Add these fun excursions to your HLAA Convention itinerary!
New Orleans — the Big Easy, the city of jazz, the Mardi Gras capital of the world, and the location of the 2023 HLAA Convention! CapTel is a proud sponsor of the HLAA Convention – be sure to stop by to say “Hi” when you are there!
As you’re planning your trip to join this fun and important event, you may already be thinking about all the exciting hearing loss-friendly activities in New Orleans that you can do while you’re in town.
To help you get the most out of your trip, check out our list of hearing-loss-friendly activities in New Orleans:
- Wander through the museums
- Go on a French Quarter walking tour
- Take a river cruise
- Catch a show at Preservation Hall
- Explore City Park
- Visit the Audubon Nature Institute
Let’s learn about these activities in New Orleans below!
Wander through the museums
The National WWII Museum is a must-see destination in New Orleans. It offers a variety of accommodations for guests with hearing loss so they can get the most out of their experience — including ASL-trained staff members, captioned exhibits, and sound-amplifying devices.
New Orleans is home to several other excellent museums as well. The Louisiana State Museum has several locations throughout the city, including the Cabildo and the Presbytère, both of which offer closed captioning for their audio-visual exhibits. Also, the New Orleans Museum of Art has a diverse collection of art from around the world, with many visually stunning exhibits to enjoy.
Go on a French Quarter walking tour
No trip to New Orleans is complete without a walking tour of the French Quarter. It’s an area rich in culture and history, so there are a lot of interesting things to learn! If you’re worried about not being able to hear the tour guide, you can be the guide and strike out on your own self-guided walking tour! The Historic New Orleans Collection has a free tour app that can point the way for you to stroll around the city and learn about areas of particular interest, like historical sites, music, literature, and more.
Take a river cruise
From the canals to the swamps, New Orleans is a city built around water. The Mississippi River, in particular, has played a vital role in the city’s development and culture. Today, the river still powers much of the city’s commerce, and it’s also full of beautiful riverboats that can help you experience the city from a different vantage point! Pass by scenic views and historic landmarks as you enjoy dinner and drinks on board. Before you choose a cruise company, get in touch to ask them about hearing loss accommodations, e.g., a written copy of any audio narration elements of the tour.
Catch a show at Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is an iconic venue in New Orleans that features live traditional jazz shows. You might not think that a music-centric locale would be a very accessible choice, but there are still ways for you to enjoy the show. Request a seat near the front, wear hearing aids if you choose to use them, and focus on enjoying the atmosphere — a genre like jazz makes it easy to “feel the music!”
Check out these tips on attending concerts and spending a night on the town with hearing loss — and don’t forget your earplugs!
Explore City Park
City Park is a large urban park with a variety of activities for people with hearing loss. Some of these activities include swan boating on the lake, playing mini-golf, taking the kids or grandkids to ride the carousel or explore Storyland, wandering the botanical garden or greenhouse, admiring art at the sculpture garden, and more. City Park is also wheelchair-accessible, making it an excellent destination for people with limited mobility.
Visit the Audubon Nature Institute
You can’t leave Louisiana without seeing at least one alligator (in a safe way, of course)! The Audubon Zoo features an entire swamp exhibit where you can watch 14-foot alligators float in their lagoon, surrounded by native swamp plants and trees. Also, plan a stop at the brand-new Insectarium (opening weeks before the convention in early June 2023!) to experience the butterfly garden, or the reimagined Audubon Aquarium to immerse yourself in an underwater world. The Audubon Nature Institute, which encompasses the zoo, aquarium, and insectarium, works with conservation programs to protect endangered species and improve the ecosystem.
Whether you’re attending the 2023 HLAA Convention or just visiting for a few days, there are so many hearing loss-friendly activities in New Orleans for every visitor to enjoy. Review our tips on packing for a trip with hearing loss before you go, then have a fantastic time exploring the Big Easy!
