# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in New Orleans: the parent guide

> New Orleans is better with little kids than its party reputation suggests: a children’s museum and fairy-tale playground in City Park, a big Uptown zoo, a riverfront aquarium and free storytimes all over town.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 15 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/guide/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/index.md
- Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/visiting/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/llms.txt

## Kid-friendly restaurants

### Morning Call (Mid-City, 5101 Canal Blvd. (at City Park Ave.))

- The historic beignet and café au lait stand, now at 5101 Canal Blvd. where the Canal streetcar ends at City Park Ave., open daily 7am–midnight.
- Price level: $
- Good for: Beignets on the way to or from City Park, or as a streetcar outing.
- Skip if: your kids can’t sit still for powdered sugar.
- Website: https://morningcallcoffeestandnola.com/

### Dat Dog (Magazine St., Frenchmen St. and more)

- Hot dogs and sausages with every topping imaginable, plus outdoor seating at several locations.
- Price level: $
- Good for: A quick, cheap lunch kids will actually eat.
- Skip if: you want something green.
- Website: https://www.datdog.com/

### The Ruby Slipper Cafe (Mid-City, 315 S. Broad St. (plus other locations))

- A New Orleans brunch spot with pancakes, eggs and Southern breakfast plates, open for breakfast and lunch.
- Price level: $$
- Hours: Mid-City: Mon–Fri 7am–2pm; Sat–Sun 7am–3pm
- Good for: A sit-down breakfast before a morning outing.
- Skip if: you hate waiting; weekend brunch lines can be long.
- Website: https://www.therubyslippercafe.net/

## Indoor play and rainy days

### Louisiana Children’s Museum (City Park, 15 Henry Thomas Dr.)

- Eight and a half acres in City Park with indoor play galleries, outdoor gardens and a café. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays in the fall.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 12 months+ $22.95 + tax; adults $22.95 + tax; Under 12 months free. Museums for All: $4.95 per person (up to 4) with a Louisiana SNAP EBT card and photo ID · Free admission on the second Sunday every other month (Art for All) · Timed-entry tickets recommended
- Hours: Wed–Sat 9:30am–4:30pm; Sun 11:30am–4:30pm
- Good for: Hands-on play built for little kids; babies under 1 are free.
- Skip if: you go on a Monday or Tuesday, when it’s closed.
- Price source: https://lcm.org/tickets/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://lcm.org/

### Audubon Aquarium (French Quarter riverfront, 1 Canal St.)

- A big aquarium at the foot of Canal Street, with the Insectarium now under the same roof.
- Price level: $$$
- Tickets: kids $40–$50; adults $45–$55; Under 2 free. Prices vary by date; closed Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Hours: Daily 10am–5pm
- Good for: A rainy-day morning downtown; under 2 are free.
- Skip if: you’re on a budget; tickets run $40 and up.
- Price source: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium

### New Orleans Public Library, Main Library (CBD, 219 Loyola Ave.)

- The main library downtown, with free children’s programs on the system calendar.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: A free indoor stop near the CBD.
- Skip if: it’s Sunday; NOPL branches are closed.
- Website: https://nolalibrary.org/

## Parks and outdoor play

### New Orleans City Park (Mid-City)

- A huge park with giant live oaks, Storyland’s fairy-tale play sets, Carousel Gardens rides and the Botanical Garden. Parking is free.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Room to run under the oaks, with the museum next door.
- Skip if: you need shade on a hot afternoon away from the oaks.
- Website: https://neworleanscitypark.org/

### Crescent Park (Marigny and Bywater riverfront)

- A free riverfront park with walking paths and views of the Mississippi and the ships going by.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Watching big ships from a stroller path.
- Skip if: it’s midday in summer; there’s little shade.
- Website: https://council.nola.gov/news/july-2025/announcement-the-city-extends-summer-hours-for-cre/

### Storyland & Carousel Gardens Amusement Park (City Park)

- Storyland is a fairy-tale playground from the 1950s where kids climb aboard Captain Hook’s pirate ship and play school in the Schoolhouse. Next door, Carousel Gardens has 17 rides, including a carousel and a train little ones under 36 inches can ride with a paid adult. A daily ticket covers unlimited rides and Storyland.
- Price level: $$
- Good for: A ride-and-climb morning with preschoolers; buy tickets ahead.
- Skip if: your kids are under 36 inches and you won’t ride along; most rides need a paid adult with them.
- Website: https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/carousel-gardens-amusement-park/

### New Orleans Botanical Garden & Train Garden (City Park)

- A 10-acre garden with more than 2,000 plant varieties, a Japanese Garden and the Historic New Orleans Train Garden, with New Orleans buildings made from botanical materials and replica streetcars and trains. The Conservatory is closed for renovation.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: Free for Louisiana residents on Wednesdays
- Good for: A Wednesday visit if you live in Louisiana (it’s free).
- Skip if: you’re set on the Conservatory; it’s closed for renovation.
- Price source: https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/botanical-garden/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/botanical-garden/

### Stanley Ray Playground (City Park) (City Park, near Popp Bandstand)

- One of City Park’s four free playgrounds, built for ages 2–5 with low slides, baby swings and toddler-sized tunnels. Restrooms and Café du Monde are steps away.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Good for: A toddler playground stop with beignets after.
- Skip if: your kids are older; try Magnolia Playground’s rope wall and climbing structure instead.
- Price source: https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/playgrounds/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/playgrounds/

### Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden (City Park, next to NOMA)

- More than 90 sculptures on about eleven landscaped acres beside the museum.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: A stroller loop among big sculptures.
- Skip if: you need a playground; this is for looking.
- Website: https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/sculpture-garden/

### Audubon Park (New Orleans)

- “New Orleans’ backyard under the oaks,” with playgrounds, open early to late every day.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Daily 5am–10pm
- Good for: A shady playground morning.
- Skip if: you need indoor shelter; it’s all outdoors.
- Price source: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-park (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-park

## Museums, zoos and big outings

### Audubon Zoo (Uptown, 6500 Magazine St.)

- A big zoo in Audubon Park with the Louisiana Swamp exhibit, a carousel and seasonal events.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids $25–$35; adults $30–$40; Under 2 free. Prices vary by date; carousel rides $6.50
- Hours: Daily 10am–5pm
- Good for: A full morning of animals; under 2 are free.
- Skip if: it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas or Mardi Gras, when it’s closed.
- Price source: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo

### New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) (City Park)

- The New Orleans Museum of Art, where everyone 19 and under gets in free.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: adults From $18; 19 and under free
- Hours: Tue 10am–5pm; Wed noon–7pm; Thu–Sun 10am–5pm; closed Mon
- Good for: An art hour with kids free; adults pay.
- Skip if: it’s Monday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://noma.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://noma.org/visit/

## Free things to do

- New Orleans Public Library, Main Library
- New Orleans City Park
- Crescent Park
- Stanley Ray Playground (City Park)
- Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
- Audubon Park

## Best for under 3s

- **Louisiana Children’s Museum**: Babies under 12 months play free.
- **New Orleans Public Library, Main Library**: Baby storytimes run at several branches.

## With a baby or a 1-year-old

### Baby and lap-sit storytimes

- **Baby Storytime** (New Orleans Public Library): Mondays at 10:30am · Alvar Library. Read, sing, and play together in a format designed for babies and their caregivers. https://neworleans.libnet.info/events
- **Baby Storytime** (New Orleans Public Library): Mondays at 10:30am · Milton H. Latter Memorial Library. Read, sing, and play together in a format designed for babies and their caregivers. https://neworleans.libnet.info/events

### Babies get in free

- **Louisiana Children’s Museum**: Under 12 months free. https://lcm.org/tickets/
- **Audubon Aquarium**: Under 2 free. https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium
- **Audubon Zoo**: Under 2 free. https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo
- **New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)**: 19 and under free. https://noma.org/visit/

## Library storytimes

- **New Orleans Public Library**: Weekly at 15 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. Free baby storytimes, storytimes and playtimes for ages 2–5 at branches across the city. https://nolalibrary.org/
- **St. Tammany Parish Library**: Weekly at 12 locations; Tuesday–Friday, mostly mornings. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include KIDS Family Storytime (Tuesdays 10:30am, Bush Branch) and KIDS Creative Family Storytime (Tuesdays 9:30am, Covington Branch), with more at Abita Springs Branch, Causeway Branch, Folsom Branch and Lacombe Branch and other branches. https://stpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events


## Happening this week

- **Boo Carré Halloween Haunt** (Sat 11am–4pm) at French Market District (Dutch Alley). Free. https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/#e-boo_carre_halloween_haunt
- **Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade** (Sat 6:30pm) at Krewe of BOO! parade route (Elysian Fields Ave. to the French Quarter). Free. https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/#e-krewe_of_boo_parade
- **LPO’s Musical Story Hour (Hubbell Library)** (Sat 10:30–11am) at Cita Dennis Hubbell Library. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/#e-lpo_musical_story_hour_hubbell
- **Halloween Fest at Riverwalk** (Sat 4–6pm) at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/#e-halloween_fest_at_riverwalk
- **Playtime: Let’s Play Kitchen (Main Library)** (Sat 10am–noon) at Main Library. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/#e-playtime_lets_play_kitchen_main_library

Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/index.md

## Holiday pages

- [Santa in New Orleans: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/santa/index.md)
- [Christmas lights in New Orleans for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/christmas-lights/index.md)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is the Louisiana Children’s Museum good for babies?
Yes. Babies under 12 months play free, and the museum has indoor galleries and outdoor gardens. Book a timed ticket for weekends.

### What’s free with little kids in New Orleans?
City Park’s grounds, Crescent Park and library storytimes are free, and parking in City Park is free.

### Where can we go with a toddler when it rains in New Orleans?
The Louisiana Children’s Museum, the Audubon Aquarium and the public library branches are all indoors.

### Where are the free storytimes in New Orleans?
New Orleans Public Library: Weekly at 15 locations; Monday–Saturday, mostly mornings, plus some evening sessions. St. Tammany Parish Library: Weekly at 12 locations; Tuesday–Friday, mostly mornings. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [NOLA weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/new-orleans/).

### How do you choose the places in the New Orleans guide?
Every one of the 15 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 7 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).

### How much is the Audubon Zoo for a toddler, and who gets in free?
Under 2 free; kids: $25–$35; adults: $30–$40 (prices vary by date; carousel rides $6.50). We checked this on [its official site](https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo) on Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.

### How much is the Louisiana Children’s Museum for a toddler, and who gets in free?
Under 12 months free; kids 12 months+: $22.95 + tax; adults: $22.95 + tax (timed-entry tickets recommended). Free entry: Free admission on the second Sunday every other month (Art for All). Deals: Museums for All: $4.95 per person (up to 4) with a Louisiana SNAP EBT card and photo ID. We checked this on [its official site](https://lcm.org/tickets/) on Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.