With its reputation for indulgent street parties and voodoo, parents might think twice about a family holiday in New Orleans. But the city should actually delight children and it's quite possible to avoid the more adult forms of entertainment while still experiencing the best of the city.Kids are welcome at New Orleans' institutions like Preservation Hall and children of all ages delight in the fancy dress and parades of the many festivals. The city also has fantastic attractions tailored to children on holiday, including fun parks, aquariums, and museums.The little ones love to visit the Audubon Aquarium as well as the creatures at the Audubon Insectarium. While adults take in the exhibitions at the New Orleans Museum of Art, kids can play at nearby Storyland and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.Another popular destination is the Louisiana Children's Museum while children also adore going on boat rides up and down the Mississippi River or out into the bayous and Louisiana swamps.
Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River is the New Orleans' state-of-the-art Audubon Aquarium, regarded as one of the best in America. Underwater tunnels allow visitors to marvel at a Caribbean Reef and a re-creation of the Gulf of Mexico, complete with sharks.There's also a walkthrough Amazon rainforest and an exhibit displaying the inside story of swamp life. The aquarium features almost every type of aquatic creature imaginable, from jellyfish and sea horses to otters and penguins.Audobon Aquarium's sister attractions, also run by the Audubon Institute, are the excellent New Orleans City Zoo, situated in Audubon Park further uptown, and the Audubon Insectarium, situated in the historic Custom House on Canal Street.The zoo is a fun diversion for kids, and the insectarium, a more unusual attraction, is one of the largest freestanding insectariums in the US, housing more than 900,000 species.
Address : 1 Canal Street
Website : www.auduboninstitute.org
Telephone : (504) 565 3033
Admission : $24.95 adults, $18.95 children aged 2-12
The Louisiana Children's Museum offers kids a vast selection of exhibits, art activities and educational programmes to help make learning fun. The kid-sized Winn-Dixie grocery store is a favourite, as are the climbing wall and the giant bubble that kids can play in.Eye to Eye has fun showing the workings of the human eye, and Art Trek features drawing, painting and sculpture lessons. The games and facilities change fairly often and the museum hosts regular events and activities to keep eager young minds captivated. A great option for a rainy day!
Address : 420 Julia Street
Website : www.lcm.org
Telephone : (504) 523 1357
Opening times : Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm, Sunday 12pm to 4.30pm. Closed major holidays.
Admission : $10 per person.
The Mississippi River is really the primary reason New Orleans exists. It is the trade and transport artery which made the situation of the city such an asset over the centuries. New Orleans is therefore a great place to take a boat ride, whether it's simply a fun paddle boat excursion with the kids, or a historic riverboat tour.The Natchez steamboat traverses this great river and passes many of the city's historical sites, while the John James Audubon ferries passengers between the Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Zoo. There are also a number of Louisiana swamp tours which are fun for the whole family. You can't visit New Orleans without experiencing the Mississippi!
Address : Many boats dock near the foot of Canal Street
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