New Orleans City Park
Family of 4
Park entry is free.
Duration
2-5 hours depending on activities
Best Ages
Best for all ages — something for every age group
About
New Orleans City Park is one of the oldest and most beloved urban parks in the United States — a 1,300-acre green space that offers more family activities than most paid attractions. Locals treat it as their backyard, and visiting families consistently name it among the best things they did in New Orleans. The combination of paid attractions (Carousel Gardens, Storyland) and free experiences (playground areas, botanical garden entry, sports fields, lagoons) gives families complete flexibility based on their budget and energy level.
Storyland is the hidden gem for families with young children — a themed playground with giant storybook character sculptures that kids can climb, slide through, and explore. It's the kind of creative play space that urban parks rarely manage to pull off well, and New Orleans City Park does it beautifully. Nearby Carousel Gardens offers a lovingly restored antique carousel and traditional amusement park rides sized for younger kids.
The park's lagoon system is perfect for paddle boats, and the botanical garden (separate admission) offers a peaceful escape with kids who appreciate organized beauty. The park also contains outdoor sculptures, the New Orleans Museum of Art (separate admission), tennis courts, golf, and a newly renovated playground area at Dreyfous Drive.
For parents: restrooms and food options are available throughout the park. Strollers handle well on paved paths. The park's size means you'll want to focus on one section per visit rather than attempting everything at once. The City Park area is accessible from the French Quarter via City Park Avenue or by rideshare, and there's free parking in multiple lots.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Indoor & Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekend mornings before crowds; weekday visits are calmer
Wait Times
No wait for open areas; Storyland and Carousel have queues on busy days
Nearby Food
The park has a café and several food options near the main attractions. Café NOMA near the museum, and Popp's Fountain area vendors on event days. City Park Avenue has additional restaurants.
Why Kids Love It
Storyland's oversized storybook sculptures turn fairy tale characters into actual climbing structures — kids scramble over a giant Captain Hook ship, through Cinderella's pumpkin coach, and across the back of a dragon, which makes the park feel like a giant adventure set rather than a typical playground. The antique carousel at Carousel Gardens is one of only a handful still operating in the country, and kids who ride it look like they're in a different century. The lagoon paddle boats let kids take the wheel and navigate actual water, which produces an unforgettable sense of independence.
From Reddit Parents
“That’s…gotta mean something… Edit: for the record, I assumed that person was referencing this crime with their comment.”
Pro Tips from Parents
- Storyland has its own small admission fee but is well worth it for kids ages 2-8
- The botanical garden is closed Mondays — plan around this
- New Orleans Museum of Art has a free outdoor sculpture garden accessible any time
- Weekend parking can be challenging — arrive early or use the Wisner Ave lots
- Free Afternoon Jazz concerts in the Pavilion happen seasonally — check the calendar
What to Bring
- Sunscreen
- Water bottles
- Snacks/picnic supplies
- Cash for paid attractions
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Change of clothes for kids who may get wet
Cost Info
Partially free — some areas or times are free
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
Park entry is free.
Carousel Gardens amusement rides ~$5-8/person.
Storyland ~$4/person.
Paddle boats ~$14-16/30 min.
Budget $50-80 for a full activity day with snacks.
