coffeegirlkristen

My husband is going to New Orleans on business in May and I am going along with our almost 2 year old son. We are staying at Embassy Suites. My DH will be in conferences most of the days. I would like advice on travelling with a toddler in general, as well as what is kid-friendly in New Orleans, dining, attractions, tours etc. Plantation tours? Getting around with a stroller?

Lee4

I don't have any tips to offer you, but I hope you'll post a trip report once you're back. I have a 1 year old and we're wondering about when we can get down to NO with him. I would love to hear from someone who takes a toddler down there! Thanks! Please eat some beingets for me

anneryan

Hi, I haven't been to New Orleans with a toddler, but I've been there a number of times. There is a wonderful aquarium near the Riverwalk that he would probably like. Also, along the river right near there is a walkway where you can watch the big barges go by and I think there is a small playground. Lots of grass and room for a toddler to run. (I don't know where the Embassy Suites is in relation to these, though).

On the plantation tour, I probably wouldn't attempt that with a toddler. It involves riding a bus out to the plantation and then a guided tour through the house and grounds. I don't think that the attention span of a two-year old would enjoy that too much and it would be difficult while touring the home. (You might enjoy it if you can get away for a little break, though!)

Have fun--it's a wonderful city.

leeloc

Our family has not been to NO since Katrina. However,The Childrens Museum was fantastic for my youngest nieces,nephews, and even my older daughters. We ate at Mulates which had a zydeco band. It is a very laid back place and all of the kids were dancing. The market is fun but kinda hard to navigate with a stroller. You might want to ride in a carriage, shop in Jackson Square and have your son's portrait drawn. Hope your trip is filled with great memories!

SAnParis

My daughter (now nearly 5) has been to NOLA twice & loved it. Both trips were pre-Katrina. The other thing I will suggest is a trolley ride (if it is running yet) and just stop to enjoy the myriad of street performers on Royal, Bourbon, & in Jackson Sq. Go to Acme for lunch and your little one will be quite popular there + they put on quite a show at the bar.

coffeegirlkristen

Thanks for the input, I appreciate all the advice I can get!

J_Correa

I don't think anyone has mentioned the zoo at Audubon Park yet. There is a boat ride you can take up the river to get to it, or you can ride the St. Charles bus line (I don't think that streetcar line is up yet).

Also, the ferry over to Algiers is free for foot passengers. You could ride over and back to get some good views.

coffeegirlkristen

Well, I'm back from NOLA. What an awesome city. When we arrived near midnight it was muggy and warm. There was lightning and thunder on our cab ride to Embassy Suites. The hotel was nice. Spacious room, great staff, complimentary hot breakfast and happy (2) hour(s). The pool is tiny, but who is hanging out at the hotel anyway.

Joe and I covered miles and miles. I could go on and on. Feel free to ask specifics, but here are the highlights.

Mulates ~ Cajun restaurant, big fun family atmosphere. neat band and dance floor. VERY traditional NOLA food. The fried alligator was incredible. And Jambalaya! I'd pass on the frog legs.

Broussard's ~ our last night we ate here. They were amazingly accomadating. I'd called asking if bringin a 2year old would be appropriate, since all I knew about the restaurant was a magazine blurb. I asked if we could sit in the lush courtyard, eerything was perfect. Joseph looked in the pond, ate leek soup, walked around our table.

coffeegirlkristen

Oh, the desserts at Broussard's were spectacular. The Diplomat something (like bread pudding) was great.

Bacco's ~ Wonderful! I wouldn't necessarily recommend this with a child, however, I had an early dinner while the place was empty (6 is early in NOLA) the lobster ravioli in champagne butter sauce topped with caviar, uuuuuu drooling just remembering.I had a quick glass of wine with it, let Joe climb all over me and eat bread. I kept it brief, $46.00 later including tax and tip, it was worth every cent.

Cafe du Monde ~ Of Course! Beignets & cafe au lait. Joe had some chocolate milk. I sat in the back of the patio towards the water feature. Joe chased pidgeons.

Stop and listen to the live bands everywhere, especially Glen Andrews in the plaza by St. Louis Cathedral near St. Ann St. and Jackson Square.

The ferry ride to Algiers and back was free, and did provide nice views of the city and river as suggested.

I didn't bother with the museums, aquariums etc. because wew see these locally and I just wanted to absorb the NOLA culture. I couldn't get enough. We covered miles. the French Quarter feels like a different country. The old buildings, the balconies, the gardens. The history! Look around your hotel for visitor magazines.

NO MATTER WHAT, wear good walking shoes, bring a camera, and get a walking map!! I got lost a few times walking because the first day the clouds blocked the sun, and the river curves so I couldn't get my bearings. There are some free maps in the lobby of the Embassy Suites and probably and hotel. ENJOY!

coffeegirlkristen

OH, and I forgot to mention. Get familiar with the streetcar system. There are 2 lines. The riverfront and the Canal St. lines. There are no posted times, you just wait. Ignore the "board here" signs. The drivers will make you walk to whichever door tehy open, possibly on the other side of the car - forcing you to walk around the front of the car, over the tracks. this is an incredibly INeffecient way of transit, but it is scenic, historical, and a good break for your feet. If you do go "to the end of the line" be prepared to sit for 10-20 minutes before going back. The map I picked up at my hotel, it showed where the lines stop. If you are going from the Convention Center area to the FQ the Riverfornt line is an option.

Lee4

Thanks for the update and I'm so glad you and your son had a good time.

Where is the Embassy Suites located and was it an easy location to get around in the FQ area? Thanks!

coffeegirlkristen

It wasn't the most convenient to the FQ. It is on Julia St. and S.Peter, (there is a S. Peter and a ST. Peter, very confusing at first when I didn't realize) About a 4 block walk to Riverfront/Canal Street car stop. Then the Riverfront streetcar goes directly to FQ. To walk the wole way would be maybe 10-12 blocks? Not too bad except once you are there you just can't stop walking around, there is so much to see.

coffeegirlkristen

definitely take a good stroller, preferably with cup holders and a big pocket for souveniers

Lee4

Thanks for the info on where the Embassy Suites is. That doesn't seem familiar to me since we've always stayed in or very close to the FQ. If we go down, we'd just need to stay one night and I think we'd probably want to be close to the FQ--but then again--having a baby along changes everything. One thing we're very sure of is that we need a hotel with a seperate bedroom--we don't want to go to bed at 7:30! Thanks again!

bkluvsNola

coffeegirlkristen,

I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation! Was this your first trip to New Orleans?

By the way, there are actually three streetcar lines, but the St. Charles line is currently under repair. It currently runs only to Lee Circle, but will be repaired by Spring 2008.

Dan

If you go to norta.com, the streetcars really DO have posted start times! Now, whether they are on time or not is another question but I've had really good luck getting to the "first" stop at Esplanade 2-3 minutes before the car is supposed to start its journey and it's always on time.

dwooddon

I was there last year with my 2-yr old granddaughter and 5-yr old grandson. They both liked the Riverwalk a lot, especially watching the steamboat arrive and depart. They both also were enthralled by the street performers, especially the statue-like mimes along the edge of the FQ. The 2-yr old really enjoyed looking in the gift shops with all the beads and feather boas. The 5-yr old liked the streetcar rides but the 2-yr old, not so much.

They both had a good time and we gave them plenty of time to run around in the grass along the Riverwalk. There were no melt-downs at all which surprised both me and their parents.