Hi all. We're thinking of travelling this summer for about 7 days with the kids and were thinking of New Orleans. Any advice would be appreciated. We are thinking of driving from NYC. Will it be too hot? Where to stay with a pool that's lovely but not too expensive. What stops on the way? The kids love to eat BBQ, and have a wide range of tastes.

New Orleans in the summer is VERY hot and humid. Think close to 100 degrees with 90% humidity...

I love New Orleans but avoid it like the plague in the summer. The heat and humidity are so high it's difficult to catch a breath. Take your kids some other place...

New Orleans is indeed hot in the summer. Mid 90s with mid 90% humidity! A warm shower every afternoon and then muggy! Having said this, it's also the time when crowds are down and so are prices so it's probably a very economical time to visit.

Skip summer and go another time of year. They say Christmas is beautiful. I have been in January and found the weather to great. If you go someplace warm, make it a place where the family can get in the water like a beach destination, because N.O. is way too hot unless you are used to the heat and even then...

We went last August with our two kids. The Ritz gave us a great deal on a suite. They were very kid friendly, had a whole scavenger set up for my six year old where he had to get a bell man's autograph and count pianos etc and got toys at the end. No pool on the property as I recall. It was brutally hot, but we just wore cool clothes and dealt with it. There weren't a lot of tourists, so having kids including a 2 year old didn't seem as obnoxious. What I mean by this is that NO struck me as a very adult city, and I get a little self-conscious when my children are in situations that are less than kid friendly. We went to Cafe du Monde every day for beignets, also the mint and jazz museum, the voodoo museum, a swamp tour (very very hot but beautiful and interesting) and best of all, the aquarium. My son prizes his souvenir white alligator toy from this aquarium. We found great restaurants for the kids, via the concierge, where we could get super cajun food while watching a jazz trio, for example. Then we had a sitting service for a night or two so my husband and I could go find a few fun bars and restaurants. I'm sure New Orleans in August with kids is a very different experience than without kids during a cooler and more touristy time of year, but we made it work and found a lot of advantages. The swamp tour was the only super uncomfortable time, and we simply didn't bring enough water bottles. Also, it was a bit much for a toddler in hindsight.

Agree with everyone else here. NO is a "don't miss" destination, but is hellish June-Sept. Any other time is perfect. Could spring break be an option?

Our trips to New Orleans are always during the summer (we like to go for our anniversary in July). Sure, it's hot, but the hotel is air conditioned and so are all the restaurants and shops. We'll spend a day wandering the French Quarter and rarely notice the heat as we are constantly in and out of one place or another. The only thing we did outside for an extended period of time was the swamp boat tour, and I don't recall the heat being a problem (you get a nice breeze when you're moving).

If you are looking for a low hotel rate, uncrowded attractions, and you don't mind the heat; the summer is fine time to visit New Oleans IMO.

Have been to NO three times in the summer - not voluntarily - on business. And it is pure hell!

Can't imagine trying to do this with two kids - IMHO there is very little for them to do that will be bearable in that heat.

Also - you mention that you have 7 days. Is that 7 days in NO? or 7 days all together? If the latter its an awfully long drive to and fro NYC - to spend only a couple of days there.

I see 3 problems with this idea - first, New Orleans with kids (not exactly the most kid-friendly location). Second - August (I have been to Savannah in early September and that was more heat and humidity than I could bear - New Orleans would be worse). Third - 7 days (way too long for New Orleans, especiallly with kids).

Gail, I disagree on all 3 counts. New Orleans is much more kid-friendly than people realize. Just stay off of Bourbon! We even have a Six Flags now!

New Orleans is hot in the summer but no worse than Houston, Savannah, Orlando or Miami, where I grew up.

Finally, if you get out of the Quarter you can spend many days here. There are just so many things to do and so many interesting neighborhoods to see.

I'm w/you, Dan. I lived there during childhood and it was great - even Bourbon St is fine during the day. Personally, I prefer the heat to the massive amounts of tourists you find other times of the year. You can easily take a break from the heat which can't be said for the crowds.

I'm not sure what sort of hotel set-up you are looking for or the age of your kids. We like Residence Inns when we travel w/kids since they are like apts and many do have pools. If your kids are old and you prefer higher end, we stay at Royal Sonesta (it's on Bourbon, so may not be good for small children, though you don't hear any noise inside). It has a lovely rooftop pool and is within walking distance to everything!

My husband and I spent 6 days in New Orleans and wanted to stay longer. We didn't even see all the things we wanted to. I think 7 days a great amount of time, esspecially if you take a couple day trips out of the city.

My daughter has been there twice (she is now 2 1/2) & there are plenty of 'kid things to do'. A ride on the trolley is an event in & of itself, + the zoo, Imax, aquarium, etc. It will be hot & humid, just make sure the hotel has a pool. I will say this, I never had a problem getting my daughter to go to sleep while staying there. Although not the ideal time, there are certainly deals to be had that time of year. Are you sure you want to drive that ? I would hit some of the Blue Ridge Pkwy, Natchez Trace & or the Shenendoah Valley.

NO doesn't hold the heat to itself. I lived in Houston & Jacksonville & they are equally hot & humid. My worst case of heat exhaustion was in PA one summer. It was 103 & the in-laws kept saying "we never use the a/c, there's always a breeze". Yeah, right! We do use the a/c down here & you can always find a cool place to duck in & chill.

How old are your kids? The cooler places they might like (depending on age) are the Mardi Gras Museum, Aquarium & Musee Conti Wax Museum. The Children's Museum is also fun for young kids. They have a replica tv studio & grocery store plus it has a/c!

You might also go here & order the book they mention. I have a copy that I share with visitors.
http://www.neworleanskids.com/freestuff.html

I LOVED that wax museum as a kid. I couldn't wait to go back someday. Finally did so as an adult and it was fun, but not the same as going when I was younger.