Is Stanley Ray Playground free?

Yes, completely free. It's part of New Orleans City Park's open parkland. The nearby Storyland and Carousel Gardens have separate paid admissions.

What are Stanley Ray Playground hours?

Open 24 hours. However, morning visits are best for safety and weather. Evening visits near the lagoon require bug spray.

Is Stanley Ray Playground near Storyland?

Yes — it's part of the same Dreyfous Drive playground complex that sits adjacent to Storyland and Carousel Gardens within City Park. Easy walking distance between all three.

What makes Stanley Ray Playground unique compared to other New Orleans playgrounds?

Stanley Ray Playground is located inside City Park, giving it access to the park's shaded oak trees and nearby attractions like Storyland and Carousel Gardens. Its proximity to the park lagoons adds a scenic backdrop unlike most neighborhood playgrounds.

Stanley Ray Playground

Name: Stanley Ray Playground
Address: 50 Dreyfous Dr, New Orleans, LA, 70119, US
Telephone: +1 504-482-4888

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Price

Free

Duration

45 minutes to 1.5 hours

Best Ages

Best for ages 1-10

About

Stanley Ray Playground is part of the main playground complex in New Orleans City Park, located on Dreyfous Drive near the Carousel Gardens and Storyland — the cluster of family attractions that forms the heart of the park's children's area. This makes it a natural free complement to the paid attractions in the same area.

The playground at this location is part of a larger complex that includes some of the most substantial playground equipment in City Park. Multiple structures give kids enough variety to stay engaged for a full hour-plus without needing to repeat the same equipment. The proximity to the City Park lagoons adds scenic value — ducks and turtles are regularly visible, providing spontaneous nature observation opportunities for kids between climbing sets.

The 24-hour accessibility is a distinctive feature. Early morning visits (before 8am in good weather months) offer a beautiful, uncrowded experience in the live oak setting. Evening visits in cooler months are also lovely, though bug spray is recommended near the lagoon after dusk.

As a free playground within City Park, this is a default stop for any family spending time in the park who has young children. The location next to the paid attractions means the transition from free playground time to a Storyland visit requires only a short walk.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Yes

Nursing / Changing

Not Available

Kid Meals

Not Available

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Morning visits; open 24 hours but morning is best for weather and safety

Wait Times

No wait — open playground

Nearby Food

Same City Park complex as Carousel Gardens and Storyland. Café NOMA at the nearby Museum of Art. Pack snacks for the playground portion.

Why Kids Love It

Stanley Ray Playground is part of the larger City Park playground complex at Dreyfous Drive, which includes some of the best playground equipment in New Orleans — larger structures, more variety, and enough space for multiple kids to play simultaneously without competition for equipment. The proximity to the City Park lagoons gives the playground a scenic quality, with kids running back to the water's edge to spot turtles and ducks between playground sets. The 24-hour accessibility is unusual and valued by families who want early morning or evening visits.

Pro Tips from Parents

Open 24 hours — early morning visits before 9am are magical in cooler months
Located on Dreyfous Drive in City Park, near the Carousel Gardens and Storyland complex
The playground complex in this area is larger and more comprehensive than outlying City Park playgrounds
Bring bug spray for evening visits near the lagoon
Free parking at the Dreyfous Drive lot off City Park Ave