(NAPSA)—If you thought New Orleans was only an adult playground, think again. The city offers something for everyone, from toddlers to teenagers to the big kid in you. Here are ten wonderful family activities in the Crescent City: Catch a ride on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, the oldest con- tinuously operating rail system in the country, and at Audubon Park, hop on a shuttle to Audubon Zoo. One of the top five zoos in the U.S., Audubon houses over 1,500 animals in natural environments depicting the Louisiana Swamp, African Savanna, Asian Domain, Australian Outback and more. From Audubon, visitors can ride an historic paddleboat downriver and then walk to the Aquarium of the Americas. Awe-inspiring exhibits reflect the sea life and environments of a tropical rain forest, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the Mississippi River. Downtownis a great place to explore. Begin with a visit to Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter, where artists, mimes and musicians entertain and kids can have their faces painted or caricatures drawn. While in the Quarter, bring the kids to the Muse Conti Wax Museum and admire life-size replicas of celebrities and historical figures. A fun and educational experience for the kids is the Louisiana Children’s Museum, located at 420 Julia Street in the Warehouse District. Entertaining and educational exhibits include a pint-sized supermarket, gigantic bubbles, a Miniature television studio and City Park Carousel : brain teasers galore. A visit to 1,500-acre City Park offers numerous outdooractivities. Storyland, a fairy tale themepark, has 26 larger-than-life storybook exhibits and was rated one of the ten best U.S. playgrounds by Child magazine. Another attraction is Carousel Gardens, an amusement area with an antique carousel, miniature train, roller coaster and more. For big-time thrill rides, visit Jazzland Theme Park about 20 minutes from downtown. Its 31 rides are sprawled over 140 acres, and include a 4,000 foot-long roller coaster. There is a special area for younger kids and cool spots for Mom and Dadto catch their breath, have a bite to eat or listen to live music. A little way out of the city is another world—Cajun country and the swamps. Many tour operators offer swamp excursions, where you mayspot alligators, turtles, rare birds, nutria and other wildlife as well as incredible landscape. For more information, call 800- 201-4735 or visit www.NewOrleans Online.com to request a free copy of the “Good Times Guide,” offering over $2,500 in coupons on shop- ping, dining and attractions.
