what to do in new orleans {part 1}

A few weeks ago, we took an amazing vacay with The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. We packed our bags and the kiddos and headed to New Orleans. It was a one of a kind family trip filled with memories to last a lifetime and loads of advice on what to do in New Orleans.

We were thrilled to bring you an intro to this series, with a sneak peek of all the fun things that we experienced. We’ve covered Where to Eat in New Orleans {Part 1}, and now we’re thrilled to bring you What to do in New Orleans {part 1}… because this series will continue to grow, be sure to check out everything in our travel section, here!

What to do in New Orleans – with your family

So today, here’s part one of our favorite things to do {as a family}: What to do in New Orleans! be sure to check out part two of what to do in New Orleans here.

What to do in New Orleans – French Quarter

French Quartour Kids  • A tweens and teens French Quarter walking tour with French Quartour Kids

In a few short words: The kids absolutely loved this one. We did, too.

From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:

This tour explores New Orleans history through the eyes of a tween/teen. We will visit the Mississippi Riverfront, Jackson Square, the Old Slave Auction House as well as other places in the
French Quarter. Kids learn about our unique culture starting with French Creoles, Creoles of Color, and the newly arrived Americans. We’ll also explore why New Orleans played a pivotal role in military campaigns, trade, and the growth of America. Personal stories, historic documents, and an assortment of unique antiques will invite tweens and teens into our past.

We have to say, our views have changed over the years when it comes to our children’s education. There’s something about that hands-on learning that is irreplaceable, and not only builds memories to last a lifetime, but awesome knowledge as well.

Nothing really tops that experience. I think we had just as much fun learning things as they did, and then discussing it afterwards. The entire tour and experience was absolutely fascinating.

The duration of the tour lasted for a couple of hours, and we walked about six blocks total, of the French Quarter. We saw so much that we would have missed, otherwise, and it was really a great experience for the entire family. If you’ve never been to the French Quarter… or even if you have… you really must try it this way.

How it works: This great company has lots of options, depending on the ages of your kiddos. We had a little bit of both ranges, and opted for the tweens version. They also offer spooky tours for kids, and a Creole kids tour for 7-12 year olds.

Be sure to check out their site, and their Facebook page for some great tours in action.

Our awesome tour guide really knew his history.

We learned about how New Orleans was settled and the culture behind it with enriched stories that the kids loved and remembered… and so much more. Not only did he know it, he loved it. It really came through with everything that he incorporated into the tour. It really wasn’t just for kids… even the parents learned things. And lots of them.

He really had a way of bringing the history to life with experiences throughout the tour. The kids were able to try picking seeds out of cotton, and the secret language of fans, for starters.

The French Quartour Kids Tour was one of the first things that we did, and we loved kicking it off. It gave everyone a reference point to build on for the rest of our amazing trip.

I mean, who knew there was a secret language with fans? Most importantly, I now know how to communicate that I really need someone to bring me a drink.

The kids still reference things that they learned on the tour and we love that they learned so much.

What to do in New Orleans – the river boat

Daytime Jazz Cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez • 1 Toulouse Street Wharf

From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:

The New Orleans Steamboat Company locally owns and operates the last authentic Steamboat on the Mighty Mississippi River: The Steamboat Natchez dinner jazz and daytime jazz cruises, run daily, year-round, in the style of authentic steamboats in New Orleans for centuries! Enjoy steam engine room visitation, calliope, live jazz and optional Creole food and local beverages. Come aboard and enjoy New Orleans hospitality, steamboat style!

 

 

To say this one was a treat, would be an understatement.

In short, the kids were in awe. Of course we’ve never been on a steamboat before, let alone one like this.

Once we were aboard, it was full steam ahead for a great little tour of the New Orleans from a bit of a different perspective.

The kids {and we} had never seen a real live calliope before, and there’s a giant one on top of the ship. They were fascinated with the sparks, smoke, and huge sounds it could make.

While on the cruise, they played some fabulous jazz music, and offered food and drinks to their guests, while the captain pointed out some great areas not to miss, along the shoreline.

We loved the awesome views of the skyline, along with some other great landmarks.

We passed the Domino Sugar Factory, and I had no idea  you could smell sugar from so far away. It smelled like my childhood kitchen on Thanksgiving.

If you’ve been on foot all day, this was a great afternoon activity for the kiddos {and us} to chill a little while still taking it all in.

We were also able to take a tour of the steam room, and see how it all works

It’s definitely something they’ll always remember…  So many moving parts… and so hot! It was amazing to think abut how people worked here full time in such a hot room in the past… and even now. They were captivated.

What to do in New Orleans – a little music

Live Jazz Show at Preservation Hall • 726 St Peter St.

From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:

New Orleans’ Preservation Hall was established in 1961 to honor one of America’s truest art forms – Traditional New Orleans Jazz. Operating as a music venue, a touring band, and a non-profit organization, Preservation Hall continues its mission today as a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture.

Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Peter Street, the Preservation Hall venue presents intimate, acoustic New Orleans Jazz converts over 350 nights a year featuring ensembles from a current collective of 100+ local master practitioners. On any given night, audiences bear joyful witness to the evolution of this venerable and living tradition.

 

Welcome to Preservation Hall.

An unassuming, but absolutely charming building on St. Peter Street, where you can be completely immersed in the culture and music of New Orleans.

I’m sharing these so you can get an idea for the overall vibe of it all because we visited at night. But y’all. It was incredible.

We were privy to an awesome concert and even if you’re not a fan of jazz, let’s just say you’re missing out.

Pure Jazz and The Big Easy culture, at its finest. The kids were so enamored, they came home wanting to learn more about their options for musical instruments. Plus, it’s a great family-friendly way to see a live show since no alcohol is sold on site.

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It was one of those things were we definitely wanted to soak up the moment and appreciate the talent.

I ‘ve always enjoyed all types of music, but I’m now what one would call hardcore, when it comes to Jazz. The kids ask us to play it on a regular basis around the house, so they can listen to it again and again… remembering our trip. It just has such a happy, joyful sound. This is yet another way that their horizons were expanded in ways we didn’t expect.

What to do in New Orleans – let the good times roll

Mardi Gras World • 1380 Port of New Orleans Place

From The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Visit Mardi Gras World to see the largest float designing and building facility in the world. Here more than 80 percent of the floats that journey down New Orleans’ streets during the Carnival
season are designed and built. Begun in 1947 by float designer and builder Blaine Kern, Mardi Gras World provides visitors with the opportunity to don authentic Mardi Gras costume and tour
enormous warehouses filled with floats.

If you’re an artist, or someone who just appreciates the work that goes into something so creative… if you like Mardi Gras, and the culture behind it…

If you have kids or just like color and fun in general, you should go to Mardi Gras world. Basically, don’t miss this one.

From the process to the culture behind it, we learned so much.

We also realized that we missed our true calling as float designers. And we now officially wish we lived here so we could regularly attend such fun things.

We tried king cake for the first time, and the kids were able to try on costumes to see what they were like.

We also learned that there is so much more than its previously-given reputation, and it has a great family atmosphere.

But the processes behind what these artists and designers create is absolutely fascinating. It was all I could do to not roll up my sleeves and jump in there, asking them to teach me everything they know. From concept and design to sculpture and literal layers of paper maché and paint… it was such eye candy, color and fun.

Our tour guide was absolutely precious and so much fun. We adored touring the entire space, and loved that we could take as long as we wanted to explore and ask questions. The kids soaked it up and loved all the humor, unique approaches, and beauty behind each piece.

Something interesting that we did learn beyond the history behind it for New Orleans, is that the entire event of Mardi Gras is funded alone by the members.

That means there are no sponsors. That also means they can do whatever they want with the floats that they’ve decided on. They decide on a theme, and roll with it.

We spied Kiss, and George Washington, and the Tin Man and Scarecrow. And also, this fabulous makeup lady.

We loved learning how they repurpose so many things into something else the following year, and how the floats operate.

We loved each element to see and do in New Orleans in a different way, but this was definitely something we fell in love with. If you ever want us to come back, Mardi Gras World… we’ll work for free. ;}

We even spied some familiar faces… did you know that Mardi Gras World helps produce some of the floats in the Disney parades?

All of it was so fascinating.

And a few familiar looking cows, too. No lie, I’ve always wondered where the cows came from.

Don’t miss this one on your stop, y’all.

Or any of the fabulous things we’ve mentioned above. They definitely make for an enriched trip with a multifaceted take on New Orleans. We absolutely adored each and every experience.

Seriously… can we go back yet?

This is a trip our kids {and we} will remember for years to come.

Stay tuned because we have more coming your way on what to do in new orleans.

This is a lot of info at once, and this post officially wraps up part one of what to do New Orleans! Check out the rest of our series.

Lovely
A Trip to New Orleans:
Where to Eat Part 1:
Where to Eat Part 2:
What to Do Part 2:
Perfect Itinerary:

and continue to check as we add more!

This vacay was go, go, go, in a good way, enriched with fun and culture for all of us… we really had no idea that New Orleans could be so amazing for families. It wasn’t on our radar to bring the kids and now we can’t imagine it any other way.

Stay tuned – we can’t wait to share more of what to do in New Orleans! As always let us know if we can answer any questions… and have an inspired day!

{We partnered with the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau to highlight some of the great aspects of this city. For more on our partnerships please visit here.)