New Orleans

we stayed at Fontainebleau state park and drove into New Orleans and spent the day walking around the city. the campground was nice with good hikes around the park.

These should work for a day or too.

Orleans posts

Sean and Kristy recently did a fairly comprehensive review of NOLA, including several campgrounds

YouTubes

St Bernard is an OK state park. There's a bit of traffic at times getting to it as you're going on city streets.
We normally stay at Bayou Signette SP which is more on the west side of town. Going to it from the west involves very little town driving and those are small towns. It might not be as convienent for you.
Louisiana does a very good job on the state parks. Clean shower houses, electric and good wifi. Sewer dumps in the campground. Needless to say for that area of LA, the sites are level and flat.
If you only plan on going into the city a couple of times and visiting other places during the week you might consider either Fountainbleu SP or Fairview Riverside SP. Either are nice and we've stayed several times at them. They're not far apart from each other located in Madisonville and Mandeville on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain. Easy to get to from I-12. Fairview Riverside SP isn't as large as Fountainbleu SP but bikes can be fun at either. Can't recall if kayaking at Fountainbleu but there is a boat ramp at Fairview Riverside if you want to give it a try. Alligators need to eat too.
Lots of good restaurants on the north shore. Our favorite is Morton's in Mandeville. Also The Chimes in Covington. Both have really good seafood. A $10 shrimp poboy served with fries and come hungry. They don't skimp on the shrimp.
Staying on the northshore and driving into the French Quarter can be a treat for the kids crossing the Causeway. $5 going south, no cost going north.
Getting into the French Quarter isn't too bad. I-10 to I-610 to the Elysian Fields Exit. Take Elysian Fields south to where you can't go any further and you're at the river 1 block from the French Quarter and French Market. If you turn right you'll be on Decatur St. Several large parking lots after you pass Jackson Square.
In the FQ for a lot of food and a good price we like Deanies. They have a Deanies in the French Quarter and one on the lake shore in the Bucktown area. Come hungry.
For plantation tours it depends on what you want to see. A number of them west of town. Oak Alley is probably the most famous and the one you see the picture of the most. They're all different and have different histories. For a plantation close to New Orleans there's Destrehan almost at the base of the I-310 bridge.
If you plan to go to the National WWII Museum then go as soon as they open and plan to stay all day.
If you want to ride the streetcar (trolley) then do the Green Line that runs from Canal St along St Charles. It goes past some really nice, big, old homes.
The Natchez riverboat runs 3 times a day. A nice cruise down the river and they explain some of the history. They also serve food on the Natchez but I recommend you pass. It's OK, not the best, and there are so many really good places to eat in the city that you don't want to fill up on what they serve on the boat.
Walk the streets and people watch. Lots of good street entertainment. Look for some good street music on Royal.
Watch out for the panhandlers. Watch your wallet and purse. If someone tells you they know where you got your shoes, keep on walking.

Super reviews, very detailed, And I could not write better advice. I would caution not knowing the age of the " Kids" you may not want to drag them down Bourbon Street. There is sometimes a lot of Adult stuff going on that you may not want the little ones seeing. As with any Big city, NOLA, has her issues and that includes crime.

56Jeff

D day museum. Not to be missed.

We stay at Ponchartrain Landing RV Park. It is very close to the French Quarter and has a shuttle that runs from the campground to the quarter. If you miss the shuttle because you are having too much fun, a cab ride is about $20. Not a bad park either. Nice little bar & restaurant, good people running the place.

:) Hi, we stayed at a camp ground right at the French Quarter. It is very expensive, very close to Bourbon street, very convenient, very secure, and only a walk away from town. A taxi return at night is a must for your safety.

Make sure that you drive across the 24 mile bridge and visit "Oak Alley."

Thanks for the info.

We had looked at Bayou Signette, but we were learning towards St Bernard since it looked to be in more of a woodsy area.

The kids are teenagers, so we are looking for things fun for them. We will probably go down Bourban St, but not spend much time there. We will have 4 full days there. I'd love to run down to Venice and fish, but doubt I'd be able to work that in. :(

Luvs2Camp wrote:
We stay at Ponchartrain Landing RV Park. It is very close to the French Quarter and has a shuttle that runs from the campground to the quarter. If you miss the shuttle because you are having too much fun, a cab ride is about $20. Not a bad park either. Nice little bar & restaurant, good people running the place.

X2 on Ponchartrain Landing. We like the fact that it is on the canal and it is quite safe for New Orleans. Nice park but we do prefer the premium sites.