| Wondering whether New Orleans, Louisiana is a place | | | | such as: |
| to bring along the kids? Unbeknownst to most, the | | | | - Caribbean Reef, stroll through a 32-foot clear acrylic |
| Bayou City is a great family-friendly destination, | | | | tunnel, surrounded by 132,000 gallons of water and a |
| brimming with history, mouthwatering cuisine and a long | | | | wide variety of sea creatures |
| list of things to do perfect for children. | | | | - Gulf of Mexico, learn about the sea life surrounding a |
| More often than not, New Orleans usually conjures up | | | | replica of an offshore oil rig, including the largest tarpon |
| images of wild, college-age party-goers involved in | | | | in captivity |
| numerous acts of debauchery, but this city is much | | | | - Sea Otter Gallery, watch the frolicking otters in this |
| more than Mardi Gras. Although the family | | | | 23,000-gallon exhibit |
| entertainment opportunities in New Orleans are limitless, | | | | - Touch pools, savor a unique opportunity to touch |
| I will touch on the top five things to do on an | | | | baby sharks and stingrays |
| unforgettable family vacation to New Orleans as well | | | | Location: 1 Canal St., P.O. BOX 4327, New Orleans, LA |
| as a couple great family lodging options in the heart of | | | | 70178 |
| the Crescent City. | | | | Cost: $17.50 for adults: $13.50, seniors (65 & older); |
| #5 Riding a riverboat on the majestic Mississippi River | | | | $10.50 for children 2-12 Special packages are available |
| Sure to be a hit with the kiddos, taking a ride on | | | | for Aquarium, Zoo and IMAX Â(R) visitors |
| anything usually warrants some cheers, but an | | | | Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Closing |
| excursion on the water is an exceptional experience | | | | times vary. |
| for everyone in the family. Take in the scenery along | | | | #1 Audubon Zoo |
| the banks of the river and learn about the storied | | | | Set aside time to enjoy one of the top-ranked zoos in |
| history of this distinctive area. There are several | | | | the nation. Not only is this New Orleans attraction a |
| choices to enjoy a ride, including: | | | | renowned zoo, but also a beautiful garden. The zoo's |
| - The Steamboat Natchez, one of only six true | | | | unique location in the French Quarter was actually an |
| steam-powered sternwheelers, offering a 2-hour | | | | 18th century sugar plantation and the site of the 1884 |
| Harbor cruise during the day and a three-hour Dinner | | | | World Exposition. |
| Jazz cruise in the evenings | | | | For children, there's nothing like an awesome animal |
| - Creole Queen, a paddlewheeler with all the modern | | | | encounter to create unforgettable memories to last a |
| convenience, featuring dinner and jazz cruises as well | | | | lifetime, and the Audubon Zoo provides endless |
| as Big Easy Harbor Tours | | | | opportunities to make a lasting impression. Boasting |
| Be sure to arrive at the boat at least a half hour to an | | | | more than 50 acres filled with 1,500 animals from 360 |
| hour before scheduled departure to ensure you won't | | | | species, this zoo welcomes more than 750,000 guests |
| miss the sailing of your choice. Steamboat Natchez | | | | each year to explore the remarkable animal kingdom. |
| departs from Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax | | | | Be sure to make time for these highly-visited exhibits: |
| Brewery and the Creole Queen departs from | | | | - White tigers, meet Rex and Zulu, two white tiger |
| Riverwalk Canal Street dock. | | | | brothers, as they pounce and play together |
| #4 Louisiana Children's Museum | | | | - World of Primates, view tamarins, gorillas, lemurs, |
| A popular destination for children since 1984, this fun | | | | siamangs, and the endangered Sumatran orangutans |
| and interactive museum has expanded since its | | | | - Sea lions, one of the best-loved animals here, the |
| opening to an amazing 30,000 square feet of | | | | playful and energetic sea lions are sure to be a |
| educational exhibits for kids. Geared towards kids up | | | | favorite stop during your trip |
| to age 12, this unique museum includes everything from | | | | - The Louisiana Swamp, get a glimpse of the wilds of |
| a miniature grocery store and a replica of Mr. Rogers' | | | | Louisiana in this exhibit where you can even watch an |
| Neighborhood to a working art studio. | | | | alligator feeding |
| Location: 420 Julia Street New Orleans, LA 70130 | | | | - Jaguar Jungle, learn about the Mayan culture and |
| Cost: $7 per person - adults and children; free for | | | | immerse yourself in the flora and fauna of a jungle |
| children under the age of one | | | | rainforest |
| Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and | | | | - Monkey Hill, the little ones will definitely enjoy climbing |
| Sunday noon - 4:30 p.m. | | | | the five-level treehouse to get a unique monkey's-eye |
| #3 Visiting the New Orleans City Park | | | | view of the zoo |
| One of the oldest and largest parks in the country, | | | | Location: 6500 Magazine St., P.O. BOX 4327, New |
| New Orleans City Park has been a favorite place to | | | | Orleans, LA 70178 |
| go for many generations of children. Established in | | | | Cost: Adult admission is $12.50, children ages 2-12 are |
| 1854, over the years, the park has grown to | | | | $7.50, seniors 65+ are $9.50. Audubon Zoo members |
| encompass an impressive 1,300 acres of land. | | | | admitted free. |
| Attractions in the park are abundant, but here just a | | | | Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Closing |
| few highlights: | | | | times vary. Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mardi |
| - Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, featuring a | | | | Gras and the first Friday in May. |
| number of rides for kids, including the antique wooden | | | | When visiting all these attractions and discovering the |
| carousel dating back to 1906 and a train ride which | | | | many things to do in New Orleans, a family-friendly |
| tours the perimeter of the park | | | | New Orleans hotel is imperative. For immediate access |
| - Storyland, brings fairy tales to life with 26 unique | | | | to it all, be sure to stay at a French Quarter hotel to |
| exhibits; $3.00 per person, ages 3 and up; free for | | | | take advantage of an unbeatable centralized location. |
| children under 3 | | | | In fact, there are two wonderful choices among New |
| - New Orleans Botanical Garden, the first public | | | | Orleans French Quarter hotels to make your home |
| classical garden in New Orleans | | | | base. Both of these are Holiday Inn hotels which |
| - Couturie Forest and Arboretum Trail, featuring over a | | | | feature an affordable Kids Stay and Eat Free* |
| mile of trails, an amphitheatre, education stations in | | | | program. |
| addition to stunning hardwoods and an incredible | | | | For a pet-friendly French Quarter New Orleans hotel, |
| variety of birds | | | | the full-service Holiday Inn French Quarter Hotel is an |
| Location: 1 Palm Drive New Orleans, LA 70124 | | | | affordable yet ideally located option. Click here for |
| Cost: Although getting into the park is free, admission | | | | more information about this French Quarter hotel in |
| prices vary depending on the attraction you choose to | | | | New Orleans. |
| visit. | | | | If you want to enjoy some history during your stay, |
| Hours: Individual attractions have varying hours of | | | | turn to Holiday Inn Chateau LeMoyne, a charming New |
| operation, but the park itself is open from 30 minutes | | | | Orleans, LA boutique hotel built in 1847. Click here to |
| prior to daylight until 11:00 p.m. | | | | learn more about one of the most fascinating historic |
| #2 Audubon Aquarium of the Americas | | | | downtown New Orleans hotels in the French Quarter. |
| Bound to be a wonderful time for the whole family, the | | | | *When sharing a parent's room, children 19 and under |
| Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is one of the top | | | | stay free at all Holiday Inn hotels worldwide. Also, |
| five aquariums in the United States, featuring 10,000 | | | | children 12 and under eat free (in the U.S. and Canada) |
| animal specimens including 400 species. Explore the | | | | when they order off the kid's menu in the hotel |
| fascinating underwater universe in numerous exhibits | | | | restaurant, while accompanied by a dining adult. |