New Orleans with an 18mo

[mincepielife]

Hi!

Like many people my partner and I last went on holiday in 2019. Since then we've had a baby, and would like to do a 'big' holiday with him next year.

We love the states and our next destination we were due to travel to in 2020 was New Orleans. We'd like to go there, does anyone have experience of going with a baby or toddler? Of course the experience is mostly for us, but wanting to know if it is 'child friendly'. My partner and I don't drink and used to love doing tours, walking etc.

We'd like to go in May when he will be about 18 months, but happy for suggestions on better times of the year (don't think we'll go much earlier in the year but open to anytime later!)

Thank you x

I like going on holiday in the US. But this doesn’t sound a very relaxing holiday with a toddler. What attracts you to New Orleans? And are those activities that you can do enjoyably with a small child?

DH and I went to New Orleans just before COVID (mixture of conference and holiday). It would be the last place I would choose with a small child tbh, it is a serious party town. I hadn’t realised how much Americans make the most of their weekends with limited holiday time but boy, do they make the most of it. By 6pm on Friday it is big time party. Drinking is a BIG thing too (I never realised cocktails for breakfast was a thing). We did some great day trips but there were no families. It is probably the least child friendly holiday I have ever been on which was fantastic for us as there were no kids in restaurants etc. but I would think very carefully about it in your situation.

New Orleans is probably the least child friendly destination in the US! As PP said, it's definitely a party town. There are loads of places you could go in the US that would be way better.

Eeek seems we may have to rethink NO! Any suggestions on somewhere else in the USA with a little one? We've done Florida, New York, vegas and los angeles so would prefer to avoid them.

We loved the idea of New Orleans for the food, music, boats and general atmosphere, but may wait a few years before we go

Not if that’s the only place you’d go. If it’s part of a wider trip, 2 nights should cover it. I went last summer with my kids on the way to Florida. We did a horse buggy tour, walked around a bit, ate ice-cream, meals out, got beignets and erm.. that was about it tbh.

I love New Orleans but it isn't child friendly.

I think Charleston might work. Nice, small, historic and it has lovely beaches nearby.

Agree that New Orleans is not a toddler friendly holiday. How about Boston for a few days and then Cape Cod/Martha’s Vineyard ?

Boston! Great aquarium. Whale watching. Very walkable.

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Agree New Orleans would not be great with a young child, even if your not interested in partying. It's generally very loud and in your face, music everywhere, and busy. And very humid.

The other fun things in New Oreleans, such as ghost & vampire walking tours, voodoo shops & museums and graveyards could all be too scary. Swamp trips not great either with all the bug spray needed.

It's a great place to visit, the food is fab, but I think you'd be very restricted with appropriate things to do.

I would go for south California- drive down from LA to Newport Beach and Balboa Island - beautiful area, relaxing, great for watching surfers and good food. Or north to San Francisco and from there explore bits of the national parks too.

Savannah/Charleston

Boston - children's museum, aquarium, whale watching, lovely parks with playgrounds for the kids, river tours, history, walkable city, very child friendly. Cape and the islands or Cape Ann would be lovely that time of year.

New Orleans is a great destination for adults.