Once again, in early February, we escaped the gloom of Seattle winter by visiting New Orleans. Not only did we get several days of sun, but we celebrated Chris’s birthday with gumbo and Bourbon Street drinks. Learning from experience, we skipped lugging a car seat and used the street car to get around. We rented a place one block away from a St. Charles Streetcar stop in the Garden District. It had a big gated front patio were we enjoyed the morning sun, and a back patio with a fire pit we sat around a few evenings.

In addition to relaxing outside; we watched the Superbowl, ate beignet’s on Bourbon Street, visited a cemetery, had some yummy crawfish (twice), toured Mardi Gras World and the WWII museum, wandered a night art market, saw several different bands perform, and I made it to the art museum. Aside from one day of heavy rain and hail, the weather was nice. Dom loved riding on the street cars and this trip may mark the end of our traveling with a stroller! He managed to explore the streets on foot the whole time. At one point he even announced that he wanted to “explore more of New Orleans” rather than head back to the house.

Even after this, our second trip to New Orleans, I still feel there is more I would like to see and do in the city. Who knows, a third trip may be in our future.

Anyone planning a visit I would recommend Boil Seafood House, walking down Frenchmen Street at night, Domenica, and wandering off Bourbon street a few blocks for drinks.

Chris’s Comments: I realized some time ago I really wanted to go back to New Orleans. There’s always something cool around the next corner and I was convinced it’s a family friendly city everywhere but the French Quarter. Having been there before, we wanted to dig a little deeper into local culture. With a birthday coming up and cheap fares, we decided to go. Every time I go, I can’t wait to go again. It’s just a cool place with great food, music, people, and architecture… and, indeed, there are plenty of things for kids of ALL ages. 

And a final thought on the trip…