Things To Do in New Orleans

New Orleans' oldest area was founded by the French in 1718, but much of the wonderful architecture dates from a period as a Spanish colony. Stroll and enjoy the historic buildings and free entertainment: five-piece bands play in the street and you can buy their CD's for a song, nearly. Be sure to hit the Jackson Square area.

This National Historic Landmark at Jackson Square has a museum inside. Kids will like the section on Mardi Gras: pretend you're riding on a Mardi Gras float. The place to see dazzling parade costumes, too. The Museum also has special exhibits, such as "100 Years of Zulu", about the famous Krewe of Zulu African-American Mardi Gras parade krewe.

Heavenly treats: continue across Decatur Street to this casual outdoor cafe, for scrumptious "beignets" -- a type of doughnut covered copiously in powdered sugar. Grownups can get a chicory coffee, too, for more local flavor. Sit and eat at the Cafe, and listen to a band; or head to a nearby park-bench where kids will leave puddles of white sugar as they eat their beignets.

The 340-acre Audubon Park-- uptown, between the Mississippi River and St. Charles Avenue -- is home to the well-regarded Audubon Zoo, which has many animals in natural habitats, including a Louisiana Swamp Exhibit. In November, the Audubon Zoo hosts the Lousiana Swamp Festival, a salute to Cajun music, food, culture-- and to swamp animals.

The Audubon Zoo and Park (above) are under the umbrella of the Audubon Nature Institute, which has other family attractions in New Orleans too. The Aquarium of the Americas is major aquarium with an IMAX Theatre, on the River and on the edge of the French Quarter at Canal Street. Nearby is the Audubon Insectarium, the newest of the Audubon museums. Sightseers can get package tix for the Zoo, Aquarium, IMAX, and Insectarium.

Mardi Gras" has come to be synonymous with "crazy partying" in adult-rated Bourbon Street-- but sections of the Mardi Gras parade routes are all about families. Kids might also be interested in the costumed Pet Parade, (called Barkus, a play on New Orleans parade krewe, Bacchus).

A hands-on type of place, with plenty of opportunities: "learning has never been more fun". Adults must accompany kids under 16. Plan on at least a two-hour visit; check the calendar for special activities such as book readings, art projects, Toddler Time.

In late April and early May, get ready for two weekends of the massive -- and family-friendly-- New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, with multiple stages playing zydeco, Cajun music, gospel music, blues, pop, jazz and music from around the world. Food stalls with Louisiana specialties are a highlight! Kids are all over: they even have their own area, a large Kids Tent, with a small performance stage; mommies, daddies, and kids can all get up and dance.

Billed as New Orlean's only authentic steamboat, the Steamboat Natchez takes visitors out on the Mississippi River for various types of cruises: harbor cruises, dinner cruises... Check for the return of the Aquarium Zoo Cruise; and at Christmas-time, families can take a Caroling Cruise.