New Orleans may be known for jazz bars, Mardi Gras parades, and late-night revelry, but the city also has a wonderfully playful side that makes it ideal for families travelling with curious young minds. Beyond the music spilling out of French Quarter balconies lies a world of interactive museums, sprawling parks, wildlife encounters, and cultural spaces designed to entertain children while quietly teaching them something new along the way.
One moment, your little ones could be feeding stingrays or walking through a butterfly garden overlooking the Mississippi River; the next, they could be exploring Mardi Gras floats, learning about the Mighty Mississippi, or discovering the origins of jazz in the very city where it was born.
Whether your family prefers outdoor adventures, immersive museums, or hands-on learning experiences, New Orleans offers a thoughtful mix of entertainment and education that keeps both children and adults equally engaged.
Audubon Aquarium, Insectarium, and Zoo
Begin your family adventure in New Orleans with three of the city’s most-loved attractions: the Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, and Audubon Zoo. The aquarium offers an immersive look into marine life from around the world, with experiences ranging from penguin encounters to a 60-foot interactive touch pool filled with sharks and stingrays. One of the highlights is the impressive 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit, which visitors can explore through behind-the-scenes access. Children will especially enjoy the Amazon Gallery, where colourful birds fly freely overhead, and the Amazon Encounter, home to animals including an armadillo and a Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth. Located in the same complex, the Audubon Insectarium introduces visitors to fascinating insect species alongside a beautiful butterfly garden overlooking the Mississippi River. End the day at the Audubon Zoo, home to lions, elephants, white alligators, orangutans, Amur leopards, and the much-loved Louisiana Swamp exhibit.
New Orleans City Park
New Orleans City Park is where families can easily spend an entire day without running out of things to do. Storyland, one of the park’s most popular attractions, feels straight out of a fairytale, with miniature houses, storybook characters, and life-sized animals creating an imaginative playground for children. Right next door sits Carousel Gardens, a seasonal amusement park featuring classic carnival rides, a historic carousel, a train ride winding through the park, and a charming ladybug-themed rollercoaster. Once the excitement settles, families can cool off with sno-balls on the Great Lawn or stop for warm beignets at Café du Monde. Older children and teenagers often enjoy hiring bicycles to explore the scenic park trails or heading out onto Big Lake for a peaceful boat ride. It is one of the city’s most relaxed and family-friendly green spaces.
Louisiana Children’s Museum
Set within the greenery of City Park, the Louisiana Children’s Museum combines play with meaningful learning experiences. The museum has been thoughtfully designed to encourage children to interact with the world around them, whether through science, nature, or culture. One of its standout attractions is the Move With the River exhibit, which introduces children to the story of the Mighty Mississippi through engaging hands-on displays. Outdoors, the museum’s sprawling 8.5-acre Big Backyard encourages little ones to run, climb, and explore freely while learning about the environment. The museum manages to keep things educational without ever feeling overly structured, making it especially appealing for younger visitors. After a few hours of exploring, families can settle down for lunch at Acorn, the museum’s on-site restaurant, which is refreshingly child-friendly without compromising on quality.
JAMNOLA
Part art installation, part cultural playground, JAMNOLA offers one of the most colourful and immersive experiences in New Orleans. Created by local artists, the space celebrates the city’s music, food, traditions, and creative spirit through a series of interactive exhibits that are especially popular with children and teenagers. Every room feels designed for exploration, from oversized crawfish boil installations to walls inspired by po-boys, jazz musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and local folklore. The vibrant colours and playful design make it particularly appealing for families looking for something a little different from a traditional museum experience. It is impossible not to stop for photographs every few minutes, whether beside a giant alligator installation or inside one of the city-inspired art displays. JAMNOLA captures the joyful energy of New Orleans in a way that feels accessible and entertaining for all ages.
Mardi Gras World
For families curious about the magic behind New Orleans’ most famous celebration, Mardi Gras World offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the festival. The experience takes visitors inside the enormous warehouse where the city’s elaborate Mardi Gras floats are designed, painted, and assembled each year. Children are often mesmerised by the sheer scale of the colourful creations, many towering overhead with giant masks, creatures, and characters. Alongside the workshop tours, visitors can also learn about the history and traditions of Mardi Gras through engaging exhibits and displays. It is a lively, visual experience that gives families a deeper appreciation of the festival beyond the parades themselves. Equal parts educational and entertaining, Mardi Gras World offers a glimpse into the creativity and craftsmanship that help define New Orleans culture.
New Orleans Boulder Lounge
If your children have energy to burn after days of sightseeing, New Orleans Boulder Lounge makes for an excellent active outing. Popular with the city’s climbing community, the indoor facility welcomes both beginners and experienced climbers, with routes designed for a range of age groups and skill levels. Children often enjoy the challenge of navigating the climbing walls while building confidence and coordination along the way. The atmosphere is relaxed and encouraging, making it easy for families to spend a few hours here without feeling intimidated. For older children and teenagers especially, it offers a refreshing change from museums and walking tours. The facility also hosts yoga classes, adding another layer to its community-focused environment. It is a rewarding indoor activity for families looking to balance culture with a little adrenaline.
The National WWII Museum
Frequently ranked among the best museums in the United States, The National WWII Museum is one of New Orleans’ most compelling attractions for older children and teenagers. The museum explores the American experience during the Second World War through immersive exhibits, personal stories, artefacts, and multimedia displays that bring history vividly to life. Younger visitors can engage with interactive history lessons designed to make learning accessible and engaging, while the museum’s 4D theatre adds another layer of immersion to the experience. Alongside permanent galleries, the museum regularly hosts travelling exhibitions and special events throughout the year. Families wanting to fully explore the expansive museum can even stay at the on-site hotel, which allows easy access to the exhibits and nearby dining options. It is a thoughtful and deeply engaging experience for curious young minds.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
Housed inside the apothecary of America’s first licensed pharmacist, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum offers one of the city’s more unusual museum experiences. The beautifully preserved 19th-century space documents the history of medicine through fascinating displays of antique surgical tools, remedies, potions, and medical artefacts. For children with an interest in science or curious imaginations, the museum feels almost like stepping into an old storybook filled with strange inventions and mysterious cures. While compact in size, it remains one of the most intriguing museums in the city, offering a quieter but memorable stop between larger attractions. Parents often appreciate the museum’s ability to spark conversations about how medicine and healthcare have evolved over time. It is an offbeat experience that adds something unexpected to a family itinerary in New Orleans.
New Orleans African American Museum
Located in the historic Tremé neighbourhood, the New Orleans African American Museum offers families a meaningful introduction to the history, art, and cultural contributions of African Americans in New Orleans and across the diaspora. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions alongside permanent programming that reflects the city’s deeply rooted cultural heritage. Exhibits such as Ancestral Odyssey by Vince Fraser offer visually engaging ways for younger visitors to connect with stories of identity and history. The museum also regularly hosts community events, cultural programmes, and a monthly market celebrating Black-owned businesses, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Families visiting during New Orleans Museum Month, usually held each August, will find the space particularly vibrant. It is an important cultural stop that encourages conversation, reflection, and deeper understanding.
New Orleans Jazz Museum
Housed within the historic Old U.S. Mint building, the New Orleans Jazz Museum celebrates the city’s enduring relationship with the music genre it helped create. Families can explore interactive exhibits tracing the origins and evolution of jazz through instruments, recordings, photographs, and multimedia installations. The museum also hosts educational programmes and live performances that make the experience especially engaging for children and music lovers alike. Younger visitors often enjoy the hands-on activities designed to introduce them to rhythm and sound in playful ways. Beyond the exhibits themselves, the museum’s historic setting adds to its charm, offering a glimpse into another side of New Orleans history. Like many of the city’s cultural institutions, the museum becomes especially lively during Museum Month, making it an excellent time for families to visit this vibrant cultural landmark.
FAQs
1. What are the best family-friendly attractions in New Orleans?
Top attractions include the Audubon Aquarium and Zoo, City Park, JAMNOLA, and The National WWII Museum.
2. Is New Orleans a good destination for children?
Yes, the city offers interactive museums, parks, wildlife experiences, and cultural attractions suitable for all ages.
3. Which museums in New Orleans are best for kids?
The Louisiana Children’s Museum, New Orleans Jazz Museum, and Mardi Gras World are especially popular with families.
4. What outdoor activities can families enjoy in New Orleans?
Families can explore City Park, cycle around Big Lake, visit the zoo, or enjoy amusement rides at Carousel Gardens.
5. When is the best time to visit New Orleans with family?
Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather, while August’s Museum Month provides access to special family-friendly programming.
