10 Best Family Things to Do in New Orleans

City Park, located in Victory Avenue, is arguably the largest green space in New Orleans. Here you can enjoy about 15 themed rides at the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, including a hand-carved carousel called “The Flying Horse”, which dates back to the early 1900s. The park also features a whimsical Storyland garden setting, where you and your loved ones can check out 20 sculptures of popular book characters.

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is home to over 16,000 marine creatures, including rare albino alligators. It’s divided into 4 themed exhibits, namely the Mississippi River, the Gulf Coast, the Amazon, and the Caribbean. One of its most popular features is the 9,800-litre touch pool, where you can get up close with baby sharks and cownose rays. The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas also has a beautiful rainforest display that’s home to poisonous reptiles and exotic birds from all over the world. Tickets to the aquarium cost around $30 for adults with discounts for children between 2 and 12 years old.

The Louisiana Children’s Museum has more than 100 interactive displays and family-friendly activities for the little ones to enjoy. Storytelling and video presentations are held in the Times Picayune Theatre, while the First Adventures section is where you can enjoy hours of climbing, crawling and exploring various obstacle courses. Children can also take on adult responsibilities such as cooking, grocery shopping, and loading cargo using cranes.

The New Orleans Streetcar has been operating since 1835, making it one of the oldest transport systems in the USA. There are 4 lines travelling to popular neighbourhoods in the city, but most visitors opt for the Riverfront line. This 2-mile route travels along the Mississippi River and stops at landmarks such as the French Quarter, Riverwalk Marketplace, Jackson Brewery, and French Market. A standard one-way fare for the New Orleans Streetcar costs $1.25, but the one-day Jazzy Pass gives you better value for money as you can enjoy unlimited trips on RTA buses & streetcars for $3.

Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World is a working studio and museum displaying thousands of extravagant costumes, floats, and props for Mardi Gras celebration. Founded in 1947, it occupies a 37,000 sq m warehouse in the Port of New Orleans, about 1 mile southeast of the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Among its many creations is a dragon-shaped float and giant sculptures of Disney characters. You can rummage through the costume trunks and dress up in your favourite Mardi Gras costume during your visit.

Jackson Square, located in the French Quarter, is where you can visit the city’s many historic buildings. The paved square hosts many concession stands, exhibitions, and concerts during special events such as the French Quarter Festival in April. There are plenty of colourful paintings hanging from the iron-wrought fences, and you can have your portrait painted by one of many street artists gathered in the square. If you’re visiting New Orleans in wintertime, Jackson Square is illuminated with candle lights and carollers in the evening.

The French QuarTour Kids Tour offers 5 types of excursions that are suitable for families with children aged 4 to 18, all of which highlight the city’s most popular landmarks and interesting history. If your family loves music, its Nola Music Tour stops at the popular Congo Square and Storyville neighbourhoods, where jazz originated from. You also get to learn fun facts about local musicians such as Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong, and Uncle Lionel. Prices start from $17.

The Crescent City Farmers’ Market takes place Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 4 different neighbourhoods in New Orleans. The market hosts over 50 local vendors selling fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat, as well as packaged food items, jams, honey, and homemade pastries. There are free cooking demonstrations and live music to liven up the atmosphere.

The Canal Street Ferry takes you across the Mississippi River, offering views of New Orleans throughout the 10-minute ride. The ferry departs from the foot of Canal Street, next to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Tickets cost around $2 for cyclists and pedestrians, but children under the age of 2 can enjoy the ride for free.

The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum displays creepy artefacts relating to the practice of voodoo, including altars, candles, dolls, and paintings. Here, you can learn about New Orleans’ Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau by joining a walking tour to her tomb. There’s also a gift shop selling voodoo dolls and potions that may (or may not) work, depending on your belief.