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New Orleans - More Than Just a Party Town

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Crescent City Living LLC Licensed LA RE Commission

Many adult visitors to New Orleans never venture beyond the Convention Center and the French Quarter.  They have a great time, but never consider bringing their children to the area.  Why not?  There is more to the city of New Orleans than just a party happening 7 days a week.

If you are planning a visit or a relocation to the New Orleans area, check out  some of the kid friendly sites and activities to keep the little ones entertained:

shark

 

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas  Conveniently located at the foot of Canal  Street in Woldenberg Park, the Aquarium of the Americas is ranked among the nation's best.  With over 15,000 animals to enthrall visitors, this is a must do for both children and adults.  After visiting the aquarium, you are within walking distance of Cafe du Monde (also kid friendly) to finish up the day with beignets and cafe au lait.

IMAX Theatre  Next door to the Aquarium is the IMAX Theatre, with a 5 1/2 story screen, digital sound system and a seating arrangement that gives everyone a front row view.   Family pack tickets can be purchased for both the Aquarium and the IMAX.

 

 

Tiger

 Audubon Zoo  Nestled amidst Audubon Park, this world class 58 acre zoo features more than 1,800 animals in natural habitats.  A local favorite, the zoo offers year long family memberships at a discount.

Louisiana Children's Museum  Located in the Arts District, the Children's Museum is a local favorite.  Hands on activities and play areas make this a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.  A local favorite, the museum offers year long memberships with discounts and access to special events.

 

New Orleans City Park  1,500 acre park featuring Storyland, a storybook exhibit that I remember from my childhood.  Next to Storyland, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Center offers a historic wooden carousel, miniature train rides, a ferris wheel, kid sized roller coaster and more.

Bayou Segnette State Park  Located on the West Bank of New Orleans Bayou Segnette is a 500 acre state park for the outdoor enthusiasts.  Cabins are available for overnight stays, or just spend a day.  Picnic spots, shelters, a playground and a boat launch are all on site.

Mardi Gras maskMardi Gras World  Also located on the West Bank in Algiers, Mardi Gras World offers daily tours for a behind the scenes view of how Mardi Gras floats are built.  Try on costumes and have a photo taken!  Private rooms are available for rent for birthday parties as well.

As you can see, there are plenty of family oriented activities in New Orleans.  This is by no means an all inclusive list...there is so much to see and do.  When planning your next vacation or move, the Big Easy may be just the right destination for you AND your family.

 

Lisa Heindel

 

 

When buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans, you deserve professional, local expertise and advice. Lisa Heindel provides full time, professional real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Algiers, Algiers Point, Belle Chasse, Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego and more.

West Bank Homes for Sale – Find a home for sale on the West Bank or other New Orleans metropolitan area.

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Copyright 2007. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.

Kay Perry
Kay Perry, Broker - College Station, TX
Hi Lisa, you are so right. New Orleans has lots of tourist attractions.  I love the zoo.
Dec 20, 2007 02:16 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Kay, isn't the zoo great?  You can spend the entire day there...good way to wear out the kids!
Dec 20, 2007 03:57 AM
Elaine Hanson
Coldwell Banker Realty - Malibu | Topanga - Malibu, CA
REALTOR - Topanga, CA Real Estate Agent
Lisa, that sounds like a great trip.  Believe it or not, I would love to come walk through the New Orleans cemeteries.  They are so unique to the city and historically important.  My kids and I have been through the ghost town graveyards here in California.  It's a great history lesson about how people lived and died.
Dec 20, 2007 04:44 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Elaine, they actually have cemetary tours here, since they ARE so unique.  That whole burying the dead above ground thing is apparently fascinating to people outside of NOLA :)  Come on down, and bring the kids too!
Dec 20, 2007 09:01 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Lisa, What a wonderful, comprehensive list!  I had no idea there were so many things to do there in addition to all the wonderful fairs!  I would expecially love the behind the scenes tour, thank you for such great information.
Dec 20, 2007 10:34 AM
Craig W. Barrett
RE/MAX 100 - Hughesville, MD
Hughesville MD Real Estate
Lisa, my friends moved to Mandeville this past summer. They've got 3 kids and love it down there. There are so many things to do with the kids.
Dec 20, 2007 12:13 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Carole, the tour of Mardi Gras World is a lot of fun to do.  We have been to birthday parties there and the kids have a blast.  It is also where we are holding our Mardi Gras ball next weekend...I'll take lots of pics so I can share them with you :)

Craig, Mandeville is a great town.  I'm glad your friends are happy down here...it can be a really big change of pace for some people, and so many don't realize that we have so many things for kids to do.

Dec 20, 2007 12:44 PM
Judi Morgan
RETIRED - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX Real Estate

Lisa,  I love the Aquarium in New Orleans!!!  When I saw the picture of the shark, it reminded me of one of my trips there and a dumb question I asked.  I was sooo embarassed when the curator answered my question because the answer was very obvious -- I guess I had had 1 too many hurricanes!!! hehehe

I've never gone to Mardi Gras World, will add it to the list for my next visit.  Ohhh, you're going to a Mardi Gras Ball!!!  How fun!!!  Looking forward to the pictures. 

My Mardi Gras Dinner/Dance planning is coming along -- not much time left!!!

Dec 20, 2007 01:16 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Judi, my husband is the Captain of a Krewe, so, yeah, I'm going to a ball :)  We live Mardi Gras around here 365 days a year...he's already planning for 2009.  Your party is in January, right?
Dec 20, 2007 01:22 PM
Judi Morgan
RETIRED - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX Real Estate
Yes, it's January 19th!!!  Which seems right around the corner to me!!!  Need to order the beads, doubloons, masks, etc. for decorations and favors!!!  Went out looking for stuff today for the centerpieces -- found what I want but it wasn't at 50% off yet!!!  :(  
Dec 20, 2007 01:29 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Judi, what about doing floral centerpieces in purple, green and gold?  I ordered some for next weekend.  I'll be sure to take pictures and send them, in case it inspires you with a new idea :)
Dec 20, 2007 01:32 PM
Judi Morgan
RETIRED - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX Real Estate
Lisa,  yes, going to use lots of purple, green and gold -- oh, good, I'd love to see what you ordered!  Better yet, just ship them here when y'all are finished with them!!!  
Dec 20, 2007 01:39 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
Lisa - This is a terrific Localism post.  I didn't know that you had a great zoo and an aquarium, although I haven't ever been there with my kids. 
Dec 20, 2007 04:23 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Jason, we have a VERY highly ranked zoo and aquarium.  The zoo is simply amazing.  A lot of time and effort went into creating the natural habitats for the animals and it paid off.  The setting is beautiful as well, lots of huge old oak trees, some suitable for climbing :)
Dec 20, 2007 11:56 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
There are climbing trees, too?  I am so there!  Thanks for the tip.
Dec 21, 2007 05:53 PM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Lisa, yes there are certainly other things to do in New Orleans, but the city does rightly earn its stripes as a party town.  We were there in May for a wonderful wedding with events held at various amazing mansions throughout the lovely Garden District.  

Love those beignets at Cafe du Monde!

Brian eating beignets

Dec 22, 2007 01:04 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
There ya go, folks!  Another happy customer.  Thanks, Brian!
Dec 22, 2007 01:16 AM
Judi Morgan
RETIRED - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX Real Estate

Love the picture!!  You can't go to New Orleans and not stop at Cafe DuMonde for beignets!!!  Love that powdered sugar alllll over the face!

 

Dec 22, 2007 11:54 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Judi, and the nose too!
Dec 22, 2007 12:12 PM
Judi Morgan
RETIRED - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX Real Estate
Yep, and the nose too.  I think I have a picture of a group of us at Cafe DuMonde trying to eat beignets without getting powdered sugar on our noses -- it's impossible to do.  Glad Brian enjoyed his visit to New Orleans.
Dec 22, 2007 01:03 PM