St. Charles Streetcar

The St. Charles streetcar line is the oldest continuously operating street railway system in the world, running since 1835. The olive-green Perley Thomas streetcars -- built in 1923-1924 and still in daily service -- travel 6.5 miles from Canal Street through the Garden District and Uptown neighborhoods to the Carrollton terminus.

For families, the streetcar is simultaneously the cheapest and one of the most atmospheric sightseeing experiences in New Orleans. At $1.25 per person per ride, it costs less than a cup of coffee and delivers a rolling tour through the city's most beautiful residential corridor.

The route follows the neutral ground of St. Charles Avenue beneath a continuous canopy of live oaks. On either side, mansions slide past the open windows: Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival homes dating from the 1830s through early 1900s.

The streetcars themselves are museum pieces in daily operation. Wooden reversible seats, brass fixtures, open windows, and a bell that the motorman clangs at every stop create an experience that modern transit cannot replicate.

The best family strategy: board at Canal Street, ride to the end of the line (Carrollton), and either ride back or exit at a planned stop. Key stops include the Garden District, Audubon Park (for the zoo), and Carrollton (for Camellia Grill).

Practical notes: exact change required for cash payment, or use the RTA GoMobile app. Children under 3 ride free. The streetcar runs from 5 AM to 1 AM, with cars every 7-10 minutes during peak hours.