I wanted to give you the option of an inexpensive trip by train, and the Amtrak options from my area

Source: Amtrak.com

(Memphis) are south to New Orleans or north to Chicago. After checking ticket prices about a month out, I chose to focus on New Orleans since the tickets to Chicago are so much more expensive; They're about $264 more than the round trip tickets from Memphis to New Orleans for a family of 4. The Atlanta train also goes to New Orleans, so if you're near Atlanta, the tickets are slightly more expensive at around $90 above the round-trip price for a family of 4 from Memphis, so add in that extra cost if you're coming from that area.

Also, I'm from near the N.O. area and I can tell you from experience that it can be a fun place for families and not just frat boys. ;)

I'm focusing on inexpensive and family-friendly, so keep in mind that if you prefer a more upscale hotel, or a Bed & Breakfast for couples, these are easily found with a Google search.

New Orleans is known for it's party scene, so a lot of people assume it's not family-friendly. If it's not Mardi Gras time (usually Feb./Mar., check dates), and you're not interested in taking the kids down Bourbon Street, there are a ton of fun things to do here.

Source: frenchmarket.org

If you book a hotel in the French Quarter, you can basically walk to most things. You can peruse the 6 blocks of shopping at the French Market, with hot beignets and chicory coffee at the Cafe Du Monde, you can take tours of the city by bus, tour churches, plantations, swamps, take haunted tours, vampire tours, cemetery tours, tour the Garden District or the French Quarter; the options are limitless. You can also take a jazz lunch or dinner cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez for some extra bucks, or take the kids back and forth across the Mississippi River aboard the Algiers Ferry for cheap.

Source: CafeDuMonde.com

I'm getting most of my prices from the Amtrak website. I didn't know you could book anything other than train tickets! (am I the only one who didn't know???) When you go on to book your tickets, you can choose to book hotels from a list (with a 10% discount), a rental car, and activities galore.

I would recommend booking activities ahead of time through the Amtrak website if possible, since they probably have discounted deals through the vendors, and you don't want to get there to find out they're all booked up.

Start at the box to the left for Tickets and from there you can book everything in one place. Awesome. It's so easy, I feel like I'm cheating since I usually have to do much more research for these posts, i.e., trolling multiple websites, calling for rates, amenities, etc., so this was a sweet find. I'll tempt you here with some choices and you can go on the site to build your own family adventure.

If you missed the last posts, you can find them here: 8 Outdoors Family-friendly Vacations Under $400, 4 Family-friendly Mountain Vacations Under $500



Sightseeing in The Big Easy, New Orleans, LA (Google Map link):

Credit: Alex Demyan, Source: NewOrleansOnline.com

I'm starting with Amtrak train fares from Memphis (MEM) to New Orleans (NOL) for 2 adults and 2 children. You should book at least a few weeks ahead as you want to make sure they still have cheap seats (coach). Also, fares on the weekend are more expensive, so I chose to leave on a Wednesday and return on a Friday.

The fare one-way for an Adult (13-61) is $59, with Children (2-12) being 1/2 price at $29.50. Infants (under 2) ride free: "One child (classified as an "infant") under the age of two may ride free with each fare-paying adult (age 18+). Additional children under age two are permitted with each adult traveler under the 50% discount policy. An infant traveling free may occupy a vacant seat only if the seat is not needed for a paying passenger. Conductors may require that infants occupying a seat without paying a fare be removed to provide seating to a fare-paying passenger."

The trains take from 8-9 hours to make the journey. There is a dining car, but you may want to pack lots of snacks for the kids. You may also want to pack games, coloring books, cameras, binoculars, and whatever else might keep them occupied once the novelty of a train journey wears off. ;)

If you're willing to drive, it's a 6 hour drive (according to Google Maps) from Memphis, but I think that's from city edge to city edge. It usually takes me about 7 hours. If you budget $10 per hour in gas (which is what my car uses, you'll have to do the math based on your own vehicle's usage), your gas cost would be considerably less than the train at around $150 for the entire trip (including an hour of city drive-time)...but much less fun. Also, you won't get the hotel or attraction discounts, which may or may not be worth it to you.

Amtrak train tickets, round trip, for a family of 2 Adults, and 2 Children: $354

Cost of gas (estimated) if driving from Memphis to New Orleans and back: $150

After you've chosen your train tickets and added them to your cart, you can choose to View All Hotels. Under hotels, search by Neighborhood: French Quarter. Make sure to then click "Modify Your Search" to put in the # of adults, children, and rooms wanted. Otherwise the prices will default to 1 adult, no children. 

If you stay in the French Quarter, you really don't have to rent a car. If you plan something you don't want to walk to, taxi fare is not too bad; There are also streetcars and buses; Your concierge can help you with timetables.

In the French Quarter, the rooms ranged from $112/night to $287/night for 4 people. No matter where you choose to stay, it's guaranteed to be gorgeous and/or historic. I selected the Holiday Inn New Orleans - Chateau Lemoyne on Rue Dauphine based on price, reviews, and location. Trip Advisor ranks it #57 of 153 hotels in New Orleans, which is great for the price. It also received their Certificate of Excellence 2013.

Source: Amtrak.com

"The Holiday Inn® French Quarter - Chateau Lemoyne hotel of New Orleans welcomes you with quaint New Orleans charm, a coveted location near the Central Business District and unique, historic accommodations...[the] hotel was built in 1847. We're just steps from Bourbon Street, antique shops, art galleries and the many excellent restaurants that New Orleans is known for...Our French Quarter hotel's guests appreciate our beautiful, secluded setting that combines historic architecture with modern, thoughtful amenities, such as complimentary high-speed Internet access. Pamper yourself with a classically-decorated room that offers a balcony with a picturesque view or an excellent breakfast at our Café Bienville." Sounds good to me.

The amenities list is long and includes a concierge desk, bar/lounge, restaurant, and a pool in addition to what you'd expect to find your room in a nice hotel.

Source: Amtrak.com

I'm planning on a 2 night stay for 2 adults and 2 children at $112/night + taxes in a double bed room.

Be warned that hotels in the area jack up their prices considerably during festivals and events, so check your travel dates for overlap.

Source: Amtrak.com