Whether you're coming to New Orleans from across the country or from across the river, you'll want to take in the culture, food, music, and ambiance of The Big Easy!
Our website offers some helpful ideas on what to see and do in New Orleans, but it’s not a comprehensive list. There are many websites and guidebooks that can assist you in your planning. And if you have any questions about your trip, just email us! We'll be more than happy to assist you in any way we can.
The best restaurants in the world are right here in New Orleans! Click the food link above for plenty of restaurant guides and suggestions.
Empire's Picks Click the Empire logo for our favorite things to do and see in New Orleans!
Handy-Dandy Checklist!
When in New Orleans, you MUST
Eat a po-boy and/or a muffaletta
Stroll around the French Quarter
Order café au lait and beignets at Café Du Monde
Go to a fine restaurant
Ride the streetcar
See the mansions of St. Charles Avenue and the Garden District
Shop your way down Magazine Street
See the historic above-ground cemeteries
Hear a brass band
Click on the link below for a short flick on what New Orleans has to offer!
If the link doesn't work, copy and paste it in your web browser. You don't want to miss it!
But what are the kids gonna do?
There is a long list of exciting things to do as a family in the city of New Orleans. You have the opportunity to introduce your children to one of the oldest cities in America and give them a taste of history that will last with them a lifetime. Take them to a River Road plantation and show them how they would have lived 200 years ago. Take them to an art museum or a history museum. Dress them up and make reservations at one of the world’s finest restaurants. Let them play amateur photographer and see who can get the best photos of the most celebrated architecture in the country. Take a carriage ride and let your tour guide describe the fascinating history of the French Quarter. After all of that, if you still have time, you could take them to the Audubon Zoo or the Aquarium.
YOUR KIDS WILL THANK YOU FOR IT.
And if they don’t, tell them to hush up, return to their iPods, and act happy, and remind them that you pay for their gymnastics... Then return to your café au lait, beinets, and people watching at the original french market coffee stand Cafe Dumonde.
A word about family fun in New Orleans...
Many people have asked us, "Is it safe to be a tourist in New Orleans?" Or, "Are there enough family activities in New Orleans?" The answer to both questions is "Yes!"
As with any large city, New Orleans has its share of areas you should avoid. But it's easy to stick to the main streets and well-travelled areas. New Orleans is a tourist-friendly place and your hotel can provide you with directions, advice, and information.
New Orleans is great for kids too! You may have seen images of Bourbon Street on TV, but that represents just a tiny part of the city. With restaurants, shops, museums, music, and history, the French Quarter is fun for families to visit in the daytime. Bourbon Street is easily avoided and is rather inconspicuous during the day anyway! Some of our visiting gymnasts even found themselves drawing an appreciative crowd by flipping through the Quarter!
A word about getting around...
New Orleans is a confusing place to navigate, even for locals! Don't ask for north, south, east, or west...where ever you go, you'll be heading uptown, downtown, toward the lake, or toward the river. Lots of one-way streets, U-turns, and wide neutral grounds (medians) can be tricky. Lucky for us all, the city is relatively small (geographically speaking), taxis are plentiful, and streetcars are a fun means of public transportation.
Some of our guests choose to rely on taxis and streetcars, while some rent cars during their stay. Some attractions, such as plantations and swamp boat tours, that are outside the city, have their own shuttles that you can board at your hotel, so knowing ahead of time which attractions you'd like to see may help you make your decision whether or not to rent a car.
Don't hesitate to drop us a note if you have any questions! [email protected]
