New Orleans with Kids
🎷 Honest family travel guide
New Orleans can work for families but requires more planning — here's everything you actually need to know before booking: kid-friendly attractions, where to base yourself, stroller realities, and which months to avoid with young children.
Why New Orleans is harder with kids
- ✦Interactive history for older kids
- ✦Nightlife-heavy vibe (less ideal for young kids)
Best things to do with kids in New Orleans
Garden District architecture walk
Beignets at Café du Monde (24h, cash-friendly, expect a line)
A cemetery and cultural tour (above-ground tombs are a real, distinctive feature due to the water table)
Where to stay with kids
For families, apartment rentals beat hotels almost always — kitchen access means breakfast at your own pace and saving on every meal. Look for places with elevators (not all European apartments have them), washing machines, and walking distance to a park or playground.
Practical tips for New Orleans with kids
The French Quarter and Garden District are walkable; the St. Charles streetcar covers the rest cheaply and scenically.
A baby carrier may serve you better than a stroller for crowded areas and stairs in older buildings.
Gumbo, jambalaya and po'boys taste completely different from Bourbon St tourist versions — eat a few blocks off the main strip, or in the Marigny. Dinner culture is family-friendly in most local spots — staff is usually welcoming to kids.
Bourbon St hand grenades and "go-cups" are priced for tourists — drink prices drop fast one block over. Check hurricane forecasts and trip insurance if traveling June–September; the risk is genuine, not just a caveat.
Best months to visit New Orleans with kids
For families, weather matters more than for solo travellers — extreme heat or cold turns a fun trip miserable fast. The best months for a family trip to New Orleans are February, March, April. Avoid June–September (brutal humidity + real hurricane season risk) — uncomfortable weather is hard on young kids.
How many days do you need with kids?
Adults can pack New Orleans into 3 days easily. With kids, plan for 5–6 days minimum — you'll do fewer activities per day (one major sight is enough), build in pool/park afternoons, and need recovery days between big outings.