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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 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 more details, visit the New Orleans Visitor's Bureau.

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  

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