Where We Stayed: Four Seasons New Orleans
Family Movie Night is a real thing. Order popcorn from in-room dining, pick a movie, the charge gets removed at checkout. Simple and thoughtful.
Kids 5 and under eat free at the hotel restaurants with the purchase of one adult meal. That adds up across a few days.
The rooftop pool has stunning river views and a small kids play area nearby — a chalkboard wall and books. After a long day walking the city, it was the perfect wind-down spot.
- Hotel Monteleone — iconic French Quarter hotel, rooftop pool, home of the famous Carousel Bar (the bar actually rotates). Central to everything.
- Maison Dupuy — steps from major French Quarter attractions, big pool, tucked away from the noise.
- Loews New Orleans — pool, family-friendly dining, great location near the Warehouse Arts District.
- Kimpton Hotel Fontenot — roomy suites, family getaway packages, and a great location near kid-friendly attractions.
The Activities: What We Did and What We'd Add
The highlight of our entire New Orleans trip — Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour at Honey Island Swamp is 45 minutes from New Orleans, all ages welcome, and two hours on a flat-bottom boat through a protected Louisiana wetland spotting alligators, raccoons, turtles, and more.
Book at www.cajunencounters.com.
The Audubon Insectarium surprised us — giant camouflaging insects you have to spot, a stunning butterfly garden where butterflies land right on you and many more interactive exhibits and activities.
The butterfly garden is stunning. Butterflies flying all around you, landing on your shoulders, colors everywhere. Our kids couldn’t stop looking.
The insectarium was a surprise favorite. Giant bugs that camouflage into their surroundings — finding them was like a game. We also got to taste bugs at their café. I tried a cinnamon cricket and a chocolate chip cookie with crickets. The cinnamon cricket was better.
The stingray exhibit lets kids touch the stingrays as they swim by. Big hit.
Easy walk from the Four Seasons. Plan for at least two to three hours.
For booking, visit www.audubonnatureinstitute.org
French Quartour Kids' Spooky Ghost Hunt winds through the French Quarter stopping at haunted sites. Our guide brought a cart of eerie props and artifacts to bring the stories to life, including this creepy doll.
Kids use ghost-hunting technology to try to communicate with spirits from the 1800s. The tour stops at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon Street — the oldest bar in New Orleans and reportedly haunted. Known as a smuggling base for the pirate Jean Lafitte.
Our kids thought it was okay but weren’t blown away. Good for curious kids who like history and a little mystery. These kids tours are a good option for the kids to learn more about the city.
They also offer a Pirate Treasure Hunt (4–7 years), Creole Kids Living History Tour (7–12 years), and a Twilight Tour popular with tweens (8–12 years).
For more information and booking, visit www.frenchquarterkidstours.com
While you’re in City Park, don’t miss Storyland — a fairytale playground with life-sized storybook characters. Kids can climb, explore, and run around. Free with park admission.
City Park also has pedal boats and kayaks available on Big Lake. Bike rentals available throughout the park. Easy to make a full half-day of it.
The Audubon Aquarium sits right on the Mississippi River, steps from the Four Seasons — the most convenient activity base we could have asked for. The butterfly garden is stunning with hundreds of butterflies flying all around you, and the stingray exhibit lets kids reach in and touch the stingrays as they glide by.
More Activities Worth Adding to Your Trip
Audubon Zoo — elephants, tigers, white alligators, penguins, and a lazy river with waterslides. A full day activity for families. Open Thursday–Monday. www.audubonnatureinstitute.
JAMNOLA — an immersive art and music experience with nearly 30 interactive exhibits made by over 100 local New Orleans artists. Air-conditioned, colorful, and fun for all ages. Great rainy day option. www.jamnola.com
Louisiana Children’s Museum — 8.5 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits designed for kids. Hands-on, educational, and well done. www.lcm.org
Steamboat Natchez — 75-minute sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River. Adults $25.75, kids 6–12 $12.75, kids under 5 free. Also offers jazz brunch and dinner cruises. www.steamboatnatchez.com
Mardi Gras World — take a tour of the warehouse where Mardi Gras floats are designed and built. Kids love getting up close to the giant sculptures. Behind-the-scenes and genuinely fascinating. www.mardigrasworld.com
New Orleans Jazz Museum — hands-on exhibits, live music performances, and interactive activities. In the city where jazz was born. Worth a stop. www.nolajazzmuseum.org
St. Charles Streetcar — $1.25 per person. The oldest continuously operating streetcar route in the world since 1835. Ride past oak-lined streets and historic mansions. Kids treat it like an attraction. Parents get a scenic break. www.norta.com
A French Quarter staple — horse drawn carriage rides are touristy but the little ones absolutely love them. A fun, effortless way to see the historic neighborhood.
The Food: Where to Eat With Kids in New Orleans
New Orleans has one of the best food scenes in the country. The good news — most of it works with kids.
Brennan's —Best Meal of the Trip
Brunch at Brennan’s was the single best meal of our trip. We had the Traditional Brennan’s Breakfast at $80 per person — and it was worth every penny.
You get a Brandy Milk Punch, Baked Apple, choice of Turtle Soup or Gumbo, Eggs Hussarde, Petite Filet Mignon, and the World Famous Bananas Foster. Everything was delicious. The service was impeccable. The vibe is elegant but relaxed.
Before you leave, walk through the courtyard and find the fountain with the turtles. Our kids loved it.
Drago's Seafood Restaurant
Pêche
Café du Monde
Café Beignet
Central Grocery — The Original Muffuletta
Acme Oyster House
Oceana Grill
More Worth Knowing
Parkway Bakery & Tavern — over a century old. Famous for their traditional roast beef po’boys. Expect a wait but it’s worth it.
Willie Mae’s Scotch House — legendary fried chicken. One of the most famous plates of food in New Orleans. Go early, the line gets long.
Mr. B’s Bistro — known for their Barbecued Shrimp. A French Quarter classic.
Pat O’Brien’s — the birthplace of the Hurricane cocktail. Kids are welcome until 9pm (not in the back patio area). A must-stop when walking Bourbon Street.
Cochon & Cochon Butcher — two spots from the same team. Cochon for a sit-down dinner, Cochon Butcher for sandwiches and charcuterie. Both are fantastic.
The Unexpected Moments
One evening walking back to our hotel, a parade just appeared out of nowhere. Floats, a marching band, people throwing beads. Our kids were so excited. That’s just the energy of New Orleans.
Thursday evenings, the Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons hosts live jazz from 6–9pm. Just a pianist, very informal. We sat on the couches with the kids and had a completely relaxed hour before bedtime.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go
The French Quarter is very walkable. Most of the major attractions — Café du Monde, Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, the Aquarium — are within easy walking distance of each other. Comfortable shoes matter. Very stroller friendly.
Book the swamp tour early. It is the most popular activity for families visiting New Orleans and it fills up fast.
Make restaurant reservations in advance. Brennan’s, Commander’s Palace and Pêche especially. Some of the best spots in the city don’t take reservations at all (Drago’s, Acme) so arriving early is the move.
New Orleans is hot and humid. Even in May. Pack light layers, bring sunscreen, and hydrate constantly. Our kids were wiped by early evening every day — plan for that.
The city is loud and lively. That’s part of the appeal. But if you have young kids who go to bed early, staying slightly away from Bourbon Street makes bedtime a lot easier.
The Four Seasons location is ideal. A short walk to the Aquarium, French Quarter, and the riverfront — without being in the middle of the noise.
Always check ahead for updated pricing and hours of operation.