Family Friendly New Orleans Trip

Where to Stay

When you're traveling with family of all ages, my number one tip is to pick a place to stay that's close to dining, shopping, and activities. If you want to stay further out, then a vehicle is a must. If you're staying in New Orleans with family and friends of all ages, you should be close to the action but not in the midst of it. My favorite neighborhoods for family friendly places to stay in New Orleans are the Arts/Warehouse District and the Uptown/Garden District.

The Arts/Warehouse District is the perfect family launching point for a trip filled with intriguing museums, historic attractions and delicious dining that’s sure to keep the entire family happy. If you're traveling with nature and wildlife lovers, the Uptown/Garden District is a great location for a relaxed day of nature, shopping, and of course, delicious food.

What to Do

Fun for kids and adults alike, the National WWII Museum, located in the Warehouse District is filled with hands on experiences and many interactive and educational exhibits. Plan to spend another day with a fun bowling competition at Fulton Alley or build family teamwork in a session at Escape My Room.

From the Uptown/Garden District, sit back, relax and enjoy the view of St. Charles Avenue along the historic St. Charles Streetcar. The entire family can experience a leisurely ride through the Garden District and Uptown with unlimited all day "Jazzy Pass" access for $3/person. Hop back on the streetcar after breakfast or lunch and head over to Audubon Zoo. Animals from all over the world, including the rare and famous white alligator, freely roaming peacocks and their newest additions, the lion pack, will have the whole gang excited and amused.

The French Quarter is legendary and is undoubtedly the most popular destination in New Orleans. You can stay in the French Quarter when traveling to New Orleans with kids and older adults but it's much more family friendly to stay in a quieter area and venture into the French Quarter for a day or two of food and fun. See my recommendations for exploring the French Quarter in a few hours, over one or more days, in the Other Areas to Explore section below.

Where to Eat

In the Uptown/Garden District, start with breakfast at the iconic Camellia Grill. Enjoy a family lunch at the Zoofari Cafe or get your food to go and enjoy a picnic at Audubon Park. Local favorites like Domilise’s or St. James Cheese Company are also perfect for picking up picnic staples. The ideal way to end a day Uptown is with a summertime favorite: snoballs! Sno-LA cheesecake stuffed sno-balls (yum!), Hansen’s and Plum Street are some of the best in the neighborhood.

For breakfast in the Warehouse District, the Two Chicks Cafe is a local favorite. The American Sector is located on the National WWII Museum’s campus and serves up traditional American and kid-friendly fare, including cheeseburgers, hotdogs, and patty melts, for lunch. While in the Warehouse District, enjoy fabulous local cuisine at famous restaurants like Cochon and Emeril's New Orleans.

Just under a mile north of the National WWII Museum is the Marigny/Bywater district. The Ruby Slipper Cafe is a New Orleans favorite in this neighborhood. Kids can enjoy sweet cinnamon swirl pancakes while the adults indulge in their award-winning Bloody Mary. From here, it's an easy 15 minute walk to the historic French Market. After exploring the French Market, head to Dat Dog for lunch. Dat Dog is a lively and colorful spot for hot dog lovers. Get a standard beef dog or try an alligator or duck sausage.

In the French Quarter, the legendary Cafe du Monde offers a sweet start to your day. Share an order of beignets, the famous powdered New Orleans pastry, paired with a cafe au lait or hot chocolate. Feast on an authentic New Orleans po-boy at Johnny’s Po-Boys for lunch. Treat the family to New Orleans cuisine at Mambo's or Oceana Grill before making your way to Three Muses for and after dinner cocktail and a live jazz set.

Just 5 miles from the Garden District is the MidCity area of New Orleans. Start your exciting day of exploring at Wakin' Bakin' for traditional breakfast options just five minutes from New Orleans City Park. After an afternoon of sun and play, head to the Childrens' Museum restaurant, Acorn, for a family friendly lunch. Spend the evening at Katie's Restaurant for a casual and family-friendly dinner.

For a true, local taste of New Orleans, be sure to grab a bite to eat in Treme. Find delicious Creole food at Dooky Chase and Lil' Dizzy's, just to name a few. End your day with a kid-friendly meal at Landry's right on the waters of the Mississippi River.

Other Areas to Explore

Except for the French Quarter, getting to these other areas will usually require transportation. Also for people that have strollers, or use mobility aids like wheelchairs and walkers, it can be difficult to navigate them in the French Quarter.

French Quarter

Use the trolley system or walk to the French Quarter if you stay in the Warehouse District. You can also get to it from the Garden District but it's a bit further away. There is so much to see and do in the French Quarter. It's perfect for walking around and people watching. You can also visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. With sea life ranging from jellyfish to penguins to otters, the aquarium will delight children and adults alike. As the evening approaches, catch the sunset in Jackson Square. Your family can sightsee on a mule-drawn carriage ride, or take a walk and enjoy street performers and artists. Carve out some time in the evening for haunted tales during a ghost tour throughout the French Quarter, perfect for tweens, teens, and adults.

Mid-City / Esplanade Ridge

The French Quarter is the best starting point for getting to the Mid-City/Esplanade Ridge area. Once there, experience the city like a local family in and around City Park. When the weather is nice, your family can spend an entire day in City Park. Take the kids on a tour through the Botanical Gardens or the newly expanded Sculpture Garden next to the New Orleans Museum of Art. Check out Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, which offers a variety of rides for kids of all ages. Play a game of mini-golf at City Putt, make-believe in Storyland, or enjoy an afternoon of sunshine and boating on Big Lake. Mid-City is also home to the newly-remodeled Louisiana Children's Museum. Let your little ones experience specially curated exhibits, interactive activities and ample outdoor space. If your family prefers the indoors, let them rock out to live music while bowling at Rock n’ Bowl.

Marigny/Bywater

Between the Warehouse District and the French Quarter is the Marigny/Bywater district. Crescent Park, right along the Mississippi River, is a breath of fresh air and green space in the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods. Access begins just down the river from the French Market. Eat lunch outside so you can enjoy the sounds on this local music stretch as brass bands fill the streets daily.

Tremé/Gentilly

Explore the oldest African American neighborhood in the U.S. with a visit to Tremé. Walking tours are a popular choice for learning the history of the area, but a visit to the New Orleans African American Museum or Armstrong Park/Congo Square are great options as well. Tremé connects to the residential neighborhood of Gentilly, which you can drive through to access the beautiful Lakefront. Children will love visiting the Lighthouse Museum and watching the sailboats pass by just before sunset.

Outside of New Orleans

You'll have to venture outside of the city for those famous swamp tours you've heard so much about. The good news is that if you arrange it in advance, most tour guides will pick you in various areas of New Orleans. While you're outside of New Orleans, visit the Whitney Plantation, which is the only plantation museum in Louisiana that focuses on the lives of enslaved people.