If you think a trip to New Orleans is only suited for adults, think again! Remember if kids live there, kids can visit. Here are 10 things to do in New Orleans with kids.
1. French Quarter Kids
French Quarter Kids offers a kid friendly French Quarter tour as well as a family friendly spooky ghost tour. The tours are broken into age groups so you can choose a tour for 4-10 year olds or for tweens and teens that are 11-18. Private tours can also be scheduled to create a custom tour just right for your family. Tours range from $17-$20
2. City Park
Younger kids will love an afternoon spent at City Park. The park has many areas for kids including Storyland, which has larger-than-life storybook sculptures. In addition to Storyland City Park has Carousel Gardens Amusement Park that has 17 rides to enjoy.
3. Take a Cooking Class
New Orleans is arguably one of the best culinary cities in the United States. If your kids are anything like mine they love to help out in the kitchen while cooking. Why not take a cooking class featuring some of New Orleans best recipes catered for kids so you can all recreate your favorite meal when you get back home. Depending on the age of your kids you can do a full hands-on cooking class or a shorter demonstration class where you don’t do as much.
4. Swamp Tour
What kid doesn’t want to be on a boat to see alligators? New Orleans has the largest population of alligators so you’re pretty much guaranteed an exciting ride. Whether you choose to on an airboat tour or bayou boat tour you’ll get an up close view of wildlife that will surely excite your kids.
5. Mardis Gras World
Mardi Gras is year round at Mardi Gras World and 100% kid appropriate. Take a tour at Mardis Gras World to see how the city prepares for its largest parade of the year. On this tour your kids will be able to see how the parade floats are made, try on costumes, and pose for pictures in front of the floats. Even better everyone gets to try a slice of traditional King Cake and what kid doesn’t like cake?
6. Audubon Nature Institute
The Audubon Nature Institute is made up of the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium and Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. The aquarium is perfect for a rainy day and the entire complex is great for kids who love animals.
7. Ride a Streetcar
Most kids probably haven’t ridden is a streetcar before so why do some of your New Orleans exploring in one. It’s super easy to catch a streetcar on Canal Street and you can easily hop off whenever you’d like.
8. Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall offers live jazz music by amazing bands each night. Shows are 45 minutes long and start every hour from 5PM-9PM. Up front they have special cushioned floor seats for kids to get a great view and be able to stand up and dance if they’d like to. What better way to introduce your kids to different instruments?
9. Jackson Square
Jackson Square is filled with vendors selling artwork, musicians playing and often dancing in the street and special acts like those who stand still for 15 minutes without moving. It’s a nice stroll and plenty of entertainment for adults and kids alike. Plus you’ll be able to take some pictures in front of the iconic Jackson Square Cathedral.
10. Whitney Plantation
Whitney Plantation tells the story of slavery through the eyes of the slaves that were held in bondage at this New Orleans Plantation. While a visit can be uncomfortable and rough at times it is a very important history lesson for people of all ages. You will of course have to decide if you feel comfortable taking your children here but it is very educational and I believe anyone visiting New Orleans should visit Whitney Plantation. If you don’t have a rental car you’ll need to book a tour with transportation.
Only have a weekend to spare in the Big Easy? Check out this itinerary for 48 Hours in New Orleans.