When in NOLA my favorite _________ is ___________

Hi all we are excited to be sailing out of NOLA in Oct. I have lots of planning to do for our pre-cruise stay. I was hoping you could help. There is so much we want to do and see and of course wont be able to do it all. So I would love to heart what are highlights for you. We are traveling a group of 8 - 4 kids and 4 adults. So things need to be kid freindly.

TIA

some examples...

Favorite hotel

Why?

Favorite place to eat

Why?

Favorite ghost/vodoo tour

Why?

Favorite Hotel: Place de Armes

Why? Located just off Jackson Square in heart of the French Quarter; relatively inexpensive

Favorite NOLA Newbie place to eat: Gumbo Shop

Why? Decent food (other places are better) and inexpensive

Favorite Expensive Restaurant: Try a new one each trip! Check the web for menus that sound good! K-Paul's, Red Fish Grill, Commander's Palace, and many many others...

Favorite lunch: Central Grocery for Muffalettas

Why? Awesome--but only if you like olive salad

Favorite out-of-the-way place #1: Camellia Grill

Favorite out-of-the-way place #2: Angelo Brocato for gelato

Favorite coffee place: There probably are better places, but you gotta have beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde

Favorite tourist thing to do #1: Watch the ships on the Mississippi

Favorite tourist thing to do #2: Hurricanes at Pat O'Brien's (sorry kids!)

Favorite tourist thing to do #3: Preservation Hall for Jazz

Favorite Museum: National WWII Museum

Why? Absolutely incredible museum!!!! Thought we would take 1-2 hours to see it on our first trip--ended up having to get kicked out as the museum closed!

You did not state the ages for the children in your group. The La. Children's Museum is wonderful for ages 1-12 or so. Website is http://www.lcm.org/ I was there recently and the little ones love it. It is $8/per person. It is the Warehouse District.

The Aquarium (about 2 blocks from the port) on the river is great. So is the Audubon Zoo - it is not too far from downtown. I have not been to the Insectarium, but that, too, is within walking distance to the port. http://www.auduboninstitute.org/

For free things - just walking along the river and French Quarter is nice. October is usually a great time of year - weather wise. And I agree with the Cafe du Monde recommendation. Beignets are the best thing about living here (that and king cake, but you can't get that in October).

Favorite casual restaurant - Mandina's on Canal St (on the Canal St. streetcar line) - great varied menu and fantastic onion rings, but there is usually a wait for a table. http://www.mandinasrestaurant.com/ Also Zea's on St. Charles Ave street car line, but there are a few locations all over town. The roasted corn grits are fantastic. http://www.zearestaurants.com Both are reasonably priced with a lots of options for children.