Three days in New Orleans with kids almost 5 and 8. Here’s exactly what we did, where we ate, what we’d do again, and what we’d skip.
We stayed at the Four Seasons New Orleans the entire trip — right on the Mississippi River, two minutes from the Audubon Aquarium, five minutes from the French Quarter. The location made everything easier.
Book the transportation package through Cajun Encounters — pickup and drop-off at the Crawdaddy Magnolia Praline Company, a 45-minute scenic drive each way to Honey Island Swamp. Life vests are provided and required for children on board.
Day 1 — Swamp Tour, Beignets, and a Parade We Didn't Plan For
Morning: Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour
We saw more alligators than we expected. Bubba — an 11-foot alligator — came right up to the boat. We spotted baby alligators, a family of raccoons, turtles, birds, and a snake. The kids were completely locked in the entire time. Not a single complaint.
The tour is educational, engaging, and moves fast enough to keep young kids interested. It’s almost two hours on the water. Perfect for ages 4.5 and up.
Book early — this tour fills up. And book the transportation. It is absolutely worth it.
Note: You don’t need to bring a car seat or booster for the kids. We brought a travel stroller but kept it in the bus the whole time as it wasn’t needed. The transportation is a full-size tour bus that only transports the tour goers.
Afternoon: Carousel Gardens and Café du Monde
A historic wooden carousel, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and a ladybug rollercoaster. Right next to Storyland — a fairytale playground our younger one loved. Easy, low-key, and a great way to let the kids burn off energy.
Evening: Oceana Grill and Live Jazz
Day 2 — Ghost Hunt, the Best Brunch of Our Lives, and Bourbon Street
Morning: French Quarter Ghost Hunt
Kids use ghost-hunting technology to search for spirits from 19th century New Orleans. The tour winds through the French Quarter with lots of stops — not too much walking. One stop is at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon Street — the oldest bar in New Orleans, known as a former smuggling base for the pirate Jean Lafitte and reportedly haunted.
Our kids thought it was fun but weren’t blown away. Best for curious kids who love history and a little mystery. Probably ideal for ages 6 and up. The tour is specifically designed not to be too scary — more wonder than fright.
They also offer a Pirate Treasure Hunt (ages 4–7), a Creole Kids Living History Tour (ages 7–12), and a Twilight Tour popular with tweens (ages 8–12).
Don't leave Brennan's without walking through the courtyard — a hidden gem with a beautiful fountain and real turtles living right inside it. A little surprise the kids absolutely loved.
Late Morning: Brennan's Brunch —Best Meal of the Trip
We had the Traditional Brennan’s Breakfast at $80 per person. Here’s what you get:
- Brandy Milk Punch
- Baked Apple
- Choice of Turtle Soup or Gumbo
- Eggs Hussarde
- Petite Filet Mignon
- World Famous Bananas Foster — tableside, flames and all
Every single course was outstanding. The service matched the food. The space is elegant but warm. Not stuffy. Our kids were comfortable and so were we.
Afternoon: Bourbon Street and Pat O'Brien's
Kids are welcome until 9pm — just not in the back patio area near the famous flaming fountain. The front bar and courtyard are fair game for families. Get a Hurricane. It’s a rite of passage when you’re in New Orleans.
Evening: Acme Oyster House
Day 3 — Aquarium, Insectarium, Oysters, and the Perfect Farewell Dinner
Morning: Breakfast at the Four Seasons
Complimentary bug tasting at the Audubon Insectarium — we tried a cinnamon cricket and a chocolate chip cookie with crickets. Worth a try.
Late Morning: Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium
The butterfly garden is genuinely stunning. Hundreds of butterflies flying all around you. Landing on your arms and shoulders. So many varieties. Our kids were mesmerized.
The insectarium surprised us. Giant insects that camouflage into their surroundings — finding them becomes a game. At the Bug Appétit café, you can taste bugs for free. I tried a cinnamon cricket and a chocolate chip cookie with crickets. The cinnamon cricket was honestly better.
The stingray exhibit lets kids reach in and touch the stingrays as they swim by. You can also watch them being fed (check ahead for feeding times).
Plan to spend at least two to three hours.
Afternoon: Drago's Charbroiled Oysters
They are that good. Butter, garlic, Parmesan, herbs — broiled hot in the shell.
Evening: Farewell Dinner at Pêche
We ordered the Capellini, Tuna Crudo, Whole Grilled Fish, Grilled Hanger Steak with Salsa Verde, and Fried Brussels Sprouts with chili vinegar. Every dish was perfectly seasoned. Every ingredient earned its place on the plate.
No kids menu — but both of our kids found things they loved without any issues.
Make reservations through Resy well in advance. This restaurant books up.
What We Would Add With More Time
If you have four or five days, here’s what we’d add to this itinerary:
Audubon Zoo — elephants, tigers, rare white alligators, and a lazy river with waterslides. A full day on its own.
JAMNOLA on Frenchmen Street — immersive art and music exhibits celebrating New Orleans culture. Interactive, air-conditioned, and genuinely fun for all ages.
Steamboat Natchez — 75-minute sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River. Adults $25.75, kids 6–12 $12.75, kids under 5 free.
Louisiana Children’s Museum — 8.5 acres of hands-on exhibits for kids. $22.95 admission. Well done and worth it.
Mardi Gras World — tour the warehouse where Mardi Gras floats are built. Kids love seeing the giant sculptures up close.
City Park — pedal boats on Big Lake, bike rentals, Storyland playground. Easy half-day.
St. Charles Streetcar — $1.25 per person. Kids treat it like a ride. A scenic, effortless way to see a different side of the city.
Quick-Reference Food Guide
Restaurant | What to Get | Reservations? |
Brennan’s | Traditional Brennan’s Breakfast | Yes — book early |
Drago’s | Charbroiled Oysters | No — walk in |
Pêche | Whole Grilled Fish, Tuna Crudo | Yes — book via Resy |
Acme Oyster House | Fried Fish Platter, Raw Oysters | No — walk in |
Oceana Grill | Dinner classics | Yes recommended |
Central Grocery | Original Muffuletta | No |
Café du Monde | Beignets | No |
Pat O’Brien’s | Hurricane cocktail | No |
Tips for Doing This Itinerary With Young Kids
- Book a swamp tour.
- Make reservations for the popular restaurants like Brennan’s.
- Depending on the time of year, the afternoons can get really hot. May in New Orleans is warm and humid. Build in rest time — back at the hotel, pool, or a coffee break.
- The French Quarter is walkable. Almost everything on this itinerary is within easy walking distance of the Four Seasons. We barely needed transportation. The city is stroller-friendly.
- Don’t over-schedule. Three things a day is plenty with young kids.
- Pick out the kid-friendly activities you want to do ahead of time and schedule them based on the weather for the day. For example, if there will be rain, opt for the aquarium and plan the riverboat and walking tour for another day.
Always check ahead for updated pricing, hours, and seasonal schedules.
Exhibits worth the visit alone — petting stingrays as they glide by, mesmerizing jellyfish, a butterfly garden where hundreds of butterflies fly right by you, and a rare albino alligator. The Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium delivered at every turn.