(photo from mrapplegate on Flickr)
Our city is brimming with rich culture; our food, music, traditions, and history help make us who we are, but New Orleanians also have a unique attitude and set of values. Enjoying and celebrating life is important to us, and in a world where it’s becoming more and more rare, we still greatly value family here. Children are so often included in our outings and gatherings, and much of our daily life encourages family-friendliness, so it’s no wonder that we were recently named one of the 10 Best Cities for Families by Family Vacation Critic, part of the TripAdvisor family.
The events calendars in New Orleans are jam packed every week with things to do that the whole family can appreciate, which is why we inspire and attract so many different kinds of people to our city. Tourism is our largest industry and is crucial to the thriving of our economy, so it’s nice to know that it’s becoming widely recognized that we have much more to offer than just a wild weekend away from the mundane; the fact that we hold family near and dear to our hearts is not only valuable to our children’s growth, but it also ends up being an incredible asset in relation to our livelihood because it’s appreciated by the many visitors that come here.
Familes can enjoy all kinds of things in New Orleans, like the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. (photo from Manue@PrettyKiku on Flickr)
People from around the country, and even the world, take their family vacations in our great city, taking advantage of things like the Audubon Zoo, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, and the multitude of activities and places to experience at New Orleans City Park like paddle-boating, cycling, the Couturie Forest, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and of course, Storyland. The Steamboat Natchez and streetcars are thrilling for families to be introduced to, and we even offer kid-friendly tours of New Orleans. Children are welcome in restaurants and businesses all over the city, and we really are just all-around friendly here.
As New Orleanians, we know that what we have as a community is special, and goes so much deeper than Mardi Gras beads and gumbo; those things, while very much a part of our culture, are the result of generations of tradition and family values. When we welcome families of tourists to our city, we give them a unique and rich opportunity to bond with each other and celebrate life in new ways, inviting more and more diverse groups of out-of-towners to continue to help fuel our New Orleans economy.