www.noma.org
St Louis Cathedral
This stunning cathedral was built in 1794 and is the oldest cathedral in the US. It is still the place of worship for thousands, who attend every service. The cathedral which stands today is actually the third replacement. The first cathedral was destroyed by a hurricane and the second was destroyed by the fire of 1788, which burnt almost every structure in the French Quarter.
The city of New Orleans is not only famous for its jazz, but also for its cuisine. From Cajun delights, which have been introduced over the centuries, to the local creole, New Orleans food is perhaps the city’s most prized possession. Most of the food is a fusion of local ingredients and African, French and Spanish flavours, which have combined to produce a unique and unmistakeable New Orleans flavour.
Specialties include beignets, square-shaped pastries which are usually served with coffee; Po'boy, a traditional sub sandwich; muffaletta, sandwiches made with Sicilian breads; Gulf oysters, boiled crawfish and other seafood; étouffée, jambalaya and gumbo, Cajun seafood dishes; and the Monday evening favourite of red beans and rice.
New Orleans boasts some of the best restaurants in the country which cater specifically to locals, and visitors are encouraged to try these. They can be found across the city, as can many five-star establishments and international cuisine. Downtown offers the best selection of restaurants, but it’s the quieter districts where you will find true local delights.
Shopping in New Orleans is as memorable as dining. You will find endless shops selling weird and wonderful items as well as large shopping malls and trendy boutiques. The city is however particularly renowned for its extensive antique and home furnishing shops, which are largely concentrated along Royal Street in the French Quarter.
This French Quarter is brimming with trendy boutiques, while Bourbon Street and the French Market are the places to head if you want to do a spot of souvenir and gift buying. The city centre is home to the majority of the city’s malls, offering high street fashion alongside music, electrical goods and toy shops.
New Orleans is located on the edge of the Mississippi, and because of this, there are many parks and marshes offering ideal places to explore. There are also many nature reserves and lakes nearby areas where bird-watchers and fishermen will be in their element. If you are a fan of American sports, you will find a number of spectator sports available, which will ensure a great American-style family day out. Boating is also popular, as is horseracing.
Boating
New Orleans houses the New Orleans Yacht Club and Southern Yacht Club. Southern Yacht Club was established in 1849 and is the second oldest yacht club in the country. The building was severely damaged, first by storm surge and then by fire in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Both clubs offer visitors the chance to enjoy a day’s boating on the river, which is a perfect way to enjoy the scenic views and fresh air without tiring yourself out.
Derby
New Orleans hosts an annual derby, which sees jockeys from across the country compete. The Big Easy Rollergirls is the first and only all-female derby league in New Orleans. They are also the only flat-track derby team in the nation that had to start up twice; Katrina saw many members move to other cities. They have reformed since the hurricane and have begun their new season. If you happen to be in the city during a horse race, be sure to have a look, as you will meet a diverse range of the city’s population as well as being able to have a flutter.
Parks
The city’s parks are ideal venues for outdoor activities such as picnics, ball games, jogging, cycling and sunbathing. Many parks also offer the opportunity to get up close and personal with many species of wildlife. City Park is home to an expansive green area as well as a children’s playground, nature trails, tennis courts and botanical gardens. Audubon Park is home to the famous zoo as well as green expanses and a children’s area.
Spectator Sports
New Orleans is home to four professional sports teams: New Orleans Saints (football); New Orleans Hornets (basketball); New Orleans VooDoo (football); and the New Orleans Zephyrs (baseball). The city holds two college football bowl games every year, which attract crowds in their thousands, and the city also hosts the Bayou Classic, an annual college football game. If you can get a ticket to any of these annual games, you will be guaranteed an experience to remember. Alternatively, a home game for any one of these teams is an event which sees the whole city coming together to support their men.
