New Orleans HotelsMy brother is a jazz fanatic. Each year he plans a special trip and takes one of his six kids to New Orleans and spends the time educating his kids on the history and intricacy of jazz. He has now passed that love onto the next generation. New Orleans is proud of its well-known nickname, "Big Easy", because it so aptly describes the attitude of this lovely city, steeped in history and intertwining cultures. The glamorous city of New Orleans had quite an inauspicious beginning. Though founded by French Creoles, she actually began as a crude settlement beset by hurricanes, floods and hostile Indians. By 1762, Louisiana had been transferred from French to Spanish hands. Thus, New Orleans was in the hands of the Spanish at the time the New England colonies revolted against George III. Following the Louisiana Purchase, more and more Americans came downriver to make their fortunes in New Orleans. Today, New Orleans continues to flourish. It is one of the largest ports in the United States and in the world. Millions of dollars are being spent in development and renovation. Yet, with all the modern innovations, the city retains its Old World aura, carefully preserving its history, its reputation for world-famous jazz and cuisine, and its romantic Creole heritage. From art galleries and museums to professional sports, from the high life on Bourbon Street to enchanting riverboat cruises, New Orleans offers every visitor hundreds of entertaining and enjoyable destinations. No wonder it's known throughout the world as a city where hospitality never ends! Things to Do1850 House This house is one of the loveliest old homes in New Orleans. The well-preserved town house and courtyard features lovely ironwork on the balconies, a gift shop and a bookstore.
Aquarium of the Americas More than 7,000 aquatic creatures swim in 60 displays in this world-class aquarium. There are four major exhibit areas: the Amazon River Basin, the Caribbean Reef, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf Coast, each with fish and animals native to that environment.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park This park surrounds the aquarium, and it is a great spot for viewing the active Mississippi. Water tours leave from the park frequently.
Audubon Park
Audubon Zoo This wonderful zoo is a great place for families to visit. The zoo has a tremendous number of exhibits, including a Louisiana Swamp, tropical-bird house, butterfly exhibit, flamingo pond, sea lions, and white tigers.
Beauregard-Keyes House This grand 19th-century mansion was once the home of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard. The famous novelist Frances Keyes wrote 40 novels here. A beautiful walled garden is another feature of the home.
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World As the name suggests, this attraction is dedicated to the most famous party in America, Mardi Gras. Visitors can watch floats being made, view a film about Mardi Gras, and buy Carnival memorabilia in the gift shop. Kids will enjoy trying on a trunk full of costumes.
Bourbon Street
Carousel Gardens Hours: Hrs may vary by season; closed in winter except for Christmas season
The carousel was built in 1906 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the park is just as good. The park includes a roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and other rides.
Brennan House Built in 1852, this house is a wonderful example of the Greek Revival style. Magnificent columns support the outside structure, and the inside features a magnificent gold ballroom.
Brown House The Brown House was finished in 1902 after five years of construction. It is the largest mansion on St. Charles Avenue, and it is a model of Romanesque Revival architecture.
City Park City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Within its 1,500 acres, the Casino, Botanical Garden, Storyland, Carousel Gardens, New Orleans Museum of Art, tennis courts, and a golf course attract and entertain visitors.
Confederate Museum This imposing building, covered in ivy, houses an extensive collection of artifacts and records from the Civil War. This museum is the oldest in Louisiana. Contemporary Arts Center The center has won prizes for its own good looks, and the art inside is even better. The center also hosts concerts, films, theatrical and dance performances, and art-related workshops and seminars.
Custom House Built in 1849, this staunch structure occupies the whole block and is a major city landmark. The building has identical entrances on all four sides, and visitors are welcome to look around.
Elms Mansion Built in 1869, this magnificent home features marble fireplaces and stained-glass windows. The house has been carefully restored and furnished with period pieces.
Energy IMAX Theater With a screen 5-1/2 stories tall, this is one of the most thrilling cinema experiences around. The theater shows breathtaking nature films related to the sea, Earth, and outer space that are meant for the whole family to enjoy.
French Market The French Market contains shops, offices, and eating places, and it is an important part of the life of New Orleans. Street performers enliven the marketplace, and visitors can choose from the best of New Orleans delicacies.
Hermann-Grima House This house is one of the French Quarter's largest and best examples of American architecture. Cooking demonstrations, held in the city's only open Creole kitchen, delight visitors all day long.
Jackson Square Occupying the heart of the French Quarter, the square was built in 1718. A statue of Andrew Jackson commemorates his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Artists hang their paintings on the park fence and set up outdoor studios, as do musicians, dancers, and magicians.
Louisiana Children's Museum Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30-4:30, Sun noon-4:30; in summer open daily One of the best children's museums in the country, the Louisiana Children's Museum has lots of hands-on activities. It also features a playscape for very young children, and lots to do for the whole family.
Musee Conti Wax Museum Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5:30 This wax museum features famous residents and natives of Louisiana. More than 100 wax figures are featured.
New Orleans Botanical Garden While the garden may be relatively small (10 acres), it is a lovely spot to visit and has lots to offer. The gardens include a tropical conservatory, a water-lily pond, a formal rose garden, azalea and camellia gardens, and horticultural gardens. Fountains and sculpture are found throughout, and everything can be seen during a guided tour.
New Orleans Museum of Art One of the best museums in the country, the NOMA has a large permanent collection that specializes in pre-Columbian, African, and local art. World-class traveling exhibits also come frequently to the museum.
Robinson House The house was built in the 1850s, and it is one of the largest and most elegant in New Orleans. The architecture is styled after an Italian villa, and it may have been the first house in New Orleans with indoor plumbing.
Storyland This theme park is designed almost exclusively for children. It features 26 storybook exhibits built around fairy-tale characters. Child Magazine has rated Storyland one of the ten best playgrounds in the country.
The Casino Built to be a casino, this Spanish-style building is now an enlarged concession stand selling New Orleans delicacies, including the world-famous po'boys. A band stand has frequent performances, kids enjoy the playground, and paddle boats are available for rent in the lagoon.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park Offering an incredible view of the Mississippi, the park has a wooden promenade and many stores and restaurants. It is easily one of the best river front developments in the nation.
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