Best Things To Do In New Orleans With Kids | Family Guide

New Orleans has so much to offer for nearly any age group. While finding things to do in New Orleans with kids may seem complicated, it’s a wonderful city for a family adventure. Whether it’s a stop on a road trip, a weekend, or longer, this guide will provide a list of activities, experiences, restaurants, local museums, and more for families traveling to the Big Easy. I have previously shared my recommendations on where to eat, how to get around and also a summary of our trip. This post will include some of the best things to do in New Orleans with kids while you are there.

New Orleans offers a rich and diverse history that dates back to its founding in 1718 by the French. Over the years, the city has been influenced by a variety of cultures, including French, Spanish, and African, giving it a unique and vibrant cultural heritage. New Orleans is renowned for its distinct Creole and Cajun cultures, which have shaped its music, cuisine, and traditions. The city is famous for its lively festivals, such as Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and countless other celebrations throughout the year.

In addition to its fascinating history and culture, New Orleans is a great place for families to visit due to its wide array of activities and attractions suitable for all ages. The city offers numerous family-friendly events and experiences, including interactive museums, beautiful parks, and entertaining tours.

Overall, New Orleans’ combination of history, culture, and family-friendly attractions makes it an ideal destination for travelers of all ages. The city’s welcoming atmosphere and diverse offerings ensure that families can create unforgettable memories while exploring its unique and captivating environment.

Things To Do In New Orleans With Kids

Tour the Garden District. If you are interested in beautiful and historic houses, charming boutiques and cafes, and beautiful southern vibes you need to walk through the Garden District. The area and landscaping is beautiful by itself, but the homes that line the streets are breathtaking. They are all shapes, sizes, colors, etc. and you will likely leave looking up prices on your phone. We quickly decided we couldn’t afford it, but it was fun to see how much some of the houses were going for on Zillow.

Walk Down Magazine Street. While walking this six-mile street, you will cross the Garden District, follow the path of the Mississippi River (which will show you why NOLA is often called the “Crescent City”, pass many fun restaurants, and end at Audubon Park. You will see a variety of fun shops and restaurants, including bookstores, unique clothing stores, a local souvenir shop, and more. 

Go To The Audubon Park and the Audubon Zoo. The park is along the river and offers beautiful walking or biking paths, playgrounds, trails and picnic areas. The zoo itself is home to a diverse range of animals from around the world, including elephants, giraffes, gorillas, and exotic birds. Visitors can also enjoy animal feedings, live shows, and interactive exhibits, providing an educational and entertaining experience for children. Don’t forget to walk through Jaguar Jungle! 

Visit the Audubon Aquarium. Consistently ranked as one of the best aquariums in the United States, you will find a variety of interactive activities, an up-close look within Shark Discovery, an underwater tunnel, lots of information about the local ecosystems, and their new Audubon Insectarium with a butterfly garden. 

Explore the French Quarter. This is a given as its one of the most popular reasons to visit NOLA, it is also the center of so many things. You can tour this area or walk around and find things yourself, either would be a good time. There are a lot of things to do all around Jackson Square, and plenty of things to see. My best advice would be to take your time wandering. Start by the St Louis Cathedral and make your way around the square. 

You are likely to find great music, a lively environment and beautifully decorated shops and homes. It feels like you have either gone back in time or were transported to Europe. The walk along Royal Street or Chartres Street is great. 

Go To Louis Armstrong Park. The public park honoring jazz legend Louis Armstrong is located just steps away from the French Quarter. It features an iconic arched entrance. Inside, visitors can explore Congo Square, a historic meeting place for slaves in the 1800s, as well as sculptures, duck ponds, and plenty of open spaces for relaxation.

Go To The French Market. The market is directly in the French Quarter and has 6 blocks of vendors. The market is open daily from 10-6pm and is home to a flea market as well as restaurants, fun events, and shopping. 

Have Dessert from Café Du Monde. A must visit for everyone but especially families traveling to New Orleans! Grab their famous beignets and a coffee. If you can’t find a seat at the cafe, there should be seating nearby along the riverwalk. 

Bourbon Street. The reason most adults visit New Orleans is that it is still worth a quick walk with older kids. 

Take advantage of free tours. Free Tours on Foot deserves its own mention because it offers many walking tours. You can use them in many of the areas mentioned in this post (Garden District, French Quarter) or you can sign-up for a tour of the plantations, cemeteries and a few other options. It’s all for tips, so keep that in mind. The tour guides are very informative and want everyone to have a great time while exploring their home city. 

Ride the streetcar. Not many cities have streetcars, so I think you should give it a try when you have the chance! The St Charles Avenue Streetcar is the oldest operated streetcar in the world, and it’s an inexpensive experience for less than $2 per person. It is also a great way to get around town with various stops in many location. Unfortunately, we were visiting on a very busy weekend, so the street car was packed, but we still went for a ride and went from downtown to the Garden District.

Walk through the cemeteries or book a cemetery tour. This is one of those creepy-cool kinds of things. Yes, these are real cemeteries, but they are so unique and different…and above ground, that it’s a must-do in NOLA. The graves are above ground because the sea level is already so low, which is very eery as you walk in and out of the rows.

Bike to City Park. This is a bit of a ride, but it’s worth it and you will feel like you have left the city. One of my favorite ways to experience a new place is to rent a bike and go for a ride. We rode directly along Canal Street which was perfect. City Park is huge, and you will pass some very cool places on your way as well. You can go for a boat ride, explore museums, have a picnic or just bike around. 

Within City Park you will find lots of attractions!

• Go for a boat ride
• Explore museums: The New Orleans Museum of Art is renowned for its extraordinary collection of French and American art. Visitors can appreciate works by renowned artists such as Degas, Monet, Picasso, and many others. And The Louisiana Children’s Museum is a vibrant and interactive space designed to provide hands-on activities and exhibits for children of all ages. The museum aims to inspire learning through play, featuring engaging exhibits that focus on topics such as health and wellness, literacy, and the environment. With a focus on interactive and educational experiences, the museum is a popular destination for families and school groups alike.
• Visit the New Orleans Botanical Garden
• Go to the Carousel Gardens amusement park has fun attractions for the whole family. While it isn’t a large theme park, it’s a fun way to add something different to the family trip. You can ride the ferris wheel, take a train ride and more! 
• Play golf at Bayou Oaks
• Take your dog to NOLA City Bark 
• See the Pelican Greenhouse
• View the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
• Play disc golf 
• Play a round of putt-putt 
• Enjoy the multiple playgrounds
• Go to the City Park location of Cafe Du Monde

Take a swamp tour. The swamp tour is a little bit outside of the New Orleans area, but something worth it if you can book a tour. The four of us drove to the swamp location and departed for our 2 hour tour. We saw several gators, big and small, visited other beautiful locations by boat, and learned a lot about the wildlife and water in the area. 

Go on a Boat Ride on the Mississippi River. There are many options for beautiful tours along the river to see the city from another angle.

Go to Mardi Gras World. New Orleans offers a behind-the-scenes look at the elaborate and colorful world of Mardi Gras. This unique facility is where many of the magnificent floats, costumes, and props used in the iconic Mardi Gras parades are designed, created by local artists, and stored. Visitors to Mardi Gras World have the opportunity to take guided tours through the working studios, where skilled artists and craftsmen bring the spectacular Mardi Gras floats to life. The tour provides insight into the intricate process of float building and costume design, offering a close-up view of the detailed craftsmanship and artistry involved in this centuries-old tradition.

Mardi Gras World also offers a hands-on experience for visitors, allowing them to try on Mardi Gras costumes, pose for photos with props, and even participate in interactive activities that provide a deeper understanding of the artistry behind Mardi Gras celebrations.

EAT. I have already done an entire post on where to eat in New Orleans, but it is such a huge part of the experience that I needed to mention it again. If you want to see where I recommend eating, check out this post.

Visit the NOLA Brewing Co. This counts as something to do, as well as where to eat, because they have both options. We walked from the Garden District and stopped in for some beer flights. There were various board games, drinking games and regular games, it was a really cool space and they had a great variety of brews to chose from. You can even sign-up for a tour if you would like.

Go to the National World War II Museum. The exhibits and educational experience are great for everyone, including kids of all ages. It’s somber but important history to understand. A great rainy day activity! 

Experience a Ghost Tour. If this is your thing, New Orleans is known for its haunted history and offers several ghost tours suitable for families with kids. These tours provide a unique way to learn about the city’s paranormal past while being entertaining and not overly frightening for children.

One popular option is the Ghost Tour in the French Quarter, which allows families to wander through the historic streets of the French Quarter and listen to intriguing tales of ghosts, vampires, and other supernatural phenomena. The tour is designed to be fun and interactive for kids, with engaging storytelling that captures their imagination without being too scary. 

Walk down Frenchman Street. This one is great if you have older kids. You will see a great mix of live music, fun things to see, and good people watching in this area. We liked taking this walk before we headed to Bourbon Street for the night. Stop somewhere for a drink, and grab dinner in this area. 

When To Visit New Orleans

If you want to participate in the lively Mardi Gras event- see the parades and participate in the Bourbon Street festivities, you will want to look into the timing during the year of your visit, it often takes place in February or March. It’s not the most family-friendly event though, so I may suggest going either a bit later into the spring (May) or early fall (October). The weather willhelp you beat the summer heat and it will be slightly less crowded. – Mardi Gras: A world-famous carnival celebration featuring parades, music, and vibrant costumes.

Look into the local festivals and events:

• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: A major cultural event with live music, food, and crafts celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage.
• French Quarter Festival: A free music festival featuring a wide array of music styles, food, and fun in the historic French Quarter.
• Essence Festival: A celebration of African American culture and music, featuring performances by top artists and empowering speakers.
• Voodoo Music + Arts Experience: An annual music and arts festival that takes place in City Park, showcasing a diverse lineup of performers.
• New Orleans Film Festival: A showcase of independent films, documentaries, and shorts from around the world, held at various venues in the city.
• Tales of the Cocktail: An annual gathering of the international spirits and cocktail community, featuring seminars, tastings, and special events.
• New Orleans Oyster Festival: A celebration of Louisiana’s unique oyster culture, featuring live music, cooking demos, and, of course, plenty of oysters.
• Satchmo SummerFest: A festival honoring the life and music of jazz legend Louis Armstrong, with live music, seminars, and a traditional jazz mass.

How To Tour The City

• Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour for 2 or 3 days. I love the option of a hop-on, hop-off bus as it helps you get around the town, you can see sights from the second floor of the bus, and they usually provide transportation for a few days.
• Buy an Attraction Pass. Get admission into 25+ attractions with one ticket. A great way to travel, see the attractions and save money!

Things To Do in New Orleans with Kids – A Summary

If you like to save a quick view of all things to do for the entire family, this bulleted list is for you! 

• Walk the Garden District
• Explore Magazine Street
• Take a Streetcar Ride
• Go to the Audubon Zoo
• Explore the French Quarter 
• Go to the French Market
• Get biengets from Cafe Du Monde
• Go to City Park (you could nearly spend a whole day here!)
• See the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
• Take a Swamp Tour
• See Mardi Gras World 
• Experience a festival or event 

In summary, New Orleans is a fantastic destination for families with kids. From exploring the rich history and diverse culture to visiting beautiful parks and interactive museums and enjoying delicious food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re strolling through the Garden District, exploring the French Quarter, or indulging in the famous beignets at Café Du Monde, New Orleans offers a wealth of family-friendly activities and experiences. The city’s vibrant atmosphere and welcoming spirit make it an ideal place for creating unforgettable memories with loved ones. So, pack your bags and get ready to immerse yourself in the unique charm of the Big Easy on your next family adventure!