It's been a while since I lived there but I suspect your best bet is still New
Orleans Lakefront - close in, GA friendly, good facilties - I don't know about
costs, however, but suspect by the time you consider alternative sites, it's
your best all-around choice.

Be careful flying the Lake at night.

However, if your family lives near Moisant MSY/Louis Armstrong, I wouldn't
hesitate to fly in there, but imagine the costs will be noticably higher. I
guess General Aviation is still the FBO there.