Okay, we (9 yo son and mom) are staying at Homewood Suites for 3 nights, visiting 22 year old son and looking for knowledgable input on what to do? Anything ';special'; during our time frame to do/look for (although NOLA has enought to keep us busy without something ';special';...as NOLA is special!). Aquarium, Zoo, IMAX (but we have won in our town) have all been talked as things about with kids, so they are under consideration, what else is a ';do not miss';? One of the beignet eateries (du MOnde or Beignet)? He would just enjoy seeing Mississippi River, too, but I read the boats are boring (steam/paddle wheel?)...possibly a swamp tour? Husband and I did a small airboat ride last Nov and enjoyed it...because airboat was small we could get to places where other boats couldn%26#39;t...but it was noisy! Can you rent bikes for riding around Audubon park? We are then meeting up with husband and 20 yo old son and all will head to Dauphin Island beach house for a week. Anyone ever been there?
3 nights with 9 year old son in NO 8/8-8/11
I went there in june with 4 teens(14-17). We all really liked the aquarium.(FYI It is closed on MONdays). Also had fun taking the trolley from aquarium to French Market where they each had money they could buy anything they wished as long as they paid.Had lunch at market cafe, very reasonable, Cafe Maspero, also good for lunch.We ate at Bubba Gumps twice. Great food and atmosphere, along with it being one of our fave movies.ROCK and BOWL was fun when we went a few years back but they opened later the day we went this time so we had conflicting dinner plans. Had to make deal with 14 YO that next time she gets to bowl first, before we do anything else.We have not done zoo but drove thru that park and it looked really nice.We really just enjoyed walking Decatur street every day looking at things and also the waterfront park.Oh Yeah we did a haunted tour at night. Kids liked it from the different one we did a few years ago. Have Fun...
3 nights with 9 year old son in NO 8/8-8/11
How about a trip to Algiers on the ferry and a visit to Mardi Gras World? Even if Mardi Gras World www.mardigrasworld.com isn%26#39;t his thing, the ferry is free. The Musee%26#39; Conti Wax Museum is another possibility. I haven%26#39;t been, but a friend says it%26#39;s very worthwhile. They even have an educational packet on their website. www.neworleanswaxmuseum.com No, I haven%26#39;t been to Dauphin Island, although I live in Alabama. Here are a few attractions in the area: http://gulfinfo.com/area.htm
Think about combining a trip to the Aquarium with a trip to the Zoo and take the dedicated boat to the Zoo and back.
If he likes history, go to the Battle of New Orleans site and scope out Katrina damage along the way.
Don%26#39;t forget the various walking tours in the FQ.
Dauphin Island is a very, very quiet place. There is a good little marine science center near the ferry. There is also a Civil War fort on each side of the Bay. The Battle for Mobile Bay mostly took place on the other side of the Bay (Damn the torpedoes, etc.) To me, the better beaches are on the other side of Mobile Bay where there is less fresh water run off but they can be busy and noisy. A favorite pastime in DI is birdwatching, if that gives you any indication. The other major pastime is deep sea fishing.
Is the dedicated boat still making the trip between Aquarium and Zoo? I%26#39;ve seen some info that makes me think it%26#39;s not...we may do the Algiers ferry as alternative (son would love to say he crossed the mighty Mississippi!). Had not heard of wax museum or Battle of NO site as tourist ideas...will check it out. Thanks!
There is a lot to do in New Orleans for all ages but here are some family activities I think you will enjoy.
You already mentioned you had passes to the Aquarium/Zoo/Imax. There is a ferry boat that can shuttle you from the Aquarium to the zoo.
You asked about bike rentals I recommend this one if staying in the French Quarter. You can ride straight up Esplande to City Park.
Bicycle%26#39;s Michael%26#39;s LLC
www.bicyclemichaels.com
622 Frenchmen St, New Orleans - (504) 945-9505
Jackson Square can be fun with fortune tellers, artists etc. You could have a quick portrait done by a local artist. Also stop by Caf茅 Du Monde for some beignets, adults and kids love them.
There is a nice childrens museum.
Louisiana Children%26#39;s Museum
www.lcm.org
420 Julia St
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 523-1357
You could take a carriage ride/tour which could be fun for them. They leave often from Jackson Square. Or ride the riverboat Natchez, but if you are doing the shuttle boat to the zoo that might be enough.
You can go to Mardi Gras world. Which I am sure would be a lot of fun.
http://www.mardigrasworld.com/
You could go to a Zephyrs baseball game. Very affordable family entertainment.
You could go to the wax museum.
Maybe try a swamp tour. It might be fun to see the alligators from the boat.
There is a lot to do in the city for people of all ages but hopefully this gives you some kid friendly ideas to get started.
2 disappointments: the wax museum does group tours only (would have been perfect for son!) and I don%26#39;t the Aquarium-Zoo cruise is running :( both sounded great, but there does seem to be more than enough to do in NO. Thanks.
That is really annoying about the Conti Wax Museum being closed to the general public. I was looking forward to taking my granddaughters there in December. I visited it once, and it was a very interesting museum that gave a great history lesson of New Orleans. Hopefully they will reopen for the general public at some point.
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