Matt and M
traveling down I-65 south and back home via I-59 N and 59/20 at Birmingham...via Mamphis and Nahsville
Answer
The trip will take about 16 hours in the car on the I-55 route and more time (probably an extre 2 hours) via Birmingham & Memphis.
Regarding traveling with small children, take games, toys, favorite pillows, etc. for in the car. An option you now have that wasn't available when my son was small is a portable DVD player - I checked websites like bestbuy.com and they are available for under $100, come with DC power cords (you can plug them into the car's outlets), can be attached to a seat back, and include two headsets. If your kids are old enough to have different preferences get them each a player.
When we traveled equivalent distances by car (ex. New Orleans to Orlando) we would stop for the night midway. We would choose a hotel with a pool AND room service, so the hotel stay would be part of the vacation. For example, Holiday Inn has hotels off the Interstate in Nashville, Birmingham, and Memphis with indoor pools (you are traveling in January): www.priorityclub.com
Once you are here, New Orleans has a lot for kids to do:
There are many sightseeing opportunities in the greater New Orleans area, including carriage rides/tours, plantation tours, swamp tours, ghost tours, and even Katrina disaster tours. The steamboat Natchez also does a harbor tour. There are numerous tour companies and your hotel can help with the arrangements. Try to avoid scheduling an outdoor tour until you know the weather forecast for the day in question.
There is a free ferry across the Mississippi at the "foot" of Canal Street. It is a short trip but like a harbor cruise w/o a guide: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/canal_street_ferry
The Aquarium and Audubon Zoo are world-class attractions (www.auduboninstitute.org) and you should see them if you can. There is a shuttle boat (not free) between the Aquarium (which is next to the French Quarter) and the Zoo (which is several miles away). You can also drive to the Zoo (which has free parking) or take public transit from the French Quarter.
The Louisiana State Museum is in the French Quarter: http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/
New Orleans City Park has an amusement park with rides and attractions for children + free parking (www.neworleanscitypark.com).
Check www.frenchquarter.com for ideas on other things to do.
You don't need a car to get around in the French Quarter, Central Business District, or Warehouse District. Also, the parking regulations are Byzantine and there are lots of Parking Control Agents. If you drive or rent a car, leave it in a lot or garage unless you are traveling away from downtown.
Regarding crime, questions like yours tend to attract highly negative "answers" from people who do not live here and who have little or no idea what they are talking about. Use the same common sense necessary in every major city in the world and there is little chance you will be a victim of anything except a need to visit the gym: Pay attention to your surroundings. Don't leave something like a camera-bag, purse, or backpack unattended on a park bench while you wander off to take photos. Etc. New Orleans isn't even in the top 25 "most dangerous American cities": http://money.cnn.com/2006/10/30/real_estate/Most_dangerous_cities/index.htm
New Orleans has mild weather from late October to early May and the city stays green all year most years (rarely freezes and almost never snows). However, the weather in January is not predictable this far in advance and you need to checek the forecast just before leaving home.
Hope you have a good trip!
The trip will take about 16 hours in the car on the I-55 route and more time (probably an extre 2 hours) via Birmingham & Memphis.
Regarding traveling with small children, take games, toys, favorite pillows, etc. for in the car. An option you now have that wasn't available when my son was small is a portable DVD player - I checked websites like bestbuy.com and they are available for under $100, come with DC power cords (you can plug them into the car's outlets), can be attached to a seat back, and include two headsets. If your kids are old enough to have different preferences get them each a player.
When we traveled equivalent distances by car (ex. New Orleans to Orlando) we would stop for the night midway. We would choose a hotel with a pool AND room service, so the hotel stay would be part of the vacation. For example, Holiday Inn has hotels off the Interstate in Nashville, Birmingham, and Memphis with indoor pools (you are traveling in January): www.priorityclub.com
Once you are here, New Orleans has a lot for kids to do:
There are many sightseeing opportunities in the greater New Orleans area, including carriage rides/tours, plantation tours, swamp tours, ghost tours, and even Katrina disaster tours. The steamboat Natchez also does a harbor tour. There are numerous tour companies and your hotel can help with the arrangements. Try to avoid scheduling an outdoor tour until you know the weather forecast for the day in question.
There is a free ferry across the Mississippi at the "foot" of Canal Street. It is a short trip but like a harbor cruise w/o a guide: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/canal_street_ferry
The Aquarium and Audubon Zoo are world-class attractions (www.auduboninstitute.org) and you should see them if you can. There is a shuttle boat (not free) between the Aquarium (which is next to the French Quarter) and the Zoo (which is several miles away). You can also drive to the Zoo (which has free parking) or take public transit from the French Quarter.
The Louisiana State Museum is in the French Quarter: http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/
New Orleans City Park has an amusement park with rides and attractions for children + free parking (www.neworleanscitypark.com).
Check www.frenchquarter.com for ideas on other things to do.
You don't need a car to get around in the French Quarter, Central Business District, or Warehouse District. Also, the parking regulations are Byzantine and there are lots of Parking Control Agents. If you drive or rent a car, leave it in a lot or garage unless you are traveling away from downtown.
Regarding crime, questions like yours tend to attract highly negative "answers" from people who do not live here and who have little or no idea what they are talking about. Use the same common sense necessary in every major city in the world and there is little chance you will be a victim of anything except a need to visit the gym: Pay attention to your surroundings. Don't leave something like a camera-bag, purse, or backpack unattended on a park bench while you wander off to take photos. Etc. New Orleans isn't even in the top 25 "most dangerous American cities": http://money.cnn.com/2006/10/30/real_estate/Most_dangerous_cities/index.htm
New Orleans has mild weather from late October to early May and the city stays green all year most years (rarely freezes and almost never snows). However, the weather in January is not predictable this far in advance and you need to checek the forecast just before leaving home.
Hope you have a good trip!
travel with 2 kids...?
Sexy Ma
what kinds of things should i bring to keep my 4 yr old son occupied? it is a 6 hr and 30 min flight so need tips
sally joe: I do that, my pedetrician even recommened it but bendryl only last for 1 1/2-2 hours with my son
Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly with my three kids on transatlantics about twice a year.
For such a short flight, you probably don't need to use any drugs. Usually, by the time you get to the airport, check-in, get through security, board your flight (pant! pant!) the kids are so tired they nod off on their own.
I saw it done on my flights. I can't take antihistamines so I can't risk giving it to my kids (family trait so it's genetic, I ended up unconscious in the ER at age 7). Make sure you try it out at home because twice as a Flight Attendant, they made the child wired. These drugs also can make the kid dehydrated. You wont need a full dose and sometimes the drugs make children disoriented and cranky. You don't want that on arrival! If you do the drugs, do them after take-off or immediately after the meal service so that it's well worn off by the time you land.
I was also warned that they can make the child have accidents (since they relax *everything*).
Some parents feel the need to do this because their children are hyperactive or just get overstimulated. Another consideration is naps. Mine, at age 4, had long given those up. I only saw it on really long flights, trans Atlantic or Pacific's.
Please note that it's not necessary to make them drink or suck on anything for take-off and landing. The AAP simply recommends that they be awake not on landing (which is too late) but at the TOP of descent. You'll feel your ears reverse pressurization too and the cabin will be busy with everyone getting ready for landing. Good time to be up, using the restroom for the last time, etc. If either/both fall asleep on the tarmac, as so many children do, please don't unnecessarily wake them up for take-off.
I just found that simple toys worked best. Coloring things, stickers, play dough, pipe cleaners, etc. Make sure to have at least one new toy or book for each. Give them just as you're getting seated and hopefully, these will keep them calm and occupied until you're in the air. You can read to them and mine liked the books with flaps that open.
If you opt for any electronical products, don't give them over until you're in the air, unless you're sure they'll understand that they can't play with them on take-off (tricky one!) Also, make sure they're fully charged and bring the recharger. Be careful with any game chips or cards. They get lost easily. I have a portable DVD player but there are other gizmos that play movies.
Bring snacks and empty sippy cup to fill instead of having them use open glasses. I bring a change of clothes for mine (just a T and shorts) because they still spill.
Please don't stress the sleep issue. No one will complain about a quiet, occupied child. Some parents focus so intently on getting their kids to sleep that when they don't, everyone ends up cranky and frustrated.
On the same vein, please don't mess with their sleep schedules, thinking that getting them overly tired will make them sleep better. It's actually the opposite. Make sure they're well rested to avoid any meltdowns in the airport or at the sta
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly with my three kids on transatlantics about twice a year.
For such a short flight, you probably don't need to use any drugs. Usually, by the time you get to the airport, check-in, get through security, board your flight (pant! pant!) the kids are so tired they nod off on their own.
I saw it done on my flights. I can't take antihistamines so I can't risk giving it to my kids (family trait so it's genetic, I ended up unconscious in the ER at age 7). Make sure you try it out at home because twice as a Flight Attendant, they made the child wired. These drugs also can make the kid dehydrated. You wont need a full dose and sometimes the drugs make children disoriented and cranky. You don't want that on arrival! If you do the drugs, do them after take-off or immediately after the meal service so that it's well worn off by the time you land.
I was also warned that they can make the child have accidents (since they relax *everything*).
Some parents feel the need to do this because their children are hyperactive or just get overstimulated. Another consideration is naps. Mine, at age 4, had long given those up. I only saw it on really long flights, trans Atlantic or Pacific's.
Please note that it's not necessary to make them drink or suck on anything for take-off and landing. The AAP simply recommends that they be awake not on landing (which is too late) but at the TOP of descent. You'll feel your ears reverse pressurization too and the cabin will be busy with everyone getting ready for landing. Good time to be up, using the restroom for the last time, etc. If either/both fall asleep on the tarmac, as so many children do, please don't unnecessarily wake them up for take-off.
I just found that simple toys worked best. Coloring things, stickers, play dough, pipe cleaners, etc. Make sure to have at least one new toy or book for each. Give them just as you're getting seated and hopefully, these will keep them calm and occupied until you're in the air. You can read to them and mine liked the books with flaps that open.
If you opt for any electronical products, don't give them over until you're in the air, unless you're sure they'll understand that they can't play with them on take-off (tricky one!) Also, make sure they're fully charged and bring the recharger. Be careful with any game chips or cards. They get lost easily. I have a portable DVD player but there are other gizmos that play movies.
Bring snacks and empty sippy cup to fill instead of having them use open glasses. I bring a change of clothes for mine (just a T and shorts) because they still spill.
Please don't stress the sleep issue. No one will complain about a quiet, occupied child. Some parents focus so intently on getting their kids to sleep that when they don't, everyone ends up cranky and frustrated.
On the same vein, please don't mess with their sleep schedules, thinking that getting them overly tired will make them sleep better. It's actually the opposite. Make sure they're well rested to avoid any meltdowns in the airport or at the sta
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