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BY  Sibashree Jan 8, 2025

Tourism in New Orleans, Louisiana, is growing. We have the latest data from the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. The data says that in September 2024, the hotel occupancy in Louisiana was 2.1% more than in September 2023.  Now, the places to visit and activities here have always helped tourism to this part of the world. If you are aware, New Orleans is a melting pot of jazz music, historic architecture, Cajun cuisine, brass bands, and so much more! However, traveling to New Orleans has always been a little expensive, and we often overlook it as a tourist destination for kids. So, when someone thinks of a kid-friendly destination or traveling on a budget, New Orleans is probably not the first choice. So, with this Tour and Travel guide of free things to do in New Orleans with kids, we want to bridge that gap. Here, you will discover New Orleans as a budget-friendly tourist destination for kids. Free Things To Do In New Orleans With Kids | Traveling On A Shoestring | Traveling Like A Local January to March is the best time if you want to explore the free things to do in New Orleans with kids. The average temperature in these months ranges between 45-70 degrees F. Further, these months are the season of festivity in New Orleans.  Of course, you have the New Year celebrations. However, a friend of mine there says that Tet is the festival you must attend in New Orleans. An important festival for the Vietnamese population in the city, it demonstrates the perfect fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.  Furthermore, the Carnival Season in New Orleans begins on 6th January. The last day of the festival, Mardi Gras is in mid-February or early March. Moreover, the city celebrates Black History Month with great sincerity. The Black History Month will be celebrated from 1st February to 1st March 2025.  So, if you explore the free things to do in New Orleans with kids during this time, they will learn about the history and culture of the city from these festivities.  The Economic Modeling Specialist International or EMSI data shows how inclusive New Orleans is as a city. According to the 2021 data from EMSI, 59% of the population in the city is black. In the other 41%, the city has white Latinos, non-white Latinos and Asians. So, visiting New Orleans can be a great thing to learn about inclusivity for a child with a sensitive heart and an impressionable mind.  Let’s check out what more the city has in store for them. 1. Visit The Audubon Nature Center https://www.instagram.com/p/DCW-62VRd5M/?hl=en Location: 11000 Lake Forest Blvd. New Orleans Contact Number: (504) 861-2537 Hours Open: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (Sunday Closed) Entry Fees: Free Entrance to the Interpretative Center and Nature Center Walking Trails (Tickets Needed For Entry to the Zoo and Aquarium) Your to-do list of the free things to do in New Orleans with kids starts with a visit to the Audubon Nature Center. The aquarium, insectarium, and zoo are the prime attractions here. However, these three attractions do not allow free entry.  It is smart if you opt for a combo ticket. The combo ticket costs “$49.95 Adult / $44.95 Youth​ / $44.95 Seniors.”  Moreover, if your little one is interested in stargazing or astrotourism, you must visit the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center Planetarium and Nature Dome Theater. It is temporarily closed. However, it will resume its operations from February with new films and content.  2. Visit A New Orleans Public Library Branch | Best Free Things To Do In New Orleans With Kids https://www.instagram.com/p/DAZrMeGpt1L/?img_index=1 Main Library Location: 219 Loyola Avenue. New Orleans Contact Number: (504) 596-2610 Hours Open: 10 AM to 7 PM If your little one loves to read, a visit to any branch of the New Orleans Public Library will be fulfilling to them. However, I especially recommend visiting the Children's Resource Center Library.  The Children's Resource Center Library is located at 913 Napoleon Avenue. You can reach out to them at (504) 596-2628. The library remains open from 10 AM  to 7 PM. Further, it hosts regular events like Storytime, Craft and Lit, and Tween Chess Club.  I was exploring their Instagram page, and it’s so much fun! Particularly, one post drew my attention. It was a poster from a 2019 event where drag Queen Ariel Androgyny had a story-reading session. Further, the poster said that the event was about celebrating diversity.  Events like these are great for teaching diversity and inclusivity to the children.  3. Explore Arnaud’s Mardi Gras Museum https://www.instagram.com/p/DEVONpWRDC9/ Location: 813 Bienville Street, New Orleans Contact Number:  (504) 523-5433 And Toll Free: (866) 230-8895 If your kid is eager to know about the history and true spirit of New Orleans, a visit to the Mardi Gras Museum at Arnaud's Restaurant will be great.  It has two dozen Mardi Gras costume collections of Germaine Cazanave Wells. These are the costumes worn by queens during this high society extravaganza.  So, take your kids to the Arnaud’s Mardi Gras Museum and let them cherish their moments of fantasy and wonder.  4. Plan A Tour Of The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve https://www.instagram.com/p/DCHMeMbO72W/?img_index=1 Location: 419 Decatur Street, New Orleans Contact Number: (504) 589-3882 Hours Open: 24 Hours  Do your little ones want some adventure, and you are looking for free things to do in New Orleans with kids? Take them to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve. At this historical park, they will meet the native snakes and alligators.  Further, the Barataria Preserve is at the epicenter of a visit to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve. This preserve consists of  26,000 acres of Louisiana Wetlands.  Other points of attraction in the park are Chalmette Battlefield, French Quarter Visitor Center, Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, etc.  5. A Visit To The LA Children’s Museum https://www.instagram.com/p/DD2KljRieGh/?img_index=1 Address: 15 Henry Thomas Dr., City Park, New Orleans Contact Number: (504) 523-1357 Entry Fee: Free Entry On The Second Sunday Every Other Month (11 AM to 4:30 PM) Hours Open: Wednesday to Saturday (9:30 AM to 4:30 PM), Sunday (11:30 AM - 4:30 PM), Monday and Tuesday Closed The Louisiana Children’s Museum has fun programs to boost the creativity of your children. Your little one can be a part of the camps. These camps offer interactive learning experiences in math, science, and nature.  Living with Water is another great program to learn about the survival and evolution in wetlands and wet environments.  Moreover, the museum hosts Sensory-friendly Playtime. If your child has sensory-specific needs, they can explore the museum at their own pace without noise and crowd.  Reaching New Orleans | Know This Travel Details Before Exploring The Free Things To Do In New Orleans With Kids  New Orleans is well connected to the other states of the USA and the rest of the world thanks to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and New Orleans Lakefront Airport. Further, you can take the service of the Airport Shuttle New Orleans to reach your hotel or destination from the airport. Airport Shuttle New Orleans is located at 4220 Howard Avenue and you can reach out to them at +1 504-522-3500.  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13+ Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit. Top Tips For Motorbike Rental In Phuket – A Guide To Exploring The Island On Two Wheels.

BY  Sibashree Oct 15, 2025

People always feel excited when they are at the airport. Moreover, an Airport is always the starting point for a new adventure.  However, people find it difficult to manage things at an airport. Moreover, having multiple things all at once can be overwhelming for people in general.  Long queues, baggage restrictions, and last-minute changes can create additional problems for a traveller. Whether you’re flying domestically or heading overseas, these clever airport hacks will save you time, money, and energy. And if you’re departing from Melbourne, staying close to the terminal at Novotel Melbourne Airport can add an extra layer of convenience to your trip. What Are The Airport Hacks That Travellers Should Keep In Mind? The travellers should always avoid the last-minute trouble. However, here are some life-changing airport hacks that will make travel easier. 1. Check In Online Most airlines open online check-in 24 to 48 hours before departure. Hence, the travellers should take advantage of this. The travellers can simply avoid the long queues with the help of early check-in. Moreover, early check-ins ensure smoother entry to the Airport. 2. Pack Strategically Keep essentials like chargers, medication, snacks, and a change of clothes in your carry-on. If your checked luggage is delayed, you’ll still have the basics. Travelers should keep all their essentials handy in a separate bag. Moreover, people should not pack everything together clumsily.Packing strategically and keeping a separate bag with all the essentials handy is one of the best airport hacks. 3. Dress For Security Screening People should use slip-on shoes, minimal jewellery, and avoid belts. Moreover, keeping your dressing minimal shall allow you to pass through the security easily. People have always heard about the airport look of the celebrities. However, even the celebrities dress minimally to avoid hassle at the airport. 4. Use Packing Cubes Packing cubes are a simple way to keep your bag organised and make repacking easy. Moreover, security wants to check your belongings. Thus, people face nightmares while repacking what the security unpacked. Thus, the packing cubes can help people pack things more efficiently and easily. Incorporating packing cubes into your luggage is one of the best airport hacks. 5. Bring An Empty Water Bottle You can’t take liquids through security, but you can fill an empty bottle once inside. Thus, people can simply fill their empty bottles with water.  Hence, travelers will not have to pay an inflated price for a water bottle. 6. Download Your Airline’s App People should always install airline apps. Moreover, the Airline apps provide real-time updates on sudden events that include gate changes, flight delays, or even cancellations. Thus, the travellers should get their information firsthand with the help of the airline apps that are available to them.  7. Join A Frequent Flyer Program People should join a frequent flyer program. Moreover, such programmes allow people to get access to the best facilities within an airport. Many travellers avoid subscribing to such programs, considering they travel less. However, these programs have several long-term benefits. Even if you don’t travel often, points add up over time and can unlock benefits like priority boarding, lounge access, and discounted flights. 8. Keep Digital And Paper Copies Of Documents Several documents play a crucial role in onboarding a flight. Thus, people should never keep all their eggs in one basket. Hence, flyers should always keep both hard and soft copies of the essential documents.  Mobile phones often die, and it becomes difficult to find a charger in airports.  Thus, printed hard copies of the essential documents save the travellers from facing problems. 9. Invest In Noise-Cancelling Headphones Carry headphones to avoid getting bored. Airports mostly remain noisy. However, people often have to get entertained by their phones. However, they mostly forget to carry their headphones along with their phones. Listening to music or watching movies allows people to pass through the long hours of waiting. 10. Use Lounge Day Passes People often think that the lounges are for the premium flyers. However, occasional flyers can always get a one-time pass that will allow them to use the lounge. Travellers get free Wi-Fi, refreshments, and lunch at the lounge.  11. Track Your Luggage People can find several smart luggage trackers in the airport shops. Online platforms also sell these smart tags and the trackers.  Airlines often misplace your luggage. Thus, it is important to put a smart luggage tracker on your luggage. Such trackers allow you to trace the location of your luggage, once it is misplaced. 12. Download Offline Maps And Entertainment Airport Wi-fi does not always provide a reliable network. Thus, people often find it difficult to get access to online applications like YouTube and others.  People should hence download videos, apps, and maps to avoid any problems.  13. Take Advantage Of Early Morning Flights Travellers should always book early morning flights. Moreover, the early morning flights mostly do not get delayed. People find the cheapest flights in the early morning.  14. Use The Right Credit Card Some credit cards include complimentary travel insurance, lounge access, or waived baggage fees—valuable perks that can enhance your airport experience. 15. Stay At An Airport Hotel Before Early Flights Travellers can always stay overnight at an airport hotel during early departure. Moreover, this takes away the stress of traffic and rushed mornings.  Melbourne travellers can always halt at the Novotel Melbourne Airport.  Moreover, the hotel offers unbeatable convenience with its location directly at the terminal. Happy Travels! Airports are the beginning of every happy journey, and hence, the start of the journey should always be happy.  Incorporating these small hacks can save people from big-time troubles. According to the Melbourne Airport website, almost 2,772,445 people boarded flights from the Melbourne Airport in the financial year 2023-2024.  Thus, airports always remain crowded. Hence, it is important to travel in an organized way in such situations.

BY  Arnab Oct 14, 2023

Welcome to Missouri, the Show-Me State! Often overshadowed by its more well-known neighbors, Missouri is home to an impressive array of hidden gems and lesser-known attractions. It offers unforgettable experiences for both tourists and locals. In this guide, we'll uncover some of the state's unique destinations that even many locals may not be aware of. So get out your maps and cameras, and let's start exploring! As you explore these hidden gems in Missouri, remember to stay updated on traffic rules and regulations. If you find yourself dealing with Missouri traffic tickets, then familiarize yourself with the local laws and seek professional assistance. Drive safe and have a great time exploring the Show-Me State! City Museum The City Museum in St. Louis invites visitors to crawl, climb, and slide their way through an architectural labyrinth. It was created from repurposed urban and industrial objects. Converted from a former shoe factory, the museum features attractions like a 10-story spiral slide, a rooftop Ferris wheel, and MonstroCity, an outdoor space with multiple interconnected metal climbing structures. Meramec Caverns Located in Stanton, Missouri, Meramec Caverns is a breathtaking underground wonder. A vast system of limestone caves stretches over 4.5 miles, making it the largest commercial cave in Missouri. Inside, you'll find spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as a unique wine table formation that took millions of years to form. The cave also played a vital role in the Underground Railroad movement and is believed to be a hideout used by the infamous outlaw Jesse James. The World's Largest Rocker Who wouldn't want to snap a photo with the World's Largest Rocker? Sitting at a whopping 42 feet, 4 inches tall, this gargantuan rocking chair can be found in the small town of Fanning, Missouri. Don't just stop for the photo-op, though. Stick around and enjoy the small-town charm and nearby attractions, such as the Fanning 66 Outpost, home to the eclectic Route 66 Red Rocker. Graham Cave State Park Delve into history at Graham Cave State Park, where ancient Native American tribes once sought shelter within the cave's depths. The 6,000-year-old structures and artifacts found within the cave make it one of North America's most significant archaeological sites. In addition to exploring the cave, the park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and fishing opportunities on the Loutre River. Elephant Rocks State Park Located near Graniteville in the St. Francois Mountains, Elephant Rocks State Park features giant granite boulders that resemble a herd of elephants. This unusual geological formation offers visitors a one-of-a-kind hiking experience. The park also showcases Missouri's intriguing mining history and offers a playground for children and a picnic area for a relaxing family outing. The Jesse James Wax Museum Following the theme of Missouri's deep connection to the outlaw Jesse James, the Jesse James Wax Museum in Stanton presents a unique collection of lifelike wax figures depicting key moments in the life of the legendary figure. The museum also poses an intriguing question: Was it really Jesse who died in 1882, or is there a different story to be told? Discover the evidence and decide for yourself. The Missouri Botanical Garden With 79 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis is an oasis for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers. Discover rare and endangered plants, walk through themed gardens, and admire the historic architecture of the Climatron, the world's first geodesic dome greenhouse. Seasonal events and festivals make the garden an ever-changing and vibrant destination. The Saint Louis Loop Trolley Take a ride back in time on the Saint Louis Loop Trolley. This vintage electric trolley system connects St. Louis City with University City, passing through the historic Delmar Loop entertainment district. Hop on and off as you please, visiting art galleries, restaurants, and live music venues along the way. Missouri State Penitentiary Experience the eerie and fascinating history of the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. This decommissioned prison, which operated from 1836 to 2004, offers guided tours that delve into its dark past. Learn about infamous inmates, daring escapes, and the penitentiary's role in Missouri's justice system. Ghost tours are also available for thrill-seekers looking for a paranormal experience. With the inclusion of specialized ghost hunting equipment, such as electromagnetic field (EMF) meters, infrared thermometers, and digital voice recorders, participants can actively engage in the quest for otherworldly encounters. Big Cedar Lodge Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Big Cedar Lodge near Ridgedale is a luxurious and serene destination for relaxation, adventure, and outdoor pursuits. With exceptional accommodations, a world-class spa, and an array of activities like golfing, fishing, and horseback riding, it's a perfect retreat for those seeking an unforgettable getaway in Missouri's scenic wilderness. Conclusion Missouri's hidden gems offer a wide range of unique, unforgettable experiences for everyone. Whether you're interested in nature, history, or simply unique attractions, you're bound to have an amazing time exploring these lesser-known sites. So get your friends and family, and set out on a Show-Me State adventure like no other. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, then please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you. Read Also: Top 12 Montana National Parks You Must Visit In 2023! 10 Best Places To Travel In April – Travel Guide 2022