New Orleans

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS 155
BOAT TOURS
For those interested in doing the Mark Twain thing, a number of
operators offer riverboat cruises; some cruises have specific destinations
like the zoo or Chalmette, while others just cruise the river and
harbor without stopping. Docks are at the foot of Toulouse and
Canal streets, and there’s ample parking. Call for reservations, which
are required for all these tours, and to confirm prices and schedules.
Among the boats are the steamboat Natchez and the stern-wheeler
John James Audubon, 2 Canal St., Suite 1300 (& 800/233-BOAT
or 504/586-8777; www.steamboatnatchez.com), a fun way to reach
the Audubon Zoo; and the paddle-wheeler Creole Queen, Riverwalk
Dock (& 800/445-4109 or 504/529-4567; www.neworleanspaddle
wheels.com), which departs from the Poydras Street Wharf.
6 Especially for Kids
The following destinations are also particularly well suited for
younger children.
Children’s Storyland Kids The under-8 set will be delighted
with this playground, where well-known children’s stories and
rhymes have inspired the charming decor. It offers plenty to slide
down and climb on, and generally gets juvenile ya-yas out.
Kids and adults will enjoy the carousel, two Ferris wheels (one big,
one small), bumper cars, some miniature trains, a ladybug-shaped
roller coaster, and other rides at the Carousel Gardens, also in City
Park. Delighting local families since 1906, the carousel is one of only
100 all-wood merry-go-rounds in the country, and the only one in the
state. Note: At press time the carousel itself was closed for renovation.
City Park at Victory Ave. & 504/483-9381. Admission $3. Carousel Gardens
amusement park “open seasonally” Fri 10am–2:30pm, Sat–Sun 11am–5pm; Storyland
Sat–Sun 10am–5pm.
Louisiana Children’s Museum Kids This popular twostory
interactive museum is really a playground in disguise that will
keep kids occupied for a good couple of hours. Along with changing
exhibits, the museum offers an art shop with regularly scheduled
projects, a mini-grocery store, a chance to be a “star anchor” at a
simulated television studio, and lots of activities exploring music,
fitness, water, and life itself.
420 Julia St., at Tchoupitoulas St. & 504/523-1357. Fax 504/529-3666. www.lcm.
org. Admission $7. Mon–Sat 9:30am–4:30pm; Sun noon–4:30pm.