Although New Orleans is known for its music and of course Mardi Gras, Don’t miss out on some of the greatest attractions the city has to offer for the whole family. The Audubon Zoo and The Aquarium of the Americas offer a learning experience the whole family will enjoy. With a unique style of blended cultures, flavors, and culinary traditions that can’t be duplicated anywhere else in the world, the most important experience of the trip is the food.
The Audubon Zoo is one of the largest Zoos in the United States, also located on the largest river The Mississippi River. With a wide variety of exotic animals on display from around the world including endangered birds, sun bears, and white tigers. For the next generation of explorers most importantly a large interactive petting zoo area for the children. The Audubon Zoo offers plenty of hands on educational animal stations throughout the park to enhance the Zoo experience.
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas on Canal Street can be conveniently accessed from the zoo by Ferry or tour bus for sightseeing New Orleans along the way. Prepare to spend all day eye-to-eye with over 600 species of sea life creatures. That’s an amazing 15,000 sea creatures living in this state of the art facilities making it one of the largest aquariums in America. Everything from fish, alligators, and even a pool of baby sharks that you can pet if your interested. Two of my personal favorites are the Piranhas and the Anaconda located in the Amazon rainforest exhibit.
Café Du Monde is a fusion of pastry and music lover’s dream come true. Known for its powder covered and classic café au lait coffee travelers can experience a true taste of New Orleans. The café is open 24/7 with local jazz musicians playing right on the street corner at any given time. The open air seating allows customers to relax and people watch while taking in the French Quarters. To go orders, beignet mix, and coffee canisters are available for purchase, but the best way to truly enjoy them are when they’re freshly made.
Acme Oyster despite the name oysters are not the only thing on the menu here, but it’s a great place to have a fine southern meal. For travelers visiting the restaurant for the first time be prepared for the long lines, but the food is definitely worth the wait. Once inside you’ll feel right at home with a cozy laid back atmosphere and a large selection of fresh seafood. With so many items on the menu you’ll have more than enough reasons to keep coming back for more.
Deanie’s Seafood is last but definitely not least. If you’re going to Deanie’s seafood in New Orleans you better come hungry. You can’t go wrong with anything off the menu and if you happen to have room for dessert, their coconut custard bread pudding is absolutely amazing. The restaurant is located in the heart of the French Quarter with plenty of other local attractions around to help you walk off the meal and continue your trip.
Hopefully, the next time you plan a trip to New Orleans these few attractions will you get you started on an adventure of a lifetime. If you think you missed out because you missed Mardi Gras let me tell you it is always something to do in New Orleans.
