When most people think of kid-friendly vacation spots, New Orleans doesn’t usually come to mind. While Mardi Gras and the bars that have made Bourbon Street famous are definitely geared to a more mature audience, it’s wrong to think that children won’t enjoy a vacation to the Big Easy. On the contrary, New Orleans is packed with fun activities and experiences to share with your children.
I’m just getting back from an amazing couple of days spent in New Orleans with Madison and my husband. If you’re planning a trip to New Orleans with the whole family in tow, find room in your itinerary for these top kid-friendly things to see and do while you’re there:
VISIT THE LOUISIANA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Traveling with little ones? Younger kids will have a blast at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Home to a variety of interactive exhibits designed to help your children learn through play, they’ll have fun learning about everything from levers and pulleys to ways to keep your family safe.
EXPLORE THE AUDOBON NATURE INSTITUTE
For families who love spending time around animals and nature, you can’t visit New Orleans without a trip to one of the museums and parks that make up the Audobon Nature Institute. You can visit the zoo to learn about animals from around the world, experience the Audobon Aquarium, or check out America’s largest insect museum, the Audobon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium.
SEE THE CITY IN A NEW LIGHT ON A FRENCH QUARTOUR KIDS TOUR.
Most New Orleans tours are heavily geared toward adults, but the tours provided through French QuarTour Kids Tours are aimed to keep your little ones entertained. You’ll find options for kids, tweens and teens, and they even offer fun themed experiences, like ghost hunts, that highlight the area’s rich – and spooky – history and culture.
RIDE THE NEW ORLEANS STREETCAR
You can’t beat the novelty of cruising down St. Charles Avenue on a streetcar line that dates back to the 1830s. Snap a few photos as you pass many of the city’s well-loved landmarks, hotels, and restaurants and enjoy a little taste of the city’s transit history.
ORDER BEIGNETS AT CAFE DU MONDE
This New Orleans hotspot doesn’t take reservations, so try to get here early or drop by during a slow time. Even if you’re forced to wait, the world-famous beignets served here are well worth it. These delicious treats are essentially pieces of fried dough dusted in powdered sugar, satisfying any child’s sweet tooth, and they’ve been delighting locals and visitors alike since 1862, making them a little piece of the city’s history.
HAVE SOME FUN IN CITY PARK
It’s impossible to visit New Orleans without checking out City Park, a sprawling green space in the middle of town. City Park is home to a handful of attractions your kids are guaranteed to love, like City Putt, a two-course mini golf complex, and three different playgrounds. During the warmer months, plan to visit the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, which offers seventeen different rides for guests of all ages.
With a little effort, you can find tons of kid-friendly things to see and do when you’re in New Orleans. Take advantage of some of the options I’ve shared here, or see what other ways you can have some fun as a family while you’re in town.
