A Haunted Holiday in Louisiana
Rated by 2 members
With its Southern charm and strong French influence, the city of New Orleans is a destination that families flock to year-round. And what better time of the year to visit than Halloween! Treat your family to an authentic haunted holiday in a city that welcomes children of all ages.
Sure, the Big Easy is a bit mysterious and haunting, no matter when you visit. But the city truly turns kid-friendly (and it's substantially less crowded and cooler) in October, when the spirit--or should we say "spirits"--of the place comes alive. What Halloween lover could resist the chance to meet ghosts and voodoo queens?
On Saturday morning, head straight to the French Quarter's centuries-old "haunted houses," which are open only in October. Inside these grand homes, you'll hear tales of New Orleans' famed ghosts. The stories aren't overly scary; if your children like the "Goosebumps" series, they can handle New Orleans ghosts. For a list of the city's haunted locations and tour operators, call the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, 504-566-5011.
Older children will enjoy the two-hour Cemetery Tour led by Robert Florence, author of City of the Dead and New Orleans Cemeteries. Call 504-947-2120 or click here for more information. Florence explains such wonders as why families bury their dead above ground (New Orleans, believe it or not, is below sea level), while leading visitors to the city's oldest cemetery and the Voodoo Spiritual Temple, where practitioners still observe this ancient religion.
After the tour, enjoy a piled-high Po' Boy sandwich (French bread stuffed with your choice of oysters, roast beef and gravy, pork, fried shrimp, soft-shelled crabs and, yes, even fried potatoes). We like the sandwiches (the original five-cent lunch for poor boys) at Johnny's Po Boy Restaurant in the French Quarter. 504-524-8129.
Need a break? Check in to the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel (504-529-5333), which has a top location in the middle of the French Quarter, and a rooftop pool. Tip: Make reservations early because this hotel fills up quickly.
Later, take a walk to festive Jackson Square to meet face painters, psychics, musicians, jugglers and artists. Explore the shops, then have dinner at Ralph Brennan's Red Fish Grill on Bourbon Street, a great place for seafood (504-598-1200).
On Sunday, you have several options. From the hotel, you can walk to the Aquarium of the Americas (800-774-7394), which features a large, unusual collection of jellyfish. Next, you can board a boat to the Audubon Zoo to visit 1,500 animals, including anteaters, alligators and gorillas (866-ITS-AZOO).
Or, for a more leisurely day, have Sunday brunch, a "N'awlins" tradition, at the Court of Two Sisters on Royal Street in the French Quarter. Take your pick from more than 60 buffet dishes, among them specialities like crabs, crawfish and andouille gumbo (504-522-7261).
For more information, contact the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2020 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130; 504-566-5011. For more kid-friendly ideas click here.
Diane Bair and Pamela Wright write from their office in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
© FamilyFun. All rights reserved.
