Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids

3/20/2023

Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids: Best Family-Friendly Attractions

New Orleans, with its vibrant culture, rich history, and lively atmosphere, is not just a destination for adults seeking musical and culinary adventures but also a fantastic city for families. Though I don't particularly recommend walking down Bourbon Street on a Saturday night with kids, New Orleans offers a diverse range of experiences that make it an ideal destination for a memorable family trip.

Check out our favorite things to do in New Orleans with Kids.

Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog

Marvin and Emmett in New Orleans

fun Transportation Options

1. Ride the StreetCar

An inexpensive way to see the city (and get where you need to go) is to make use of the famous New Orleans streetcars. The Canal Street line features the bright red trolley cars that are popular in New Orleans photos.

Tip: Download the Le Pass app and choose the appropriate unlimited ride. It works for street cars, buses, and the ferry.

2. Ride the Ferry

New Orleans Ferry

Another inexpensive way to see the city is on the ferry. Take the ferry from the Canal Street Ferry Terminal over to Algiers Point and back (and check out Algiers Point while you're over there. More on that below!).

3. Take a tour of the French Quarter in a mule-drawn Carriage

One of the highlights of our New Orleans adventure with my parents was a carriage ride around the French Quarter. Emmett loved petting our sweet mule Daisy both before and after our tour.

4. Splurge on a River Cruise

Opportunities abound for fun on the mighty Mississippi! Cruise on one of the riverboats, like the New Orleans or the Creole Queen.

Museums and Amusements

5. Visit the Aquarium

Though it is currently closed for renovations, the aquarium is set to re-open this summer (2023), and is a great way for kids to learn about sea creatures while marveling at all the colors and sizes of the aquatic animals.

Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; WW2 Museum; World War 2 Museum

World War 2 Museum, New Orleans

6. Explore the WW2 Museum

Even my toddler loved the museum. Wheels! But kids of all ages can engage with the videos and exhibits while learning about an important part of history. The museum is huge, so give yourself enough time to see it all.

7. See the Animals

Visit the Audubon Zoo and say "hi" to the orangutans, leopards, cranes, and more!

8. Discover New Things at the Children's Museum

Your littles will love the Louisiana Children's Museum! With so many things to play with, discover, and explore, this is the perfect morning or afternoon activity with the family.

9. Observe the Musical Sculptures

Check out the musical sculptures at Music Box Village.

10. Enjoy the Fine Arts

Explore the New Orleans Museum of Art with your kids to see 2D and 3D works of art, and don't miss the Besthoff Sculpture Garden!

11. Experience NOLA's Mardi Gras History

Your kids will love the former Mardi Gras floats at Mardi Gras World! They may even see some of their favorite characters!

12. Snack and Shop at Baldwin & Co.

You and your book-loving kids will both love this bookstore cafe. Enjoy a coffee and pastry and find your next great reads at Baldwin & Co.!

Delicious, Historical, and Quirky Walking Tours

13. Join a Cemetery Tour

Family-friendly ghost tours? Yup! Your older kids may find a cemetery tour quirky and cool - though admittedly a bit macabre. But hey, it's New Orleans!

Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; EAT!

Beignets and Cafe au Lait

14. Taste New Orleans with a food tour

Dive into New Orleans' rich food scene with tastes of Cajun and Creole cuisines, plus beignets and more!

15. See Historical Homes

Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; see one of many historic homes in the Garden District of New Orleans

Garden District, New Orleans

Enjoy the peacefulness of the Garden District, where you will learn the history of the homes and their former owners.

16. Learn the history of Algiers Point

Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; Algiers Point walking tour

Algiers Point, New Orleans

Choose from three self-guided walking tours of Algiers Point that are curated by the Algiers Point Historical Society. "Historic Algiers" takes you past historical homes, churches, and other points of interest, while the "Over da River" and "Brooklyn of the South" Jazz Tours point out famous homes and venues of New Orleans' best jazz musicians.

17. Take a Family-Friendly Ghost Tour

Yes, it's actually a thing! Only in NOLA (maybe) can you take a family-friendly ghost tour.

Outdoor Activities

Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; walk along the Mississippi River and see the riverboats and other vessels

Views of the Mississippi River and the New Orleans riverboat

18. Enjoy views of the River

Walk along the Mississippi River in Crescent Park and Woldenberg Park for fresh air and beautiful views. Your young kids will love watching the passing ships and boats.

19. Explore Other Parks

New Orleans features a number of green parks. Get some fresh air and have a picnic at one of many parks like Audubon Park, New Orleans City Park, Louis Armstrong Park, or Washington Square.

New Orleans Events

20. Attend the Satchmo Summerfest

Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids by exquisitEXPLORATIONS Travel Blog; attend Satchmo Summerfest

The one-and-only Louis Armstrong

Your little music lovers will enjoy this family-friendly music festival that coincides with Louis Armstrong's birthday in August.

21. Take in an Event at the Superdome

Officially the home of the New Orleans Saints, and currently called the Caesars Superdome, the Superdome also hosts major events throughout the year, like the Beyonce concert coming up in September.

22. Catch Jazzfest

Every year the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation organizes JazzFest, a time of culture and heritage, food and fun, and most of all music.

Food!

Eggs Benedict Trio and Fried Green Tomatoes at Ruby Slipper Cafe, New Orleans

The New Orleans food scene is truly unlike any other. Enjoy New Orleans staples like red beans and rice, seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, alligator bites, shrimp po'boys, muffalettas, pralines, and of course, beignets! You can also enjoy other Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and fried green tomatoes. Whether you opt for beignets from the famous Café du Monde or the slightly-less-touristy and oh-so-tasty Cafe Beignet, your sugary treats await!

Shopping

23. French Quarter Market

Visit the French Quarter Market for inexpensive souvenirs, snacks, and other trinkets. From magnets to Christmas ornaments, hats and cute gift items, you're sure to find something unique at the French Market.

24. Jackson Square

Local artists line the sidewalks around Jackson Square peddling their art. From original paintings on salvaged slate or wood to canvas prints and many other pieces, you and your kids will marvel at this vibrant New Orleans art scene. While you're there, get pictures of the iconic St. Louis Cathedral!

Before you go to New Orleans, watch The Princess and the Frog. Talk about the foods you'll eat and the places you'll go. Then enjoy your trip to NOLA!

If you have extra time and you feel like venturing out of the city, take a swamp tour or drive across the Lake Ponchartrain Causeway (the longest continuous bridge in the world at 24 miles in length) and head to Covington, one of my favorite cute little towns in Louisiana for some shopping and dining at independently-owned stores and restaurants.

Adventures in the Big Easy await your whole family so prepare for family fun in Crescent City for your next family vacation.