You Want to Take the Kids Where?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get at my website, TheQuarterRat, is... "We are coming to New Orleans and the French Quarter in _____ with our children ages ___ and ___, is there anything in the quarter for kids?"

The good news is yes, there are things in the quarter for kids but before we get to them let me climb on my soapbox for a bit. I can hear a few groans out there - Hold on this will only take a minute and, I think, is important.

If you are planning on "doing Bourbon Street" and have small kids please check with your hotel concierge for a bonded baby-sitter and leave the kids at the hotel.

Bourbon Street is unique in the world but not a place for small children. The crowds are often quite large, rowdy and not in full control of their common sense - This is the home of the "Go-Cup".

I have seen small children in strollers tripped over, fallen on, had drinks spilled on them... Toddlers and older children are no better off and have experienced the same in addition to being accidentally burnt by cigarettes and cigars. With all of this, do you really feel comfortable walking with the kids past "gentlemen's clubs", strip bars, "adult novelty shops", etc.?

Off the soapbox, is that a sigh of relief I hear?

Let's take a look at some of the things you can enjoy with your kids - The Quarter has several high quality museums: The Cabildo, Presbytere, Old U.S. Mint and the Historic New Orleans Collection. A visit to the Aquarium, one of the top 5 in the country, and the colocated Imax theater are always popular. While in that neighborhood grab a Po-Boy and have a picnic at Woldenberg Park along the Mississippi River or maybe a ride on one of the paddelwheelers. If you take a walk on Royal Street Mall during the day (Royal Street is closed to traffic from Orleans to Conti from 11am to 4pm weekdays and 11am to 7pm weekends) you can find some special antique teddy bears in some of the shops.

Just outside the quarter in the CBD and Warehouse District you can find the Louisiana Chalderns Museum, this is a big hit with the younger kids, they can even help produce their own news show. Also located in this area is the newly opened National D-Day museum.

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