New Orleans Family Fun

More than 7,000 aquatic creatures swim in 60 displays in this world-class aquarium. There are four major exhibit areas: the Amazon River Basin, the Caribbean Reef, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf Coast, to provide a learning experience about native aquatic creatures. The Aquarium of the Americas is one of the most popular New Orleans places to visit.

The newest Audubon amusement is the largest insect museum in North America. This insectarium and butterfly garden allows guests of all ages to learn more about the small creatures around them and the rare insects of the world. Other features of the New Orleans insectarium offer a bug’s perspective, the bug hall of fame, bug cafe, and the all-encompassing sensory experience of the theater show.

This park surrounds the aquarium, and it is a great spot for viewing the active Mississippi. Water tours leave from the park frequently.

Once a plantation, the park is now one of the largest (340 acres) and most acclaimed metropolitan parks in the United States. It has a world-class zoo, picnic and play areas, a golf course, a miniature train, riding stables, a tennis court, and a river view. Audubon Park in New Orleans is an excellent spot for a scenic run, family walk, or picnic.

This wonderful New Orleans zoo is a great place for families to visit. The zoo has a tremendous number of exhibits, including a Louisiana Swamp, tropical-bird house, butterfly exhibit, flamingo pond, sea lions, and white tigers.

As the name suggests, this New Orleans attraction is dedicated to the most famous party in America, Mardi Gras. Visitors can watch floats being made, view a film about Mardi Gras, and buy Carnival memorabilia in the gift shop. Kids will enjoy trying on a trunk full of Mardi Gras costumes.

The carousel was built in 1906 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The New Orleans amusement park includes a roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and other nostalgic carnival rides.

City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Within its 1,500 acres, the Casino, Botanical Garden, Storyland, Carousel Gardens, New Orleans Museum of Art, tennis courts, and a golf course attract and entertain visitors. City Park also provides a location for many smaller festivals.

The actual building center has won prizes for its design. Inside, a finely curated collection of local and national art is displayed. The Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans also hosts concerts, films, theatrical and dance performances, and art-related workshops and seminars.

Built in 1849, this staunch structure occupies the whole block and is a major city landmark. The building has identical entrances on all four sides, and visitors are welcome to look around.

Built in 1869, this magnificent home features marble fireplaces and stained-glass windows. The Elms Mansion on St. Charles has been carefully restored and furnished with period pieces.

With a screen 5-1/2 stories tall, this is one of the most thrilling cinema experiences around. The theater shows breathtaking nature films related to the sea, Earth, and outer space that are meant for the whole family to enjoy.

The French Market contains shops, offices, and eating places, and it is an important part of the life of New Orleans. Street performers enliven the marketplace, and visitors can choose from the best of New Orleans delicacies.

This house is one of the French Quarter’s largest and best examples of American architecture. Cooking demonstrations, held in the city’s only open Creole kitchen, delight visitors all day long.

Occupying the heart of the French Quarter, the square was built in 1718. A statue of Andrew Jackson commemorates his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Artists hang their paintings on the park fence and set up outdoor studios, as do musicians, dancers, and magicians.

One of the best children’s museums in the country, the Louisiana Children’s Museum has lots of hands-on activities. It also features a playscape for very young children, and lots to do for the whole family.

This wax museum features famous residents and natives of Louisiana. More than 100 wax figures are featured in this New Orleans museum.

While the garden may be relatively small (10 acres), it is a lovely spot to visit and has lots to offer. The gardens include a tropical conservatory, a water-lily pond, a formal rose garden, azalea and camellia gardens, and horticultural gardens. Fountains and sculpture are found throughout, and everything can be seen during a guided tour.

One of the best museums in the country, the NOMA has a large permanent collection that specializes in pre-Columbian, African, and local art. World-class traveling exhibits also come frequently to the museum.

The Robinson House was built in the 1850s, and it is one of the largest and most elegant in New Orleans. The architecture is styled after an Italian villa, and it is believed to have been the first house in New Orleans with indoor plumbing.

This theme park is designed almost exclusively for children. It features a large dragon slide and 26 storybook exhibits built around fairy-tale narratives and characters. Child Magazine has rated Storyland one of the ten best playgrounds in the country.

Built to be a casino, this Spanish-style building is now an enlarged concession stand selling New Orleans delicacies, including the world-famous po’boys. A band stand has frequent performances, kids enjoy the playground, and paddle boats are available for rent in the lagoon.