New Orleans, Louisiana Family Attractions You Must Experience

Dubbed “The Big Easy” and “The Most Interesting City in America” depending on your viewpoint, New Orleans family attractions will not disappoint. This charming Southern belle boasts a culture that is truly unique. The music is inspiring, the cuisine is to die for. It’s the only place as famous for its Mardi Gras parties and vibrant multi-ethnic culture, as for its jazz and other musial genres. Regardless of what you choose, it is a must-see American city.

For more information on family-friendly attractions in NOLA, visit New Orleans & Company and check out FTF’s review of New Orleans’ top kid-welcoming hotels.

New Orleans Family Attractions For Little Kids (to age 8)

For more information on family-friendly attractions in NOLA, visit New Orleans & Company and check out FTF’s review of New Orleans’ top kid-welcoming hotels.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

1 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/861-2537
The refreshed Audubon Aquarium of the Americas downtown is hailed as one of the top five aquariums in America. More than 3,600 animals from more than 250 species, including African penguins and rare white alligators, are sure to impress all ages. See the 30-foot-long Caribbean reef tunnel and the Amazon Rainforest. Then, say hello to some of the many animals who’ve been rescued by the zoo. This aquarium drills down to marinelife from the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, so you can meet sea turtles like King Mydas, who lives in the Gulf of Mexico tank. The penguin exhibit and IMAX Theatre are very popular too.

Louisiana Children’s Museum

City Park New Orleans
15 Henry Thomas Drive
New Orleans, LA 70124
504/523-1357
LCM’s new 8.5-acre campus in City Park has indoor and outdoor exhibits next to a beautiful lagoon. Young children will love the hands-on, educational activities which appear throughout. At the Dig Into Nature space, look closely at the local wetlands. Move with the River and Outdoors Adventures focus on Louisiana’s ecology and eenvironment. Make art, play with baby in a multi-sensory space and find out where food comes from, how it is prepared and where it goes. Admission for tinies under-12-months is free; adults must accompany anyone under 18. There are twice monthly sensory friendly playtimes. Several other programs, including yoga, storytime, fitness, gardening and more take place each week.

French Market

1101 N. Peters St.
New Orleans, LA  70116
Originally a Native American trading post dating to 1791, the well-maintained French Market doesn’t much feel like authentic New Orleans. However, the touristy, open-air crafts and goods market is easier to navigate with young children than the surrounding French Quarter. Shop for souvenirs ranging from T-shirts to Mardi Gras beads, African masks to beaded water bottles. Look for snack bars and eateries, from countertops to sit down places. Since 1862, Cafe du Monde has been famous for its beignets and coffee, and operates 24/7 at the corner of Jackson Square. There’s a fun farmers market on Wednesday and Saturday and a daily flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue. Dutch Alley is home to art galleries and the visitors center of the New Orleans Jazz National Park. Kids will enjoy watching sightseeing boats, mega cruise ships, freighters, and riverboats pass by on the Mississippi.

City Park Conservancy Botanical Garden

5 Victory Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70124
504/483-9402
Wander the lush gardens and touch the drooping Spanish moss in City Park, then enjoy over 2,000 varieties of plants in the Botanical Gardens. (Closed Monday, kids under 3 free.) Regular events include twilight concerts, educational programs, a big Voodoo Fest Halloween celebration and plant sales. A favorite family space is the New Orleans Historic Train Garden (open Saturday and Sunday) where G-gauge streetcars and freight trains run through a model of the city’s neighborhoods and landmarks. Older kids and families can join their Super Saturdays program (first Saturday of the month) as volunteer gardeners. Families in need of a break will appreciate several cafes, plus City Park’s amusement park, playgrounds, boat rentals, and a storyland. Don’t miss a walk through the New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture’s 12-acre Besthoff Sculpture Garden; kids will enjoy seeing the huge artworks.

New Orleans Family Attractions For Older Kids (8-16)

Among all the New Orleans family sights and activities, kids really respond to the wild street entertainment and intriguing tours of the city’s dark history. This city didn’t earn the nickname “Devil’s Empire” for nothing.

Homes In The Historic New Orleans Collection

520 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/523-4662
Anyone with an appreciation for beautiful things will love the restored French Quarter’s southern homes in the Historic New Orleans Collection. Visit one of the HNOC buildings on the famous Royal Street to see temporary art, photography and music exhibits in the context of a historically accurate, restored home. The second floor of the Merieult House, ca 1792, houses the Louisiana History Galleries with a world-class collection of maps and documents. Be sure to visit the Williams Residence, an 18th-century home that has been largely untouched since the 1940s, where Tennessee Williams wrote some stories. Download their app for a free walking tour of the French Quarter. Free admission; closed Monday

The National World War II Museum

945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/528-19

It may surprise some that this is New Orleans’ most visited site! Designated by Congress as the nation’s official WWII Museum in 2004, it has grown into one of the country’s most impressive museums. Collections of important cultural artifacts of the 1940’s, soldiers’ memorabilia, and some of WWII’s most haunting images tell the personal stories of those who fought. Start at the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion and hear veterans interviewed while watching film footage related to their experiences. The 60-minute introductory film, “Beyond Boundaries,” is a thoughtful look at the causes of WWII and America’s entry into the fight. Proceed through each building.

Don’t miss the powerful European Theater: Road to Berlin Gallery, a multimedia extravaganza brings the Allies’ march from north Africa, through Italy and into France to life with vivid film clips, actual Howitzers and Army Jeeps, and an exhibit that envelops you in desert, snow, forest and mountain as you slog with the troops through changing battlegrounds. The Pacific Theater: Road to Tokyo is just as compelling, but the more violent nature of that conflict is more suitable for older kids. There is a very kid-friendly exhibit of WWII era aircraft in the U.S. Freedom Pavilion: Boeing Center.

Tips on Visiting The WWII Museum And Engaging Kids In The Material

• Take advantage of the visiting vets and young docents who run weekend activities to engage children.
• Book a themed guided tour to get the most from each exhibit.
• Dine at the retro Soda Shop or the Stage Door Canteen (a very fun, free movie plays there about celebrities’ role in the war effort with the USO).

Confederate Memorial Hall Museum

929 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/523-4522
Memorial Hall, located in the Arts District opposite the WWII Museum, has the second largest collection of Confederate memorabilia from the Civil War period in the world. All members of the family are sure to find something that interests them in the thousands of Confederate artifacts. Popular attractions include Confederate soldier uniforms, personal belongings, guns and swords, battle flags, paintings, and photographs. Be sure to see exhibits about Confederate President Jefferson Davis, who was placed at Memorial Hall after his death. During a day and a half, more than 60,000 people came to pay their respects.

Magazine Street

Spanning 6 miles east to west, from Canal Street to Audubon Park, Magazine Street is a shopper’s paradise. Stroll past ornate Victorian architecture and one-story brick storefronts to discover the heart of NOLA. Browse unique antique shops and vintage clothing stores. Take a painting class at a gallery. Sample the delicious bakeries, sidewalk cafes, po’boy shops and interesting people.  It’s great for a family stroll (or get a one-day unlimited bus / trolley pass), but make sure mom and dad watch their wallets. Ask around about the best current shops as things change all the time.

New Orleans Fun Attractions For The Whole Family

New Orleans, straddling the mouth of the Mississippi River, can be as tame or as wild as your taste prefers.

French Quarter

The most famous neighborhood in New Orleans, the French Quarter was first settled in 1718.  Now a National Historic Landmark, these 78 square-blocks are a great place to spend the afternoon. Stroll down famous Bourbon Street, named for the French royalty and not the liquor, until saloons began opening up there in the 1870s. This strip, known for its crazy bachelorette parties and drinking establishments, has beautiful architecture that shouldn’t be missed. (May be too raucous at night for some families.) Tour Jackson Square, where you’ll often see live music in the park. The former Jax Brewery is now a shopping complex. Watch pralines being handmade from fresh pecans at Aunt Sally’s Pralines. Finally, stop by Café du Monde (worth mentioning twice!) for some famous tasty beignets. Even though tourists line up, locals know to walk right in, grab a table and ask waiters to bring it on.

Louisiana State Museum & Historic French Quarter Sites For The Family

Plan on studying French Quarter history with its distinguished past. Drop into the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continually open cathedral in the US. The Cabildo, Colonial New Orleans’ old city hall, is the site of the official signing of the Louisiana Purchase. The nearby Presbytere once housed Capuchin monks, became a courthouse, and joined the Louisiana State Museum in 1911. Stop in for a fascinating exhibit about Hurricane Katrina and a fun look at the history of Mardi Gras. (Closed Monday and state holidays; kids 6 and under are free.) By the way, the New Orleans Jazz Museum, a research collection with frequent live performances, is located in the old Mint Building at 400 Esplanade Avenue near Frenchmen’s Street. Music fans will love their deep dive exhibits about the artists, instruments and culture that make jazz the city’s most vibrant musical genre.

Audubon Park and Zoo

6500 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
800/774-7394, 504/581-4629
Audubon Park is a peaceful oasis with lagoons, golf and tennis facilities, and a running/walking path. Look for the stables, a public pool, cafe, as well as three large playgrounds where the kids are bound to make new friends. The park is home to one of the top ranked zoos in the U.S, the flagship of the Audubon Nature Institute with animals from all over the world. Within the Audubon Zoo, the whole family can meet an endangered whooping crane and experience other closeup animal encounters (for a fee). Visit unique habitats such as the Louisiana Swamp and the Jaguar Jungle. All ages love Cool Zoo, a separate, kid-focused part of the zoo with a Splash Park with slides and squirters, and Gator Run, a great lazy river and sandy beach play area with chaises, lifeguards and the smell of sunblock. Note that several of the attractions require separate admission.

Preservation Hall

726 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
504/522-2841
This renowned, multi-faceted music venue is located in the heart of the French Quarter. The building dates to 1750, but was opened as a music venue in 1961 for the purpose of honoring and preserving New Orlean’s jazz heritage. It still operates as a spartan performance center and record label. The Hall’s namesake Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs all around the world, introducing others to the jazz of New Orleans. All ages can enjoy enjoy a casual, 45-minute jazz performance by artists young and old (some into their 70’s and 80’s) at prices from $25. Open seven days a week with three or four shows nightly.

Mardi Gras World

1380 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70130
866/307-7026
If you thought Mardi Gras was celebrated only in February, experience the fun of Carnival any day of the year at Mardi Gras World. Operated by Blaine Kern Studios, one of the premiere sculpture and float designers for the annual parades down Bourbon Street since 1947, Mardi Gras World invites guests to walk among the glamorous costumes and floats of this cultural event. Kids can watch the masters of sculpture and float design who make the parade a visual masterpiece. Mardi Gras World is open 7 days a week for hour-long tours.

New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park

419 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504/589-3882
Jazz, a combination of blues, gospel and ragtime genres mixed with improvisation, was born in New Orleans. And at this National Park’s visitor’s center, families have the perfect home base to explore the art form in its birthplace. There are Ranger-led demonstrations, walks and video documentaries. Groups can even take a self-guided audio tour of the surrounding area to learn more about jazz history. And the best part: free live jazz performances five days a week (check the website for official schedule). Kids will also love the live music workshops. Plus, they even have the opportunity to become JAZZ Junior Rangers during their visit.

Organized Sightseeing Tours Of New Orleans

Almost two decades have passed since Hurricane Katrina, but visitors are still fascinated by the storm which caused legendary flooding. Of course, there are several other aspects of New Orleans and its family attractions that may be more accessible for your clan on a guided tour. If so, read on.

French Quarter Ghost Tours

718 N. Rampart Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
504/666-8300
For a fun-filled experience, take a Haunted History Tour through historic New Orleans by day or night. Well-trained guides offer themed tours based on crime, music, hauntings, New Orleans scandals, and more. But a visit to New Orleans would not be complete without a true ghost tour. Since its founding, New Orleans has suffered numerous incidents of disease, mayhem, destruction, and death, and it seems that almost every building has its own haunting story. Learn where the expressions “Saved by the bell” and “Dead Ringer” come from! If your family enjoys thrills, take in either the “Ghosts & Vampires” or the “Saints & Sinners” tours (adults only on this one) and see who can spot the living dead. Each tour leaves from a different location, so check the company’s website for details. Reservations are required for all tours.

FreeWheelin Bike Tours

325 Burgundy Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
504/324-8257
The family-owned and operated FreeWheelin puts on a great ride through a very flat city. New, fat tire bikes and helmets (some smaller bikes available but tours are geared to ages 12+ only) go out in guided groups of 12 to see neighborhoods and life beyond the French Quarter. Our guide, Aunt Laura, was outstanding in her knowledge of the city, her candor about its faults, and her passion for living there. A must with tweens and older family members. Note they also rent bikes by the hour.

Guided Bus Tours Of Family Attractions: Katrina And More

Viator offers several options for an up-close look into the destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina, as well as recovery efforts. Learn about and see the Army Corps of Engineers’ work and the ongoing environmental efforts. Most tours stop at a breached levee and several neighborhoods, such as the Ninth Ward. Within the city itself, families can choose bus tours among the stops featured on the Hop On-Hop Off bus tours.

New Orleans Kid-Friendly Activities: Swamp And Bayou Tours

Much of the region’s bayou life shifted in relation to the flood waters stirred by Katrina, which deposited a new mix of salt and fresh water along the canals. See it with Air Boat Tours — so noisy that all the passengers must wear headphones like they do in the Everglades. The warm, moist breeze generated by our 30mph view of the swamps was welcome but we saw little wildlife.

Viator has options for air boat tours as well as quieter, slower swamp tours to look for alligators. Dress the gang up and go out for lunch or dinner Mississippi River cruises on the big paddlewheelers.

Family Day Trips From New Orleans To The Plantations

Consider a daytrip down River Road to see some of the top family attractions on a plantation tour. Favorites are Oak Alley, where films ranging from Olivia de Havilland’s Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte to Tom Cruise’s Interview with the Vampire were shot. The restaurant and cemetery tour there are highly recommended, but you will probably have to wait in line for admittance.

Nearby is Laura Plantation, close enough to be visited in the same day. This was a Creole Plantation with a fascinating history and intact slave quarters. Its history is well told on guided tours available from 10am to 4pm daily.

Film and Margaret Mitchell buffs will want to drive farther to Nottoway, the lovely plantation where Gone With The Wind was filmed. The South’s largest antebellum mansion, it retains slave quarters and some original out buildings. Beautifully restored luxury rooms with modern amenities are available to rent tithin the main mansion, cottages, garden house and carriage house.