new orleans: what to do

LISTEN

Obviously there is a HUGE music scene in New Orleans, and while I wish I could tell you we took advantage of it, we didn't really. We were traveling with our kids and so it wasn't so easy for us to get into some of the places, but these are a few that stood out as the most fun:

FRENCHMAN STREET
An entire street dedicated to music 7 nights a week 365 days a year. On any given night you'll find the best jazz, funk, blues, and everything in between.

dba
618 Frenchman Street
+1 504 942 3731

SPOTTED CAT
623 Frenchmen Street

SNUG HARBOR
626 Frenchmen Street
+1 504 949 0696

ONE EYED JACKS
615 Toulouse Street
+1 504 569 8361

PRESERVATION HALL
726 Saint Peters Street
+1 504 522 2841

TIPITINAS
501 Napoleon Avenue
+1 504 895 8477

ROCK 'N' BOWL
3000 Carrollton Avenue
+1 504 811 1700

DO

AUDUBON ZOO
6500 Magazine Street
+1 504 861 2537
As I mentioned, we were with our kids in New Orleans and as such visited the zoo under the guise of needing a "kid" activity. But the truth is that this zoo and the surrounding park is truly for everyone. There are amazing animals (elephants, white tigers!) and it's a really beautiful setting outside of town. A great visit for any age.

AQUARIUM OF THE AMERICAS
1 Canal Street
+1 504 565 3033
The aquarium, also part of the Audubon Nature Institute, is right on the Mississippi River and is home to some pretty spectacular sea life. Don't miss the
Gulf of Mexico Exhibit which measures 17 feet deep and holds 400,000 gallons of man-made saltwater. It's packed with sharks, sting rays, and sea turtles—including King Mydas an endangered green sea turtle. We loved everything about this aquarium.

NEW ORLEANS PHARMACY MUSEUM
514 Chartres Street
+1 504 565 8027
Just that - an old apothecary that is very cool to check out.