Home to Mardi Gras celebrations, strong coffee and beignets and the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans has quite the reputation for food and music. By the fall weather rolls around, so do the outdoor food and music festivals, but New Orleans offers much more than that.
Between your already packed family itinerary, take time to enjoy the finer fall points of New Orleans.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Active families or those visiting from cooler-weather states know, enjoying the outdoors while you can is paramount. Fall in NOLA boasts the perfect setting for cooler, sunny days and comfortable nights, so take advantage.
The city may be bustling with activity, but the greener outdoor spaces will be primed and ready for exploration. Head out on the water, fishing and boating, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
Land dwellers, opt to bike the city and take in the sites at a relaxing pace. It’s not only a great way to get around and get some exercise, but also a sneaky way to fit in outdoor time between indoor activities, so you won’t feel guilty later for not getting outside enough — maybe just an East Coast thing. Grab a Blue Bike and explore on your own or hop on one of the city’s bike tours.
New Orleans Haunted Tour. Photo: Valentin Armianu | Dreamstime.com
Family-Friendly Haunts
While it is fall and NOLA is known for its history and haunts, check out a haunted tour through the city. Plan your trip alongside Halloween week and enjoy a few nights of epic costumes, parades and festivities.
For the older kids, one beloved annual event to check out is the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
. The music and arts festival bursts at the seams with eclectic and spooky ways to celebrate — all with top names in music performing around you. Check out the city’s long list of Halloween festivities including LGBT Halloween, the Krewe of Boo parade.
Go, Sports!
Maybe your family already has a football team, but, while in the city, checking out a Saints game is a great way to enjoy the full NOLA experience. Bring the kids along and chant “Who dat!” like a local. Take in the spirit of the festivities while enjoying the comfortable fall weather.
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