Get the Family Together to Celebrate in New Orleans

New Orleans. NOLA. N’Awlins. However you say it, the Louisiana city celebrates its 300th anniversary this year and, while people may know the Crescent City for Bourbon Street, Hurricanes and beads, New Orleans is a family-friendly destination, too. Here, we take a look at ways you and your family can celebrate the city’s tricentennial, or make the most of your visit anytime you travel to New Orleans.

Get Festive

In celebration of its 300th anniversary, New Orleans hosts more than 130 festivals throughout the year. The calendar has already flipped to May, but there are plenty of family-friendly festivals to enjoy throughout the end of the year. A few to consider in the coming weeks are the Greek Fest over Memorial Day Weekend, and the Oyster Festival and Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival in June. Festivals run into the fall and winter months, too, so there are plenty to choose from, depending on when you visit.

Find Your Roots

Researching families’ genealogies has become quite popular, and you can do just that in New Orleans. Who knows, you may have family ties to N’Awlins — with 300 years of history, it may not be a surprise if you did! A few spots to start researching your family’s history and ties to the city are the New Orleans Public Library, the Archdiocesan Archives and the Williams Research Center, also known as The Historic New Orleans Collection, dedicated to the city’s preservation. Some families can trace their city heritage back 10 generations or more — is your family one of them?

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Listen to the Music

With an incredibly rich music history, it is nearly impossible to not be swept up in the sounds of the city. Iconic Preservation Hall is a terrific place for families to stop and listen to classic brass bands, or pop into the Spotted Cat and catch a local act. And then there is the music found on the streets — when musicians start playing, passersby stop to listen and dance and join in the festive fun. When planning your visit, check the city’s events calendar for Lafayette Square and Armstrong Park — free concerts are held Wednesdays and Thursdays in each, respectively, depending upon the time of year. Be sure to check out the history of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, too.

Fun in the Quarter

The French Quarter is known for its fun for adults, but it’s fun for kids, too. Get a feel for the quarter with French QuarTour Kids, walking tours designed for kids ages 4 to 18, designed and led by local teachers. Then, when you are ready to go it on your own, check out intricate, colorful costumes at the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes & Culture, and board an old-time mode of transportation, the Steamboat Natchez.

Get Outside, or Stay In

There are plenty of ways to enjoy New Orleans and its out-of-doors, starting with City Park, 1,300 acres of green space complete with a lake ideal for paddleboating. Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, with its antique carousel, and Storyland, a Mother Goose-themed playground, are found within City Park. If the rain starts to fall during your time in the city, pop into the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium for hours of fun; younger kids will find their fun at the Louisiana Children’s Museum, too.