A beautiful city with a rich culture and striking attractions, what more would a traveler wish for? Boasting world class attractions and hundreds of festivals yearly, New Orleans is the ideal vacation city for families, solo travelers and couples. Here are our top picks of family friendly New Orleans attractions that shouldn’t be missed.
The Mardi Gras Museum
The Mardi Gras museum contains the largest collection of costumes one can find in the south. It occupies the entire second floor of the Central School Arts and humanities center. You can experience Mardi Gras year-round. Tours typically last one hour and are available every half an hour. Visitors get the chance to buy beautifully designed artifacts and accessories to take home as keepsakes. Take your family for a trip to the Mardi Gras museum for a memorable day.
Audubon zoo
Located in the historic uptown of New Orleans, this zoo is definitely a must see for families. Audubon zoo boasts an incredible variety of animals from around the world, including some rare and endangered species like orangutans and Amur leopards. The zoo also holds daily animal shows, talks, and even feedings for an enhanced experience. In addition, Audubon has breathtaking exhibits that mimics the animal’s natural habitat. Fortunately, the zoo offers extended weekend hours for families to enjoy the fantastic programming.
Cool Zoo
The Cool Zoo is one of the most popular water parks in New Orleans. Located within the Audubon Zoo this water park adds a whole new level of fun. The water park features a 750-foot lazy river with 2 incredible sand beaches, 4 water cannons, lounge chairs, jumping jets, and two water curtains. Perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. Some highlights at the park include water spouts, a spider monkey soaker, water spitting snakes, and a huge alligator water slide. Note: private parties can be arranged with reservations.
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
This famous amusement park has been very popular since its grand opening. The park is only open seasonally, so make sure you check their hours of operation. Come ride on the rollercoaster, miniature train, drop tower, and ferris wheel. Fun for the whole family, Carousel Gardens is a must see on your vacation.
French Quarter tours
You can’t visit New Orleans without stopping by the French Quarter. The French Quarter is the best neighborhood to experience true New Orleans culture. While there you will find several tour companies offering guided educational tours of the area. Experience the vibrant sites within the French Quarter. Don’t forget to purchase a Voodoo keepsake to remember your trip.
Traveling with children can be challenging at times. Make your trip more relaxing by visiting any of these family friendly attractions in New Orleans. Whether your family loves animals, amusement rides, or history there is something for everyone in this beautiful city.
