Take Her to New Orleans or No?

I also lived in Baton Rouge. New Orleans is very hot in July so lots of fluids. There are a lot of fun things to do in New Orleans. If you use common sense, you'll be fine.

Well it is a family reunion. She is family. I would assume it is being held inside somewhere. I would take her,go to the reunion and then go do other things outside of town

No I wouldn't but then I wouldn't take a 2 year old to Vegas either.

NOLA in July? No thank you. It's bad enough with heat and humidity in DC in July - I'd hate to think of what it's like in NOLA.

It's a family reunion. Will there be a place for her to stay cool? How does she handle change? How does she handle people she doesn't know?

Too many unanswered questions. If it's just to walk down Bourbon street with family? I don't know. I don't know who would care for her if I left her home.

Would not take her there with you. Not the safest city. I've been there and my mom grew up there.

I think I'd need to know more information before I could decide. What kind of family reunion? Other children there? Will the venue be family friendly? What about the rest of the trip? Where would you be staying? Etc.

A friend of mine went to a wedding/family reunion and took her kids. They were the only kids there. She was not even allowed to bring them to the reception. None of this was communicated until after she'd purchased all their tickets. Rest of trip was fun but that part sounded really stressful.

Good things to ask before you go - if you haven't already.

If it's at a bar on Bourbon Street? No. I would not take my child there. Nor would I walk the streets alone at night. Nor would I take a drink from anything but a machine. That's me though.

The people I know who live near there (about an hour away) wouldn't go near New Orleans.
They say it's way too easy to get a knife stuck into your back.

No. Bourbon Street is not a place for 2 year olds. Why would you hold a family reunion there? Not being rude, just asking why a family would want it there? Are you from NOLA?

Can't her mom watch her?

I live in Baton Rouge (about an hour from New Orleans) and I took my kid when she was little. She wasn't harmed by it.

NOLA is a great place for family, just not the French Quarter. Even in the daytime some days.

I can't imagine that the area would be anything a child would want to see. There isn't going to be anything to hold her attention other than people and more people. Even if you strap her in a stroller the WHOLE time she is going to be ready to be done in minutes. If you just have to go to Bourbon Street hire a babysitter for little one and get a group of friends to go with you.

HELL NO! I lived there for years. Had my son there, moved when he was 3. Bourbon st is the worst street you can take a kid in the French quarter. New Orleans isn't for toddlers in general when visiting.

It is a family reunion. So surely it's not at a bar, right? What is the actual place where it will be held? Is it family friendly? Will there be other kids there?

If you stay closer to the garden district, and don't go near Bourbon street at night, I think it would be ok. You can take a taxi directly to and from the reunion venue without walking up and down Bourbon street with your child. And there are lots of things to do around NOLA that do not involve going to that part of town - Cafe du Monde, river boats, mansion tours, etc. So basically, if the reunion is being held in a family friendly place, I'd take my child, but only go to that part of town for the reunion, and spend the rest of the time doing other touristy type stuff in other parts of town.

The French Quarter is no less safe than most big cities, particularly during daytime hours on the well-traveled streets. You see people of all ages, including families with children. However, at night, you would not want to walk around the Quarter with a two-year old, especially if it's just you and your child. The Quarter is more than just the flashy lights of Bourbon and adjacent streets, and if you get off the most populated streets, you can quickly get into areas where the streets are dark and you are isolated and more vulnerable. So, you need to know where on Bourbon Street the reunion is being held and in what kind of establishment.

If it's in a music venue or bar, minor children will not be allowed. We've been to New Orleans many times with and without our children. They are very strict about this in the French Quarter. We've been shooed away from doorways of music venues when we've been just walking around in the Quarter with the kids.

Are you traveling with another adult, or will there be other family there that can help you if your daughter gets fussy? All of these things make a difference. I was in New Orleans with my youngest son two years ago for my dear friend's celebration of life. He got really sick and ended up in the ER. That was a real challenge because my husband and older kids weren't there, and all of the others we knew were busy with the celebration. One of the owners of the bed and breakfast where the celebration was held, (who also happened to be a retired RN and knew the best medical facilities in the city), drove us to the best children's hospital.

If the reunion is in a restaurant, where your party has reserved a private room, it might not be so bad. Just know that while others are lingering and visiting, your two year-old may get tired in a small, confined space, and you may not be able to stay the whole time.

For those who aren't familiar with the French Quarter, there are actually private residences there, even on Bourbon Street. Is the reunion in a private residence? If so, you'll be okay. There will be a place for your daughter to be moved from the main party and rest if she gets fussy or needs a nap.

Obviously, you won't want to walk around the Quarter at night (or any unfamiliar place in any big city) with a two-year old. Plan ahead how you'll get to and from the reunion and be familiar with the general routes. Have the cab or uber numbers ready. If you can't travel to and from the reunion with others, let family know when you're leaving and call them when you get back to your hotel.

Find out the details of the reunion and that will help you make your decision. If you decide to go, plan ahead, study the area, and just be smart about where you go. If you go, have a wonderful time and take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of this wonderful city.

Are there going to be other kids at the reunion? Are there activities planned for the kids, and kid-friendly food? Or is this a mostly adult reunion? Where will the reunion be held? Will it be held in a hotel conference room, or is it going to be a bunch of family members going from bar to bar, eating in nice restaurants, strolling up and down Bourbon Street late into the evening?

I don't think that going to NOLA in general would be detrimental to a child, but if there aren't other kids going, and if you're going to spend the entire time trying to entertain your child while trying to visit with cousins and aunts and uncles, it would be very trying. But if the reunion will include lots of kids, with entertainment for them, and kid-friendly food, in a safe place, then I would take her. Just plan for good sunblock, and extra fluids.

The older relatives will want to see your daughter. They may not be at the next reunion. Pictures of your daughter with these older relations will be a good history lesson. Can you pay for an older church lady friend (who knows your daughter well) to go with you and sit with your daughter in the room every evening after 8pm/bedtime? You will need to give her a bit of monetary compensation for it. She can hang out in NOLA during the day and just be back in the hotel room at 8pm when you come back to drop off your daughter. Then you can go out and enjoy Bourbon Street with your long lost cousins!