Tag: Destinations

From ancient mountain ranges, dense forests and remote islands to historic forts, battlefields and national monuments, Virginia has 22 wonderful national parks calling out to modern-day explorers.

Millions of visitors flock to famous sites such as Shenandoah National Park, Colonial National Historical Park and Fredericksburg National Military Park for Virginia’s signature blend of natural beauty and history, but there are plenty of less-visited sites where you can escape the crowds.

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As of 2021, Virginia can also claim the honor of having the most visited site in the National Park Service system – the Blue Ridge Parkway, which logged a staggering 15.9 million visits in 2021. Whether you’re seeking spectacular views, an outdoor concert or a green, clean escape from the city, Virginia’s national parks have something for every type of traveler. Here are seven of our favorites.
 

1. Blue Ridge Parkway

Best park for road trippers

The Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t your typical US national park — it’s actually a series of parks, stretching from the Appalachian highlands of Virginia into North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park (which, incidentally, was America’s second most visited national park in 2021). Spanning 469 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway covers a great deal of ground, passing through unspoiled countryside that offers a vastly different experience depending on the season, from the lush green of summer to the vivid colors of fall and snowy mountain peaks in the winter.

Built as a series of public works projects during the Great Depression, the Parkway’s natural history dates back millions of years – its forested ridges are the remains of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Along the route, you’ll find scenic stops such as Humpback Rocks, the Peaks of Otter and Mabry Mill, a historic relic from 1903 that is one of the most photographed landmarks along the Parkway. Visitor’s centers, scenic overlooks, peaceful picnic sites and rewarding hiking trails offer plenty of ways to take a break from driving.

There are numerous places where you can join the Parkway – to drive the full route, start from the town of Afton, near Shenandoah National Park, or from the town of Cherokee in North Carolina, on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

2. Shenandoah National Park

Best park for hiking

Virginia’s first designated national park, Shenandoah National Park was dedicated way back in 1936. It’s part of the Blue Ridge Mountain range, but the Blue Ridge Parkway ends at the park’s entrance and the Skyline Drive takes its place. The park’s 200,000 protected acres provide a home for a wide range of wildlife, from bobcats and black bears to birds, foxes and brown bats.

Old Rag Mountain is the most popular destination in Shenandoah National Park, and it has the weekend crowds to prove it — try to visit on a weekday if you’re hiking in peak season (summer or fall). The 9.5-mile-long Old Rag hike is famously challenging, but it offers a highly rewarding view from the summit. Near the center of the park, Big Meadows is another favorite stop, a unique mountaintop meadow that’s a great place to spot wildlife, stargaze, or just meander through the wild grasses.

If you’re looking for a place to bed down for the night or a bite to eat, Skyland is a historic resort set inside Shenandoah that many people use as a hub for exploring the area.

3. George Washington Memorial Parkway

Best park for escaping the sprawl of Washington, DC

Coming in at No 6 on the National Park Service’s list of the most-visited parks, the George Washington Memorial Parkway is another scenic route built for satisfying recreational drives. Beginning just outside of Washington, DC, this 25-mile parkway links a number of significant historical sites and nature preserves threaded through Virginia, DC and Maryland and leading up to Washington’s former estate at Mt Vernon.

Nature-seekers can take their pick from some stunning natural sites, including Great Falls Park on the Virginia-Maryland border, known for its dramatic collection of rocky waterfalls. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, one of the largest remaining freshwater tidal wetland areas in the DC area, and Turkey Run Park, part of the Potomac Gorge ecosystem, are also top stops.

4. Assateague Island National Seashore

Best park for beach lovers

Although best known for its wild ponies, the barrier island of Assateague Island National Seashore is a habitat for a multitude of animals, including sika deer, ghost crabs, red fox, and many species of shorebirds. The 37-mile island stretches into Maryland, but the Virginia portion is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, with access from Virginia Beach via US 13. 

This striking section of foreshore forms part of the homeland of the Pocomoke and Occohannock people, and the NPS operates a visitor’s center and recreational beach within the refuge. Besides hanging out on the beach, other popular activities on the island include camping, hiking, biking, crabbing, fishing and kayaking.

5. Colonial National Historical Park

Best park for understanding America’s origins

The Colonial National Historical Park contains two sites that encapsulate the beginning and end of colonial America. Historic Jamestowne and the Yorktown Battlefield are considered to be among the most historically significant sites in North America, connected by the 23-mile Colonial Parkway, which also passes through Colonial Williamsburg.

Although you could easily breeze through in a matter of hours, it’s worth taking a weekend to fully explore. The Cape Henry Memorial marks the landing site of the first colonists in 1607, and at Jamestowne, you can walk in the footsteps of the first permanent English settlers in North America. Meanwhile, over at the Yorktown Battlefield, you can explore the site where the first major battle of the American Revolutionary War was fought (it’s also a setting for regular re-enactments).

6. Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

Best park for battlefield buffs

There are many significant Civil War battlefield sites in Virginia — including at Petersburg, Manassas, and Richmond – but some of the bloodiest and most tragic battles took place in Fredericksburg and the surrounding settlements of Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania. An estimated 15,000 men were killed and more than 85,000 were wounded on these battlefields, while farms were looted and thousands of refugees were forced into the countryside.

Today, the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park offers a stark reminder of why this region is still known as “America’s Battleground.” Besides the battlefields, the park contains a number of historic sites including Chatham Manor, Salem Church and the site where Stonewall Jackson died.

Visitor’s centers at the Fredericksburg Battlefield and Chancellorsville Battlefield have maps, educational exhibits, junior ranger programs and activities that help put all of the history into perspective. Trails such as the Sunken Road Walking Trail and the Jackson Wounding Trail invite visitors to wander the same routes as Civil War soldiers – a humbling experience even today.

7. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts 

Best park to visit in the summer

Part of the National Park System since 2002, Wolf Trap was founded as a recreational Farm Park in the 1960s following an act of Congress, but it’s evolved into a vibrant cultural hub. Today, the park represents a unique partnership between the NPS and a nonprofit arts organization. The NPS maintains the pristine grounds and buildings on-site, while Wolf Trap Foundation oversees the programming. It’s the only national park in the US dedicated to the performing arts.

Wolf Trap is less than 20 miles from Washington, DC, and it’s easily accessible by the city’s Metro system. The 117-acre park hosts more than 100 performances across a range of genres every summer, from pop and jazz to classical music and rock.

The park is also famous for its natural setting. Scattered around its green grounds are the Filene Center outdoor amphitheater, the Barns at Wolf Trap (a music venue in two converted barns), and the intimate Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. To explore  without the crowds, try visiting in the off-season, October through April.

 

North Carolina is blessed with National Park Service lands in nearly every corner of the state. Each park embodies a different aspect of the state’s history and terrain, and almost all offer the chance to get outdoors and into nature.

Some parks are ideal for a day trip, while others warrant multiple days of exploration. Best of all, the vast majority of the state’s federally designated parks and seashores are free to visit. All surely rank among the top places to discover in this marvelous state.

Here’s our guide to the best national parks in North Carolina, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks.

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1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park – best for hiking in the wilds

While most visitors access Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Tennessee, nearly half of the park’s 522,419 acres lie within North Carolina. This is America’s most visited national park, with some 14 million visitors annually. And for good reason.

A few miles from the town of Cherokee, the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is the best place to start your journey. The North Carolina side of the park is home to the Mountain Farm Museum, a collection of buildings and historic structures that provide a glimpse into early life in the region. The Mingus Mill has been grinding wheat and corn since 1886.

There are over 150 official hiking routes in the Smokies. Popular trails run to the rocky lookout known as Charlies Bunion, the forest-covered Alum Cave Bluffs, the gushing Ramsey Cascades and the grassy hilltop of Andrews Bald. 

There’s no fee to visit the park, but this may change in 2023 due to rising visitor numbers in recent years. The park also offers year-round camping at Smokemont Campground, where tent and RV sites are available from $25 per night.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway – best for road trippers

Not only is the Blue Ridge Parkway one of North Carolina’s best road trips, this NPS-affiliated scenic byway also offers visitors plenty of chances to connect with the great outdoors. Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” the 469-mile road winds into Virginia through protected land.

Popular stops along the route, first constructed in 1936, include the scenic Linville Falls, the lavish Moses Cone Manor, the Linn Cove Viaduct and 5721ft Mount Pisgah.

There’s no fee to visit the North Carolina portion of the parkway, and several visitor centers along the route provide information about nearby attractions and accommodations.

Five campgrounds – at Doughton Park, Crabtree Falls, Julian Price Memorial Park, Linville Falls and Mount Pisgah – can be found along the route. Check for road closures and changing conditions before you go, and watch out for black bears.

3. Cape Hatteras National Seashore – best for beaches and treasure hunting

Cape Hatteras is one of two stretches of protected coastline in the Outer Banks, the sandy barrier islands that flank the North Carolina coast. This 70-mile stretch of seashore runs from Whalebone to Ocracoke Island, including several sections connected by ferry.

Along the way, visitors can drop in on such historic landmarks as the site of Blackbeard’s final battle and the Bodie Island and Ocracoke lighthouses. Ocracoke is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina and the second-oldest in the country.

Among North Carolina’s best, Cape Hatteras’ four beaches – Coquina, Ocracoke, Friso and Old Lighthouse – provide ample space for walks, flying kites and building sand castles. Lifeguards are on hand during the summer; still, be vigilant of rip currents. Fishing is possible with a permit. You can also spot wildlife, including turtles, piping plovers and seals.

There’s no fee to enter the national seashore, but activities such as lighthouse visits, campground reservations and marina access require admission fees. You can also get a permit to drive off-road vehicles on the beach. Cape Hatteras has four campgrounds, two of which are seasonal, and all can accommodate tents and RVs.

4. Cape Lookout National Seashore – best for stargazing and seeing wild horses

Almost adjoining Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Lookout runs from Portsmouth to Shackleford Banks. The site is home to an International Dark Sky Park, the first such designation in the National Park System on the Atlantic coast.

The barrier islands here are only accessible by ferry and require visitors to pack in and out any trash that they bring. Because of the remoteness of the seashore, visitors can experience wildlife completely uninterrupted. Look out for the iconic Shackleford Banks wild horses and 250 species of birds, including ducks and herons.

Cape Lookout is one of the best North Carolina national parks for primitive beach camping. There are also wooden cabins on the beachside for rent. While there’s no fee to visit Cape Lookout, expect to pay for fishing licenses and beach driving permits.

5. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park – best for history buffs

The site of a famous Revolutionary War battle, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park spreads over 250 acres. It was here, in 1781, that British soldiers drove out General Nathanael Greene and his American troops.

Located about six miles from Greensboro, the battlefield site includes 29 monuments and gravesites, including a statue of Nathanael Greene in military regalia on horseback.

Another offering at Guilford is the scenic Battlefield Tour Rd, a popular destination for cyclists, walkers and their four-legged companions. Twenty-six interpretive panels offer an insightful self-guided tour.

You can step back in time with a visit to the 18th-century Hoskins Farm. Covering 150 acres, this well-preserved farmstead tells the story of Joseph and Hannah Hoskins, who purchased it in 1778. The couple eventually fled when the Revolutionary War found its way to their land.

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New Orleans is a good value-for-money city, and not just because the drinks are cheap.

The city that gave the USA carnival season is itself a sort of perpetual carnival, a place where spectacle and performances are constantly on offer to even the casual visitor – all at little to no cost. These are the top free experiences in New Orleans to help you save your dollars.

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1. Mardi Gras is a free party, and it’s fantastic

Few cities are as defined by an event the way Mardi Gras defines New Orleans. The holiday, which hits in February or March depending on the year, has been called the greatest free show on Earth, and it’s an explosion of color, costumes and revelry. Despite the cliches, the annual celebration is actually largely aimed at families.

Planning tip: The two-and-a-half weeks preceding Mardi Gras are known as Carnival and are similarly packed with parades and street performances, so if you can’t make the main event, there’s still a party in town.

2. Meander through the woods at City Park

Visitors to New Orleans’ City Park can expect to find ancient live oak trees with Spanish moss beards, slow waterways, Greek-style pavilions and walking trails that meander through woods and wetlands.

A stroll down Royal St is a stroll through the heart of the French Quarter, minus the booze-soaked bacchanalia of adjacent Bourbon St. Various blocks expose visitors to some of the city’s finest Caribbean-style architecture.

Planning Tip: The sectioned-off area that’s chockablock with street performers becomes pedestrian-only in the middle of the day.

4. Groove to the music at Louis Armstrong Park

Usually just called “Armstrong Park” by locals, this park, adjacent to the Tremé and French Quarter, was once the site of Congo Square, the place where enslaved African were allowed to perform their old-world music.

Those performances laid the foundation for the development of all the sonic genres New Orleans helped give the world. Today the park is home to sculptures and walkways and often hosts free festivals and concerts throughout the year.

5. Get artsy at Sydney and Wanda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Some 90 sculptures by world-renowned artists pepper a series of shady walking trails, which web over two lagoons and through a living forest of magnolia trees and live oaks. The Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a beloved gem and fixture of the local arts scene, representing one of the city’s best marriages of public art and outdoors activity. It’s free to visit and open every day.

6. Be mesmerized by stunning St Charles Ave

Few people can cross the length of St Charles Ave without having to pick their jaws up off of the floor. This is classic overgrown, lush, fecund New Orleans: a wide avenue, cut through by a charming streetcar and flanked on either side by enormous live oaks and some of the South’s most stately mansions.

Planning tip: OK, it’s not free. But at just $3 for an all-day pass, riding the streetcar is very good value.

7. Soak up the atmosphere in Jackson Square

The beating heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square fronts the gorgeous St Louis Cathedral, perhaps the most iconic building in New Orleans, plus the historic Pontalba apartment buildings, the Cabildo, a state history museum, and the Presbytère – a museum dedicated to Mardi Gras and Hurricane Katrina.

Planning tip: This pedestrian-only area is constantly (like, 24/7) filled with street performers, tarot-card readers, artists and general nonstop pageantry, so it will be buzzing whenever you stop by.

8. Browse the creations at Palace Market

On Frenchmen Street – itself a notable gratis attraction – you’ll find this art market, a sort of bizarre bazaar starring some of the city’s funkiest creatives. “Art market” is a broad brush, and in this case includes weird T-shirts, idiosyncratic crafts, handmade jewelry and the occasional jacket detailing/bedazzling.

Planning tip: If you can’t find what you’re looking for at Palace Market, head next door to the similar, just-a-skooch-smaller Art Garden.

9. Join a second line

A second line is a New Orleans street parade, led by a local brass band and followed by hundreds of citizens carrying on because life is short, so why not listen to some good music?

While weddings and even conventions throw small second lines, the real-deal parades that occur in Tremé and Central City – both largely Black neighborhoods – have deep community significance.

Planning tip: Second lines generally occur on Sundays outside of summer; local radio station WWOZ has online schedules.

10. Tour St Augustine Church

St Augustine is the oldest Black Catholic church in the country and occupies a lovely tree-lined corner of the Treme neighborhood – and a vitally important position in Black American history. It’s the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Slave, a moving sculpture, and the congregation explicitly preaches for civil rights and social justice.

11. Enjoy views of the Mississippi River at Crescent Park

Many visitors to New Orleans are surprised at how tough it can be to spot the Mississippi River, given that said river is so integral to the city’s identity. But you’ll have no such trouble at Crescent Park, which runs alongside the banks of the famed river adjacent to the candy-colored charm of neighborhoods like Faubourg Marigny and Bywater.

12. Stroll New Orleans’ (in)famous Bourbon St

Bourbon St is a multi-block procession of neon, bars, strip clubs, bachelor/ette parties, drinks the color of a Lisa Frank binder and bad decisions. At least, that’s Bourbon closer to Canal St. The other side of Bourbon is a little more low-key, aimed at LGBTQIA+ travelers around St Philip St and turning residential as it approaches Esplanade Ave.

13. Pop in to the live music clubs on Frenchmen Street

While Frenchmen can feel as busy as Bourbon on the weekends, it’s still well worth a visit; this is the best concentration of live music clubs in the city. Stroll around after 6pm on any given evening and you’ll hear music somewhere that will inevitably pull you in, even during the week.

14. Check out free concerts

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation puts on several free festivals and concerts throughout the year. The music department at the University of New Orleans also has a lineup of shows that are free and open to the public.

Planning tip: Be aware that musical acts on the street and in the bars aren’t really free. Locals pride themselves on being good tippers, and if a tip hat or jar gets passed around, you should always kick in some money.

15. Relax by the Bayou St John

Once an actual bayou (a body of very slow-moving water), Bayou St John used to form a natural watery highway throughout the marshy membrane of historic New Orleans. Now it’s a pretty body of water plunked directly in the middle of the city and surrounded by small grassy walkways – a pleasant natural cooling agent on hot days, of which there are many….

16. Check out the Arts Market of New Orleans

The Arts Council of New Orleans puts on this excellent juried arts market twice monthly: at City Park on the second Saturday of the month and at Marsalis Harmony Park (formerly Palmer Park), located just off of Carrollton Ave, on the fourth. It showcases some of the city’s local creative talent, as well as kid-friendly music and activities.

17. Explore the French-Creole mansions on Esplanade Ave

Most visitors to New Orleans have heard of Bourbon St, and St Charles Ave is at least world-famous in photos, but it’s the rare tourist who mentions Esplanade Ave. That’s telling, because this is an absolutely stunning street, lined with French-Creole style mansions and cut through by a bicycle lane that extends all the way from the French Quarter to the fields of City Park.

18. Embrace your Southern Gothic side at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

New Orleans is famed for its necropolis-style cemeteries, filled with raised mausoleums that keep the corpses from washing away during the city’s fabled rainstorms. Lafayette, located in the Garden District and packed with creeping vines, gnarled tree roots and faded statuary, is one of the most pathos-drenched examples of the local Gothic-cemetery genre.

Planning tip: The cemetery is currently closed to the public while repairs and improvements are being made. Call or visit the website to check for details.

19. Window-shop and people-watch on Magazine St

If you like shopping, historic buildings or both, take a walk down Magazine St. The roughly 6 miles of city blocks offer up the best shops, galleries, restaurants and bars in New Orleans. It’s popular with all ages; some blocks seem to cater more towards students, while others are aimed at families.

20. Go green at Audubon Park

Although Audubon is smaller than City Park, it’s also filled with live oaks and Spanish moss and flanked by some of the city’s most impressive mansions and handsome neighborhoods.

One of the more popular unofficial taglines for New Orleans is “a theme park for adults.” As branding goes, this is pretty accurate when it comes to the neon lights of Bourbon Street, the hipster crowds in the Marigny and Bywater, and the foodies prowling Uptown for the next James Beard-nominated hot spot.

But can this town, so well known for its adult diversions, also cater to kids? The answer is, as so many New Orleanians are wont to say, “Yeah you right!” From street performers, live music, parks, museums, and yes, even some Mardis Gras parades, New Orleans has a lot to offer everyone in the family.

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While we’re wary of engaging regional cliches too deeply, there is more than a grain of truth to the Big Easy’s penchant for, well, taking it easy. A stuffed-shirt approach does not yield much in New Orleans beyond head-shaking disapproval. Even the highest-end restaurants are cool with kids, who are generally looked after with an indulgent smile.

Getting around New Orleans with children in tow 

One thing to consider if you’re exploring by foot is that New Orleans’ ill-maintained sidewalks are horrible for strollers – you’ll want to bring one that is maneuverable and durable. Another option is bicycling through the city. It’s easy to cycle, and you can cross the entirety of the town in 45 minutes. If you’re looking to access outer neighborhoods such as Mid-City, a car is the easiest way to travel.

Best things to do in the French Quarter with kids

A popular place for families is the French Quarter. Although many visitors treat it as a sort of adult playground, with Bourbon Street serving as a neon heart of bad behavior, skip this side and you’ll find a compact neighborhood where historical preservation, incredible dining and great nightlife intersect like nowhere else in the USA.

Explore the area with a morning walking tour run by Friends of the Cabildo. It’s an excellent introduction to both the architecture and history of the area. After the tour, take a walk along the river and consider catching a concert sponsored by the National Park Service at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Or, walk up and down Royal Street and lounge alongside the river. If you feel inclined, rent a bicycle; you can cover lots more ground that way. There’s plenty of shopping and galleries to peruse here. 

The hub of activity in Jackson Square is sure to be loved by kids. Any time of day you may encounter street artists, fortune-tellers, buskers, brass bands and similar folks all engaged in producing the sensory overload New Orleans is famous for (and kids go crazy over). The square is framed by a fairytale cathedral and two excellent museums, and nearby are steps leading up to the Mississippi River. Drop by Café du Monde for some powdered-sugar treats.

Looking to stay close by? The Olivier House is a French Quarter standby that’s good with kids. And Dauphine Orleans is a boutique-style hotel with family-friendly amenities. 

Where to find the family-friendly Mardis Gras spots

Colorful spectacle is core to New Orleanian identity, and this sort of pageantry gets put on parade (literally) every winter, spring and fall weekend during a celebration known as second lining – local parades that march through primarily African American neighborhoods. They are open to the public, and many local families march with their children in tow, but loud music and alcohol consumption is the norm. Kids who are into live music will love it but it can be a sensory overload for those who prefer a quieter outing.

Of course, it’s not like this city lacks parades. Processions affiliated with festivals and holidays like Decadence, Gay Easter, Halloween and, of course, Mardi Gras always include folks in fantastic costumes tossing “throws” (beads, toys, etc) to kids. Indeed, many locals would argue that, contrary to popular belief, Mardi Gras and the preceding two weeks of Carnival are fundamentally family-oriented holidays (accessible parades for children include the sci-fi-ganza of Chewbacchus and the parading dogs of Barkus).

You may see public inebriation anywhere in the city during Carnival, but the main parade route on St Charles Avenue, which passes through Uptown, the Garden District, the Lower Garden District and the CBD, is always filled with families.

The enormous Endymion parade, which rolls through Mid-City, is held up as a family-friendly event, but we find it too crowded for our tastes. Other parades like Barkus roll through the French Quarter, while Chewbacchus runs through Faubourg Marigny.

In general, truly drunken adult behavior tends to concentrate around Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street during Carnival, but head a few blocks in either direction from these places and you are likely to find families enjoying themselves.

Local tip: a taste for pageantry easily translates into a love of theater, and many theater programs in New Orleans market themselves to families. Be on the lookout for family-oriented shows at the NOLA Project and Cafe Istanbul in the Healing Center.

Take them on a swamp tour

The swampy, buggy wetlands of South Louisiana are their own kind of playground, but it’s not one that is easily accessible to the uninitiated. You can take a swamp tour, of course – the kids will probably get to watch alligators prowl the Bayou – or, if you’d rather not spend the money, you can walk the boardwalk at the Barataria Preserve, just south of the city. Gators can sometimes be spotted there, and even if you don’t spy those grinning reptiles, the local cypress swamp has an otherworldly beauty.

A similar landscape awaits visitors to the boardwalk trails that skirt through the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, located in New Orleans East. Fair warning – South Louisiana gets hot and humid. Bring lots of cold water for any nature outing no matter the season.

Choose your own adventure in City Park

City Park is larger than Central Park and it has alligators – what are you waiting for? If alligators aren’t your thing, it is also home to long lines of live oaks and weeping willows; a botanical garden that contains New Orleans in miniature; ice cream; Greek columns; a sculpture garden that surrounds the New Orleans Museum of Art; and a singing tree, festooned with wind chimes and romance – the sort of space where love and music slowly infuse the air with giddiness.

A walk through the hardwood trees of the Couturie Forest will make you feel like the city is far far away. The paths lead to the highest point in the city, Laborde Mountain, which affords you stunning views as you catch your breath.

Check out the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, especially the 1906 carousel that’s a gem of vintage nostalgia. Other thrills include a Ferris wheel, bumper cars and a tilt-a-whirl.

The Louisiana Children’s Museum recently built new digs in City Park. It’s kind of a theme park for kids (albeit more educational). There are giant bubble-blowing exhibits, fun-size loading cranes, a book forest, a play shopping area, and plenty of other stuff that should appeal to any kid under 10. 

Spend a day at Audubon Park

Audubon Park is more groomed than City Park and sits on a stretch of Magazine Street and St Charles Avenue rife with good food options. This is the location of the Fly, a popular riverfront pedestrian walkway, and of course, the Audubon Zoo.

The Audubon Zoo, Aquarium and Insectarium are a trifecta of family-friendly sites that are popular with tourists and locals. The zoo is a genuinely excellent example of the genre – it’s large, the animals have spacious enclosures and the setting in Audubon Park is wonderful. It’s closing temporarily for a renovation in late November 2022 and will reopen for its adoring fans in the summer of 2023.

During summer, be on the lookout for the onsite waterpark, “Cool Zoo.” Also, note that there is a waterfall and grotto (of sorts) in the shadow of Monkey Hill, a small man-made slope located near the African wild dogs.

The Aquarium of the Americas has playful otters, cute penguins, a Mayan sunken temple exhibit and a questionable display of an oil rig and sea life living in perfect harmony. Last but not least, the Insectarium has giant beetles, a wonderfully disgusting cockroach display, a cool indoor swamp and – oh boy! – a cafe that sells all kinds of insect-derived food.

To visit the aquarium, insectarium and zoo, buy the Audubon Experience package and see all three within 30 days, as well as an IMAX movie, at a reduced overall price.

Dining out with children in New Orleans

New Orleans has some of the best food in the USA, and the good news is, you don’t have to miss out just because you’re traveling with kids. While there are few non-chain places with dedicated children’s menus, most New Orleans restaurants are more than willing to adjust the menu to a child’s tastes.

Foodie magnets like Rosedale, Domenica, MoPho and Carmo are all buzzy spots where kids are indulged and families are welcome. Other restaurants, like Satsuma, Pizza Delicious, Dat Dog and Katie’s, are explicitly family friendly.

Many of the city’s local breweries, including Urban South, Second Line Brewing and Parleaux Beer Lab, have dedicated child-friendly areas, with space for little ones to play and roam. On the flip side, some food mainstays that derive a large portion of their income from alcohol sales, like Bacchanal and Coop’s, do not allow minors on site – when in doubt, call ahead.

Outdoor performances and live music

Live music is a big draw for many visitors to New Orleans but most music clubs tend to serve booze and have 21-and-up entrance requirements. But you can catch outdoor performances on Frenchmen Street, for example, by hanging out on the kid-friendly second-floor balcony of the Frenchman Street location of Dat Dog.

At Jazz Fest, there’s a dedicated children’s tent which usually features good music: put it this way, parents won’t mind hanging out here even though bigger acts are playing elsewhere. Some parents swear by French Quarter Fest as a good, kid-friendly festival, by dint of its free admission and multiple venues scattered throughout the French Quarter.

All of the above are great, but if you or your children have a tough time pushing through big crowds, you may want to skip this option (Jazz Fest also draws large crowds, but its open location at the race-course grounds makes them much easier to navigate).

When it comes to music for kids, we find that more locally focused, less prominent festivals, like the Bayou Boogaloo or the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, are a way of seeing music in a setting that is easy on families. They have plentiful food vendors, adult libations for those who need them, and an easy-going crowd that is neither too sedate nor too aggressive.

 

It can be hard to find a destination everyone in your family can enjoy. These places were made for that.