Visitng New Orleans with a child?

Question

Hi!! My husband is working as a contractor in New Orleans and we'd like to go visit for awhile. I'm definitly going with a friend, but should I bring my 3 year old or not? I have someone she can stay with if I don't take her, but is there anything she would have fun seeing or doing? Any advice on places to stay in the French Quarter?

Answer 1

The Audubon Zoo is great. You will all LOVE it. It is a very family friendly zoo with a park-like atmosphere. There is also the aquarium which is downtown on the river. I'm guessing a 3-year old can eat beignets so you can take her to Cafe du Monde, just watch out for the powdered sugar becoming a play thing. If she/he is a kid who can stand walking around, there are plenty of stores in the French Quarter that sell toys, dolls, and other interesting things. There is The Louisiana Children's Museum which is close to the National D-Day Museum in the Warehouse District.

With Mardi Gras coming up she will love the parades, the last day being February 20th. For a night parade, go to an area closer to the beginning for a more family friendly time. You can ask another local when you are there on the best place to see a particular parade.

Despite the late-night infomercials featuring Bourbon Street, New Orleans is a great place to visit with a family. Given some people's beliefs about New Orleans, I think many would be surprised that while growing up there I wasn't drinking on Bourbon Street as a toddler with my family. The crime isn't as bad as people say. Don't let your toddler peddle drugs or establish a drug territory during your stay and you will likely have a great chance of surviving your vacation.

Bringing him or her down wouldn't be a big mistake, unless, of course, you would want to be going out at night. I'll assume that going out wasn't a priority since you were asking.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Hi,
We lived in Slidell, LA which is across Lake Ponchartrain from New Orleans (40 min ride). We took our son's to New Orleans alot, you have the Audubon Zoo, the Riverwalk, there's the Aquarium, lot's of performers on the streets, horses w/ carriages etc. Café du Monde coffee and beignet are awesome, kids love the beignets. You can also take your child on a Swamp Tour, this is fun, gators, the swamps etc. Nice.
Whatever you decide, enjoy yourself. Please do be careful because the Quarters isn't too bad, but the areas you drive through to get there is.
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!" "Let the Good Times Roll!"

Answer 3

I'd say wait to bring her until she's a little older and can remember the trip. As for places to stay, I highly recommend Dauphine House, which is a block off Esplanade. It's close enough to the Quarter to be able to enjoy it, but enough out that you can relax when you want to. Reasonable prices, and the woman who runs it is a total goddess. Several great restaurants within a block or two. Here's the website.

Answer 4

New Orleans is a great place to visit, I have been both with my daughter and without. To be honest with you I enjoyed it much more without and I think that you will this time of year especially. It isnt as warm as you may think and most activities are outside and require walking. She is a little young and the town really wakes up at night. I hope you have a great time.

Answer 5

Leave the tot at home. Everything in the French Quarter is way overpriced. Stay in Meterie or Kenner and take a cab in to the city. Be careful....N.O. is crime ridden.

Answer 6

depends on how you want your trip to be like..
but however your child will have a blast mardi gras parades start rolling on feb. 3 so if you want to have funnnnnnnn with your child then bring her........

Answer 7

You'll have a very different trip w/ which you choose.
Party hard or slow family gear?

Answer 8

well if you want to go partying i wouldn't bring her but if your not doing that i would say yea there is alot of things to do for you guys