Things to Do in New Orleans Beyond Bourbon Street
One of my favorite places to visit here in the US is New Orleans, Louisiana. Most people I speak to always love to tell me how smelly it is or dangerous this place can be. And yes, let’s face the reality that back in the day, it was. Now have the smells of Bourbon Street gone away, no it has not. But one thing I do know is that in the last five years or so, NOLA has become more family friendly. Therefore, I hope you get inspired to visit everything that New Orleans has to offer.
Exploring New Orleans Beyond Bourbon Street
First off, New Orleans offers so much more to do than just party on Bourbon, St. There are museums, day strolls through the French Quarter. You can visit City Park, jump on the Hop on Hop off busses. Visit the Audubon Aquarium, swamp tours, and so much more. When planning a family trip to New Orleans there was more than just attractions, we had an amazing day also visiting the French Market. It spans six blocks in the French Quarter and formerly known as the Native American Trading Post, dating back before European colonization.
The Best Food in New Orleans You Have to Try
One of our favorite things to do when visiting is eating the best food you will ever try in your life. New Orleans has some of the best fried chicken in the US. It is known as the birthplace for Popeyes. And let me tell you, the fried chicken was amazing no matter where we ate at. Let us talk about the creole dishes that will never taste the same wherever you go outside of New Orleans. You can divulge in gumbo, etouffee, red beans and rice, fresh oysters, to jambalaya. Some of the best food I have ever tasted.
Must-Try Restaurants in New Orleans
There are so many places to eat at, but I am going to just name a few restaurants you must go to when visiting New Orleans. One of our favorites was Gumbo Shop located in the French Quarter on St Peter St. They are known as a contemporary and traditional creole cuisine. Located in a building from 1795 with a beautiful garden patio. Another favorite was The Royal House. They serve fresh seafood and have an oyster bar. They are located on Royal St. in a French Quarter iconic building that has been around for more than 100 years.
In the Garden District we ate at the Red Dog Diner, located on Magazine St. It’s known for their farmhouse motif in a hip nook. They serve comfort food and daily brunches. And if you are looking for an upscale chef inspired restaurant to dine at, you need to try Emeril’s Delmonico. For instance, it was so fancy that we were served an amuse-bouche. They make desserts right at the table like bananas foster. The food was remarkable, and the service was top notch.
Café De Monde is a must do every time you visit New Orleans. They serve beignets a French doughnut with loads of powder sugar, coffee either black or Au Lait, fresh squeezed orange juice, white and chocolate milk. They first opened in 1862 in the French Market near Jackson Square. In addition, Café De Monde is open 24 hours 7 days a week. So do not worry you have plenty of time to come by. And they only accept cash.
Visiting the National WWII Museum
After that, we visited the World War II Museum that is in the Central Business District of New Orleans. It first opened on D-Day June 6, 2000. This museum takes you back in history, giving you an interactive experience so generations can understand the price of freedom. There are many exhibits to explore for instance, Road to Toyoko, Road to Berlin, Beyond All Boundaries, and many more. In addition, you can step back in time but plan on spending the whole day here. Lastly, do not worry about food they have an amazing restaurant The American Sector inside for when you get hungry.
Plantation Tours Near New Orleans
If you are looking for a different tour, we did a plantation and swamp tour through the Gray Line. At the time we visited, we got to go to the Destrehan Plantation. It was first constructed in 1787, they were a major producer of indigo and then sugar cane. The plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It remains the oldest documented plantation in that area. This plantation was neglected for twelve years. The local community formed a group and turned it into a historical site. The River Road Historical Society brought it back to life and restored the home.
Cajun Swamp Tours and Louisiana Bayou Experience
We visited the Cajun Pride Swamp Tours located twenty-five miles outside of New Orleans. Their private Manchac Swamp tours are educational journey that takes you back to the Louisiana bayou. This bayou is also the home of the Voodoo priestess Julie White who died in 1915. She would make predictions that there would be a cataclysmic disaster when she died and was quoted saying “One day I’m gonna die, and I’m gonna take all of you with me.” A hurricane hit the town the day on the day of her funeral killing hundreds of people and now they say she haunts the swamp.
Walking Tours and Historic Cemeteries
One of our favorite walking tours was of the St Louis Cemetery No. 1. This cemetery is the only one in the New Orleans that you need a guided walking tour. It is the oldest and most famous one in the Parrish. It is the forever home to the voodoo queen Marie Laveau, Bernard de Marigny a French Creole aristocrat, Barthelemy Lafon a famous creole architect, and many more famous Louisianians. Nicolas Cage purchased in 2010 a pyramid shaped tombstone for his future final resting place.
Why New Orleans Is Great for Family Travel
In Conclusion, when taking family vacations, sometimes thinking creatively, and exploring places that go beyond theme parks can be fun. There are so many places that have so much history and culture. We need to start getting our children to envision the world to be bigger than cartoons, long lines, and other screaming kids. New Orleans is not the first place to say hey, let’s take our kids too. And once you open your mind to innovative ideas, the world is so much bigger and can teach you many new things.
Plan Your New Orleans Getaway
If you are thinking about visiting New Orleans or planning your next trip, I can help you create a personalized experience that goes far beyond the typical tourist spots.
From hidden gems and unforgettable dining to unique excursions and stress-free planning, I’ll handle the details so you can fully enjoy the journey.
Ready to plan your next travel adventure?
