The Play List: Things to do for empty nesters in New Orleans

1850 House

The Louisiana State Museum’s 1850 House has been refurnished to represent middle-class life in 19th-century New Orleans. Take a tour and compare your daily routine to that of the families who once lived there. It might just make you appreciate more the modern conveniences that are so easy for us to take for granted. 523 St. Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116. (504) 568-6968. crt.state.la.us

Airboat Adventures

Only 30 minutes outside of New Orleans lie more than 20,000 acres of cypress swampland, and there’s no better way to see it than by zipping along in a high-speed airboat, watching the wildlife fly by. Tours last approximately two hours, and you’ll get to see everything from alligators to bald eagles. It’s a great way to add a little excitement to your everyday Louisiana experience. 5145 Fleming Park Rd., Lafitte, LA 70067. (504) 689-2005. airboatadventures.com

Court of the Two Sisters Jazz Brunch

While most would agree that brunch is the best meal of the day, the Jazz Brunch at New Orleans’ Court of the Two Sisters makes it an event like no other. The building itself sits on the 600 block of Royal Street, which, over the years, has been home to governors, Supreme Court justices and other American aristocracy. Enjoy your grits and grillades to the tunes of a jazz trio … the experience is so iconically New Orleans that it simply can’t be beat. 613 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70130. (504) 522-7261. courtofwosisters.com

Donner-Peltier Distillers

Visit Thibodaux’s first craft distillery, Donner-Peltier Distillers, which produces gin, rum and vodka with a distinctly Louisiana twist. Tours are available Monday – Saturday at 4 p.m., and the owners often join groups in the tasting rooms. DPD products are beginning to attract international notice, so now’s the time to get familiar with them while sipping on their superior spirits. 1635 St. Patrick Hwy., Thibodaux, LA 70301. (985) 446-0002. dpdspirits.com

German-American Cultural Center

This small but important museum drives home the impact German immigrants who settled the area in the 1880s had on Gretna and Louisiana as a whole. Particularly moving is the display describing what German-Americans went through during both WWI and WWII. While any day is a good day to visit the museum, particularly fun special events include their Oktoberfest celebration. <strong>519 Huey P. Long Ave., Gretna, LA 70053. (504) 363-4202. gacc-nola.org

Insectarium and Butterfly Garden

It’s not just for kids. The Audubon Insectarium and Butterfly Garden is a great place for grownups too. There are interesting exhibits and even a bug-tasting station for those with a bizarre foods inclination. Walking through the butterfly garden at the end of the tour is a special treat. 423 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130. (504) 524-2847. auduboninstitute.org

Los Islenos Heritage & Cultural Center

Dedicated to preserving the customs and traditions of the Canary Islanders, or Islenos, who began arriving in Louisiana as early as 1778, this cultural center offers a colorful, up-close look at everything from food to language and folklore. It’s unusual enough that the Travel Channel TV show Bizarre Foods America recently filmed an episode here. 1345-1357 Bayou Rd., St. Bernard, LA 70785. (504)-277-4681. losislenos.org

National WWII Museum

Learn more about the war that has both fascinated and horrified generations. The National WWII Museum is famous for its evocative approach to sharing history. It offers a more visceral experience than a typical museum. For those with an intense desire to learn more about the war that produced America’s greatest generation, there are lunch ‘n’ learn lectures on Wednesdays; call ahead for reservations. 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130. (504) 528-1944. nationalww2musuem.org

NOMA

If you’re in New Orleans, don’t forget to stop by the New Orleans Museum of Art, a gallery that will satisfy all your creative cravings. Enjoy a stroll through the five-acre sculpture park, explore the ever-changing exhibits and peruse the permanent collection renowned for its strengths in French and American art, photography, glass, and African and Japanese works. One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, New Orleans, LA 70124. (504) 658-4100. noma.org

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art at the University of New Orleans houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Southern art. As a bonus, Louisianans with a valid ID enjoy free admission every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Not content to offer just the traditional, solitary and relatively silent art gallery experience, organizers coordinated Ogden After Hours, an event taking place every Thursday from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and featuring live music and a guest journalist who interviews the performer, creating a unique environment in which to celebrate the various talents of Southern artists. 925 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130. (504) 539-9600. ogdenmuseum.org

Pontchartrain Vineyards

Watch a little Sideways and ready to sip some vino? Relax—no need to plan a long, expensive vacation when you can take the short jaunt to Bush for a picnic lunch and some Voodoo Zinfandel. Or, catch their Jazz n’ the Vines events, an outdoor concert series pairing local wine and live music. 81250 Old Military Rd., Bush, LA 70431. (985) 892-9742. pontchartainvineyards.com

Southdown Museum

Southdown Museum is a 19th-century sugar manor, home to authentic workers’ quarters, compelling exhibits on Houma Mardi Gras, the history of area industry and much more. Tours are available for $10 and are given by enthusiastic, knowledgeable guides. 1208 Museum Dr., Houma, LA 70360. (985) 851-0154. southdownmuseum.org

Southern Food & Beverage Museum

It’s no secret that Southerners are proud of their culinary heritage—perhaps nowhere more so than in Louisiana. But to dedicate an entire museum to food? That’s definitely a New Orleans attitude. This living history museum, located in the Riverwalk, explores all aspects of Southern food history, including all the ethnic influences that came together to create our modern cuisine. Meant for tourists and locals alike, the museum is bound to leave you full of knowledge and hungry for more. 500 Port of Orleans Place, Suite 169, New Orleans, LA 70130. (504) 569-0405. southernfood.org

Splendor Farms

Get away from it all with a weekend down on the farm—Splendor Farms, that is. A comfortable distance from the city provides you with all the buffer you need. Plus, their adorable longhaired dachshunds are sure to put a smile on your face. Horseback riding on more than 1,000 acres of trails is included in your room rates, and they offer horses to suit every experience level. So take a road trip and reconnect. 27329 Mill Creek Rd., Bush, LA 70431. (985) 886-3747. splendorfarms.com

St. James Cheese

If you’ve got a little gourmet in your blood, St. James Cheese might just be your paradise. Home to artisan cheeses, amazing sandwich and deli choices and an outstanding selection of cured meats, this restaurant/cheese shop even offers “cheese classes” that give pairing guidance for a variety of wines, beers and unusual cheeses. 5004 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70115. (504) 899-4737. stjamescheese.com

Want more things to do? Check out the lists below.