Anyone Travel to New Orleans Recently with Young Kids?

GO!!!! This is a great city full of culture and wonderful food. As with any major city, there are areas that you need to stir clear of, but ask the hotel concierge for advice. I was there last summer for nearly a week and had a great time. MANY things to do... way too many for just one day. Swamp tours, cemetary tours, garden district (take the St. Charles trolley out to and return to get a view of beautiful mansions), Jackson Square, and where the Mardi Gras floats are made just to name a few. It will be HOT and VERY humid but so worth it. The New Orleans economy still needs our help - everyone should pay thus historic city a visit. Have fun!

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I have not traveled there with young kids but have been there often. I think it would be fine. There is lots to look at in the french quarter and food is great!

Zia's is a little off the beaten path but have amazing food!

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Funny story... when I was in New Orleans for a conference, my husband and baby came along for the trip. We have lots of cute pictures of my son in a stroller near all the notable sights. My husband asked at the info center what might he do with this baby in tow. They jokingly told him, go to the titty bars. Babies like boobies. This was in fact true of my breastfed boy, though they didn't actually go to any, of course. Joking aside, I love New Orleans. We honeymooned there, and there's something for everyone. The city is so much more than Bourbon Street debauchery. A trip with the kids is probably going to be different than without them, but you're talking only 24 hours. You'll be fine with little or no planning.

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We had our convention there last summer and even though we don't have young children, lots of other people did. We stayed at the Lowe's hotel. Most of the people stayed at the Hilton which I think might have more for children to do. I never felt unsafe, and we did lots of walking around. There were many people visiting New Orleans at the time, and they have done a great job of cleaning up in the tourist areas. My favorite restaurant was Emeril's although it's not too kid friendly. There are lots of other restaurants that are kid friendly, and I would definitely go back to New Orleans. We did a tour at the New Orleans School of Cooking where we watched a chef cook our meal and got the whole history of food in New Orleans. It's in the French Quarter. Stop in for pralines - fabulous!

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My husband and I both LOVE New Orleans and we took our kids there 2 years ago (kids were 10 and 8 at the time). We had a great time; our kids loved the city too. And it's just like any other larger city - there are safer places and places that don't have a lot of people walking around and could be less safe. As your kids are younger, they might not like all the things our kids did, but here are some suggestions:

- river boat ride -- you can pay more for one of the tour rides, or take the ferry across and back (free or very inexpensive, I can't remember)

- take a carriage ride through the French Quarter

- Jackson Square in the French Quarter and the area around it is interesting even for younger kids -- street performers, artists drawing and painting, things for sale, etc.

- and there's an aquarium right on the River also

- we also took a walking ghost tour which our kids loved, although yours are probably a bit too young, not because it's scary but it's a lot of walking and tour guide talking

- same for a "Hurrican Katrina" bus tour; we all loved it but it would be long for little kids; the tour did stop at a great art museum with gardens, etc. out in one of the neighborhoods. Sorry I can't remember the name.

Check out some online toursit sites for New Orleans and I'm sure you'll find lots of other things to do with the kids. Go and enjoy! N'awlins can use all the economic input that they can get as the beautiful city still recovers from the hurricane.

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Hi K.,

I was in New Orleans this past Mardi Gras, which was back in February. There were lots of little kids there during that time. If you limit yourself to the French Quarter during the day, you should be fine. Be warned that there are parts of Bourbon street that may be a little too "adult" for little ones. Enjoy and don't forget to try the Cafe DuMond for Begnets.

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I just spent a long weekend in NOLA and although I did not have my son with me, I would not hesitate to take him there. If you go right to the French Quarter, you will be fine. We took a carriage tour of the french quarter, and I think my son would have enjoyed the horse! The food is AMAZING, and we loved the Gumbo Shop on St. Peters. It is family friendly and wonderful! Have fun!

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We used to live there. It is a beautiful place to visit, but it is very dangerous. However, the French Quarter area is a bit safer and it is in better condition than the rest of the city. I say go for it and use your usual tourist saftey rules. Hope you all enjoy.

I grew up in N.O. and all the advice about sticking to the French Quarter is hooey! There are so many fabulous neighborhoods to visit...and some not-so-fabulous neighborhoods to avoid. If you are only there for a day, you may want to stick to the Riverwalk/aquarium area, which is good for kids. Please do not miss the chance to have the very best cafe au lait in the world and the amazing beignets at Cafe du Monde. Please bring a pocket full of change to drop in the street musicians' hats. Also, if anyone asks, you got your shoes on your feet.

New Orleans is fine as long as you stay on the main drag of canal st and all in the French Quarter. I am assuming you won't be taking your kids out late at night so you should be fine. There is an IMAX right down canal, a ferry, and lots of street musicians and entertainers that your kids would enjoy. Take plenty of pictures.

While it's been a bit since I was there, we did go to the french quarter for a wedding during New Year's about 2-3 years ago. My inlaws came, as well as my daughter, who must have been 2 0r 3. We had a wonderful time- lots of really great restaurants and even on New Year's Eve, we were with all the crowds to see the gumbo ball drop and the fireworks, with absolutely no problems.
I am so tired and surprised by how many people are so overly cautious and reluctant to do something outside of their norm- use common sense and enjoy the world around you! I personally think one of the best gifts you can give a child is the experience of travelling, especially if the loacation has such a difference in culture- how else are kids ever really going to understand the differences and conversely, the similarities between people?

New Orleans is a wonderful city and the food is spectacular. If you are looking for things do with young children, there is an aquarium near the French Quarter along the river and the Audubon Zoo is wonderful. You can take horse carriage tours around the quarter. The street cars are running again as well and will make getting around easy. Beignets at the Cafe Du Monde are a must. As long as you stay in well traveled, tourist areas it is safe and there are plenty of fun things to do. A lot of people either love or hate the city. I happen to love it would take my kids there any day. Mom of three boys ages 6, 4, and 2.

I was just there two months ago. It is not dangerous if you stay within the tourist areas, i.e. the french quarter, bourbon street, convention center. We walked everywhere it is just like any big city i wouldnt wander around into areas that you're not familiar with, but i felt completely safe. It is a really unique city and does offer a lot of culture and good food. Definitely something to see. Have fun!

I wouldn't say the city is dangerous. I've been there plenty of times and didn't encounter a negative experience. The food is delicious and as you've stated you can walk the Quarters and enjoy yourself. Also, take a ride on the trolley....very scenic.

*I know you'll have a limited time, however if you can go to Dempsey's (sp?) its a great family seafood restaurant. The only one by the water that survived the hurricane.

Our son who is in the Coast Guard was recently there and he said as long as you stay around the French Qtr. you are fine. I have not been there in about 10 years, but he said he had a great time and did one of the “ghost” tours that are offered while he was there and had fun, I think he said they went to the cemetery, and a few other places.

We were there about 8 years ago but it was for Mardi Gras, the city was very dirty and there were signs posted that it could be a dangerous area. The food is very good but I don't think I would take any little ones there at night anyway, maybe during the daytime hours might be ok.

K.,
I was just there 2 weeks ago, and was surprised to see how many children were there. The Quarter seemed like a totally different place from when I was there about 10 years ago. I know there is still the drinking and adult stuff going on, but during the day it seemed totally safe to be walking around with little ones. It was like a ghost town, however, as soon as you stepped outside the French Quarter. If I hadn't been there with a friend who lived in Baton Rouge, I would have been concerned.
J.

I go once a year, never with kids though. But its a great area and I really don't see any issues with it being dangerous. Heck I was there as a first responder after the hurricanes and if your going to do the tourist stuff (french quarters) even then it was fine! I love NO! Have a great trip and make sure to pack your stomach meds because your probably going to over eat! :D

I agree with most everyone here. It's a great town and I loved it when I visited. I was there just before the hurricane destroyed the city, and like any other city in the world, you just have to know what you're doing and where you're going. The French Quarter is amazing, but honestly, there's not much to do with 2 and 4 year olds. There's plenty of eating and shopping during the day and more eating and drinking at night.

I was there in June of 2005 for a wedding with my kids who were 9 and 7, and I seemed to have a hard time finding things to do for them. Granted, we were only there from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon--it is a great place for a short visit.

My friends just got back from a week long vacation in NO with their two kids, about the same ages as yours. They had a great time though the parents were lamenting that it's not quite the same with kids in tow! If you have the opportunity, I'd definitely do it! And city has its dangerous parts and my guess is you'll avoid most of them with kids - no late nights in bars in funky neighborhoods, etc. Have fun!