New Orleans in July
Jun 27th, 2011, 11:53 AM
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New Orleans in July
We're planning a short trip to New Orleans for my hub's 50th birthday. with our 5 year old son. We haven't been there in many years and never with a little one. What are some fun things to do with kids? Can anyone recommend a swamp tour? Cemetery tour? How about a hotel in the quarter? I know it will be hot and humid, but we think we'll be fine. Thanks!
Jun 27th, 2011, 12:15 PM
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Well sweets, you were right when you said it would be hot and humid! Outside of the aquarium and/or zoo, you might consider just getting a hotel with a pool so son can pretend he's one of the fish and stay cool! A carriage ride is always good to keep kids entertained and is very informative for adults, also.
The boats on swamp tours aren't air conditioned so the air on them will even be "heavy". I hope everything works out ok for you!
The boats on swamp tours aren't air conditioned so the air on them will even be "heavy". I hope everything works out ok for you!
Jun 27th, 2011, 12:15 PM
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Jun 27th, 2011, 12:56 PM
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My family has done some NO trips several times in the summer. My son is 5 now and he's always enjoyed going there. Last summer, we went in early July and bought the package ticket deal for the zoo, aquarium, and Imax. We all 3 enjoyed the zoo and aquarium (which has A/C!) but never made it to the Imax b/c our son caught a stomach virus. If you go to the zoo, try to get there when they first open to help with the heat and humidity a bit. I believe they will allow you back in on the same day, if you leave for a bit.
Our son has also enjoyed just walking around the FQ and seeing all there is to see--street performers/musicians are his favorite! We have not done the carriage rides--too expensive and too stinky in the summer, IMO. We've taken him for a ride on the Algiers Ferry--free as well. We always take a few trolley rides too; that usually eats up some time!
We've heard great things about City Park and the sections set up for kids--just haven't made it there since we tend to always be down in the summer.
As for hotels in the Quarter, that's one thing we've given up since having a child! We prefer to stay in suite-type hotels with a bit more space and a frig and microwave. We've stayed at the Country Inns and Suites in NO twice now. Nice hotel, clean, has a very small pool, and also has free breakfast each morning. It's not in the Quarter but in the Central Business District. We walked to the FQ while we were there, and it was not that far. They have valet parking and you can often find specials on-line to get that included in your rate. Just be sure to bring along your printout showing your deal (needed that once to "prove" our parking was free).
We've also stayed at the Homewood Suites, which actually has much larger rooms, plus more of a real kitchen set-up. This hotel is further away from the FQ, though, and not as easy to walk back and forth from. Another issue was the parking--the weirdest/smallest parking lot I've ever seen and extremely difficult to get in and out of.
Our son has also enjoyed just walking around the FQ and seeing all there is to see--street performers/musicians are his favorite! We have not done the carriage rides--too expensive and too stinky in the summer, IMO. We've taken him for a ride on the Algiers Ferry--free as well. We always take a few trolley rides too; that usually eats up some time!
We've heard great things about City Park and the sections set up for kids--just haven't made it there since we tend to always be down in the summer.
As for hotels in the Quarter, that's one thing we've given up since having a child! We prefer to stay in suite-type hotels with a bit more space and a frig and microwave. We've stayed at the Country Inns and Suites in NO twice now. Nice hotel, clean, has a very small pool, and also has free breakfast each morning. It's not in the Quarter but in the Central Business District. We walked to the FQ while we were there, and it was not that far. They have valet parking and you can often find specials on-line to get that included in your rate. Just be sure to bring along your printout showing your deal (needed that once to "prove" our parking was free).
We've also stayed at the Homewood Suites, which actually has much larger rooms, plus more of a real kitchen set-up. This hotel is further away from the FQ, though, and not as easy to walk back and forth from. Another issue was the parking--the weirdest/smallest parking lot I've ever seen and extremely difficult to get in and out of.
Jun 27th, 2011, 01:01 PM
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Save Our Cemeteries is a good tour choice for these sights. It is strongly advised (and I think rightly so) not to see St. Louis #1 or Lafayette #1 without an organized tour -- and absolutely avoid St. Louis #2 (no company goes there that I'm aware of, and it's considered a very dangerous place).
Will second the Zoo and Aquarium, and also suggest the Insectarium, all good kid-friendly places that have adult appeal.
Will second the Zoo and Aquarium, and also suggest the Insectarium, all good kid-friendly places that have adult appeal.
Jun 27th, 2011, 01:42 PM
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www.honeyislandswamp.com
tonnes of fun
neworleansonline.com lots of fun for kids
zoo aquarium tours street car rides steamboat rides
put them in a nice hotel pool in the heat of the day
they will be fine
betterbidding.com great deals Otel.com booking.com
if you do not want to bid. Leows Windsor Court 2 of my favs
deals on the Meridien bidding priceline though for me
from $50 or so in the past.
tonnes of fun
neworleansonline.com lots of fun for kids
zoo aquarium tours street car rides steamboat rides
put them in a nice hotel pool in the heat of the day
they will be fine
betterbidding.com great deals Otel.com booking.com
if you do not want to bid. Leows Windsor Court 2 of my favs
deals on the Meridien bidding priceline though for me
from $50 or so in the past.
Jun 27th, 2011, 01:44 PM
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Royal Sonesta is nice for price if u must be in the quarter
Monteleone more upscale probably the best big quarter hotel
with some big easy atmosphere.
Budget Holiday Inn not bad ichotelsgroup.com
Monteleone more upscale probably the best big quarter hotel
with some big easy atmosphere.
Budget Holiday Inn not bad ichotelsgroup.com
Jun 27th, 2011, 04:24 PM
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We stayed at the Place d'Arms a few years ago and it was good. They have an interior courtyard with a pool - if you got one of the rooms opens onto the courtyard, you could swim and hang out very conviniently. The hotel is about a half block of Jackson Square, so right in the middle of things.
Jun 27th, 2011, 05:52 PM
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Some of Our favorite hotels:
Dauphine Orleans http://www.dauphineorleans.com/
Iberville Suites http://www.ibervillesuites.com/
Monteleone http://hotelmonteleone.com/
le Richelieu http://www.lerichelieuhotel.com/
Dauphine Orleans http://www.dauphineorleans.com/
Iberville Suites http://www.ibervillesuites.com/
Monteleone http://hotelmonteleone.com/
le Richelieu http://www.lerichelieuhotel.com/
Jun 27th, 2011, 06:55 PM
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Instead of a swamp tour, consider an airboat ride in the summer. Since they go much faster than a swamp boat, you get a lot more wind and it's cooler on there.
Aquarium, Imax, Insectarium, and Zoo will eat 2-3 days up. Go to Margaritaville they have a good children's menu there. Get a streetcar pass and ride the streetcars, my son loved it. Go out to City Park and visit Storyland, on the way back stop at Angelo Broccatos for the best Italian ice cream in this hemisphere.
Aquarium, Imax, Insectarium, and Zoo will eat 2-3 days up. Go to Margaritaville they have a good children's menu there. Get a streetcar pass and ride the streetcars, my son loved it. Go out to City Park and visit Storyland, on the way back stop at Angelo Broccatos for the best Italian ice cream in this hemisphere.
Jul 2nd, 2011, 12:09 PM
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Plantation Adventure's offers a combo plantation and swamp tour. They will take you to two plaantations and then you will have lunch at a great restaurant overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. After lunch you will go on a swamp tour.
Jul 13th, 2011, 08:36 AM
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I've narrowed it down to either the Dauphine or JW Marriott. Now I need to find some restaurants! Any recommendations for casual Cajun/seafood/southern food (that's appropriate for a 5 year old)?
Jul 13th, 2011, 09:27 AM
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A little known but very good seafood resturant is right around the corner from the Dauphine:
http://www.deanies.com/
http://www.deanies.com/
Jul 13th, 2011, 12:40 PM
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Here's my trip report from last year that lists a lot of restaurants. There are tons of great places to eat in NOLA:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...experience.cfm
I tried the Deanie's outpost in the French Quarter. While it would be among the best places in some food-depressed cities, I was not sufficiently bowled over to the point where I'd consider it a must. I'd sooner go to an upscale place like Mr. B's or a more downscale oyster spot like Acme or Felix's, given the choice.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...experience.cfm
I tried the Deanie's outpost in the French Quarter. While it would be among the best places in some food-depressed cities, I was not sufficiently bowled over to the point where I'd consider it a must. I'd sooner go to an upscale place like Mr. B's or a more downscale oyster spot like Acme or Felix's, given the choice.
Jul 13th, 2011, 01:45 PM
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Different strokes for different folks I guess . . I like it because it is less casual than Mr B's and the food is just as good to my taste. Acme is a madhouse and I prefer to be able to relax when I eat. I actually found it after waiting for an hour to get in Acme and giving up. . walked across the street to Deanies and was very pleasantly suprised. Very low key. But there are plenty of good places to eat in NO
Jul 13th, 2011, 04:08 PM
#20
I think you are really going to enjoy the Dauphine. It's my favorite moderate hotel in New Orleans. I love the size, the location and the staff are always so helpful and happy to have you as a guest. I think it's a great choice for your family.
I agree with Rich about Deanie's. When you are traveling with a little one, your priorities are different. You want good food but not necessarily a NOLA "must". I think you will be happy with that recommendation.
If it were just you and your hubby, I'd suggest Bayona - which is across the street from the Dauphine. I doubt you'd want to hire a sitter, but if you did the lovely restaurant is literally across the street.
Another suggestion of a place that was new to me is La Divinia -
http://www.ladivinagelateria.com/
We made a stop there when I took the walking and tasting tour of New Orleans. I loved their muffalino and their gelato is divine. It's a very casual place with EXCELLENT food. It would be perfect for a good meal with a 5yo.
They have a location at Magazine Street, although we ate at the French Quarter location (really liked the outdoor tables in a plaza setting there). Walking the shops of Magazine Street for a few blocks would be a good thing to do with your little one. As has been suggested above, taking the trolley car would be a lot of fun and you could stop by the cemetary along the short walk back to the streetcar.
I also agree with an earlier poster that just relaxing around Jackson Square would be a nice option.
I agree with Rich about Deanie's. When you are traveling with a little one, your priorities are different. You want good food but not necessarily a NOLA "must". I think you will be happy with that recommendation.
If it were just you and your hubby, I'd suggest Bayona - which is across the street from the Dauphine. I doubt you'd want to hire a sitter, but if you did the lovely restaurant is literally across the street.
Another suggestion of a place that was new to me is La Divinia -
http://www.ladivinagelateria.com/
We made a stop there when I took the walking and tasting tour of New Orleans. I loved their muffalino and their gelato is divine. It's a very casual place with EXCELLENT food. It would be perfect for a good meal with a 5yo.
They have a location at Magazine Street, although we ate at the French Quarter location (really liked the outdoor tables in a plaza setting there). Walking the shops of Magazine Street for a few blocks would be a good thing to do with your little one. As has been suggested above, taking the trolley car would be a lot of fun and you could stop by the cemetary along the short walk back to the streetcar.
I also agree with an earlier poster that just relaxing around Jackson Square would be a nice option.
