New Orleans with Kids: The Best Family Itinerary

New Orleans is fun for families, with swamps and steamboats. Here is how to spend a family trip in the Big Easy — with the best-rated kid-friendly tours to book.

At a glance

1Swamp airboat
2Steamboat cruise
3Aquarium
4French Quarter

Swamp airboat

Spot alligators in the bayou.

Steamboat cruise

Ride a paddlewheeler with jazz.

French Quarter & aquarium

Beignets and the Audubon Aquarium.

Book the experiences in this itinerary

Top-rated tours for exactly what this plan recommends in New Orleans — prices per person.

New Orleans

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise i New Orleans

Private French Quarter & Garden District Tour: Walk and Drive Combo

5.0(69)·3 timer

fra$450/ person

via Viator

New Orleans with kids — FAQ

Is New Orleans good for kids?

Yes — swamp airboat tours with alligators, paddlewheel steamboat cruises, the Audubon Aquarium and the lively French Quarter make New Orleans fun for families.

What are the best things to do in New Orleans with children?

Top family picks are a swamp airboat tour, a steamboat river cruise, the Audubon Aquarium, and a stroll through the French Quarter for beignets.

Are swamp tours suitable for children?

Yes — covered boat tours are gentle and family-friendly, while older children often love the thrill of a faster airboat ride.