NEW ORLEANS: 5-DAY FAMILY ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

Dreaming about a family trip to New Orleans? Here is a detailed travel guide for an unforgettable 5-day family vacation in NOLA. This practical itinerary will show you the best things to do in New Orleans with kids. You’ll see alligators; explore the city, its famous attractions, as well as swamp and plantations.

New Orleans is my favourite American city. I dare to say it is the most beautiful US city. It’s because NOLA has an amazing history, attractive architecture, its own unique and quirky vibe and there are so many fun things to do and see in New Orleans that you’ll want to return.

PRACTICAL TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR NEW ORLEANS

FOR WHOM IS THIS NEW ORLEANS TRAVEL ITINERARY?

This fun 5-day Louisiana road trip plan is ideal for families, couples as well as multi-generational families. Bring your comfy shoes because there is lots of leisurely walking involved. If you have children under 4, I suggest you bring a stroller. Generally, this NOLA trip plan is perfectly suitable for children and the elderly.

QUICK TIP: Plan your trip at least 4-6 weeks ahead of time to save money as well as for better selection of accommodation, tours and services. New Orleans is a busy tourist destination, especial during the Mardi Gras season.

If you come around Mardi Gras, you need to book more than 2 months ahead of time. Also, if you come with children, avoid the main Mardi Gras time and come before or shortly after, so you can still see the decorations and experience the festival mood.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO NEW ORLEANS?

For this trip, I suggest you travel to New Orleans between March and June, and then in September or early October. The reason behind this is the fact that we want to see alligators. Alligators hide and hibernate from November to February. We also want to have the best weather. Fall and winter are grey and rainy. Summer months are too hot and humid, not mentioning the swarms of insects we would have to fight off with bug sprays.

 

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN NEW ORLEANS WITH KIDS?

Two days is a minimum time. New Orleans is too beautiful, too interesting, and too fun to just check it off with a day trip, especially if you come from far away.

The itinerary below counts with two full days of New Orleans city sightseeing and then two full days of out-of-town exploration that includes plantations, alligators, and swamp tours. The fifth day is meant for arrival and departure.

Of course, one could spend more time in the city, but if you don’t have too much time off, you work full-time or you only have long weekends for travel, then this New Orleans itinerary is exactly what you need.

IS NEW ORLEANS SAFE FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS?

Yes, it is. We felt safe everywhere we went. But as everywhere else in the world, you need to exercise caution and stick to safe public spaces, and you’ll be fine. You’ll also be fine with children. Make sure you always keep them in your sight and close to you in busy streets. The main risk with children is that you’ll lose them in a crowd. So, keep the young ones on a short leash so to speak.

New Orleans belongs to the US cities with higher crime rates combined with higher poverty levels as well as more unemployment and more homelessness. But as regular tourists, you don’t really go to shady neighbourhoods. Although, be aware of pickpockets.

If you want great tips for travelling with children, see these articles about:

• Visiting places boring for kids such as museum and castles

• Training kids to become hikers

• How to survive long travel time with small kids

HOW TO GET TO NEW ORLEANS

Within USA

American have plenty of options with their dense air transportation network as well as several low-cost airliners. See here to check for the most convenient New Orleans flights.

– – -> Additional reading for later: A beginner’s Guide to Flying with Ultra-Low-Cost Airlines 

 

From Canada

Canadians who live close to the US border and close to a US city with large airport, can cross to US by car, park the car at a long-term parking lot and fly from there. (Search for an online park-and-go type of discount coupon for the airport valet parking. Parking companies often issue these.)  This might be a cheaper option. The flight directly from Canada tend to cost more. See this flight search engine to check for the most convenient New Orleans flights.

 

International travel to New Orleans

New Orleans International Airport is served by several international air carriers. Search for flights from your city.

GETTING AROUND NEW ORLEANS

The easiest way to get around the city and the surroundings is by car, so I suggest you get a car rental, but do request a theft and liability insurance (New Orleans has high crime rates).

Another great option is to move around by bike. You can rent all kinds of bikes here.

Also, do try the local streetcars. They are special. It’s a fun experience. More on the topic below.

 

WHERE TO STAY IN NEW ORLEANS WITH FAMILY

Having a comfy, kid-friendly place to come back to makes all the difference on a family trip. Here below is a short selection of the best family hotels in New Orleans based on location, amenities, and overall vibe. More choices and more details about the best places to stay for families in NOLA you can find in this detailed accommodation guide.

 

TOP 5 FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN NEW ORLEANS

Embassy Suites by Hilton – Convention Center (Warehouse District)

Highlights: spacious suites with separate living rooms which is great for families and free cooked-to-order breakfast; room for the whole crew; free evening snacks; close to the Riverwalk, Aquarium, and streetcar  See if they have a room.

 

Hotel Monteleone (French Quarter)

Highlights: historic and charming, with a rooftop pool with lovely views kids will love; fancy but very welcoming to families; Carousel Bar (fun to see—even for kids); walkable distance to shops, parks, and good food  Book a room in this accommodation.

 

Homewood Suites by Hilton (French Quarter)

Highlights: suite-style rooms with kitchens which is practical for families; mini-golf area and a small pool on site; free breakfast  Check availability and best dates.

 

The Higgins Hotel (WWII Museum District, Arts & Warehouse District)

Highlights: newer hotel with beautiful rooms and modern style; very close to the WWII Museum and not far from the Children’s Museum; rooftop views; easy access to family attractions  Book your room here.

 

The Pontchartrain Hotel (Garden District, Uptown/Garden District)

Highlights: elegant and historic, but cozy and family-welcoming; streetcar stops right out front, so it’s easy to get around; rooftop restaurant with views of the city; big rooms and suites; great for exploring the Garden District  Book a room here.

 

Bonus: For a Unique Experience – Audubon Cottages (French Quarter)

Highlights: private, historic cottages around a courtyard pool in the French Quarter. Great if you want space and charm with a local feel.  Book this cottage now.

HOW TO SPEND 5 PERFECT DAYS IN NEW ORLEANS WITH CHILDREN

Detailed 5-Day Itinerary

Our family trip to New Orleans was an unforgettable blend of fun, culture and history. Every moment was full of excitement and we‘ve learned new things. We enjoyed wandering down colorful streets, soaked in the rich history, sounds of jazz at every turn, and embraced the city’s infectious energy.

You can use the following daily trip plan according to your needs and weather. Each day trip is individual, and you can do them in any order. It’s a nice blend adventure, history, and nature without feeling rushed.

It’s hard to pick our favourites but we all have agreed that the Airboat swamp tour and walking tour in the French Quarter were our favourites.

DAY 1  – ARRIVAL & NEW ORLEANS DOWNTOWN (River Bank Walk + River Cruise + French Quarter)

Depending on the time of your arrival, rental car pick-up and transfer to your booked hotel, you might have some time for some city exploration for the rest of the day.

If you arrive early and have several hours, that’s fantastic and you can start with the following list of fun things to do in New Orleans.

Walk or drive to downtown and park your car near the French Quarter.

Walk along the river front walkway and enjoy the mighty Mississippi River views. You will see huge cruise and cargo ships glide by. You’ll notice how the water level is higher than the city streets and the ditches along the riverbank save the city from drowning. Also, take note of the concrete barrier walls that run between the river and the downtown. The wall gates can close and protect the city in case of hurricanes and increased river levels. This is particularly interesting for visitors from faraway countries like us.

While you explore the river front, now is also a good time to take a 2-hour river cruise on the iconic Natchez Steamboat and listen to jazz bands or the calliope steam organ they have on the board. You can also explore the steam engine room of this historic steamboat and learn about its construction and technical functioning. Moreover, you can taste some Creole food and local beverages, too.

After the lovely afternoon cruise head to Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral. You will love the lively atmosphere there. Numerous street performers entertain the passers-by with singing, dancing and acrobatic creations. It’s fun to observe and take it all in.

If it’s not too late, a French Quarter walking tour or perhaps a spooky family walking tour would be great because you’ll get the first taste of the city that will set you in the right mood and expectations for the next couple of days.

In case don’t have enough time for a guided tour, just get lost, literally. By getting lost and wandering around the French Quarter, you’ll admire the unique architecture, observe people, colourful balconies and establishments’ window displays. The whole quirky, crazy vibe of the Bourbon Streets will charm you. Another great option is hop-on-and-off bus tour.

Try local dishes for dinner. French Quarter has many traditional eateries where they serve Creole and Cajun specialties. If you want a kid-friendly restaurant, check out the list toward the end of this article.

DAY 2  – NEW ORLEANS (Garden District + Streetcar + Cemeteries)

Today you’ll do more fun stuff in the city centre. So, start by walking or driving to downtown and parking your car somewhere along the Canal Street.

Go to Canal Street and St. Charles Street and find a tram stop (tram stop for No. 12 is exactly at St. Charles x Common Street). Take the historic No. 12 St. Charles’ Streetcar in the westbound direction towards S. Carrollton Avenue.

Streetcar fare is $1.25 for each ride, and you must have an exact change that you pay directly to the driver as you hop on.  You can also buy a ticket with cash at ticket machines, or you can get a Jazzy pass purchased online or at the RTA office on Canal Street.

As you ride along the St. Charles Street, enjoy the views of the old New Orleans neighbourhoods. Hop off at either St. Charles x Washington Street or the following St. Charles x Sixth Street tram stop. Then walk one block south to Prytania Street where you’ll find the historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 has no entrance tickets and guided tours are offered for a fee. This magnolia treed cemetery was opened in 1833 and there are tombs and mausoleums of various styles, colours and sizes. One of the tombs became the author Anne Rice’s inspiration for her book Interview With The Vampire. Well-known local personalities are buried there but as a visitor you won’t recognize any of their names.

After the cemetery tour, walk back toward the French Quarter via Garden District. With older kids, you can take a guided bike tour or a walking tour of the Garden District which is fun, and you’ll get to see the most beautiful and interesting areas.

Even if you just do a self-guided walking tour of the Garden District, it’s still a lovely walk through many charming streets full of unique and impressive architecture.  To give you an estimate, from Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 back to Canal Street, it’s 2.2 miles (3.5 km) and without stopping, it’ll take around 60 minutes of leisurely walking.

You can walk eastward via Prytania Street. This street takes you to the most famous mansion in Garden District, the Buckner Mansion on 1410 Jackson Avenue. This grand mansion dates to 1856 and was built to outdo a rival of a local cotton magnate Henry Sullivan Buckner. You might recognize the mansion as a movie set.

As you get back to French Quarter, head to another famous cemetery, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 located at Basin Street x St. Louis Street. This is the most famous New Orleans cemetery and is the last resting place of voodoo personality Marie Laveau. You can only get in with a licenced tour guide as it’s closed to public.

A nice close by place to chill out and explore with kids is the Louis Armstrong Park with a central statue of the jazz king and walkways around artificial ponds. Continue to walk around the French Quarter. After dark, any streets such as St. Peter Street will give off an eery Interview-With-A-Vampyre type of vibe.

In the early evening, go for a meal of po’boys, gumbo or crawfish.

DAY 3  – NEW ORLEANS (beignets + markets + museums)

The third day is a good day for visiting some museums and wrapping up the city sightseeing. Again, park your car downtown and continue on foot. All the main attractions and places of interest for visitors of New Orleans are relatively close by and within a walkable distance.

If you haven’t had a chance or time to take a guided walking tour on your arrival day, do it now. After the tour you’ll be ready for a dose of Chicory Au Lait with some beignets.

Now, Café du Monde is the place to go for beignets but it’s too popular and always crowded with extended waiting lines trailing far into the street. Obviously, this is very inconvenient when you have children with you. Children won’t patiently stand and wait for an hour for some food stuff.  So, my suggestion is to just walk around and peek into the famous Café du Mond establishment on Decatur Street and take photos. Then I suggest you go for beignets to other smaller places. We came across a small Café du Mond branch in the Riverwalk Mall. Clearly, it’s not as chic and trendy as the main branch near the French Market but the coffee and beignets are the same and we got them fast.

Also, while you walk around the main Café du Mond, go and see the French Market, too. It’s a lovely place for getting souvenirs and food items to take home.

With tummies full of beignets, visiting the Aquarium of the Americas (1-1.5 hr visit + 40 min film) and the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium will be a great fit.

If you have time or desire, other mazing and very local place to see is the Mardi Gras World, the museum of past Mardi Gras decorations and displays.

After a busy day of walking, get some nice rest and get ready for a day of out-of-town explorations.

DAY 4  – PLANTATIONS

Today is dedicated to plantations along the Mississippi River and grand historic mansions. I won’t get into much detail here.  Read this long article about a day trip to plantations.

DAY 5  – ALLIGATORS

On the last day of your New Orleans family vacation, you’ll be out of town in nature. An amazing swamp tour and Barataria Preserve tour will completely satisfy you alligator encounter wishes. Guaranteed. All the practical information about airboat swamp tour is in this detailed article.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS WITH FAMILY

TRY ALLIGATOR MEAT

Can you eat alligator meat in Louisiana? Oh yes you can and it’s kind of a must-try while you’re in Louisiana. Alligator meat is actually pretty common in New Orleans, and it’s surprisingly tasty. The taste is similar to chicken with a slightly chewy bite. You’ll find it fried, grilled, in sausage, even in gumbo. We tried the fried version, and we liked it.

If your children want to try gator meat, I suggest they try it fried. It’s the most familiar. With a dip sauce they will tell you it’s like chicken nuggets 🙂

Where to Eat Alligator in New Orleans? We tried alligator in an out-of-town restaurant after our airboat tour. Here are some great spots directly in New Orleans where you can try alligator:

• Cochon (Warehouse District) – a go-to for adventurous eaters. Try their fried alligator with chili garlic mayo—crispy, flavourful, and perfect for sharing.
• Jacques-Imo’s Cafe (Uptown) – a funky, colorful interior; local favourite with a big menu. Their savoury shrimp and alligator sausage cheesecake sounds wild but very tempting.
• Dat Dog (multiple locations) – hot dog and fries kiosks; fun and kid-friendly; you can get an alligator sausage hot dog with whatever toppings you want. Casual and colourful.
• New Orleans Creole Cookery (French Quarter) – they serve blackened alligator bites or gator apps as daily specials

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT NEW ORLEANS

A QUICK HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS

Founded in 1718 by the French, New Orleans started as a strategic port city along the Mississippi River. It passed from French to Spanish control, then back to the French again before being sold to the U.S. in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

Because of all those cultural influences—French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Native American—New Orleans grew into a unique melting pot with its own food, language, music, and customs. It became a major center for trade, jazz music, and Creole culture, but also has a deep and complex history involving slavery and segregation.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, but the people rebuilt it and improved the protective flood barriers.

WHAT IS MARDI GRAS ABOUT

Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in French. It’s the final day of celebration before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent (a 40-day period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter). So traditionally, Mardi Gras was a day to indulge—eat rich foods, party, and enjoy life—before the more serious season of Lent began.

Today, Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans take place during two weeks before the Ash Wednesday. Together with jazz, Mardi Gras is probably the most famous thing about New Orleans.  In fact, Mardi Gras is one of the most famous and fun celebrations in the world, deeply rooted in tradition and culture. The city is flooded with emerald green and bright violet decorations, strings of plastic beads in particular. It’s a fun carnival time.

 

SO, WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT NEW ORLEANS AND WHY YOU SHOULD GO THERE TOO?

New Orleans is simply magical. It’s beautiful and unique. There’s honestly no place quite like it. For me, it’s the most charming city in North America.

The music is everywhere whether it’s jazz, Caribbean beats or rap, music sounds from every corner. There are many street performers and live music in bars, clubs and restaurants. The city feels very alive.

Architecture style makes the city one-of-a-kind. The charming blend of wrought-iron wrap-around balconies, pastel Creole cottages and grand Southern mansions are nowhere else to find. You feel like on a film set.

The food is different.  The spicy mix of African, Caribbean, French, Spanish, Cajun and Creole cultures create a completely unique flavours and dishes.

Mardi Gras. We visited the city shortly after Mardi Gras and the festive mood was still alive. Decorations, costumes, beads everywhere. Fun.

Wild and beautiful landscape. As a European, I have seen swamp only in southern movies and it has always been something I wanted to see with my own eyes. The look of Spanish moss hanging from tall trees standing in water full of alligators, turtles and snakes, there is something very special about it. The Mississippi River is much wider and magnificent than I’ve imagined.

There is also this mysteriousness. The spooky, witchcraft-y, vampire-y feel and voodoo folklore in combination with cemetery visiting…hmm.

 

OAK ALLEY AND OTHER SUGARCANE PLANTATIONS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

AIRBOAT TOUR OF THE LOUISIANA SWAMP

BARATARIA PRESERVE: FACE TO FACE WITH LOUISIANA ALLIGATORS

 

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