If it’s music, culture, art and shopping you love, New Orleans is the place for you! Take a trip to this vibrant city and enjoy all it has to offer, from the stunning architecture and delicious restaurants of the French Quarter, to the beautiful parks, exciting entertainment, and enjoyable sports. There’s plenty to experience in
New Orleans, as both a couple and family. We’ve listed 10 must-do’s while in the area to help you with your trip.
1. Take in history and stunning architecture at the French Quarter[caption id="attachment_2122" align="alignnone" width="600"]
Photo by Chris Waits[/caption]
Steeped in history, the French Quarter is a bustling attraction in New Orleans that has stunning architecture, delicious restaurants, heaps of shopping opportunities, and some fantastic galleries and museums. If you want to experience the real New Orleans, this is the place to be. You could even spend an afternoon having a family picnic in the park. There really is an endless list of experiences to be had, and plenty of memories to be made, in this picture-perfect landmark location.
2. Watch a Broadway Show
New Orleans is home to some incredibly talented, fun theatre and production companies, and there’s always a great show to catch. In addition, there’s some fantastic options for opera, live music and dance shows, so there really is something for every taste in this family-friendly city.
3. Join in the celebrations at Mardi Gras[caption id="attachment_2124" align="alignnone" width="600"]
Photo by Derek Bridges[/caption]
Get in on the carnival excitement with Mardi Gras. New Orleans transforms from February to March and is steeped in colour – everyone gets in on the action. Enjoy some exciting parades, delicious food, and a bundle of family-friendly entertainment. Everyone will be smiling, laughing and dancing, and this is the opportunity for you to feel like a true New Orleans native. The kids will love it, too!
4. Catch a Baseball Game
Always a must when in the States, you should definitely try to catch a baseball game while in New Orleans. Head down to the field on Airline Drive and experience plenty of family fun while you watch the New Orleans Zephyrs play one of their home games.
5. Spend an afternoon on the Golf Course
Almost all-year-round you can head down to the lush green golf courses – New Orleans has plenty – to relax on the flat terrain for an afternoon or day. A great option is the Audubon Park Golf Course, which is a par-63 course with beautiful landscaping, including four lagoons that are home to geese and duck, all set within an 81-acres of greenery.
Golf passes at Aududon Park Golf Course start at $35.00.
6. Visit the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans is most famous for is spectacular live music scene, including its numerous bars and live jazz clubs for everyone to enjoy. The annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a famous must-visit while in the area. Despite the name, there’s music for every taste on offer – so you won’t be lost for variety. Elton John, Ed Sheeran and The Who are just some of the famous headliners to have played at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
The festival takes place in the last week of April, so be sure to find out more about the festival if you’re heading to New Orleans then – or if you want to plan your trip around the festival.
7. Take a day for vintage and antique shopping[caption id="attachment_2128" align="alignnone" width="600"]
Photo by Jason Paris[/caption]
Theres some spectacular shopping opportunities right on your doorstep in New Orleans. Magazine Street is home to some beautiful furnishings and handmade delights, all of which are "home grown success stories". Royal Street introduces you to some fantastic art galleries, architecture and world-famous restaurants, while the French Quarter has some quirky boutiques and galleries. Theres also hundreds of antiques shops in New Orleans, just in case youre looking for something old but beautiful.
8. Visit the animals at Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo is home to some fantastic animals, from African penguins, turtles, alligators and leopards, to African pygmy hedgehogs, elephants, sea lions and monkeys. Theres every variety of animal you could possibly think of! Better still, Audubon Zoo has a traditional zoo, aquarium and butterfly garden and insectarium, so theres plenty of variety. Theres even an IMAX® cinema on the grounds, where you can catch a movie if you fancy a break from the animals.
Audubon Zoo and Aquarium combo tickets start at $27.95.
9. Bask in the sun at Fontainebleau State Park[caption id="attachment_2130" align="alignnone" width="600"]
Photo by Judy Thorne[/caption]
Fontainebleau State Park has the closest sand beach to New Orleans – around a 45 minute drive from the city. Cool off in the shallow waters of Lake Pontchartrain and enjoy a picnic in the lush surrounding greenery. It’s the perfect, relaxing day out for the whole family.
10. Take in a horse race at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course
New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course is the third oldest continuously operating thoroughbred racetrack in the United States, and one of the most famous. If visiting New Orleans between Thanksgiving and the end of March the following year, be sure to pop by to watch a race. You’ll be cheering for your winner in no time!
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