Family Life, Family Travel

A Free and Cheap Summer

July 3, 2019

Summer camps don’t last all summer, so here are some cool things to do with the kids that won’t break the bank.

National Blueberry Month 

Head to any one of the area’s U-pick berry farms — like Blue Harvest Farms in Bush, Louisiana, or the 3D Blueberry Farm in Franklinton, Louisiana — where fields of blueberries are just waiting to be picked by the pound. Then head home for some blueberry pancakes, or blueberry pie, or blueberry-topped ice cream — you get the picture.

Prytania Theatre

Prytania Theatre will host classic family movies during some mornings this summer! Cool down with indoor AC while hanging with “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial,” July 5-6; “The Wizard of Oz,” July 12-17; “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” (1971), Aug. 2-3; and “Space Jam,” Aug. 9-10. All of the showings start at 10 am. 

Splash Pads

Visit Audubon’s Cool Zoo, Lafreniere Park’s Spray Park, or head to the St. Tammany Trace Trailhead in Mandeville to beat the heat and have lots of fun. Don’t forget your sunscreen. Lafreniere Park’s Splash Pad and St. Tammany Trace Trailhead are free. Can’t beat that.

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum

Serving to protect New Orleans’ Voodoo history and culture while educating and entertaining since 1972, the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum brings a casual and curious experience to visitors. Take a self-guided tour to learn about the rich culture that helped shape our city. General admission: $7; high school students: $4.50; kids under 12: $3.50; and seniors, military, and college students: $5.50

Dinner and a ZOOvie

Audubon Zoo’s Dinner and a Zoovie will show two family favorites in the month of July. “Captain Marvel” on July 12 and “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” on July 26. Doors open at 6 pm and the movie starts at 8 pm. You can purchase the tickets online for $6 or at the Zoo’s front gate for $8.

BB’s Stage Door Canteen

BB’s Stage Door Canteen will be transformed into the Kids Canteen on July 20. The event will include a free screening of “Captain America: The First Avenger” at 10:30 am with theater snacks included! Children between the ages of 5-13 are free, but adults are $7. 

National WWII Family Block Party

On July 26, the National WWII Museum will be hosting its first family block party! The celebration will be from 5:30 pm – 9 pm and include after-hours access to the museum. Kids under the age of 18 will be granted free admission but adults will be charged 10$ per ticket. 

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places within the Vieux Carre Historic District, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum showcases its extensive collection and provides interpretive educational programs to present and preserve the rich history of pharmacy and healthcare in Louisiana, past and present. 5/adults; $4/students and seniors; free/children under 6. The 1 pm guided tour is included with admission.

Swamp Tours

OK, swamp tours won’t help you beat the heat, entirely, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you and your kids could come face to face with alligators and other natural wildlife while riding on a swamp boat. It will be hot out, but the wind whipped up from the air boats will at least offer a reprieve from the moist, humid swamp.

Snoballs

If you’ve picked up our 2019 Resource Guide, released in March this year, you already have a comprehensive list of the area’s best snoball stands, which have grown into a full-blown foodie subculture since stuffed snoballs and spices-inspired flavors are now a thing. Yes, you can get anise or cardamom flavored snoball.

 


Trying to plan a birthday party before school starts again? Check out Party Time!, a listing of everything you need to plan the biggest balloon bash to the tiniest princess party.

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