Top family-friendly places your kids will want to explore when you visit the New Orleans area.
Ever wonder what it would be like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans with your kids? And, no, we’re not talking about bringing your kids to some Irish Pub (although we do reminisce back to those fun younger days!) We’re talking about bringing the whole family to Louisiana to experience a fun, family-friendly community tradition that has been going on for a very long time.
We thought we’d give it a try. And we think you should, too!
The last time we traveled to New Orleans we had no children, so we had to call up a few of our family members to check out the latest and greatest things to do with the kids that would not involve so much “sight-seeing” in New Orleans. Combining our own research with recommendations from family, we’ve compiled an itinerary and a list of the top places we enjoyed visiting when we traveled to New Orleans. And, needless to say, our kids LOVED every minute of it! Plus, mommy and daddy had fun, too! Super important to find that good balance when you travel.
DAY 1 // EXPLORE COVINGTON
Where to stay: Southern Hotel – visit website
Dining:
Casual Dining? Try Buster’s Place (short walk from hotel)
Prefer Upscale Dining? Try Oxlot9 (on property)
Mommy & Daddy’s Notes:
- Enjoy the mini continental breakfast available each morning at the Cypress Bar (on property)
- Small pool area, was not heated, but still fun if you /the kids want to take a quick dip in the pool to cool down
- Enjoy live music and drinks outside in the courtyard (check hotel for more info)
- Spa services are also available
Explore: H J Smith’s Son General Store and Museum
Explore: Bogue Falaya Park Community Playground
DAY 2 // VISIT GLOBAL WILDLIFE CENTER IN FOLSOM, LA
Mommy & Daddy’s Notes:
- Check their calendar and schedule in advanced to plan accordingly
- Arrive early to buy your tickets for the first tour available
- Bring water and snacks for the kids, plus hand sanitizer
- And, yes, buy food to feed the animals BEST. EXPERIENCE. EVER.
DAY 3 // VISIT INSTA-GATOR RANCH & HATCHERY IN COVINGTON, LA
Mommy & Daddy’s Notes:
- Where comfortable shoes—they MIGHT get a little dirt/mud on them, too
- There is a little gift shop inside if you love to buy souvenirs
- Bring some light snacks in case the kiddos get hungry after the tour
DAY 4 // EXPLORE DOWNTOWN METAIRIE & WATCH ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Where to Stay: Courtyard New Orleans Metairie
Mommy & Daddy’s Notes:
- This was a good central location, and easy to get to all the activities listed below
- Don’t forget those Marriott points
- Bring swimwear for outdoor pool
- Complimentary breakfast available
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Metairie: St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Metairie Road
Mommy & Daddy’s Notes:
- Check event website for Metairie Road Parade route, date, and time
- Parade moves through residential neighborhood, which tends to be more family-friendly, so get there early to get close parking,
- Note where you are parking relative to the parade’s starting point. This can give you an idea of how long it will take before the parade reaches you
- We arrived about 45 minutes before it started and the parade did not reach us for another 45 minutes
- Many people brought coolers, folding chairs, wagons, etc—but since we were traveling, we didn’t have any of these with us. We just sat on the curb with a blanket
- Bring some food, snacks, and/or beverages with you
- Not many restaurant options nearby, plus it gets really busy, and lines tend to be long
- Plan ahead for restroom use
- Bring a large bag, like a garbage bag, to contain all the fun things you’ll catch!
- Spend time with your child(ren) sorting through everything—since we travel far, we separated what we wanted to take back with us, and what we decided to donate back
Local Dining Options:
Zoës Kitchen
4243 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70006
Cafe Du Monde
4700 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70006
Ristorante Filippo
1917 Ridgelake Drive
Metairie, LA 70001
Day 5 // VISIT NEW ORLEANS CITY PARK
Where to Explore: New Orleans City Park
Here, you will find various activities to keep the whole family entertained. In fact, you can spend an entire day, just hanging out and exploring this little nook away from the hustle and bustle of downtown New Orleans. Make sure to check the website calendar to confirm dates & hours of operation for each activity before you plan your trip.
Imagine all of your kids’ favorite characters from stories and rhymes carved into colorful, larger-than-life sculptures and you have a good picture of Storyland. You’ll find the Three Little Pigs, the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Pinocchio and the whale, a dragon slide and more.
Stanley Ray Playground
Located near Morning Call, this playground is complete with slides, swings, and tunnels designed specifically for kids ages two to five.
Live Oak Trees
This city park is known for having one of the largest collections of mature live oaks in the world. Rumors say, some trees are nearly 500 years old. Many mature trees have a branch spread that is double the height of the tree. Children are often seen climbing the limbs of trees adjacent to the playground. Bring your camera for a fun family photo!
Craving more beignets and another cup of café au lait? Stop by Morning Call before you stroll through the park’s playground. The menu also offers heartier fare like jambalaya and gumbo, plus ice cream and other treats. Please do note: Morning Call is cash only.
City Putt is a new 36-hole mini golf complex with two courses: the Louisiana Course highlights cultural themes and cities from around the state; the New Orleans Course showcases streets and iconic themes from around the city, with signs detailing the city’s historic sites at each hole. City Putt is 100 percent ADA accessible and located on Victory Drive across from the entrance to Carousel Gardens, Storyland and the Botanical Garden.
Spend a lazy afternoon floating with the ducks, swans and geese on the park’s historic bayous and lagoons, or explore city park on wheels! Take a stroll with the family and have fun on a surrey bike with a canopy. Bikes and boats can be rented from the City Park Boat House on Big Lake.
What do you think about these kid friendly activities? Have you explored these areas before? Share your favorite memories with us!
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