New Orleans City Guide: Unique Local Experiences

Haunted History Tours
97 Fontainebleau Drive, New Orleans, LA
(504) 861-2727
www.hauntedhistorytours.com
Hours: 10am-8:30pm
Price:  Children (ages 6-12): $10, Adults: $20, Students & Seniors: $17
Age Range: Toddler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

New Orleans is known for its unique, diverse history. But did you know it also has a darker side to it? Haunted History Tours has been exposing the spooks and paranormal of this old city since 1994 with its large selection of ghost tours. There are Voodoo Tours, Cemetery Tours, and - Twilight fans will enjoy this one-Vampire Tours. Families can bust a few ghosts with these ghost experts, whose work has been featured on A&E, History Channel, Bravo and the Travel Channel. Each tour has a different registration page online.   

Steamboat Natchez (pictured above)
400 North Peters Street, Suite 203, New Orleans, LA
(504) 586-8777
www.steamboatnatchez.com
Hours:
Daily Daytime Jazz Cruise:
Boarding: 11am and Cruising: 11:30am-1:30pm, Boarding: 2pm and Cruising: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Evening Dinner and Jazz Cruise:
Boarding: 6pm and Cruising: 7pm-9pm
Price:
Daytime Jazz Cruise: Children: $12.25, Adult: $26
Daytime Jazz Cruise and Lunch: Children: $20.25, Adult: $37
Evening Jazz Cruise: Children: $20.25, Adult: $42
Evening Jazz Cruise and Dinner (Seating Time 6-7:15pm)
Children: $34, Adult: $70
Cruise and Dinner (Seating Time 7:45-9:00pm)
Children: $34, Adult: $70
Age Range: Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

There’s nothing like visiting the Big Easy and enjoying a slow, quiet ride on the Steamboat Natchez along the Mississippi River.  Families can enjoy the Daytime or Dinner Jazz Cruise, or opt out for something a little more unique with the Hurricane Katrina Tour.

Backstreet Cultural Museum
1116 Henriette Delille Street, New Orleans, LA
(504) 522-4806
www.backstreetmuseum.org
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
Price: $8 per person
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Located in Treme, one of the older African American neighborhoods in the country, the Backstreet Cultural Museum exhibits a part of New Orleans that your grandkids will otherwise not know. This museum is not only a tribute to the urban history of the city and its connection to the history of Mardi Gras, but also an educational tool for all families that visit this home to local artists and musicians.

French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
400 North Peters Street, Suite 205, New Orleans, LA
(504) 522-5730
www.fqfi.org
Hours:  French Quarter Festival: April, Satchmo Summer Fest: August, Christmas New Orleans Style: December
Price: Free
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Although New Orleans is most commonly known for the Mardi Gras tradition, the French Quarter Festivals hosts other festivals and events throughout the year that celebrate so much more. You and your grandchildren will be able to enjoy the music, food, art and everything that flavors this mélange of a city. So coordinate your visits to go with these festivities! First up, it’s the “French Quarter Festival” in April, then there’s the “Satchmo SummerFest” during the summer, and finally the “Christmas New Orleans Style.” 

Rock’n’Bowl New Orleans
3000 South Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans, LA
(504) 861-1700
www.rocknbowl.com
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11:30am-12am
Friday-Saturday: 11:30am-2am
Family Bowling: Monday-Thursday: 11:30am-4pm
Price: $1 shoe rental, $24 an hour per lane (Maximum 6 bowlers)
Age Range: Elementary, Tween, Teen

Rock’n’Bowl might look like a regular bowling venue, but this spot has been recognized as a part of the New Orleans music scene since 1993, when the owner noticed a need for Zydeco music in the community. Great talents have also graced Rock’n’Bowl, adding to the dancehall vibe of the place. So a music act or two, Zydeco, with a dash of bowling nights make for a great New Orleans activity for you and your grandkids.

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