New Orleans has a reputation as an expensive party city. For families, the reality is different. The park system is genuinely excellent, the admission prices at major attractions are reasonable, and with a little planning you can have a full vacation day for under $50. Here's exactly how.
Completely Free (Bring Only Food Money)
Start here. These cost nothing to enter.
**Audubon Park** , 350 acres of oak trees, walking paths, and green space on the river. Free to walk in any time. Kids can run, bike, and explore without spending a dollar. Budget $20-40 for lunch on Magazine Street if you skip packing food.
**Lafreniere Park** , One of the best free parks in the metro area. Shaded pavilions, a small lake with fishing (bring gear and a Louisiana license), bike paths, and seasonal pedal boats. A full half-day here costs nothing if you pack a picnic.
**Mickey Markey Park** , Bywater neighborhood park with real character. Great playground equipment, free, and surrounded by Bywater's excellent restaurant strip for a post-play meal that doesn't break the budget.
**Magnolia Playground and Stanley Ray Playground** , Two free City Park playgrounds right next to each other near Storyland and Carousel Gardens. Use these as your free warm-up before deciding how much paid City Park action you want.
**Cabrini Playground** , Right at the edge of the French Quarter. If you're staying in or near the Quarter, this is your free morning-energy-burn before the day starts. Walk back into the Quarter for breakfast after.
**Confetti Park** , Algiers Point. Free playground, and you can pair it with the Algiers Point Ferry to the French Quarter for a ferry-ride adventure. The ferry itself is cheap , great for kids who love boats.
**Exposition Boulevard Playground** , On St. Charles Avenue, accessible by the iconic streetcar. Free playground, iconic neighborhood, easy Magazine Street lunch access without needing a car.
**Walnut Street Playground, Danneel Park + Playground, Wisner Playground, Evans Playground** , Free Uptown neighborhood parks. If you're staying Uptown or Carrollton, these are your backyard.
**Lemann Park & Playground** , Free NORDC park in the Tremé, one of the oldest African American neighborhoods in the country. Combine with a walk through the Tremé for genuine New Orleans cultural context at no cost.
**Audubon Riverview (Butterfly) Park** , Free park on the Mississippi River levee adjacent to Audubon Park. River views, breezy paths, great for strollers. Magazine Street is steps away.
Under $15 Per Person
**New Orleans Botanical Garden , Adults ~$10-12, kids ~$6-8, under 2 free. Family of 4: ~$32-40**. Inside City Park, so you get the park grounds for free on top of the garden visit. Closed Mondays.
**NOLA Kidsground , Entry for kids $10-14, adults often free or nominal. Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 young kids): ~$25-35 entry** plus snacks on-site. Total stays under $50 easily.
**Audubon Louisiana Nature Center , Admission $8-15/person. Family of 4: ~$35-55**. Pack your own food since there's no dining on-site , that keeps your total well under $60 for the morning. Closed Monday and Tuesday, so plan accordingly.
**Carousel Gardens Amusement Park , Individual ride tickets $1-3 each, or unlimited ride wristbands $18-22/child. Two kids with wristbands: ~$40-50 for unlimited rides. Add Storyland next door at ~$4/person** and you've got a full City Park activity day for a family of 4 under $75 total with snacks.
**The Kids Castle Play Area , Small admission fee, typically $3-7 per child**, adults free. Castle-themed soft play at Lakeside Shopping Center. Full outing with mall food court lunch: ~$40-60 for the family.
**Optimus Entertainment , Token packages typically $10-20/person. Family of 4: ~$50-80** depending on time spent. Classic neighborhood arcade energy. Call ahead to confirm current hours and pricing.
Under $50 for a Family of 4 (Full Day Strategy)
Here's how to do a genuinely great family day in New Orleans for under $50 total in admission costs.
Morning: Start at **City Park Playground** , free. Spend 45-90 minutes running off energy.
Mid-Morning: Walk to **Storyland** , $4/person, so $8 for 2 kids ($16 if both adults pay too, but adults often free). Storyland has storybook character sculptures kids can climb on. Total so far: ~$8-16.
Lunch: Pack a picnic. Or grab food from one of the City Park café carts. Budget $20-25.
Afternoon: **New Orleans Botanical Garden** , ~$32-40 for a family of 4. Wander the garden for 1-1.5 hours.
Total: ~$60-80 including food. If you pack your own lunch, the admission-only total drops to under $50.
Tips to Stretch Your Budget
- Audubon combo tickets bundle the Aquarium, Insectarium, and Zoo. If you're planning to visit two or more Audubon venues, the combo is always cheaper than buying separately.
- Louisiana residents get discounted rates at all Audubon Nature Institute venues. Show ID at the box office.
- Reciprocal aquarium memberships , members of accredited home aquariums may get free or reduced entry at the Audubon Aquarium. Worth checking before you pay.
- LOOP NOLA at **loopnola.org** has free community programming. Check the schedule , some open play is free, paid classes add cost.
- Trampoline parks at Airborne X and Sky Zone charge less when you buy tickets online. Family of 4 admission at Sky Zone runs $75-105 , not cheap, but buying in advance saves $5-10.
- Pack food whenever you visit City Park. The park is massive, the café options are limited, and bringing a picnic saves $20-30 easily.
- The Algiers Point Ferry is a cheap river crossing and a real adventure for kids , pair it with **Confetti Park** in Algiers for a memorable outing at minimal cost.
The Real Bottom Line
A great day in New Orleans with kids doesn't require spending over $100. The city's park system is legitimately excellent , Audubon Park, City Park, and Lafreniere Park alone give you enough for multiple free mornings. Add a cheap City Park attraction like Storyland or Carousel Gardens, pack a picnic, and you've got a full day for under $50 in admission. Save the bigger spends , the Aquarium, Mardi Gras World, Zero Latency , for days when the weather's right and the kids are ready for a main event.
