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New Orleans, Louisiana Attractions
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
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