Our previous guides on Charleston with kids and Palm Springs with kids generated requests for more family-friendly travel ideas, so here’s a recap of our three-night trip to New Orleans. It was our first time visiting The Big Easy and we were pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and accessible the city felt for families. New Orleans isn’t just Bourbon Street and beads — it’s full of music, history, parks, and kid-friendly discoveries. Below we share where we stayed, what we did with our 8- and 12-year-olds (and our chihuahua), and what’s on our list for next time.
We visited for three nights in November 2022. Because our kids were elementary and middle-school aged, the activities described here are geared toward older children — younger kids would likely enjoy spots like the Louisiana Children’s Museum and Storyland, too.
Table of Contents
Toggle
Why Vacation In New Orleans With Kids?
New Orleans stands out for its blend of French, Spanish, and African influences, a vibrant music scene, distinctive architecture, and a lively food culture. For families it offers parks, museums, street performers, and engaging experiences — from ghost stories to hands-on aquariums — that make it feel like a destination apart from typical American cities.
Living in the Florida Panhandle made New Orleans an easy drive for us, and positive recommendations from friends nudged it to the top of our list. It delivered on the charm and variety we’d heard about.
When To Visit New Orleans
Mardi Gras season (February–March) draws the biggest crowds, but for a more relaxed family trip we visited in November. Late fall helps avoid summer’s heat and humidity and often brings festive holiday decorations. During our stay we had one rainy, cooler day, but the weather improved and by the trip’s end we were back in shorts. For warmer fall weather consider September or October.
Where We Stayed In New Orleans
We prefer walkable neighborhoods, so we stayed in an artsy Airbnb in Uptown near the Garden District, right on Magazine Street. That spot put restaurants, shops, and parks within easy walking distance and offered quick streetcar or short drive access to the French Quarter.
The Airbnb was colorful with murals and bold wallpaper. Our kids enjoyed the hallway whiteboard and we appreciated that the place was dog-friendly. Bedrooms facing Magazine Street can pick up some street noise, so a sound machine may help light sleepers, but overall it was comfortable and well-located.
We loved being close to Magazine Street, the Garden District, St. Charles Avenue, and Audubon Park. The architecture alone could keep you entertained for hours. Next time we’ll likely stay in a similar area between St. Charles and Magazine Street — we just enjoy trying different local homes.
What We Did In New Orleans With Kids
We lean toward relaxed travel—wandering between meals and sights—rather than packing in a strict itinerary. Over three days we enjoyed walking, people-watching, and a few must-see family attractions. Highlights and kid-friendly activities are summarized below.
Walk & Window Shop On Magazine Street
Magazine Street stretches for miles and is packed with independent shops and dining. We strolled an evening and a morning, stopping at shops that charmed the kids. A memorable stop was a colorful art supply shop with a wall of pens and markers that captivated our child.
We also explored a nearly 200-year-old locksmith shop filled with antique locks and architectural salvage that fascinated the whole family, especially a bin of tiny novelty keys.
Other fun stops included an independent record store and a secondhand shop that sparked our daughter’s interest in thrift shopping.
Explore The Garden District
The neighborhoods near St. Charles Avenue and the Garden District are ideal for wandering. Charming homes, tucked bookstores, and neighborhood cafes made for easy exploring between stops.
St. Charles Avenue’s grand trees and stately homes reminded us of other historic downtowns. The streetcar line runs down the middle and the “neutral ground” beside the tracks is popular with joggers and walkers — I even enjoyed one of my favorite runs there. Be aware of approaching streetcars and step aside when needed.
Fans of ’90s reality TV might recognize a large house in the area from a popular show.
Visit Audubon Park
While City Park is the city’s largest green space, Audubon Park near our neighborhood offers playgrounds, walking and biking paths, fountains, sports fields, and picnic areas. The park borders the Mississippi River at its southern end and is also home to the Audubon Zoo.
It’s an easy place to let kids burn energy and enjoy river views and shaded lawns.
Ride A Streetcar
The St. Charles streetcar is the world’s oldest continuously operating line and a leisurely, affordable way to travel. We rode to the French Quarter and back; fares are inexpensive and you can pay in cash or with a transit app. The ride is a scenic 30 minutes to Canal Street, great for taking in the city’s architecture.
It feels historic and relaxed, but remember locals rely on it too, so share the space respectfully.
Experience The French Quarter
The French Quarter deserves its reputation — lively streets, musicians, artists, and an unmistakable atmosphere. We spent an afternoon there after checking out of our Airbnb, parking in a public lot and wandering between Royal Street and the river to avoid the busier Bourbon Street area.
Jackson Square and its open-air artist market are central draws, though the square itself is fenced and not dog-friendly. Nearby are Café du Monde and the French Market, which make for classic New Orleans stops. If you prefer fewer crowds, avoid major holiday weekends.
Check Out The Audubon Aquarium
A rainy afternoon sent us to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Even before recent expansions, the aquarium offered touch tanks, virtual experiences, and exhibits focused on Louisiana’s ecosystems. It’s a great indoor option for kids, and buying zoo and aquarium tickets together can save money.
Where We Ate In New Orleans
New Orleans’ food scene is a highlight, and we found plenty of family-friendly spots. Below are the places we enjoyed that worked well for kids and casual dining.
French Truck Coffee
We enjoyed breakfast on the patio at French Truck Coffee. The kids had waffles and the coffee aroma made it an inviting spot to start the day.
Dat Dog
Dat Dog’s casual, colorful outdoor seating made it a fun dinner stop. We visited on a cool November night and enjoyed a seasonal special. In warmer weather the space feels lively and family-friendly.
Cafe Beignet
Beignets are a New Orleans essential. Cafe Beignet offered a shorter line than the busiest spots and delivered excellent, powdered pastries — a fun streetcar stop and sweet treat.
We also noted classic dishes we want to try next time, like gumbo and red beans and rice.
Sucré
Sucré’s gelato and macarons were a welcome sugar boost while walking Magazine Street, and the Art Deco interior made the stop feel special.
La Boulangerie
A French bakery on Magazine Street offered fresh breads and pastries — another tasty stop to fuel our shopping day.
Barracuda
We ordered takeout from Barracuda Taco Stand to enjoy at the Airbnb and liked the food, but next time we’ll dine in to experience the outdoor seating and atmosphere in person.
Empanola
Empanola on Magazine Street is a quick, kid-friendly stop for warm empanadas in many flavors — convenient for a midday snack.
Other Kid-Friendly Activities In New Orleans
We’ll be back to explore more. Here are activities we didn’t fit in but would recommend for a future visit:
Mardi Gras World
A behind-the-scenes look at how parade floats are made — a visual and creative experience that’s great any time of year.
City Park
City Park is vast and offers an art museum, botanical garden, sculpture garden, mini golf, and a small amusement area — ideal for a full family day outdoors.
National WWII Museum
Despite its serious subject, the National WWII Museum receives strong family reviews for interactive exhibits and engaging stories suitable for older kids and teens — a solid rainy-day option.
Riverboat Cruise
Paddlewheel riverboat cruises with live jazz offer a scenic way to see the city from the Mississippi and are enjoyable for families.
Swamp Tour
Boat or kayak tours outside the city showcase Louisiana wetlands and wildlife, including alligators. Some operators use quieter flat-bottom boats for a more relaxed experience.
Ghost Tour
Family-friendly ghost tours mix spooky stories with history in a way that keeps kids entertained without being too frightening.
Things To Do In New Orleans With Kids: A Summary
Here’s a quick list of the places and activities we enjoyed and recommend for families:
- Window shop along Magazine Street
- Explore the Garden District
- Visit Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo
- Ride the St. Charles streetcar or take a riverboat
- Experience the French Quarter and French Market
- Visit the Audubon Aquarium
- Enjoy beignets
- Dine at casual, family-friendly spots like French Truck Coffee, Dat Dog, Sucré, La Boulangerie, Barracuda, and Empanola
- Visit the National WWII Museum
- Explore City Park’s gardens, museums, and amusements
- Take a swamp tour or a family-friendly ghost tour
- Go behind the scenes at Mardi Gras World
Other Kid-Friendly Trips We’ve Taken
If you’re looking for more family travel inspiration, we’ve shared experiences from other kid-friendly destinations that might be useful when planning your next trip.
- Palm Springs, California with Kids
- A Weekend in Charleston, South Carolina with Kids
- 2 Days in St. Petersburg, Florida with Kids
- Our Trip to Mexico with Kids… and a Dog!
- Unique Spring Break Destination Ideas
- Things to Do in Pigeon Forge, TN
- A Daddy-Daughter Trip to South Dakota
- Costa Rica with Kids
- Hawaii with a Toddler
- A Guide to Our (Former) Beach Town: Cape Charles, Virginia
- Our Favorite Activities, Shops, & Eats in Richmond, Virginia
- Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage in Puerto Rico
- Our Favorite Spring Break Trip Yet