We were pretty sure we’d have fun on our family trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. We were not expecting to fall in love with NOLA. But that’s exactly what happened to us during the 3 weeks we spent there on our full time travel adventure.
There’s so much more to New Orleans than Bourbon Street. It’s a great place to visit as a family. From delicious food to beautiful music and art to unique architecture, history and religion, there’s plenty of experiences to have outside the party scene. Even Mardi Gras was kid-friendly!
The best way I’ve found to describe what makes New Orleans so special is this: it’s a place where I know that I can be myself and you can be yourself and they will be themselves, and no matter how different we all are, we’ll all be welcome here.
Free Family-Activities Activities We Loved in New Orleans
New Orleans City Park
Spend an entire day exploring the New Orleans City Park. Bring a picnic lunch or head over to the Farmer’s Market for fresh fruits and veggies to snack on.
While the park has plenty of paid attractions, there’s no need to spend money if you don’t want to. Our family spent an entire day there enjoying free activities.
Walk through the sculpture garden, wander a historic oak grove with trees over 800 years old, bird watch on the marshes from beautiful bridges, and take the kids to one of several playgrounds.
Plus, the famous Cafe Du Monde has a location in the park.
Garden District Tour
Unless historic architecture is your passion (in which case, by all means, pay for a professional tour!), taking a self-guided tour of the Garden District is absolutely worth it.
Just put “free self-guided tour of the New Orleans Garden District” into your favorite search engine and choose the one that sounds most interesting to you.
I was tickled as pink as the Carroll-Crawford House when I learned Mark Twain had once been a party guest there.
The French Quarter
It doesn’t cost a penny to window shop in the French Quarter, but make sure to bring your self-control.
Enjoy everything the area has to offer, from the stall at the French Market to the beauties on Royal Street to the people-watching on Bourbon Street.
Our personal favorite was Voodoo Authentica on Dumaine Street.
Jackson Square
There’s always something going on when you’re hanging out in Jackson Square.
If Christianity is your thing, admire the stained glass inside St. Louis Cathedral. If it isn’t, step just outside the cathedral’s doors for a tarot reading.
None of the above? I dare you to look me in the eyes and tell me your aren’t up for a sun-soaked nap on that lawn.
Mardi Gras Parade
If attending a Mardi Gras parade during Carnival is not already on your bucket list, let me pause and insist that you go ahead and put it there right now.
When attending with kids, we recommend catching a parade earlier in the day (we happened to see the Krewe of Iris, the oldest all-female Carinval Krewe) and finding a spot near the beginning of the parade route.
Historic New Orleans Collection
Dive deep into the history of Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, the streetcar and more when you visit the Historic New Orleans Collection.
This free museum offers an accessible and kid-friendly opportunity to learn about the history, heritage, and passion that goes into preparing for Carinval, which was especially awesome after experiencing it first-hand.
Paid Family-Activities Activities We Loved in New Orleans
Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour
We spent a couple hours taking a Jean Lafitte Swamp Tour. It was so relaxing and fun for the whole family to float through the canals and bayous in Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve.
We saw several alligators, beautiful birds, and a bald eagle’s nest. The tour guide was knowledgeable about the area and we learned so much.
National World War II Museum
We all learned a lot while touring The National World War II Museum. Our favorite part was how human-centered the museum was.
In each exhibit, there were personal stories from real people that helped us really understand the context and lived experience of World War II.
City Park Amusement Park
There is plenty to do in New Orleans City Park without spending money, but we definitely think spending a day playing with the kids at the City Park Amusement Park is worth it.
From the rollercoaster to bumper cars to Tilt-a-Whirl, we all had a blast. Plus, tickets to the amusement park also get you a free ride on the train through City Park!
City Park Botanical Garden
After the amusement park, we spent the afternoon observing gorgeous plants in the City Park Botanical Garden.
Featuring beautiful statues, vegetable and pollinator gardens, various native species and more, we were so glad we stopped by. And, the Train Garden was a huge hit with the kids.
The Cabildo Museum
Visiting the Cabildo Museum was another opportunity to explore the rich history of New Orleans.
We enjoyed learning about the Louisiana Purchase, viewing beautiful paintings and photography, and celebrating our newfound love our New Orleans in the We Love You, New Orleans! exhibit.
Restaurants We Loved in New Orleans
Cafe Du Monde
Cafe Du Monde is a classic. Order the beignets (which come in packs of 3) and a cafe au lait and prepare to leave with powered sugar all over your shirt.
Our favorite location was the one inside New Orleans City Park.
Loretta's Authentic Pralines
I have to say that Loretta’s Authentic Pralines serves my favorite beignet in New Orleans. If you love a savory breakfast, run to Lorett’s and order the breakfast beignet.
We also tried the praline beignet, chocolate beignet, peanut butter and jelly beignet, and the original. They were all excellent.
Joe's Cafe and Donuts
If you’re a fan of the glazed donut, then stop at Joe’s Cafe & Donuts and ask for a glazed beigne
Dat Dog on Magazine Street
I’m sorry New Orleans foodies, but I just cant make myself get on board with eating crawfish or alligator.
Unless, of course, I’m eating them in sausage form at Dat Dog on Magazine Street.
We highly recommend that you order any of their house specials featuring alligator (with a side of tator tots).
The Market Cafe
We listened to beautiful jazz music at The Market Cafe, just down the street from the busy French Market shops. I ordered the traditional Red Beans and Rice and was not disappointed.
If you like gumbo, this spot had one of the best gumbos we tried. The food was good, but the atmosphere was the true star of the show.
Willie Mae's Scotch House
If you love fried chicken, make your way to Willie Mae’s Scotch House, order a plate with a side of mashed potatoes and a corn bread muffin, and get ready to send me a thank you card for the life-changing recommendation.
This restaurant served the best dinner of our trip (and we had a lot of very good dinners).
Sucré
The atmosphere was just as sweet as the gelato and macaroons that Sucré was serving up. Take a break from shopping on Magazine Street and savor every bite.
Segnette Landing Restaurant
We found ourselves in Westwego, Lousiana, just across the bridge over the Mississippi River near our campsite at Bayou Segnette State Park.
We wanted good eats, but didn’t want to drive back into the city for them. Enter: Segnette Landing Restaurant, which served the best po’boy I’ve eaten in the south to date (I ordered the hot sausage po’boy).
Copper Monkey Bar & Grill
We were looking for a place to eat in the French Quarter when Copper Monkey Bar & Grill caught my eye.
The menu said “peanut butter burger,” which my husband and I had on our very first date, so we had to give it a try.
Go for the tasty burger, crispy tater tots, cold beer and good vibes.
NOLA Brewing
Last, but absolutely not least, is NOLA Brewing, a local brewery serving the most delicious New York Style pizza this Chicago girl has ever eaten.
The beer on tap is delicious and the pizzas come in one size: huge. Y’all, we ate here 3 times in one week. Get the pepperoni pizza and Hoppyright Infringement on tap.
We would love to hear from you! Have you visited New Orleans? Drop a comment letting us know your top recommendations for family-friendly things to do.
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