New Orleans with Kids: A Family Guide to the Best Activities
By Matt Cuckston, Founder & Travel Technology Expert at TixLayer
Travelling with children does not have to mean sacrificing great experiences. In fact, some of the best things to do in New Orleans are perfectly suited to families, offering a mix of history, outdoor adventure, live music, and food that children genuinely enjoy. Whether you are visiting with a curious five-year-old or a teenager who thinks they have seen it all, this city has a way of surprising everyone. Here is your practical, no-stress guide to making the most of a family trip.
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1. Ride the Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River
Best for ages: 3 and up
There are few experiences more memorable than watching your child's face as a genuine steam-powered paddleboat pulls away from the dock. The Steamboat Natchez Harbour Cruise is a fantastic daytime option for families, offering stunning views of the riverfront and live jazz music on board. The open deck is wide and safe, and the 2-hour format works well for younger attention spans. For families with older children (ages 8 and up), the New Orleans Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise adds a dinner option and a magical sunset atmosphere. Strollers can be left at the dock entrance, and staff are genuinely helpful with young passengers.
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2. Explore The National WWII Museum
Best for ages: 7 and up
This is one of the most impressive museums in the entire United States, and it handles a serious subject in a way that is accessible, emotional, and age-appropriate for older children and teenagers. The National WWII Museum Campus Pass plus 4-D Film is the best value option for families, combining full campus access with an immersive 4-D film experience that kids tend to talk about long after the visit. Plan for at least three hours. There are rest areas throughout, a good café on site, and wide accessible pathways throughout the campus. For tweens and teens with a growing interest in history, this is genuinely one of the top experiences available.
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3. Play the French Quarter Exploration Game
Best for ages: 6 and up
Getting kids engaged with a neighbourhood walk can be a challenge, but the Historic Tour of New Orleans French Quarter in an Exploration Game turns sightseeing into an adventure. This self-guided activity works through a smartphone app and sends your family on a scavenger-hunt-style journey through one of the most architecturally interesting neighbourhoods in America. Children love having a mission, and parents love that it moves at your own pace. You can pause for a beignet at Café Du Monde, find a shady bench when energy dips, and pick back up whenever you are ready. Stroller-friendly on most routes.
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4. Walk the Garden District
Best for ages: 4 and up
The Garden District is one of the most beautiful and walkable neighbourhoods in New Orleans, lined with grand antebellum mansions, enormous oak trees, and colourful gardens. The New Orleans Garden District Self-Guided Walking Tour lets families explore at their own pace, which is essential when travelling with children. Wide pavements make it easy with a stroller, and the shaded streets offer welcome relief on warmer days. Point out the intricate ironwork, the quirky garden sculptures, and the occasional cat lounging on a porch. Older children who enjoy architecture or history will find plenty to photograph.
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5. Visit Audubon Zoo
Best for ages: 3 and up
Audubon Zoo is a perennial favourite for families and one of the most respected zoos in the South. Set within Audubon Park, it features Louisiana swamp exhibits, white tigers, sea lions, and a dedicated children's play area. The park surrounding the zoo is perfect for a post-visit wind-down, with open lawns where children can run freely. Pack a picnic or grab food from one of the on-site cafés. Stroller rentals are available at the entrance, and the layout is manageable even for the youngest visitors. Budget around three to four hours for a relaxed visit.
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6. Take a Small-Group City Tour by Van
Best for ages: 5 and up
When feet are tired and the sun is high, a New Orleans Small-Group City Tour by Van is a brilliant way to cover a lot of ground without wearing anyone out. Small-group tours mean your guide has time to engage with curious kids, answer questions, and keep the energy up. You will pass through multiple neighbourhoods, hear stories about the city's history, and get a great orientation for the rest of your trip. Air-conditioned comfort is a genuine bonus during summer months.
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7. Enjoy a Jazz Brunch
Best for ages: 4 and up
New Orleans is famous for its food, and introducing children to that culture early is part of the fun. A New Orleans Jazz Brunch is a relaxed, welcoming experience where live music plays while you eat. Most venues are family-friendly during brunch hours, and the music is upbeat and joyful rather than late-night intense. Children are often captivated by live instruments up close. It is also a natural nap-prep activity: a full meal, gentle music, and a slower pace before an afternoon rest back at the hotel.
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8. Discover the Insectarium and Butterfly Garden
Best for ages: 3 and up
Housed inside the Audubon Nature Institute, the Insectarium is one of the most unexpectedly wonderful stops for children of all ages. The butterfly garden alone is worth the visit, a warm, enclosed space where hundreds of live butterflies land on visitors. Younger children are wide-eyed throughout, while older kids tend to gravitate toward the more educational exhibits on insect biology and ecosystems. It is compact enough for a two-hour visit and pairs well with a morning at the nearby aquarium.
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9. Spend Time at City Park
Best for ages: 3 and up
City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and an essential stop for families who need space to breathe. It includes Storyland, a fairy-tale-themed play area with storybook characters, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park with a restored antique carousel, paddle boats on the lagoons, and wide open lawns under ancient oak trees. It is completely free to enter the park itself, with small fees for individual attractions. This is also one of the best spots in the city for a family picnic and a genuine mid-trip recharge.
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Practical Family Tips for New Orleans
Getting around: The St. Charles Streetcar is a fun and affordable way to travel between the Garden District and Downtown. Most streetcars accommodate folded strollers. Rideshare apps are widely available for longer journeys with car seats (bring your own for younger children).
Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for families. Summer is hot and humid, so plan outdoor activities for mornings and keep afternoons indoors or near water.
Food for kids: Beyond beignets and po'boys, most restaurants in New Orleans are welcoming to families. Look for spots with outdoor seating in the French Quarter and Garden District, which tend to be more relaxed for children.
Nap strategy: Build in a mid-afternoon hotel break, especially for children under six. The city is best enjoyed slowly, and a rested child makes for a much happier evening.
Booking ahead: Popular attractions fill up quickly, especially during festivals and school holidays. The Go City New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass is worth considering for families planning multiple activities, as it covers more than 25 attractions and can offer significant savings over individual ticket prices.
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New Orleans rewards families who come with curiosity and a relaxed pace. The city's culture, food, music, and history are genuinely accessible to children when you plan thoughtfully, and the memories you make here tend to be the kind that stick. Take it one neighbourhood at a time, follow your children's energy, and enjoy every moment of it.
