New Orleans, Louisiana
Trip Perspective(s)
Tell us a little about you and your travel style.
I’m a mid-luxury traveler who always finds a good deal on my hotel stays and experiences in the cities I visit. I don’t mind spending time to research ways to make my trips cost effective and budget-friendly. This includes finding fun, free events and activities that are perfect for families and couples.
If I can’t do something for free, you can bet that I found a discount! Saving money on activities allows me to splurge on great food.
What makes New Orleans special to you?
New Orleans is a city with a rich art, theatre, and food scene. Outside of the common tourist attractions there is an ever-changing world-class botanical garden that features sculptures by artists like Chihuly and New Orleans native Enrique Alférez.
New Orleans City Park is two times larger than New York’s Central Park. It’s a place where you will find everything from outdoor yoga classes to musical performances featuring local artists. Time your visit to the city with a performance at Saenger Theatre and enjoy dinner afterwards to make a weekend stay fun and exciting.
What type of traveler would enjoy New Orleans based on your time there?
New Orleans is typically a city that draws nightlife travelers. However, I have found the city to be a place that families with kids of all ages can enjoy. In the springtime tulips bloom in City Park, and during the holidays the same park hosts one of the largest light displays in the country.
Kids and kids at heart can also enjoy Storyland and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. Within the city there are museums, restaurants, and shops that families can visit, including a children’s museum.
What are some of your favorite things to do in New Orleans?
New Orleans Botanical Garden (which is located inside City Park) is one of the best places in New Orleans to take pictures, especially in springtime when everything is blooming. Families can ride swan shaped paddle boats on the lake in City Park. New Orleans Museum of Art is in the same area and there are always exciting exhibits inside.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art is in the same block as The National WWII Museum. The Audubon Insectarium contains a butterfly garden and can be paired with a visit to the Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Zoo.
What do you think about the food in New Orleans?
The food in New Orleans can best be described as an explosion of flavor! When visiting the Crescent City, it is imperative to try the seafood. Find a place with boiled crawfish and learn how to peel them like a pro, order a plate of crawfish étouffée, a bowl of shrimp and grits, or a plate of fried catfish. Shrimp poboys are abundant, and it is often the deli inside small mom-and-pop grocery stores that have the best sandwiches.
If seafood is not your thing, a muffaletta piled high with capicola, Genoa salami and a rich olive spread and cut into four quarters can be shared . New Orleans is not short on fine dining experiences, either. Two of my favorite places are Morrow Steak and Emeril’s.
How is the New Orleans nightlife?
Attending a live performance at Saenger Theatre is something to add to your itinerary when visiting New Orleans. Broadway in New Orleans offers touring performances, offering everything from Wicked to Hamilton. You can plan your afternoon to include dinner before or after the show.
Is New Orleans a safe place to travel?
In terms of safety, the risk of experiencing crime in New Orleans is no higher than visiting any major city. As with visiting any other major city it is important to be aware of your surroundings. If staying in the heart of the city, I find it easier to leave my car parked at my hotel to walk where I need to go. If I need to be out at night, I walk in a group. If popular places such as Bourbon Street and Jackson Square are a must-see, visit in the daytime and during the week for a less crowded experience.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season is June 1 to November 30 and it is always wise to be prepared for weather that may cancel your plans.
Is New Orleans expensive to visit?
Before visiting New Orleans, decide where you want to dine and what you want to see. Visit the website of each location to see if there are coupons or discounts. Some venues will have the option for kids under a certain age to eat for free or at a reduced price with the purchase of an adult meal. Call the restaurants where you want to dine and find out if a lunch menu exists or if certain days have specials.
Most parking within downtown New Orleans will be at an additional cost. Downtown hotels already have the added cost of valet services, so I keep my vehicle parked at the hotel and walk around the city. There is also the option to see the city by streetcar, which will save you money on parking and gas.
Nearby Festivals
Leisure Lambie
Born and raised in the Caribbean, my love for travel started at a young age. Vacations to the mainland and trips to see extended family in Trinidad peaked my curiosity about the world. When I reached adulthood, I traveled as often as I could. I discovered cruising, which added another dimension to my travel experiences. I’ve cruised to Alaska and plan to see Norway and the Mediterranean by sea . Travels “beyond my backyard” happen 3-4 times a year, and I write about them on my blog. In recent years, staying local and visiting New Orleans has also been a source of inspiration for my writing. The Crescent City is a place filled with opportunities to experience amazing food, theatre, and museums. My experiences in New Orleans are always family-friendly or suitable for a weekend (or longer) getaway without kids.
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