It's summer vacation! Time for fun! In New Orleans that means food, music, and long sultry, romantic nights. Sure, it's hot, but chances are, it's hot at home too. Summer is a great time to bring the whole family to New Orleans. Besides, since summer clothes are much lighter, they're easier to pack.

Free and Almost Free

Even on a budget, there are lots of things for families to do at little or no cost.

A streetcar ride is only $1.25, a ferry ride across the Mississippi River is free, and so is a seldf-guided tour though the historic French Quarter. Here are some more great ideas to stretch you budget.

Fun for the Kids:

Parks:

Both of the major parks are a great place for a family outing. City Park, with its Storyland, massive live oak trees, Scupture Garden and lazy lagoons makes a great place for a picnic.

Audubon Park, although smaller than City Park, has the same live oaks and lagoons. Plus it has one of the best zoos in the country and a great new golf course.

Inside Fun:

If it gets too hot, take in some air-conditioning at the Aquarium of the Americas or the Louisiana Children's Museum.

The Insectarium, a brand new attraction, will thrill all kids who love bugs, and who doesn't?

Festivals:

No matter what time of year it is, there are festivals in New Orleans. The biggest of the summer is the Essence Music Festival, held every Fourth of July weekend.

Three Festivals in One Weekend:

If you love festivals plan your summer trip to New Orleans in the middle of June.

That's when the French Market Creole Tomato, the New Orleans Seafood Festival, and the Louisiana Cajun/Zydeco Festival all happen in the French Quarter.

The Essence Music Festival happens every year over the Fourth of July Weekend.

Bastile Day Celebrations on July 14th offer great fun for the whole family.

Fourth of July

There's always a lot to do over the Fourth of July weekend, so it's a good time to plan a trip to New Orleans.

The Satchmo Summer Fest is a celebration of the Jazz of New Orleans native, Louis Armstrong.

COOLinary New Orleans is all about special deals at great restaurants in July and August. Get great deals on lunch and dinner menus at participating restaurants all over the city.

For the Adults:

White Linen Night is held the first Saturday of August. It's an arty stroll among the art galleries of Julia Street while sipping a martini. Wear your white linen and join the fun.

Don't wash your white linen. Save it for the next week and wear it at Dirty Linen Night the following Saturday when the art stroll is along Royal Street in the French Quarter.

Tales of the Cocktail, held every summer is a five day event with cocktails and dinners. This event includes mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs and designers in the New Orleans French Quarter at cocktail events such as "spirited" dinners, cocktail demos and tastings, seminars, mixing competitions, design expos, book-signings and much more.

Southen Decadence, the Gay Mardi Gras, one of the biggest and most fun Gay events in the country happens every year over Labor Day Weekend.