Food and music are a winning combination, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival serves up heaping portions of both at its spring celebration spanning two action-packed weekends in late April and early May.
Twelve big stages and five performance tents offer an eclectic selection of jazz, blues, gospel, funk, Cajun, zydeco, bluegrass, and much, much more. Decision-making is the toughest act of the day, as you may be forced to choose among artists such as B. B. King, the Herbie Hancock Quartet, the Zydeco Twisters, and dozens of others, all performing at the same time in a variety of different venues.
Food choices are even more mind-boggling: Muffulettas or po' boys? Crawfish Monica or the pheasant-quail-andouille gumbo? Pecan pralines, peach cobbler, or a New Orleans sno-ball? The tantalizing entrees, snacks, and desserts are influenced by local flavor and showcase New Orleans cuisine and Southern cooking at their best.
Kids enjoy touring the festival's many marketplaces and villages. The Louisiana Marketplace is a showcase for the state's finest artists; in the Louisiana Folklife Tent you'll see crafters creating miniature Mardi Gras floats out of papier mache.
Families like to hang out at least part of the day at the Kids Tent and the Cultural Village, which has crafts, projects, and a huge mural for youngsters to paint. Nonstop performances for children are offered here, too, such as storytellers, kids' drum corps, funny jazzy jug bands, singers and dancers from around the world, and costumed Mardi Gras krewes.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Information
Address: 1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA
Telephone: 504/410-4100
Hours of Operation: Last weekend in late Apr. and early May
Admission: Adults, $45; children, $5
To learn more about family vacation destinations, see:
- Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
- Louisiana State Guide: Learn about Mobil Travel Guide-rated hotels and restaurants in Louisiana, as well as other recreational activities.
- Scenic Drives: For those who think that getting there is half the fun, we have compiled more than 100 of the most scenic drives throughout the country.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Laura Sutherland is a widely acknowledged authority on family travel and has published several books on the topic, including Best Family Ski Vacations In North America and Tropical Family Vacations.
