Family-Friendly LGBTQ Activities in New Orleans

New Orleans is the perfect place for LGBTQ families to not only enjoy incredible culture and cuisine, but also some serious fun. Repeatedly named one of America's Most Welcoming cities, it's true that you can go to just about any business here and be welcomed with open arms. Below are some ideas for family fun while you're in New Orleans.

A Carriage Ride through The French Quarter

One incredible thing about New Orleans is there’s a story around every corner – especially ghost stories. If your kids love a good spooky tale, head to Jackson Square, where you’ll find horse-drawn carriages ready to take you on an enchanting ride through the historic Quarter. Be sure to find a driver who is well-versed in the city’s haunted lore, then prepare to let your imagination run wild.

Storyland At City Park

There is so much going on at City Park that you could fit an entire weekend of fun without going anywhere else. There’s mini golf, playgrounds, a sculpture garden, a botanical garden, paddle boats, tandem bikes, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art and Storyland. Storyland is a wonderland filled with things for children to climb and ride, all centered on characters from their favorite stories, including Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan and more. Just a few feet from Storyland is the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, which promises thrills for guests of all ages.

Fun Fact: The carousel at Carousel Gardens Amusement Park opened in 1906, but some of the animal figures date back to 1885.

The Louisiana Children’s Museum

The new and improved Louisiana Children’s Museum is a local favorite for parents and kids. Children love the interactive exhibits and the tiny grocery store that’s stocked with everything from bread to crawfish (and working registers). They have wonderful weekly and monthly programs at the Children’s Museum too, so make sure to visit their website to see what’s new and upcoming.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the Dig Into Nature exhibit for a hands-on exploration of local animals, plants and their habitats.

Cool Zoo

Spring and Summer in New Orleans can be rather warm. And after exploring the zoo, there’s no better way to cool off than at the Cool Zoo, a waterpark located inside of Audubon Zoo. Cool Zoo includes a 750-foot lazy river and inner tubes perfect for kicking back and cooling off. You can even rent your own cabana for lounging and relaxing while the kids enjoy the splash pad.

Insider’s Tip: Leave your floaties at the hotel. The Cool Zoo supplies life jackets.

Ice cream at Creole Creamery

Creole Creamery is like an old-time ice cream shop loaded with homemade flavors that will delight the whole family. From red velvet cake and nectar cream to lavender and hibiscus, you may just find your new favorite flavor. Beware, your kids may demand an extra scoop or two. There are two locations to choose from: Lakeview and Uptown.

Insider’s Tip: Instead of individual orders, get one big Tchoupitoulas sundae (eight scoops and eight toppings) for the family to share.

New Orleans Pride

Every year during New Orleans Pride, the city comes alive with events and activities, and many of them are family-friendly. Enjoy events like Longue Vue Family Equality Day, plus a family-friendly festival from New Orleans Black Pride. Check out our Ultimate Pride Guide for programming that will delight the entire family while teaching compassion and inclusivity.

Insider’s Tip: Line up for the Pride Parade, held on the Saturday of New Orleans Pride Weekend!

Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium

The Audubon Aquarium has consistently ranked as one of the best in the country and it’s easy to see why. The aquarium sits alongside the Mississippi River and invites visitors to meet more than 3,600 animals from aquatic, arctic, and rainforest habitats. In the same building is the Audubon Insectarium, which is home to over 50 displays with live arthropods, plus a Butterfly Garden and Bug Appétit, where you can discover and taste edible insect cuisine. This is a perfect destination for anyone seeking a break from the heat that is as educational as it is entertaining.

Insider’s Tip: If you visit the aquarium during Pride month, you’ll see some of your favorite animals celebrating in rainbow style.

JAMNOLA™

JAMNOLA™ represents the joy, art, and music of New Orleans through 17 interactive galleries. Kids of all ages will love the opportunity to peruse colorful and immersive exhibits, such as the crawfish boil where you can hop in the larger-than-life boil pot! This museum sparks creativity and encourages lots of photo-taking.

Insider’s Tip: Don't be afraid to dress up! With plenty of photo ops, the grander, the better!

Festivals

With over 130 festivals a year, you can bet a large portion of those are family-friendly. Jazz Fest, for example, has ticket prices at $5 for children ages 2-10. Once at the fest, enjoy the children's tent and kid-friendly food. Find our Kid-Friendly Guide to Jazz Fest here and our festival calendar here for more options!

Insider’s Tip: The summer is bursting with family-friendly festivals, many of which are free admission for all! Check out the French Market Creole Tomato Fest, Satchmo Summerfest, and the top summer festivals here.