From thrilling swamp tours to swapping French Quarter ghost stories, and devouring poboys stuffed with tender gulf oysters, there is no shortage of unique, family-friendly activities in the Crescent City. If you’re heading to New Orleans with kids, here are my top 4 recommended activities along with 1 great place to eat and 1 great place to stay while there.

Activity 1: Ride the St. Charles Streetcar

Don’t miss your chance to ride the St. Charles Streetcar on your visit to New Orleans with kids.

The St. Charles streetcar, the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, is a great way to get out of the French Quarter and explore the southern charm of the Garden District. Purchase a one-day Jazzy Pass for three dollars and hop on and off the streetcar at will along the 13-mile round trip route.

Its dark-stained mahogany benches with polished brass fixtures offer riders a stately seat from which they can meander past posh antebellum mansions, budding botanical gardens, and delectable eateries. Notable stops along the way include the Civil War Museum, the Audubon Zoological Gardens, and the Lafeyette Cemetery #1. Find out more: http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/transportation/gettingaround/streetcars.html

Tip: During your St. Charles streetcar ride, don’t forget to look up. You’ll see signs of Mardi Gras past hanging from every limb of the Great Oak trees; Mardi Gras beads.

Activity 2: Climb Ancient Oaks in City Park

New Orleans City Park in all its splendor.

New Orleans’ City Park boasts 1,300 acres of enchanted outdoor space smack dab in the heart of the city. The 7th-most-visited urban park in the United States is a veritable kid mecca where you can lounge next to fairy tale ponds surrounded by a canopy of trees dripping with southern moss, watching swans elegantly glide by.

Get the lay of the land by hopping aboard City Park’s historic train for a ride around the blossoming botanical gardens or rent a paddle boat and explore the flora and fauna along the banks of Big Lake. With feet back on solid ground, head to the park’s old Casino building and set little climbers free on ancient Oaks, then chow down on piping hot beignets, lakeside. Find out more: www.neworleanscitypark.com

Tip: Be sure the check the City Park online events calendar to get the scoop on numerous outdoor musical performances happening during the Spring and Summer seasons.

Activity 3: Eat Beignets at Cafe Du Monde

Kid-pleasing beignets at Cafe du Monde, New Orleans.

Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall, there’s nothing else more inherently New Orleans than a piping hot beignet covered in a hill of powdered sugar deliciousness, and there’s no other location more authentic to treat yourself to said delight than Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter. This iconic New Orleans cafe has been serving locals and tourists alike, their fill of cafe au laits, coffee with chicory, and beignets since 1862.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Cafe Du Monde serves Louisiana’s state doughnut made fresh to order without much fanfare. But just trust us, the taste makes up what is lacking in flair. If you think you might not be able to live without beignets once back home, buy a box, or ten, of their beignet mix. That way you can enjoy a bite of New Orleans anytime you get the urge. Find out more: www.cafedumonde.com

Tip: Cafe Du Monde has no hostess and seating is first come, first served. The locals have developed a hover-and-plant approach, so if you spot a table that seems almost done, just hover near them, then plant yourself in their seat as soon as they vacate.

Activity 4: Step Back in Time at Houmas House Plantation

Enjoy a guided tour of Houmas House and gardens.

Named “The Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road,” Houmas House Plantation and Gardens offers visitors an opportunity to experience the grandeur of sugar barons past. Voted Best Historic Mansion in the USA Today Reader’s Choice Awards, it was once described as “The Sugar Palace” and was, at one time, the largest producer of sugar in the country, turning out an astounding 20 million pounds of sugar a year.

What remains is a 38-acre glimpse into pre-Civil War southern life. After your tour, step back and enjoy the slow creak of a rocking chair. Then sip a fresh Mint Julep while the gentle breeze rolls off the Mississippi to cool your perspiring brow.

If time allows, treat your taste buds to a 10-course dinner at Latil’s Landing, one of the Top 20 Restaurants in America. Then burn off some calories by strolling through one of four inviting gardens. Find out more: www.houmashouse.com

Tip: For a bird’s eye view of the gardens, head to the Tea House at Mount Houmas, and whether or not you partake in adult refreshments, pop into the Turtle Bar to see this uniquely renovated garcionarre.

1 Great Place to Stay: Omni Royal Orleans

The family-friendly Omni Royal Orleans welcomes young visitors.

The Omni Royal Orleans is a 345-room, 4-Diamond AAA-rated hotel located in the heart of the famous French Quarter. Accommodations include standard guest rooms, suites, and luxury suites, befitting families of all sizes. Enjoy complimentary access to the fitness center and a rooftop heated pool with views of the French Quarter and the Mississippi River.

At check-in, Omni Royal Orleans’ youngest guests are welcomed with an Omni Kid Crew backpack filled with mini-explorer necessities. And when you head downstairs to the Rib Room to gorge on exquisite French rotisseries and prime cuts. Before you go, make sure to say hello to Dalton. He’s their maitre d’ who has been proudly hosting foodies at this historic restaurant for more than 50 years. Find out more: Omni Royal Orleans

1 Great Place to Eat: Acme Oyster House

Acme Oyster House, New Orleans.

Give kids their first oyster experience at a New Orleans institution that’s been serving up fresh seafood fare since 1910. An oyster lover’s paradise, you can have these nuggets of the sea any style. Try oyster shooters, raw, charbroiled, rockefeller, or fried and stuffed poboy-style in the middle of crispy French bread.

Acme Oyster House’s no-frills, hole-in-the-wall vibe makes it the perfect kid-friendly atmosphere. You’ll dine with locals eager to advise you on all the best kept secrets of their special town. And don’t fret. For those who haven’t quite acquired the briny taste for oyster, there’s plenty of Cajun and creole delights to please your palate. Find out more: Acme Oyster House

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Also know as the “Village By the Sea,” this town of just over 100,000 residents also takes great pride in protecting and maintaining its gorgeous wide open spaces, inviting vacationers to soak up their year-round perfect climate on nearly 7 miles of dazzling coastline and almost 50 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Only 87 miles south of Los Angeles, and 35 miles north of San Diego, Carlsbad is a perfect weekend getaway for any family looking to relax, recharge and rejuvenate.

The 411 on Carlsbad with Kids

Activity 1: Let Loose at Legoland

More than 60 rides, a water park, and an aquarium in one? Legoland is a must-do for those visiting Carlsbad with kids.

If kids were amusement park architects, no doubt Legoland California would be the perfect manifestation of their dream creation. It’s chock full of pirates and castles and ninjas. Not to mention a Star Wars Death Star Model Display spanning 8-feet across. You could say it doubles as every adult kid’s fantasy land as well.

Legoland is divided into three sections: the theme park, a water park, and an aquarium. Its theme park boasts more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions built to engage budding minds and encourage an active imagination. And on a hot southern California day, the Water Park offers gallons of laughs, slides, and splashes for parents, teens, and kids alike. And the Sea Life Aquarium gives kids a close encounter experience with diverse sea ecosystems and a hands-on learning.

Tip: Single day Legoland passes for kids start at $84, but you’ll get more bang for your buck when you purchase the Multi-Attraction 2-day pass beginning at $92. Check frequently for deals on the Legoland website as there are generally off-season specials, and don’t forget to budget for the $15 parking fee. Or if you’re planning to hit some other SoCal attractions, you might consider the SoCal Citypass, which offers savings on Legoland, Seaworld, and Disney Parks combined.

Activity 2: Hike the Kid-Friendly Trails of Hosp Grove Park

Hosp Grove sets the scene for great hiking in Carlsbad with kids.

Where can you find hundreds of towering eucalyptus trees, perfectly maintained trails, and stunning ocean vistas right smack dab in the middle of a city?  Hosp Grove Park in Carlsbad, California, spans 53 acres and this city park is located in one of the oldest sections of Carlsbad. It sits adjacent to the Buena Vista Lagoon, a bird lover’s paradise.

Hosp Grove offers three miles of pristine trails with a slight elevation gain of 100 feet. In other words, it’s a very easy hike for little legs. And when you’re done hiking, stay for a picnic, play on the playground, or climb a big pile of rocks.

Tip: There is ample free parking at the park’s two designated trailheads located on Monroe Street or Jefferson Street.

Activity 3: Commune with Wildlife at Agua Hedionda Lagoon

Kayaking Carlsbad Lagoon.

The Agua Hedionda watershed is a vital ecosystem right in the heart of a teeming metropolitan area. It extends 1.7 miles inland from the Pacific coast and is home to almost 200 species of birds. Not to mention, it hosts hundreds of species of plant and marine life, including numerous threatened and endangered species. This 400-acre swath of coastal wetlands provides wildlife and their human counterparts, a beautifully abundant refuge.

This fairly shallow lagoon is often called “Carlsbad Lagoon.” With water depths reach a maximum of 8 to 10 feet during high tide, the area is divided into 3 sections: the outer, middle and inner lagoon. All play an integral role in the ecosystem here.

The lagoon provides a place for migrating birds to rest while its flora filters out toxins and heavy metals sending cleaner water back into our rivers and aquifers. Whether by footpath or sea vessel, there is much to explore, from secluded beaches to marshland and low-tide mud flats. Be sure to reserve your watercraft rentals in advance, particularly during busy summer months.

Activity 4: Frolic in the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch

The flower fields of Carlsbad.

One of San Diego County’s most colorful landmarks, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch have been blossoming for bloom lovers since 1965. Visitors journey through a sea of vibrant hues and therapeutic aromas offering an elegant and serene spot for daydreaming. Just try strolling through the more than 50 acres of Tecolote® Giant Ranunculus, a unique member of the buttercup family.

Family activities include the Sweet Pea Maze, a fragrant living maze constructed with old fashioned sweet pea blossoms. There’s also an open-air antique tractor ride through the fields, and a whimsical Santa’s Playground. The Flower Fields’ season runs March 1st through May 14th of each year. Tickets are available for purchase starting January 1st.

1 Great Place to Eat in Carlsbad with Kids: Beach Plum Kitchen

Plum delicious cooking at Beach Plum Kitchen in Carlsbad.

Hidden between suburban subdivisions, at the far corner of a strip mall, Beach Plum Kitchen is way off-the-beaten-path for most tourists visiting Carlsbad. This relaxed, neighborhood gathering place provides regionally-sourced, fresh ingredients to craft boldly simple dishes that leave you craving more. We especially recommend their hearty breakfasts.

What else puts this restaurant at the top of our must-visit San Diego County eateries? Their pledge to sustainability and supporting other independent local business owners. Not to mention, they provide assistance to area charities.

1 Great Place for Families to Stay: Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach

The family-friendly Hilton Garden Inn at Carlsbad.

Situated 400 feet from the picturesque cliffs of the Pacific Ocean, the Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach is a quaint and convenient retreat for families visiting north San Diego County. Each of their 161 deluxe rooms are loaded with family-friendly amenities including a microwave, refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, and complimentary WiFi.

Getting to any one of the close-by beaches is made easier with a free hotel shuttle service. Or just chill at their heated pool, then enjoy a lively family ping pong tournament at the hotel’s outdoor gazebo. The Carlsbad Beach Bistro Restaurant in the hotel lobby serves up a delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And FYI, the parent-friendly happy hour at the Bistro Bar pairs well with the sunset view from their outside terrace. You can read more about this hotel and visiting Carlsbad with kids in my full review here.

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