2 Days in New Orleans with Kids: A Realistic Family Guide
New Orleans is known for jazz, Creole and Cajun food, historic neighborhoods, and lively nights, but the city can also be a surprisingly rewarding place to visit with the whole family. For little ones, it feels lifted straight out of Disneyland. Streetcars make getting around part of the experience, live oaks and Spanish moss give the city a distinctive backdrop, and plenty of its best-known foods—from beignets to po’boys—are easy to turn into kid-friendly stops.
A family trip to New Orleans—just like anywhere—works best with thoughtful planning. Rather than trying to cover the entire city, this two-day New Orleans itinerary focuses on a manageable mix of kid-friendly attractions, food even picky eaters will enjoy, walkable neighborhoods, and time to slow down between stops. The itinerary is designed to give families a practical starting point for exploring New Orleans without packing every hour of the trip. You’ll find a mix of famous destinations and unexpected treasures.
Day 1: River Wonders, Paddlewheels, and French Quarter Magic in New Orleans
Morning: Exploring Beneath the Waves and Into the Canopy
No need to rise early on Day 1. Instead, take your time and enjoy a 10 a.m. start at the base of Canal Street along the Mississippi Riverfront at the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium. Housed in an expansive riverside complex, this dual attraction allows families to cover two distinct worlds in one visit—and with only one ticket.
We recommend beginning in the aquarium, where the walk-through Maya Tunnel places children directly under gliding stingrays and other ocean animals. Kids love the South African Penguins, especially if you’re able to catch a feeding. And the braver kiddos can enjoy touching sharks and rays in a 13,000-gallon touch pool.
You can then directly into the Insectarium. The highlight for kids—parents, too—is the tranquil, climate-controlled butterfly pavilion, where hundreds of vibrant species flutter freely across native flora against a backdrop of the Mississippi River. Here they often landing directly on outstretched hands. For daring eaters, the Bug Appétit demonstration kitchen lets brave visitors sample snacks seasoned with crickets and mealworms.
Location: 21 Canal St. Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Midday: Riverfront Bites and Jackson Square
Step outside into Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park and walk along the riverfront toward the French Quarter. Depending on the time of year, Willa Jean is casual walk from the Insectarium or a five-minute rideshare away. We’re obsessed with its menu, which mixes Southern savory and sweets or, as they put it, “baked goods and comfort foods.” Think fried chicken with tabasco honey biscuits (there are also classic plain butter biscuits) and classic macaroni and cheese (always a hit with the kiddos). The coffee menu is stellar and a solid pairing for the baked goods lineup, which includes fresh cookies and vanilla pudding cake.
Location: 611 O'Keefe Ave. Open daily 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
After lunch, take the short walk to Jackson Square. Surrounded by historic cast-iron balconies and the spires of St. Louis Cathedral, the pedestrian plaza functions as an open-air stage. Street performers, tap dancers, magicians, and brass bands fill the perimeter with music. It is a sensory delight for the whole family, who can watch trombone players improvise without needing tickets to an evening jazz club.
Location: 751 Decatur St.
Afternoon: Mississippi River Breezes
After a morning on your feet, give little legs a rest by boarding an afternoon cruise on a historic paddlewheel riverboat docked right by the square. The rhythmic churn of the red paddlewheel and the cool river breezes make it a relaxing, scenic way to spend an hour and a half while teaching kids about the port’s history. (There are several options to pick from online.)
Evening: Beignets and Riverfront Sunsets
Here’s a universal truth: No trip to New Orleans is complete without a stop at the legendary Café du Monde. Head to the open-air pavilion across from Jackson Square, grab a table, and order warm, pillowy beignets buried under mounds of powdered sugar, paired with chicory coffee for parents and cold chocolate milk for kids. End the evening watching the river barges glide along the Mississippi as the sun sets over the water. It’s just like Disneyland—and maybe even more magical.
Day 2: Storybooks, Giant Oaks, and Immersive Art
Morning: Hands-On Discovery at City Park
For a memorable second day, catch the Canal Street Streetcar line heading toward City Park, a 1,300-acre conservancy that’s home to the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Couturie Forest and Arboretum, Train Garden, miniature golf, the Museum of Art, the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Riding the historic streetcar is a treat in itself, with wide windows, wooden benches, and the click-clack charm of historic transit. You can find information about rates, routes, and schedules here.
Your first destination within the conservancy is the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Unlike traditional indoor-only museums, this state-of-the-art facility sits on an eight-acre site with indoor galleries that spill directly out onto sensory gardens and lagoons.
There’s fun water play indoors and out, have a playful experience caring for stuffies, learn about the South Louisiana ecosystem.
Location: 15 Henry Thomas Dr. Open Wed.–Sat. 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun. 11:30 a.m.–
4:30 p.m.; closed Mon.–Tues.
Midday: Shaded Picnic under Ancient Oaks
Pick up lunch at Acorn Café , located right on the museum campus. There’s cheese pizza, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders for kiddos, and blackened shrimp tacos grain bowls for adults. Then eat under the park's live oaks, many of which are more than 800 years old. These sprawling, twisty trees create a natural jungle gym and an ideal shaded refuge where kids can run free without crowds. This is enjoying New Orleans with kids.
Location: 15 Henry Thomas Dr. Open Wed.–Sun. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Afternoon: Storyland and Carousel Rides
Just a short stroll from the museum sits Storyland and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. For roughly three-quarters of a century, Storyland has served as an “enchanted playground” for New Orleans littles. Statues of favorite scenes and characters from for storybooks create a magical setting, where kids can climb up Jack and Jill’s hill, step inside Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, and slide down dragons.
At Carousel Gardens next door, there are some 17 rides to choose from, including a hand-carved wooden carousel operating since 1906. Don’t pass up the classic train ride.
Storyland: 5 Victory Ave. Open Tues.–Sun. 1o a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Carousel Gardens: 7 Victory Ave. Open Sat.–Sun. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Late Afternoon into Evening: Color Explosions at JAMNOLA
Take a short rideshare southeast into the Marigny neighborhood to visit JAMNOLA (Joy, Art & Music New Orleans). This 5,400-square-foot creative space turns local Mardi Gras tradition and neighborhood culture into an interactive art playground.
With rooms filled with beaded crawfish chandeliers, giant sequined po'boys, musical instruments, and interactive digital walls, it encourages kids to touch, dance, and explore freely. It provides an energetic, memorable finale to your Crescent City visit before enjoying a casual Creole dinner in the Marigny or Bywater neighborhoods.
Essential Travel Tips for Parents
Pacing is Everything: New Orleans can be hot and humid, especially from late spring through early autumn. Tackle outdoor activities like Storyland early or late in the day, saving midday hours for air-conditioned sanctuaries like the aquarium.
Pack Baby Wipes: Between buttery po'boys and the inevitable snowstorm of powdered sugar from Café du Monde, wet wipes are an absolute travel essential.
Stroller Selection: The sidewalks in older neighborhoods like the French Quarter and Garden District feature cobblestones, exposed tree roots, and uneven flagstones. A sturdy umbrella stroller or a model with all-terrain wheels handles the terrain far better than lightweight travel buggies.
