New Orleans With Kids by Age Group
A four-year-old and a fourteen-year-old need completely different things from New Orleans, and the city has both on offer if you sort by age. Zoo mornings suit the small ones, hands-on studios suit the middle years, and teenagers get the music and the history. Here is how the days can split.
Under 6: animals, shade and a streetcar
Audubon Zoo in Uptown is the anchor. Ticket sales run daily from 10:00 to 16:00 with the grounds open to 17:00, and children under 2 are free. Adult tickets cost about $30 to $40 and child or senior tickets about $25 to $35, with prices having risen in 2026. The zoo is closed on Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the zoo FAQ page has current rates and hours.
Between animals, the St. Charles streetcar is an attraction in its own right at $1.25 a ride, or $0.50 for youth. The Besthoff Sculpture Garden in City Park is free daily, with more than 90 outdoor sculptures among old live oaks and lagoons.
Ages 6 to 12: the hands-on middle years
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Insectarium are both downtown. A combined Aquarium and Insectarium ticket costs about $45 to $55 for an adult, and a ticket for all three Audubon attractions about $60. The Aquarium and Insectarium take cashless payment only from 1 October 2026.
Mardi Gras World, a working float studio, is open 9:00 to 17:30 daily with last entry at 16:30. Adults pay about $22 and children $14. Artisans sculpt, paint and finish giant floats for upcoming Carnival parades while you watch. Check prices at mardigrasworld.com before you go.
The Steamboat Natchez daytime cruise costs about $21 for a child on listings, and the calliope whistle tends to delight children. A pontoon swamp tour into the Barataria area costs about $29 to $35 for adults if you drive yourself. Child fares are lower and vary by operator, and you can see swamp tours on GetYourGuide .
Teenagers: music and history
Preservation Hall admits all ages, and its 45-minute set suits teens who might fidget through longer shows. Tickets are sold online in advance only, so nothing is sold at the door and cash is not accepted, and photography is not allowed.
The National WWII Museum suits older children as a museum with large aircraft hanging from the ceiling. Adult admission is about $37, and students pay about $27. Allow half a day.
The Canal Street ferry to Algiers Point costs $2 for a pedestrian and gives a short, cheap river crossing with a skyline view at the end.
Planning around the city
Summer heat is the main constraint. Book zoo visits for opening time and keep afternoons for air-conditioned museums. For evenings, Bourbon Street is a poor fit for children: petty theft is the realistic risk there, and it gets loud and crowded after dark. Jackson Square and Frenchmen Street are better places for a family stroll in the early evening, though keep valuables in front pockets.
Family visits during Carnival (6 January to 9 February 2027) mean packed streets along St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street on parade days. Hurricane season peaks from mid-August to mid-October, so choose flexible bookings.
Tip
Pick one big paid attraction per day and fill the rest with free stops. The 2-day itinerary shows a light-footprint schedule, and the sightseeing page lists free walks that work for tired legs.