OT... Williamsburg or NOLA for spring break?

[verlee]

Help! We are planning a last minute trip for spring break, but we can't decide where to go. The boys are 8 and 11, Our trip will be end of march beginning of April. Can anyone offer any advice? This is will be a low budget trip as we are taking a big trip this summer to DC with extended family. It is basically just to get out from under the snow for awhile!
I only know NOLA as an adult. I'm not sure if it is ok for young kids and will Williamsburg be warm enough?

 

[rachael95]

I've not been to New Orleans (would LOVE to visit) but we've been to Williamsburg many times. You don't have to do just the Colonial part. There's also a Busch Gardens fairly near there and Virginia Beach is not a terribly long drive away from there either. There's a naval museum that is pretty interesting at the beach as well. Historic Jamestown is a doable drive from Williamsburg too.

Edited to add: Noticed you're there in March/April, don't think I'd try swimming at that time, but Busch Gardens would be fun for the kids. I think it's usually highs in the 60s, lows in the high 40s to low 50s at that time.

 

[North of Mouse]

Help! We are planning a last minute trip for spring break, but we can't decide where to go. The boys are 8 and 11, Our trip will be end of march beginning of April. Can anyone offer any advice? This is will be a low budget trip as we are taking a big trip this summer to DC with extended family. It is basically just to get out from under the snow for awhile!
I only know NOLA as an adult. I'm not sure if it is ok for young kids and will Williamsburg be warm enough?

Depends a lot on what kind of weather you'd like? It will be nice and warm in NOLA, but 'iffy' in VA. I'm from LA and partial to NOLA, but not sure what you are looking for in terms of entertainment. The French Quarter is 'very' interesting, has great food, the Miss. River is right there, sightseeing boats, river walk, streetcars, zoo, many more things-------

Enjoy your trip!

 

[HopperFan]

I think VA would be too cold for me although I think Williamsburg is a great spot to visit.

NOLA - one of my favorite places and will be warm. Suggestions:
- Look at NewOrleans.com. It is a travel site run by New Orleans residents with great info, rates and if you need anything while there you just call them. We've used them.
- ABSOLUTELY go to Mardi Gras World. They build the majority of the floats, the things hanging at POFQ food court, Chickfila cows on build boards...but it's a great tour, they explain all about the history, the kids can try on costumes and you see not only how they build but all kinds of floats and parts. mardigrasworld.com
- WWII Museum is excellent and your boys might love looking over all the exhibits there. nationalww2museum.org/
- There are all kinds of swamp tours you can go on from there
- French Quarter is fairly benign during the day full of good eats and of course they will love Beignets.
- There are always festivals and stuff happening http://www.neworleansonline.com/calendar/year.html

http://www.neworleanskids.com/

 

[verlee]

Thank you for the great information! I was thinking Virginia might be a little cool at that time. NOLA is sounding more and more doable. Would anyone recommend staying close to the French Quarter with kids? It would be nice to be able to walk some of the trip instead of driving everywhere.

 

[verlee]

Thanks for the great ideas Hopper!

 

[verlee]

North of the Mouse anything above 30 degrees will be a heat wave for us But it would be nice to swim. We were in Orlando last year for Spring Break and half the time it was too cold to swim. Of course we did not mind because there were sunny skies and green trees!

 

[North of Mouse]

Thank you for the great information! I was thinking Virginia might be a little cool at that time. NOLA is sounding more and more doable. Would anyone recommend staying close to the French Quarter with kids? It would be nice to be able to walk some of the trip instead of driving everywhere.

Certainly you could stay near (in) the French Quarter. The only time I would not recommend that would be during Mardi Gras. You will love it!

Walking around in the Fr. Quarter at night would not be too much fun with small children, but I would imagine most of your sight seeing would center around day time activities.

Riding the street car to the zoo would be a special treat - or just riding the street car down St. Charles St (round trip) and looking at the neat residences.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I don't remember who it was but in the trip report board there was a wonderful March trip report to Williamsburg, VA. The weather was very nice, even the hotel heated pool good for swimming. I was actually thinking of taking a trip down with dh in March or April. I would rather that then the heat of the summer.

 

[gaelicgoddess]

Being a New Orleans native, I would say that there is plenty to see and do outside of the typical adult NOLA trip. You can absolutely make a trip to NOLA very kid/family friendly. Lots of history and culture to learn about, and plenty of fun things for kids to do. HopperFan had some fantastic ideas and links. I want to second Hopper's suggestion of Mardi Gras World. Here are some other things you might want to take into consideration:

Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, Insectarium, IMAX, and Park: http://www.auduboninstitute.org/

New Orleans City Park:
http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/

Louisiana Children's Museum:
http://www.neworleansonline.com/directory/location.php?locationID=1266

And if you don't mind driving a little out of the city.....

Global Wildlife Center:
http://www.globalwildlife.com/

Insta-Gator Ranch:
http://www.insta-gatorranch.com/

Chalmette Battlefield (pretty sure you can still take a Riverboat from the city to here):
http://www.nps.gov/jela/chalmette-battlefield.htm

 

[HopperFan]

If you don't want to stay in the FQ but close so you haven't a long walk anywhere there are lots of options. I would probably stay with the major chains unless I got a hotel verified as good. That is where maybe NewOrleans.com could help.

We been several times lately always trying something new. Lately we've done Embassy Suites, Doubletree Hotel and Homewood Suites. I tried to get Country Inn and Suites one trip but it was full.

We went for Mardi Gras a few years ago (and yes you can do it very family safe and friendly) and stayed at the Homewood Suites just outside the FQ. LOVED it! Even has an indoor pool the kids would love. Always a great backup plan too if the skies fall out. Not too far to walk anywhere and appreciated the two rooms with "kitchen" plus meals that we got included. Grocery only a couple blocks so we could pick up some things. http://homewoodsuitesneworleans.com/

 

[shell8558]

Being a Louisiana girl, we frequent NOLA quite a bit. We bring the kids all the time and have a wonderful time. My favorite hotel is the Homewood suites on Poydras. Lots of space, indoor pool, great breakfast and still walking distance to the quarter, aquarium, etc. You can also catch the streetcar when you get tired. The streetcar will also take you to the zoo and Mardi Gras world. Good luck and have fun- NOLA is a great choice.