Whether you love history, art, music or adventure, New Orleans has it all. Just make sure you build some time into your schedule during the AAP National Conference to take in the sights and sounds of the Crescent City. Better yet, plan to arrive before the conference starts or extend your stay so you can take advantage of all the Big Easy has to offer.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Art and history
If museums are your thing, New Orleans has more than 60 to choose from. Make sure you sign up for New Orleans Experience! at The National World War II Museum when you register for the conference. We have reserved the entire Museum Campus for conference attendees from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Other museums to check out during your stay include the New Orleans Museum of Art, which houses a $200 million collection in 46 galleries; the Cabildo, a Spanish colonial building where you’ll find rare artifacts of America’s history; and Louisiana Children’s Museum, which has 30,000 square feet of interactive exhibits for kids and kids at heart.
Family-friendly attractions
In addition to the children’s museum, the city offers plenty to keep kids busy.
The Audubon Zoo features 58 acres of natural animal habitats. Among the favorite residents are elephants Jean and Panya, a Komodo dragon and a rare white tiger named King Zulu. The zoo also has a splash park and lazy river.
If you’d rather be on the water instead of in it, rent a paddleboat at City Park. While at the 1,300-acre oasis, you also can ride an antique carousel at the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and visit Storyland, a Mother Goose-themed playground where kids can meet the Three Little Pigs, Cinderella's pumpkin, the Cheshire Cat and Snow White.
For older kids and teens, book a swamp tour to get up close and personal with gators and other wildlife. Or take a cemetery tour to see the final resting places of everyone from famous musicians to voodoo queens.
This year’s AAP Kids’ Camp will be held at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas – New Orleans from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25. The aquarium has 15,000 sea life creatures, including rare and endangered species.
Music
The sounds of New Orleans are just as lively as the sights.
For live jazz, check out Fritzel’s Jazz Club on Bourbon Street, Preservation Hall on St. Peter Street and Louis Armstrong Park on Rampart Street. Visit Frenchmen Street for a curbside concert, or visit a club to hear jazz, blues, reggae or rock.
Getting around
New Orleans is a walkable city. But if your feet need a break, jump on a streetcar. Fares are $1.25 and must be paid with exact change when you board. You also can buy one- or three-day unlimited ride Jazzy Pass for $3 and $9, respectively. Download the RTA gomobile app and pay your fare from your phone.
Pedicabs are another option for short jaunts for one or two people. You can hail one on the street. Many drivers also are licensed tour guides, so you might hear an interesting tale during your ride.
There’s no shortage of things to see and do in and around New Orleans. For more information, visit www.neworleans.com.
