Aquarium of the Americas
Foot of Canal St
504-581-4629
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 9:30-6, Fri.-Sat. 9:30-7
More than 7,000 aquatic creatures swim in 60 displays in this world-class aquarium. There are four major exhibit areas: the Amazon River Basin, the Caribbean Reef, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf Coast, each with fish and animals native to that environment.

Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Foot of Canal St
This park surrounds the aquarium, and it is a great spot for viewing the active Mississippi. Water tours leave from the park frequently.

Bourbon Street
This famous street takes you past some of the typical bars, restaurants, music clubs, and novelty shops that have given this strip its world-famous reputation. Families will enjoy the street during the day, while revelers will enjoy the night scene.

Confederate Museum
929 Camp St
504-523-4522
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-4
This imposing building, covered in ivy, houses an extensive collection of artifacts and records from the Civil War. This museum is the oldest in Louisiana.

Jackson Square
Hours: Daily 8-6
Occupying the heart of the French Quarter, the square was built in 1718. A statue of Andrew Jackson commemorates his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Artists hang their paintings on the park fence and set up outdoor studios, as do musicians, dancers, and magicians.

Louisiana Children's Museum
428 Julia St
504-523-1357
Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30-4:30, Sun noon-4:30; in summer open daily
One of the best children's museums in the country, the Louisiana Children's Museum has lots of hands-on activities. It also features a playscape for very young children, and lots to do for the whole family.

New Orleans Botanical Garden
City Park
504-483-9386
Hours: Tues-Sun 10-4:30
While the garden may be relatively small (10 acres), it is a lovely spot to visit and has lots to offer. The gardens include a tropical conservatory, a water-lily pond, a formal rose garden, azalea and camellia gardens, and horticultural gardens. Fountains and sculpture are found throughout, and everything can be seen during a guided tour.

New Orleans Museum of Art
City Park
504-488-2631
Hours: Tues-Sun 10-5
One of the best museums in the country, the NOMA has a large permanent collection that specializes in pre-Columbian, African, and local art. World-class traveling exhibits also come frequently to the museum.

Storyland
City Park
504-483-9381
Hours: Hrs vary by season
This theme park is designed almost exclusively for children. It features 26 storybook exhibits built around fairy-tale characters. Child Magazine has rated Storyland one of the ten best playgrounds in the country.

Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Hours: Weekdays 6 am-10 pm, weekends 6 am-midnight
Offering an incredible view of the Mississippi, the park has a wooden promenade and many stores and restaurants. It is easily one of the best river front developments in the nation.