We decided it was time to head to New Orleans, Louisiana, for a step back in time and exceptional NOLA cuisine. As February is also Black History Month, I thought it was appropriate to discuss NOLA's unique tie to this celebration.
Black History Month is an optimal time to remember the black scholars, activists, leaders, and public figures who brought change to the world. Though, it should be a year-round discussion.
Visiting New Orleans is not only a way to explore the city’s history but provides many family-friendly activities that you can tie into the trip.
ACTIVITIES
We packed our NOLA itinerary with many activities and attractions, starting with...
William Frantz Elementary School
This elementary school is an important marker of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1960, Ruby Bridges attended this school as the first African American to desegregate schools in the south. You can read the detailed history on the plaque that resides outside this school. It’s a powerful place to visit in New Orleans.
Show your support by wearing a, Ruby Bridges sweater, or other Limited Edition Pioneer Collection apparel. (use code: BLACKHISTORY365 to receive 15% off for the month of February). CLICK HERE to shop our Limited Edition pioneer collection.
Whitney Plantation
The Whitney Plantation Museum is a must! ⠀It is one of THE most immersive and emotional tours I have experienced in a while. The self-guided audio tour is told from the perspective of the enslaved workers (children at the time), their experiences and all they endured as children in slavery.
We booked this tour via Get Your Guide.
French Quarter
There's no way to visit NOLA without exploring the French Quarter. This historical area features some of the best Cajun food, live music floating through the streets, and even a French Market to explore. Nearby the French Quarter sits Tremé, a popular neighborhood where many black families settled throughout the years, leaving an array of cultures and history that you can explore on your own or with a walking tour.
Jackson Square
Jackson Square is a section of the French Quarter that resides near the Mississippi River. This area features museums, shops, artists and restaurants. You can find Jackson Square on Decatur Street, nearby the St. Louis Cathedral.
New Orleans Tour
The New Orleans Tours are one of the top activities in the city. You'll find every type of tour, from food tour options to neighborhood explorations and history tours. There's no better way to spend time in the city than by an excursion, as you'll be able to hear about the influences of different cultures on the food and history of the city. You can find a variety of tours that easily fit your family’s needs. We booked most of our tours via Viatour.
World War II Museum
The World War II Museum features many different exhibits that range from exhibits to immersive videos, which include the highly acclaimed, Bayond All Boarders narrated by Tom Hanks. While the museum is centered around war, it is family-friendly and an excellent way for the whole family to learn about WWII, and the Civil Rights Movement. Be sure to give yourself at least 5 hours to fully explore the museum. There is also a restaurant where you can dine and recharge.
City Park New Orleans
Take a break from the busyness of downtown New Orleans by exploring City Park, a 1,300-acre urban park. There is a children’s museum in the park, along with a botanical garden and art museum. Take a picnic, spend time walking on the trails, or enjoy One of the attractions at this park.
TRANSPORTATION
Using Uber was very reasonable and was our main source of transportation. We also used NOLA's historical Streetcars to explore the Uptown/Garden District areas. There are several lines, but we used the Green Line. The Green StreetCar is known as the “historic St. Charles Streetcar Line.” and is the oldest, active trolley system in the world. We purchased a one-day Jazzy Pass (hop on, hop off), which is only $3 per person to ride the Green Trolley to the Garden District. There are also three-day and 31-day unlimited passes for $9 and $55 per rider. Or, you can ride each way for $1.25 per person.
RESTAURANTS
NOLA is one of the top places for cuisine, especially with its multi-cultural influences. We had the chance to stop at a few different famous local spots, including Café Du Monde, for its famous beignets. The long line is worth the delicious, fresh pastries.
Other restaurants we enjoyed included:
Ruby Slipper Café – This café has some of the best brunch options around with items like French toast bites and fried green tomatoes.
NOLA Caye – This trendy restaurant has delicious Caribbean-style food with fun drinks like a spicy hibiscus margarita named "Climate Change."
Morrow’s – Head to Morrow’s for a more laid-back atmosphere with a combination of New Orleans specialties and Korean BBQ. You won’t regret a stop here!
Katie’s – Enjoy the combination of Creole food mixed with Italian fare for fun menu items like swamp fries and seafood beignet.
LODGING
We booked a two bedroom, two bath flat (Carnival Condo) via Airbnb that was conveniently located, 3 blocks away from the French quarter and easily accessible to public transportation.
HOW WE DO IT!
Many people ask how we manage to travel so often; we do this through collaborations, and by responsibly using our Chase Sapphire Card for covering most living expenses. Then, we pay off the balance right away and enjoy the points we’ve racked up for traveling! CLICK HERE for our referral link. We shop our flights using Scott's cheap flights, Sky Scanner and directly from the airlines. Jet Blue offered the best rates so we booked our flights to NOLA that way.
I hope this guide has been helpful in planning a trip to New Orleans; let us know in the comments!