Top Family Vacation Spots in New Orleans, United States

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Top Family Vacation Spots in New Orleans, United States

1. Audubon Zoo

Home to over 2,000 exotic and native animals, including gorillas, orangutans, and a penguin exhibit.
  • Wild Encounters: Get up close with your favorite animals during the Zoo's Wild Encounters interactive programs.
  • Gator Run: Watch alligators swim and sunbathe in a lush swamp habitat at Gator Run.
  • Jungle Gym: Kids can burn off energy on the Jungle Gym, an outdoor play area with slides, climbing structures, and a water feature.

2. New Orleans City Park

A sprawling urban park featuring playgrounds, boating lagoons, golf courses, and the iconic Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.
  • Carousel Gardens Amusement Park: Ride historic carousels, roller coasters, and classic arcade games at this nostalgic amusement park.
  • Big Lake: Pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks are available for rent to explore Big Lake's serene waters.
  • Storyland: Children's storybook-themed play area filled with giant statues of popular fairy tales characters.

3. Insectarium

Explore the world of insects through interactive exhibits, a butterfly garden, and live bug shows.
  • Butterfly Garden: Wander among colorful butterflies in the serene Butterfly Garden.
  • Live Shows: Watch live shows featuring tarantulas, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and other fascinating insects.
  • Insect-Themed Play Area: Little ones can play in a bug-themed play area designed especially for them.

4. Steamboat Natchez River Cruise

Experience the charm of a traditional Mississippi riverboat while enjoying lunch or dinner and live jazz music.
  • Historic Boat: Cruise on a National Historic Landmark vessel, built in 1975 to resemble a traditional steamboat.
  • Live Jazz Music: Enjoy live Dixieland jazz music during your cruise, playing tunes like the Louisiana Blues and When the Saints Go Marching In.
  • Sightseeing Tour: Take in sights of New Orleans' famous riverfront, French Quarter, and historic plantation homes along the way.

5. Blake Gardens at Springfield

Discover over 40 unique themed gardens filled with exotic plants and whimsical sculptures.
  • Butterfly Garden: Admire hundreds of butterflies in the enclosed Butterfly Garden.
  • Fairy Tale Gardens: Delight in the Fairy Tale Gardens, featuring miniature scenes inspired by classic stories like Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland.
  • Labyrinth: Walk through a beautiful stone labyrinth surrounded by vibrant flowers and lush greenery.

6. Louisiana Children's Museum

Interactive exhibits designed to educate and entertain children ages 2-10, focusing on art, culture, and science.
  • Super Grocery: Little ones can learn about healthy food choices in the Super Grocery exhibit.
  • Art Studio: Kids can unleash their creativity in the Art Studio, where they can paint, draw, and sculpt.
  • Bayou Backyard: Explore a Louisiana backyard, complete with crawfish traps, turtles, frogs, and other local wildlife.

7. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

Learn about aquatic life from around the world, with over 10,000 sea creatures on display.
  • Shark Encounter: Walk through a tunnel surrounded by sharks in the Shark Encounter exhibit.
  • Mississippi River Gallery: Discover local aquatic life in the Mississippi River Gallery, featuring creatures like alligators and river otters.
  • Sea Turtle Rescue: Help rehabilitate injured sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Rescue exhibit before they are released back into the wild.

8. Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center

Hands-on exhibits and shows to inspire curiosity in science, math, engineering, and technology.
  • Planetarium: Experience immersive sky shows at the state-of-the-art digital planetarium.
  • Engineering Workshop: Build and test your own creations in the Engineering Workshop.
  • Energy Zone: Learn about renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power at the Energy Zone exhibit.

9. Louisiana Swamp Tours

Explore Louisiana's swamps and bayous on a guided tour, spotting wildlife like alligators, nutrias, and birds.
  • Airboat Rides: Experience the thrill of an airboat ride through the swamp.
  • Nature Guides: Learn from knowledgeable guides about the local ecosystem and wildlife.
  • Cajun Culture: Discover Cajun culture through stories, music, and food during your tour.

10. Pirate's Alley Fountain of Youth

A whimsical, pirate-themed fountain located in the heart of the French Quarter.
  • Pirate-Themed Sculptures: Enjoy the imaginative sculptures depicting pirates, mermaids, and treasure chests.
  • Children's Play Area: Kids can play on a small play structure shaped like a ship.
  • Historic Setting: Visit this charming attraction in the heart of New Orleans' historic French Quarter.

11. French Quarter Kid-Friendly Tours

Guided tours specifically designed for families with young children to explore the French Quarter safely and easily.
  • Storytelling Guides: Learn the history of the French Quarter from engaging, kid-friendly guides.
  • Children's Prizes: Kids will receive beads and other trinkets during the tour.
  • Cultural Exposure: Introduce your kids to New Orleans' unique blend of cultures, history, and music.

12. Mardi Gras World

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the floats and costumes used in the world-famous Mardi Gras parade.
  • Design Studios: See where artists and craftsmen create the elaborate floats and costumes for Mardi Gras.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Participate in hands-on activities, like decorating your own mask or throwing beads.
  • Historic Preservation: Help preserve Mardi Gras traditions by learning about the festival's history and importance to New Orleans culture.

13. Audubon Nature Institute Butterfly Garden and Insectarium

Explore a tropical garden filled with butterflies and learn about the fascinating world of insects.
  • Butterfly House: Walk through a greenhouse filled with hundreds of beautiful, free-flying butterflies.
  • Insectarium Galleries: Visit interactive exhibits that teach you about the various types of insects and their roles in the ecosystem.
  • Live Shows: Watch live shows featuring tarantulas, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and other fascinating insects.

14. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Visit six unique sites across southeast Louisiana to learn about the history of piracy, the French Acadians, and the natural environment.
  • Barataria Preserve: Explore a swamp and marsh ecosystem on a guided tour at Barataria Preserve.
  • Acadian Cultural Center: Learn about the history, culture, and traditions of the French Acadians at the Acadian Cultural Center.
  • Chalmette Battlefield: Walk through the site where the Battle of New Orleans took place in 1815.

15. Audubon Nature Institute Zoo and Aquarium

Home to over 2,000 exotic and native animals, including gorillas, orangutans, and a penguin exhibit.
  • Wild Encounters: Get up close with your favorite animals during the Zoo's Wild Encounters interactive programs.
  • Gator Run: Watch alligators swim and sunbathe in a lush swamp habitat at Gator Run.
  • Jungle Gym: Kids can burn off energy on the Jungle Gym, an outdoor play area with slides, climbing structures, and a water feature.