NOLA w/ 15 &17yr old

[macfam5]

We have never been to New Orleans before looking for some recommendations of what to do and see with a 15 &17 yr old.We will have two days post cruise to explore.

[Host Kat]

@macfam5 Howdy and welcome back to Cruise Critic!  I see it has been a while since you posted on the boards.

 

You might want to also research the following forums too:

 

Ports of Call - New Orleans 

Family Cruises

 

I sincerely hope this information will be helpful and glad to have you back aboard Cruise Critic again!

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat

[JerseyGirlJen]

Look into Free Tours by Foot, they're a tour company that gets wonderful reviews.  The tour guides work on tips alone, you don't pay for the tour, just tip your guide.  They do ghost tours, cemetery tours, voodoo tours, historical tours.  The kids would probably like it.

 

The WWII museum is rated as one of the best in the country, you can also check out the French Market, do a tour of the garden section, or a tour of the bayou.  

[Bloomin Onion]

They will probably enjoy either a guided or self guided tour of the Quarter and the Garden District, the Quarter has that European/Caribbean feel while the Garden District has a classic Deep South vibe, both with their own charms. I highly recommend taking the St. Charles Avenue streetcar as far as Aubodon Park. If its raining, I'd definitely recommend the Aquarium (one of the best in the nation) and the WW2 Museum. The WW2 museum can easily take an entire day or 2 to see the whole thing. The Aquarium usually takes about 2 hours though more if you see the 3D films. 

 

Some hotels may help book swamp tours and plantation tours in the surrounding area as well. I personally would recommend Cajun Pride swamp tours in LaPlace (though you are not very likely to see gators when the weather is cold like right now). Houmas House Plantation is amazing with extensive gardens and excellent restaurants and truly evokes the grace and gentility of the antebellum South, even if the surrounding area is a mix of suburban and industrial. While not all the things inside the big house are original, the point was to make you experience it as it was in the glamor days, vs some other plantations where all the furniture is original and the house isn't as well kept but its based on personal taste. San Francisco Plantation is overrated, Oak Alley is heavily advertised and the outside is beautiful but the house tour is very short and only takes you to the first floor. 

[nydney1]

We have two kids now 14 & 12 and go down twice a year.

 

WW2 Museum

Aquarium is one of the best in the nation.

 

Big fan of French Quarter Phantoms. We have done all tours. You can get good deals on Groupon. 
 

We have done several other of the Ghost and Vampire Tours with different groups, All have been OK some better than others. 
 

The fire station in the French Quarter sells Tshirts for $15. The Police station sells them for $20.

 

Cafe Du Monde and cafe beignet are great. Cafe Beignet on Bourban has a Jazz Trio in the mornings.

 

Favorite Breakfast in the Quarter is at the Ruby Slipper.

 

Check out the Creole Creamery first some interesting flavors.

 

Look at the Jazzy Pass for aces to the trolly. On and off all day for $3 per person.