According to Google Flights, New Orleans is the second-most popular Spring Break destination for 2023. If you’re headed to the Big Easy and you want to live like a local, you’ve come to the right spot. We’ve put together a list of our favorite rites of spring.

STAY

Windsor Court | If you have yet to make a hotel reservation, the Windsor Court is hands-down our favorite place for a getaway. Read about our kid-friendly adventures at the Windsor Court and find out why it is the best place to stay when you come to New Orleans. Their Waterman Poolside Bar is the perfect place to relax after a busy day exploring with kids.

The Chloe | Situated in the heart of Uptown, this is the location to be in if you want to connect with locals and stay a bit further from the madness of the French Quarter. The Chloe is a vibe. From the oak-covered terrace to the poolside drinks in the back, this is where the hip come to be hip. We love that it is located on the streetcar line for easy access to quick jaunts downtown and walking distance to our favorite oyster bar: Pascal Manale’s.

MUST SEE

Super Sunday | Second Lines are a big deal almost every Sunday, but the biggest one of the year falls on the third Sunday of March when the Mardi Gras Indians come out in full force. Do not miss the colorful cultural display.

St. Joseph’s Altars | New Orleans is a big Catholic community, and the Italian Catholics make the most beautiful St. Joseph altars which can be found on display.

Live Music | A few of our favorite places to listen to live music are Tipitina’s, Le Bons Temps Roule, Maple Leaf, and Davenport Lounge. WWOZ has the most comprehensive list of live music, so be sure to check in and see what’s playing.

THINGS TO DO (WITH OR WITHOUT KIDS)

Ride the Streetcar | The St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line can take you from Uptown to Downtown with stops at Cameilla Grill, Audubon Park, The Chloe, a Garden District walking tour, or a shopping trip to The Rink.

Vue Orleans | Enjoy our spectacular 360° indoor and outdoor observation decks and multi-level interactive cultural experience celebrating New Orleans like never before. Take a deep dive into the history, music, and culture of New Orleans and see the Crescent City from a new perspective, 34 floors above the most storied city in America. Vue Orleans delivers multi-level interactive cultural experiences that bring New Orleans into sharp focus. Pro Tip: Do not wear a dress.

The French Quarter | By day, the French Quarter is the perfect spot to take kids for people-watching (including all of the amazing artists), lunch, beignets, and a stroll along the Mississippi River. There will be many amazing musicians and street performers, artists and tarot card readers along the way, so make sure to stop and let them take it all in. You will never hear “I am bored”!

The Riverbend | The Audubon Zoo, Audubon Park, and The Fly are also some of our favorites because they are right in our backyard along the river in the historic Uptown neighborhood. Our favorite way to see all three is to bike around Audubon Park; stop for a snowball; then zip around the Zoo and see some of our favorite animals, including the elephants in their new habitat, the Amur leopards, the tigers, and the white alligator. After we have seen enough, we stop at The Fly for a picnic of po-boys (Uber delivery). The kids will love running around or just watching the boats go by along the river.

Shop | Even though most kids won’t necessarily want to shop, you must stop into three of our favorite children’s shops. Mignon, Monomini, and Peony have the best selection of kids’ clothes, birthday party gifts, books, and accessories.

City Park | Start the morning with a trip to Cafe du Monde’s second location in City Park. The kids can play on the adjacent playground, and then you can burn off the sugar rush with a walk to the Swan Boats. The Louisiana Children’s Museum and New Orleans Museum of Art are located in City Park along with Storyland, Carousel Gardens Amusement, and City Putt. There are endless opportunities for fun!

Dine at a New Orleans Institution | Brennan’s, Arnaud’s, Galatoire’s, Commander’s Palace and many other greats open their arms wide to children as an opportunity to teach them about culture, manners, and more. Dress up and make it a special occasion, and they all have a dessert to wow the crowd, making the splurge worth it from start to finish.

MUST EAT

Crawfish | Crawfish boils happen in every corner of the city on any given day. We’re a big fan of Buggin’ Out Boils, so you can follow him and see where he is popping up, or make a visit to Tracey’s in the Irish Channel or Cooter Brown’s in the Riverbend. We also love picking them up from the grocery and visiting The Fly, our park area on the Mississippi River.

Snowball | For the city that has no real snow, snowballs are quite a love affair. The fine ice is shaved and the syrup is poured in endless flavors. You can find stands in various neighborhoods, most notably Hansen’s, Imperial Woodpecker, and Plum Street Snoballs in the Uptown area. For the Spring Breakers who are hanging out in Metairie, we love Sal’s.

For more inspiration, visit our tourism partner, New Orleans & Company, be sure to pick up a complimentary copy of Volume 11 of The Scout Guide New Orleans, and allow our map to guide you to best of local.

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