Three days in New Orleans is enough time to cover the French Quarter, City Park, and Uptown — the three zones where most family-friendly activities cluster. This itinerary groups things geographically to minimize driving and maximize time actually doing things. Budget reality: plan $200–350/day for a family of 4 including activities, food, and incidentals.
Day 1: French Quarter & Warehouse District
The French Quarter is where most families start, and it makes sense. Put the most iconic stuff first while everyone's energy is high.
Morning: Audubon Aquarium (9am–12pm)
Open at 10am — get there right when the doors open. Audubon Aquarium is on the riverfront at the edge of the French Quarter, making it the perfect first stop. The Gulf of Mexico shark tunnel alone justifies the visit. Touch tank sessions run at specific times; grab the daily schedule at the entrance so you can time your visit around them. The sea otter exhibit tends to draw 10-minute crowds — go early before groups fill it.
Budget: Adults ~$25, kids ~$18 (ages 3–12), under 2 free. Family of 4: ~$86 admission + $30–40 café lunch + $15 parking = ~$130–140 total for the morning.
Pro tip: The Audubon Insectarium is in the same building. If you want to combine them, buy the combo ticket before entering — it's significantly cheaper than paying separately. The Insectarium alone adds 1.5–2 hours.
Afternoon: French Quarter Exploration + Cabrini Playground (1–4pm)
After lunch, walk the French Quarter. Kids who are 8+ find the architecture, the street musicians, and the general organized chaos genuinely interesting. Keep it slow — you're not rushing to anything.
Cabrini Playground is right at the edge of the French Quarter and gives younger kids a 45-minute energy reset that prevents the afternoon meltdown. Free. Let them run while you rest.
Evening: Mardi Gras World (4–6pm)
Mardi Gras World is in the Warehouse District, a short rideshare from the French Quarter. Giant float figures, costume try-ons, free king cake sample. End-of-day timing is smart — afternoon tours are less crowded than morning. Adults ~$22–25, kids ~$15–18. Family of 4: ~$75–90. Rideshare recommended — parking near the venue is limited.
Dinner: The Warehouse District and Lower Garden District have excellent family-friendly restaurants within walking distance of Mardi Gras World.
Day 1 Total Estimate: $250–300 including activities, meals, and transportation.
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Day 2: City Park & Uptown
City Park is 1,300 acres of parkland in the middle of the city. It deserves a full day. Combine it with the Uptown neighborhood and Magazine Street for a completely different feel from Day 1.
Morning: City Park (9am–12pm)
City Park has multiple attractions in one location. Start at New Orleans City Park and build your morning around age and energy level.
For younger kids (under 7): Storyland ($4/person) has climbable storybook character sculptures — legitimately fun for ages 3–8. Add Carousel Gardens Amusement Park next door with unlimited ride wristbands ($18–22/child). The combination covers 2.5–3 hours without rushing.
For older kids (8–12): Skip Storyland and head straight to the City Park lagoons for paddle boats ($14–16/30 min), then the New Orleans Botanical Garden — adults ~$10–12, kids ~$6–8. Family of 4 for the garden: ~$32–40.
The Magnolia Playground and Stanley Ray Playground are free and right in the park complex — good for toddlers who need to run.
Morning budget for City Park activities: $50–80 for a full morning with snacks.
Afternoon: Uptown & Magazine Street (1–4pm)
Grab lunch on Magazine Street — one of New Orleans' best restaurant strips with affordable options at every price point. Then walk or streetcar through Uptown.
Audubon Park is free and massive. Walk up to the Mississippi River levee — the view of one of the world's largest rivers with working barges is something kids actually remember. The park itself has wide shaded paths, excellent for post-lunch strolling.
Exposition Boulevard Playground and Walnut Street Playground are free Uptown neighborhood parks ideal for a 45-minute energy burn. Both are free.
Audubon Riverview (Butterfly) Park — Free park on the levee right next to Audubon Park. River views without spending anything.
Evening: Dinner in Uptown (6pm)
Magazine Street has enough restaurants to fill three evenings. Pick something casual — most places in this neighborhood are family-friendly and don't require reservations.
Day 2 Total Estimate: $150–200 including activities, meals, and transportation.
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Day 3: Adventure Day — Indoor Activities or Nature
Day 3 depends on your kids' ages and the weather. Two routes work well.
Route A: Adventure & Entertainment (ages 7–12)
Morning: Sky Zone Trampoline Park or Airborne X Harvey. Both open mid-morning. Jump passes $15–25/person. Family of 4: $60–105 depending on which venue. Buy tickets online to save a few dollars. Bring your own grip socks. Budget 1.5–2.5 hours.
Afternoon: Adventure Quest Laser Tag — multi-level arena with fog effects. Two rounds for the family: $80–100. Or pivot to Escape My Room New Orleans in the Lower Garden District for a 90-minute escape room session ($112–140 for a family of 4). Both are within reasonable rideshare distance of most hotels.
Evening: If energy holds, Museum of Illusions in the French Quarter takes 1–1.5 hours and produces excellent family photos. Tickets ~$20–25/person. Family of 4: ~$80–100.
Day 3 Route A Estimate: $280–360 including activities and meals.
Route B: Nature & Exploration (ages 5–12)
Morning: Audubon Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans East. Nature trails through Louisiana bottomland hardwood forest. Admission $8–15/person. Family of 4: ~$35–55. Pack your own lunch — no dining on-site. Budget 1.5–2.5 hours. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Afternoon: Lafreniere Park in Metairie. Free park, shaded pavilions, fishing (bring gear), bike paths. This is what suburban New Orleans outdoor time looks like — genuinely relaxed, good for unwinding at the end of a trip.
Evening: Bywater for dinner. Mickey Markey Park for one last playground run. The Bywater restaurant strip has some of New Orleans' most interesting food at reasonable prices.
Day 3 Route B Estimate: $100–150 including activities and meals.
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Practical Logistics
Getting around: Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is the easiest way to move between neighborhoods with kids and gear. The St. Charles streetcar is a genuine experience and runs through Uptown — worth riding once. Avoid driving in the French Quarter if you can; parking is expensive and the streets are narrow.
Where to stay: The French Quarter puts you walking distance of Day 1. The Garden District or Uptown are quieter and more residential — good for families who want easier restaurant access. Metairie hotels give you easy City Park access and lower prices.
Timing: City Park and the Aquarium open around 10am. Plan to arrive right at opening for the best experience before crowds build. Build in a midday break at your hotel — the heat from May through September is real, and kids who have a noon nap hold up much better in the afternoon.
Food budget: New Orleans is a world-class food city with a wide price range. Budget $20–25/person for a casual lunch, $30–50/person for dinner. Many excellent local spots charge less than that.