{"id":1342,"date":"2024-03-27T17:19:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T17:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discover.hubpages.com\/travel\/new-orleans-on-a-budget-with-kids"},"modified":"2024-03-27T17:19:24","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T17:19:24","slug":"new-orleans-on-a-budget-with-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shannon.wasmer.app\/?p=1342","title":{"rendered":"New Orleans on a Budget with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Orleans on a Budget with Kids<\/p>\n

Find my tips, full itinerary, & more on how to make the most of your trip to New Orleans without breaking your budget. I spent LOTS of time planning & love sharing what I’ve learned. Included you’ll find our trip itinerary for a budget-friendly, kid-friendly one day in New Orleans. Also included are our favorite children’s books & YouTube videos we used while preparing for our trip, where we stayed, where to park, other places to visit if you have extra time, and more!<\/p>\n

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Travel Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Try to not visit on a Monday or Tuesday because many museums are closed on one or both days.<\/p>\n

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Our Itinerary<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Make the most of 1 day in New Orleans…without breaking your budget<\/p>\n

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Where to park in the French Quarter?<\/h2>\n

You will have to pay for parking. Park at the metered parking near the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum if you want covered parking in a parking garage or near the original Caf\u00e9 du Monde if you want open parking. (Be sure to point out the original Cafe du Monde.)<\/p>\n

Where to Start?<\/h2>\n

We started in the French Quarter before it got too hot and crowded. Many places there open at 9am. If you’d like a spot to visit earlier, the Audubon Nature Center<\/a> opens at 8:30am and is free. (It’s not in the French Quarter.)<\/p>\n

Presbyt\u00e8re<\/h2>\n

\"Mardi<\/a><\/p>\n

Mardi Gras costume at the Presbyt\u00e8re <\/p>\n

What’s There:<\/strong> The Presbyt\u00e8re<\/a> has two exhibits: one on Katrina and one on Mardi Gras. My children especially enjoyed viewing the Mardi Gras costumes and costume jewelry on display.<\/p>\n

Time (Expect to Spend):<\/strong> Less than an hour<\/p>\n

How to Get in Free<\/strong>: The Presbyt\u00e8re is a NARM participant, so you can get in free if you’re a member of a NARM Museum. I posted about museum memberships here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a><\/p>\n

My children loved seeing all the Mardi Gras costume jewelry for the Queens & Kings of the parades.<\/p>\n

2. St. Louis Cathedral <\/h2>\n

\"St.<\/a><\/p>\n

St. Louis Cathedral <\/p>\n

What’s There:<\/strong> The St. Louis Cathedral<\/a> is on the site of where a church has stood since 1727. (The original cathedral burned in 1788.) The inside has beautiful stained-glass windows and frescos…and air-conditioning. <\/p>\n

Time:<\/strong> About 20 minutes<\/p>\n

Cost<\/strong>: Free<\/p>\n

\"Inside<\/a><\/p>\n

Inside the St. Louis Cathedral<\/p>\n

3. Cabildo<\/h2>\n

\"Swords<\/a><\/p>\n

Swords in the Cabildo<\/p>\n

What’s There:<\/strong> The Cabildo<\/a> building once served as the center of New Orleans government until 1853 and is now a museum of Louisiana history with a small selection of swords, Napoleon’s death mask, a mold of Andrew Jackson’s head (on the statue) just in case it gets cut off again, and a variety of colonial pieces. It’s small and there is not much you will see there that you could not see in a different museum.<\/p>\n

What Wasn’t There: <\/strong>Despite what you might hear or read, the Cabildo was not the location of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, which was done in Paris. Jean Laffite wasn’t imprisoned there; his brother was and then escaped. The Plessy v. Ferguson<\/em> case was reviewed (not originated) there.<\/p>\n

Time:<\/strong> About 30 minutes<\/p>\n

How to Get in Free<\/strong>: The Cabildo is a NARM participant, so you can get in free if you’re a member of a NARM Museum. Unless you are studying New Orleans history, I would not pay to go to this, but if you can get in free, it’s fine to stop there.<\/p>\n

\"Comparing<\/a><\/p>\n

Comparing cannon ball weights at the Cabildo<\/p>\n

4. Jackson Square<\/h2>\n

\"new-orleans-on-a-budget-with-kids\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s There:<\/strong> Jackson Square has a statue of Andrew Jackson, who led the city to victory in The Battle of New Orleans. It’s the perfect spot for photos. You can read a brief background about Jackson Square and some of the surrounding buildings here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Time:<\/strong> About 10 minutes<\/p>\n

Cost<\/strong>: Free<\/p>\n

5. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum<\/h2>\n

\"<\/a><\/p>\n

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum<\/p>\n

What’s There:<\/strong> The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum<\/a> greatly exceeded my expectations. It’s small but they make the most of the space. Signs are everywhere explaining what you’re viewing. We go to a lot of museums and this displayed many items we have never seen before. Be sure to visit the second story as well.<\/p>\n

Time: <\/strong>About an hour<\/p>\n

How to Get in Free<\/strong>: The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is a NARM participant, so you can get in free if you’re a member of a NARM Museum.<\/p>\n

Other Options in the French Quarter<\/h2>\n

\"Bourbon<\/a><\/p>\n

Bourbon Street is okay to view in the morning.<\/p>\n