Wondering whether New Orleans, Louisiana is a place to bring along the kids? Unbeknownst to most, the Bayou City is a great family-friendly destination, brimming with history, mouthwatering cuisine and a long list of things to do perfect for children.

More often than not, New Orleans usually conjures up images of wild, college-age party-goers involved in numerous acts of debauchery, but this city is much more than Mardi Gras. Although the family entertainment opportunities in New Orleans are limitless, I will touch on the top five things to do on an unforgettable family vacation to New Orleans as well as a couple great family lodging options in the heart of the Crescent City.

#5 Riding a riverboat on the majestic Mississippi River
Sure to be a hit with the kiddos, taking a ride on anything usually warrants some cheers, but an excursion on the water is an exceptional experience for everyone in the family. Take in the scenery along the banks of the river and learn about the storied history of this distinctive area. There are several choices to enjoy a ride, including:

• The Steamboat Natchez, one of only six true steam-powered sternwheelers, offering a 2-hour Harbor cruise during the day and a three-hour Dinner/Jazz cruise in the evenings


• Creole Queen, a paddlewheeler with all the modern convenience, featuring dinner and jazz cruises as well as Big Easy Harbor Tours

Be sure to arrive at the boat at least a half hour to an hour before scheduled departure to ensure you won't miss the sailing of your choice. Steamboat Natchez departs from Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax Brewery and the Creole Queen departs from Riverwalk Canal Street dock.

#4 Louisiana Children's Museum
A popular destination for children since 1984, this fun and interactive museum has expanded since its opening to an amazing 30,000 square feet of educational exhibits for kids. Geared towards kids up to age 12, this unique museum includes everything from a miniature grocery store and a replica of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood to a working art studio.

Location: 420 Julia Street New Orleans, LA 70130
Cost: $7 per person – adults and children; free for children under the age of one
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon - 4:30 p.m.

#3 Visiting the New Orleans City Park
One of the oldest and largest parks in the country, New Orleans City Park has been a favorite place to go for many generations of children. Established in 1854, over the years, the park has grown to encompass an impressive 1,300 acres of land. Attractions in the park are abundant, but here just a few highlights:

• Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, featuring a number of rides for kids, including the antique wooden carousel dating back to 1906 and a train ride which tours the perimeter of the park


• Storyland, brings fairy tales to life with 26 unique exhibits; $3.00 per person, ages 3 and up; free for children under 3


• New Orleans Botanical Garden, the first public classical garden in New Orleans


• Couturie Forest and Arboretum Trail, featuring over a mile of trails, an amphitheatre, education stations in addition to stunning hardwoods and an incredible variety of birds

Location: 1 Palm Drive New Orleans, LA 70124
Cost: Although getting into the park is free, admission prices vary depending on the attraction you choose to visit.
Hours: Individual attractions have varying hours of operation, but the park itself is open from 30 minutes prior to daylight until 11:00 p.m.

#2 Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Bound to be a wonderful time for the whole family, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is one of the top five aquariums in the United States, featuring 10,000 animal specimens including 400 species. Explore the fascinating underwater universe in numerous exhibits such as:

• Caribbean Reef, stroll through a 32-foot clear acrylic tunnel, surrounded by 132,000 gallons of water and a wide variety of sea creatures


• Gulf of Mexico, learn about the sea life surrounding a replica of an offshore oil rig, including the largest tarpon in captivity


• Sea Otter Gallery, watch the frolicking otters in this 23,000-gallon exhibit


• Touch pools, savor a unique opportunity to touch baby sharks and stingrays

Location: 1 Canal St., P.O. BOX 4327, New Orleans, LA 70178
Cost: $17.50 for adults: $13.50, seniors (65 & older); $10.50 for children 2-12 Special packages are available for Aquarium, Zoo and IMAX ® visitors
Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Closing times vary.

#1 Audubon Zoo
Set aside time to enjoy one of the top-ranked zoos in the nation. Not only is this New Orleans attraction a renowned zoo, but also a beautiful garden. The zoo's unique location in the French Quarter was actually an 18th century sugar plantation and the site of the 1884 World Exposition.

For children, there's nothing like an awesome animal encounter to create unforgettable memories to last a lifetime, and the Audubon Zoo provides endless opportunities to make a lasting impression. Boasting more than 50 acres filled with 1,500 animals from 360 species, this zoo welcomes more than 750,000 guests each year to explore the remarkable animal kingdom. Be sure to make time for these highly-visited exhibits:

• White tigers, meet Rex and Zulu, two white tiger brothers, as they pounce and play together


• World of Primates, view tamarins, gorillas, lemurs, siamangs, and the endangered Sumatran orangutans


• Sea lions, one of the best-loved animals here, the playful and energetic sea lions are sure to be a favorite stop during your trip


• The Louisiana Swamp, get a glimpse of the wilds of Louisiana in this exhibit where you can even watch an alligator feeding


• Jaguar Jungle, learn about the Mayan culture and immerse yourself in the flora and fauna of a jungle rainforest


• Monkey Hill, the little ones will definitely enjoy climbing the five-level treehouse to get a unique monkey's-eye view of the zoo

Location: 6500 Magazine St., P.O. BOX 4327, New Orleans, LA 70178
Cost: Adult admission is $12.50, children ages 2-12 are $7.50, seniors 65+ are $9.50. Audubon Zoo members admitted free.
Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Closing times vary. Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mardi Gras and the first Friday in May.

When visiting all these attractions and discovering the many things to do in New Orleans, a family-friendly New Orleans hotel is imperative. For immediate access to it all, be sure to stay at a French Quarter hotel to take advantage of an unbeatable centralized location.
In fact, there are two wonderful choices among New Orleans French Quarter hotels to make your home base. Both of these are Holiday Inn hotels which feature an affordable Kids Stay and Eat Free* program.

For a pet-friendly French Quarter New Orleans hotel, the full-service Holiday Inn French Quarter Hotel is an affordable yet ideally located option. Click here for more information about this French Quarter hotel in New Orleans.

If you want to enjoy some history during your stay, turn to Holiday Inn Chateau LeMoyne, a charming New Orleans, LA boutique hotel built in 1847. Click here to learn more about one of the most fascinating historic downtown New Orleans hotels in the French Quarter.

*When sharing a parent's room, children 19 and under stay free at all Holiday Inn hotels worldwide. Also, children 12 and under eat free (in the U.S. and Canada) when they order off the kid's menu in the hotel restaurant, while accompanied by a dining adult.