The haunted streets of New Orleans at night – Copyright US Ghost Adventures
New Orleans remains a magical city year-round, offering up a treasure trove of captivating experiences to those of every age. While Bourbon Street may be known for its bars and soulful jazz, plenty of other family-friendly activities litter this vibrant city, hiding within the French Quarter and further out.
From sensational destinations for little ones and their parents to exciting weekend adventures fit for the whole family, the Crescent City hums with compelling activities to make every weekend a memorable one.
Behold The Mansions of The Garden District
New Orleans’ Garden District drips with opulence, as shown by its many stunning dwellings and homes. It’s a wonderful place to drink in the Southern atmosphere of this magnificent city as you wander beneath the moss-draped arms of towering oaks, relishing the majesty of Antebellum mansions and columned properties.
Although you can roam the area at your leisure, a guided tour can be a fascinating experience as well. The Time and Money: Tombs and Mansions of the Rich and Famous walking tour explores not just the wealth of architectural delight hidden in these beguiling streets, but the stories inside them as well. While others can gawk and imagine the lives of those behind these elaborate walls, you can discover the true tales of those who call these grand mansions home.
Embark on a Spooky Ghost Adventure
Searching for a family-friendly adventure for thrill-seekers? Consider a nighttime ghost tour that shepherds you down the Crescent City’s history-soaked streets. Rent an EMF detector along the Shadows of Midnight Ultimate Late Night New Orleans Ghost Tour and see if the spirits of New Orleans grace you with their otherworldly presence.
This hair-raising excursion leaves at 9 pm and lasts an hour or more, depending on whether you book the extended tour. Although chilling, this haunted excursion never delves too far into dark or morbid territory. Children are welcome along the tour, with no charge for those under six.
However, if you’re looking for a tour of the French Quarter that leaves at an earlier hour, consider the French Quarter Ghosts and Ghouls of New Orleans Ghost Tour or the Blood and Magic: Voodoo and Vampire True Crime Tour. These spine-tingling ghost tours are offered daily, allowing families to experience the spookier side of this mysterious city long before the witching hour approaches.
Explore the Animal Kingdom
Considered to be one of the best family-friendly attractions in New Orleans, the Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium are both located at 1 Canal Street. Here, little ones can observe the wonders of sea creatures or the realms of bugs and butterflies in a variety of habitats.
The Audubon Aquarium gives guests a first-hand look into more than 3,000 animals, including African penguins and white alligators, among its many watery environments. Meanwhile, the Audubon Insectarium contains its own collection of astonishing exhibits, from its butterfly garden to its honey bee colony.
A dual ticket will grant you access to both attractions, with the potential to also add a ticket to the Audubon Zoo found in Uptown.
Journey Through NOLA’s Many Wondrous Museums
New Orleans is chock full of museums, from those that celebrate its history and culture to those geared to younger generations. While older crowds may be drawn to the likes of the New Orleans Museum of Art, families will find oodles of fun within the Louisiana Children’s Museum.
Within this center, children can explore a variety of interactive exhibits indoors and out, from those that investigate the local environment to those that engage with culture. Music, art, science, and more abound within this menagerie of learning, waiting to inspire curiosity and delight.
What about teens? Those with older children would be remiss to miss the Museum of Illusions, where your eyes play strange and startling tricks on you. Allow your mind to be boggled by extraordinary optical illusions and baffling displays as you work your way through this fascinating showcase of enigmatic rooms and incredible installations within this remarkable center of mesmerizing images.
Romp Through a Fairytale Wonderland
While New Orleans may seem a city steeped in shadow and mystery, it holds an enchanting side as well. Over in the Lakeview neighborhood, guests can find Storyland, a bewitching playground torn from the pages of a fairytale.
Nestled within New Orleans City Park, this fantasy land overflows with enchantment and charm. Here, kids can clamber around storybook sculptures from age-old nursery rhymes, climbing aboard a captain’s ship or in the mouth of a giant whale.
Those looking for weekend excursions less geared to young ones should check out the Music Box Village in the Bywater neighborhood. Within this one-of-a-kind, artistic site, visitors can roam more than a dozen musical houses that incorporate sonorous experiences and instruments into their design.
Food and drinks are available as well, in addition to the odd concert or performance. It’s a peculiar and marvelous experience that tickles all the senses, perfect for a Saturday or Sunday in Crescent City.
Get Outdoorsy on the Bayou
While many feel compelled to remain within the city’s confines, the truly adventurous often venture further out from NOLA’s well-known neighborhoods. For an exciting expedition, take the family to the cypress-filled waters of Louisiana and glide across the swampy region of New Orleans in a flat-bottomed boat. Drift through gator territory as you learn about the bayou’s wild residents and fascinating stories hidden amidst its murky yet majestic waters.
These tours are led by knowledgeable experts, so you know you’re in safe hands. Additionally, many tour operators offer transportation from the French Quarter area, making this swampy safari easily accessible for families.
To those willing to travel even further afield, there is also Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery in Covington, about an hour north of New Orleans. Here, kids can feed baby alligators, as they learn all about these misunderstood reptiles. Those who visit from August to September can even see these beasties hatch in their own hands!