VISITING New Orleans · The Big Easy
Visiting New Orleans with toddlers and little kids: the plan.
The best kid stops sit in two clusters: City Park (the children’s museum, Storyland and the oaks) and the Uptown-to-riverfront stretch (Audubon Zoo, the aquarium and the French Market). Here’s how we’d spend one or two days with nap built in.
Top 5 can’t-miss spots
#1City Park, 15 Henry Thomas Dr.
Louisiana Children’s Museum
Book a timed ticket for a weekend. Go Wednesday to Sunday; it’s closed Monday and Tuesday in the fall.
$22.95 + tax eachUnder 12 months freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#2Mid-City
New Orleans City Park
Parking is free across the park. Pair it with the children’s museum and beignets at Morning Call on Canal Blvd.
Free
See it in the guide→
#3Uptown, 6500 Magazine St.
Audubon Zoo
Plan a full morning. Kids under 2 are free.
Kids $25–$35Adults $30–$40Under 2 free
See it in the guide→
#4French Quarter riverfront, 1 Canal St.
Audubon Aquarium
A good rainy-day pick downtown, close to the French Quarter.
Kids $40–$50Adults $45–$55Under 2 freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#5Marigny and Bywater riverfront
Crescent Park
An easy free walk from the Marigny with a stroller.
Free
See it in the guide→
Nap breaks built in
One day or two in NOLA
A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.
If you have one day
MORNINGLouisiana Children’s MuseumTimed ticket · City Park, 15 Henry Thomas Dr. · $22.95 + tax per person
LUNCHMorning CallBeignets in the park · Mid-City (Canal Blvd. at City Park Ave.)NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPNew Orleans City ParkStoryland and the oaks · Mid-City · FreeIf you have two days
Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:
MORNINGAudubon ZooA full morning · Uptown, 6500 Magazine St. · $25–$35 kids, $30–$40 adultsLUNCHDat DogQuick and cheapNAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPAudubon AquariumIndoors by the river · French Quarter riverfront, 1 Canal St. · $40–$50 kids, $45–$55 adultsWhere to stay
Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions
Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.
BEST FOR FIRST-TIMERSMid-City and City ParkClose to the children’s museum, Storyland and Morning Call.Near Louisiana Children’s Museum, New Orleans City Park and Morning Call
FOR THE RIVERFRONTCBD and the French Quarter edgeWalk to the aquarium and the riverfront; the zoo is a streetcar or short drive away.Near Audubon Aquarium, New Orleans Public Library, Main Library and Crescent Park
Eat
Easy restaurants near the big stops
Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.
Plan B
Rainy-day backup plan
If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in NOLA.
City Park, 15 Henry Thomas Dr.Louisiana Children’s MuseumBig indoor play galleries.$22.95 + tax eachUnder 12 months freeIndoorFrench Quarter riverfront, 1 Canal St.Audubon AquariumFully indoors, aquarium and insectarium together.Kids $40–$50Adults $45–$55Under 2 freeIndoor
CBD, 219 Loyola Ave.New Orleans Public Library, Main LibraryA free indoor stop.FreeIndoorBefore you go
Practical tips
Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.
Two clusters
City Park and Uptown/the riverfront are about 15–20 minutes apart by car, so do one per day.
Plan around Mondays
The children’s museum is closed Monday and Tuesday in the fall, and library branches close Sundays.
Visiting in November or December?
Santa and Christmas lights in NOLA
If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.
On a budget
Free and cheap wins for visitors
Spend less without skipping the good stuff.
This week
Happening while you’re here
This week’s top events in New Orleans. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.
#1Sat 11am–4pm
Boo Carré Halloween Haunt
A kids’ Halloween party in the French Market with live music, children’s activities, a Spooky Second Line and trick-or-treating.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
#2Sat 6:30pm
Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade
New Orleans’ official Halloween parade, with spooky Kern Studios floats and throws. Grab a curb spot early with little ones; it rolls at dusk.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
#3Sat 10:30–11am
LPO’s Musical Story Hour (Hubbell Library)
A Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra musician plays along while a classic picture book is read aloud.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
#4Sat 4–6pm
Halloween Fest at Riverwalk
Trick-or-treating through the mall, face painters and balloon artists. Come in costume.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
#5Sat 10am–noon
Playtime: Let’s Play Kitchen (Main Library)
Pretend kitchen and dining toys for little cooks to make and serve their favorite dishes. Child-led play for 2 to 5.
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
Good questions
Visiting New Orleans with toddlers: the FAQ
Is New Orleans kid-friendly?
For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our New Orleans guide lists 15 places we checked for little kids, plus 6 free places and 2 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 3 easy restaurants near the big stops and free storytimes at 2 library systems. This week’s list has 22 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in New Orleans and this weekend’s list.
Where should we stay in New Orleans with little kids?
Mid-City near City Park for the children’s museum, or the CBD and French Quarter edge for the aquarium and the riverfront.
How many days do you need in New Orleans with a toddler?
Two: City Park and the children’s museum one day, the zoo or aquarium the next.
Is parking free at City Park?
Yes, parking throughout City Park is free.
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