New Orleans family vacation advice?

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon)
05/19/2015 at 16:13 • Filed to: None

Taking the family (wife, 4-year old, 2-year old) to NOLA the second week of June. We’re looking at a 3-bedroom condo on HomeAway in the lower garden district only a few blocks from the St. Charles line. My 70-year old mom will be accompanying us as de facto babysitter.

Anyone familiar with the area? Reviews of the place are really positive. I’m just wondering if it’s a good location for staying out of our car as much as possible. We like to walk and the trolley seems convenient. With the girls, it’ll be the zoo, aquarium, museums, that sort of thing. My mom has volunteered to keep them a couple of night so my wife can actually go out and hit the town proper. Again, not getting behind the wheel is ideal.

And while we’ve found loads of blogs and listicles with stuff to do with kids, any off the beaten path suggestions?

DISCUSSION (12)

For Sweden > Chairman Kaga
05/19/2015 at 16:16

NOLA Motorsports Park. Bring a boat.

BrtStlnd > Chairman Kaga
05/19/2015 at 16:24

“New Orleans” and “Family Vacation” aren’t words that often appear close to each other in a sentence.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Chairman Kaga
05/19/2015 at 16:25

Whatever you do, DO NOT do the “Haunted” Tours or anything like that. Terribly lame and boring. My damn brother in law made us go on one with him when we were unfortunately there together (He’s the kind of guy who likes the cheesy shit in life) and we left him with tour group after about 30 minutes.

LaFitte’s, while it is well known, is an interesting and fun bar that usually has a pretty good pianist. We’ve always been on weeknights when it’s not quite as busy.

E92M3 > Chairman Kaga
05/19/2015 at 16:34

My advice is to not go during the summer. It’s hot and HUMID. I guess that’s not helpful at this point. Bring light loose fitting clothing. I normally don’t wear tank tops or wife beaters but it’s pretty much required in the summer in NO.

Chairman Kaga > BrtStlnd
05/19/2015 at 16:34

I thought so too, but stay away from major festivals and such, and there’s tons to do with kids. Allegedly. My wife and I are pretty adventurous travelers and don’t think sheltering the girls from culture is a good idea, even if that culture is a little nuts. Besides, they both LOVE music.

Chairman Kaga > E92M3
05/19/2015 at 16:36

Eh. We’re from Austin. It’s 90_ degrees for 100+ days and 100+ degrees for 75 days in a row most summers. She’s from the Texas coast where it’s wicked humid most of the time anyway. For us, it might be a nice change of pace with regard to climate!

BrainForest > Chairman Kaga
05/19/2015 at 16:36

First of all, wow. Great trip. I wish Grandma would come with us to watch the little ones. That elevates it from mere Family Vacation to Hot Time for Mom and Dad!

I would say that it is an area where you can do a lot without driving, for the most part. The neighborhood is a great place to just walk and look at the houses and gardens. The streetcar will get you to downtown and The Quarter, so anything in those areas will be easy without a car. On the other end is Audubon Park.

As for nightlife, just take a cab. Everyone does.

Anon > Chairman Kaga
05/19/2015 at 17:10

My area of expertise! The ww2 museum is awesome! Also if you want a steak dikkie brenon’s steakhouse is awesome! Mothers is also always a great choice! Also skip cafe’ du monde, it’s over rated and the service is god aweful! The farmer’s market/ flea market down the road from du monde is also really cool!

Anon > Chairman Kaga
05/19/2015 at 17:12

Also a word to the wise, if you don’t want your girls seeing stippers, stay away from Bourbon street.

Jonathan Harper > BrtStlnd
05/19/2015 at 17:36

My thoughts exactly.

Jonathan Harper > Chairman Kaga
05/19/2015 at 17:37

But you missed Mardi Gras...

Chairman Kaga > Anon
05/19/2015 at 17:43

Cool cool cool. We did a quick day trip last fall for a friend’s graduation. We got to spend a couple of hours at the museum (WILL go back), walk to Jackson Square, eat, walk up Bourbon Street, get some coffee, head home. It was exhausting, but exhilerating. This trip will be FAR more leisurely. I want to relax. Drink some good bear. Eat lots. Hear music. Which is why we’re getting a house instead of a hotel room. if I want to read a book and drink coffee until noon while my wife and mom take the girls somewhere, glory be it’ll happen.