USA Archives - Mommy Kat and Kids

The Plantations of New Orleans – Exploring the History of Louisiana’s Slave Trade

August 30, 2019 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

On our recent visit to Louisiana, I knew I wanted to get outside the cities and explore some of the history of the Southern state. The glitz and energy of New Orleans is appealing, but there’s also so much to learn when in the area.

Visiting a plantation was one of those educational experiences that I knew I didn’t want to miss. Louisiana plantations, unlike those in other Southern states, mainly grew sugarcane. And due to the state’s Creole influence, the plantations of New Orleans themselves have some unique features.

My family had the chance to visit many different plantations in the New Orleans Plantation Country area, and if you’re planning a trip and wondering which one or two you should visit, look no further. These are my thoughts on four of Louisiana’s most popular plantation tours. [Read more…]

Avery Island – Highlights of the Tabasco Factory Tour and Jungle Gardens

July 15, 2019 by Kathryn 15 Comments

Is there anyone that doesn’t love the spicy flavour of classic Tabasco sauce? In our family, the answer is definitely a resounding, “No!” And so on our recent vacation to Louisiana, when the city of Lafayette gave us the opportunity to check out the nearby Tabasco Factory Tour on Avery Island, we couldn’t have been happier.

Located about 45 minutes from Lafayette and just over two hours from New Orleans, Avery Island is a top tourist destination and a great spot for families. The island boasts the Tabasco Factory Tour on one side of the highway and the Jungle Gardens Tour on the other.

We headed to the island in the early morning planning to do both, and the boys couldn’t wait to get started. Planning your own trip to Avery Island? Here are the highlights you won’t want to miss! [Read more…]

Things To Do in Lafayette LA – Exploring the Heart of Cajun Country with Kids

June 17, 2019 by Kathryn 52 Comments

Visiting New Orleans, the city of live music and delicious food, has been a dream of mine for a while. But I soon realized that there was a lot more to Louisiana than just the Big Easy and decided that I should make a trip with the whole family to explore the best attractions Southern Louisiana has to offer.

Our first stop was Cajun Country and the heart of Cajun Country is Lafayette. This family-friendly city about two hours away from New Orleans has a laid-back vibe that was instantly appealing. After checking into our room at the beautiful SpringHill Suites Lafayette South, we were ready to explore the best kid-friendly things to do in Lafayette, LA. And luckily, the city has something for everyone!

For Younger Kids – Children’s Museum of Acadiana

Families with toddlers, preschoolers or young school-aged children will adore this hands-on children’s museum. Packed with everything from a kid-sized grocery store to a real ambulance, children are invited to climb, touch, play and pretend to their heart’s content. [Read more…]

Destination Deadwood – A Two-Day Itinerary of Things To Do in Deadwood SD

March 24, 2019 by Kathryn 11 Comments

When our family decided to take a road trip to South Dakota for a week in the summer, we only had a few vague ideas about what we wanted to see and do.

We knew we’d be making a trip to Mount Rushmore, of course. We planned to spend a day in Rapid City as well. And we’d heard from a few friends that Deadwood was a must-visit spot, too.

After checking out the distances between attractions, we decided to make Deadwood our home base. I expected it would be a pleasant spot to spend a day or so exploring. But I certainly didn’t expect that my whole family would fall in love with the tiny Old West city.

Deadwood is one of those special destinations that has something for everyone. And after our first evening strolling down the city streets, we knew we’d be spending more time there than we had planned!

Planning your own trip and looking for things to do in Deadwood, SD? This itinerary will help you see the best the city has to offer! [Read more…]

A One Day Family Itinerary of Things To Do in Orlando with Kids

January 10, 2019 by Kathryn 37 Comments

It’s no secret that my family loves the Orlando area. From golf courses to amusement parks, we’ve explored the popular tourist destination to its fullest, and found many of the best things to do in Orlando with kids.

Like most families, our top priority when in Orlando is usually visiting the theme parks! Checking out all four parks at Walt Disney World in one day was exhausting, but amazing. And we all loved the rides and pop culture at Universal Orlando.

But I knew from our many trips down International Drive that the city itself had just as many things to do in Orlando with kids. And so, on our most recent vacation, I decided that we would spend a day exploring some of the best family attractions and activities the city has to offer.

Wondering where to start when looking for things to do in Orlando with kids? This one-day itinerary had the whole family smiling when we headed home!

A Ride on ICON Orlando

We started our day with a ride on the ICON Orlando observation wheel. This 400 ft. ride is the largest observation wheel on the United States’ East Coast. It’s a popular nighttime attraction, since the city and theme parks look so magical when they’re lit up. But it’s equally enjoyable during the day, and we loved finding all the places we’d visited in the past from above! [Read more…]