New Orleans With Kids: A Family Trip Planning Guide
New Orleans isn't only a nightlife destination — it's a genuinely good family trip with the right pacing and the right stops. Here's how to plan it.
New Orleans' reputation skews toward Bourbon Street and late nights, which can make parents assume it's not a kid-friendly destination — but with the right stops and pacing, it's a genuinely rewarding family trip. Here's a practical planning guide built around traveling with kids specifically.
Kid-Friendly Stops That Actually Work
Audubon Zoo and the adjacent Aquarium of the Americas are the clearest family-trip anchors, with enough to fill a full day between the two. City Park's Carousel Gardens amusement park and its sculpture garden give younger kids room to move after a morning of sightseeing, and a streetcar ride along St. Charles Avenue doubles as transportation and a genuinely fun activity for kids who like trains and trolleys.
Pacing a Day With Young Kids
The biggest mistake family itineraries make in any city, New Orleans included, is over-scheduling. Plan one major activity per half-day rather than stacking the zoo, the aquarium and the French Quarter into a single day, and build in downtime for a nap or a pool break, especially with kids under six. New Orleans' humidity, particularly in summer, wears kids out faster than parents expect.
The French Quarter With Kids
The Quarter is more manageable with kids earlier in the day — before the evening crowds and nightlife atmosphere ramp up. Daytime French Quarter visits for beignets at Café du Monde, a Jackson Square stop to see the street performers, and a walk along the Mississippi riverfront work well with children of almost any age.
Getting Around as a Family
Strollers, car seats and the general gear a family travels with make rideshare a less convenient option than it is for solo or couple travelers — fitting a stroller, diaper bag and two kids into a standard sedan is tight, and not every rideshare vehicle that accepts the request will actually have a car seat available. A reserved SUV or Sprinter van, with a child car seat requested in advance, removes that uncertainty for airport transfers and a full day of family touring.
Booking Family Transportation
Tell us your children's ages when you book so we can confirm the right car seats are on board, and consider an hourly charter for a day combining the zoo, aquarium and a French Quarter stop so you're not coordinating separate rides between each one. See our hourly charter page or call (877) 609-1919 to plan your family's day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Orleans a good destination for families with young kids?
Yes, with the right pacing and stops — Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas, City Park and a daytime French Quarter visit all work well for families.
How should I pace a day in New Orleans with young kids?
Plan one major activity per half-day rather than stacking several in, and build in downtime — the city's humidity tires kids out faster than expected.
Is the French Quarter appropriate for kids?
During the day, yes — beignets at Café du Monde, Jackson Square and the riverfront are all family-friendly before the evening nightlife atmosphere sets in.
Can I get a car seat for a rideshare or car service in New Orleans?
Rideshare availability is inconsistent. A reserved car service can confirm a child car seat in advance when you mention your children's ages at booking.
What's the best way to get a family around for a full day of sightseeing?
An hourly, as-directed charter with a car seat requested in advance, so the same vehicle handles the zoo, aquarium and any other stops without re-booking between each one.
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