The history of New Orleans becomes even more exciting on wheels. Pedal your way through the city on a bike tour, or grab a pair of Blue Bikes and make a tour of your own. If your teen is interested in history, dive deeper into the historic French Quarter with a walking tour or hop aboard the paddlewheeler Creole Queen for a trip to the Chalmette Battlefield.
Family-friendly Mardi Gras can be found year-round at Mardi Gras World. See first hand where the floats are made and taste some king cake as you learn about the traditions and history behind the festivities. Find Mardi Gras artifacts at the Presbytère in Jackson Square and the Historic New Orleans Collection, or plan a trip to the big event itself–there’s tons of family fun to be had during Carnival season in New Orleans.
Airboat tours can be found on the outskirts of the city and are a thrilling change of pace. Learn about life in the swamp and see alligators and other swamp wildlife in their natural habitat. For the those who want an even closer look, consider a kayak swamp tour, and thrill-seekers will love Zip NOLA, the first and only zipline over a swamp! This adventure is fun for the whole family.
The National WWII Museum is a must-see on your trip to New Orleans. The state-of-the-art museum grounds and exhibits continue to grow and provide an educational and enthralling experience for visitors of all ages. Teenagers may especially like Beyond All Boundaries, which is a 4-D movie experience, as well as Final Mission, The USS Tang Submarine interactive experience.
Take a haunted tour of the French Quarter and get spooked by vampires, pirates, and more. During the day, visit the City of the Dead with a cemetery tour or dive into the true history of one of New Orleans’ most famous and often misunderstood spiritual traditions, Voodoo, at the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.
It’s no secret that New Orleans offers mouth-watering food. Top restaurants to enjoy with your teenagers include Elizabeth’s, Willa Jean and District for breakfast, Dat Dog and Mahony’s Po-boys for lunch, and Mr. B’s Bistro and Galatoire’s for dinner.
When it comes to cooling off in New Orleans, a sno-ball is a must. The refreshing treat is its own food group down here and can be made with dozens of flavors. If you want to get on the water, Bayou Paddlesports offers fun and affordable kayak rentals. Or hop in your hotel pool!
As the birthplace of jazz, music and New Orleans go hand-in-hand. Preservation Hall is open nightly to all ages. It's the premier place to hear traditional jazz. On Frenchmen Street, check out Three Muses, which hosts local musicians daily and is open to all ages.
New Orleans is the festival capital of the world and celebrates everything from po-boys and tomatoes to zydeco and blues. Teens will love the music, food, and atmosphere of Jazz Fest. French Quarter Fest is free to all, making it a great option for the whole family. And we can't forget our food fests, like Beignet Fest and National Fried Chicken Fest, which teens are sure to enjoy. Check out our festival calendar to see what’s coming up.
New Orleans fans are unlike any other sports fans – between the tailgates, the costumes, the cheers, and the spirit of community, getting caught up in the game-day hype is nearly impossible. Check out the schedules for the Saints, Pelicans, or any of the teams from our local universities to get your tickets. Just don’t forget to bring your game face! Want to get in on the action yourself? Head out to NOLA Motorsports and put the pedal to the metal on the fastest karting track in the South.
Visit an interactive museum
Museums like these are far from boring! Visit the Museum of Illusions for a one-of-a-kind, visual, sensory, and educational experience designed to engage your sense of wonder and challenge perceptions through the science behind optical illusions. The museum offers over 50 immersive, hands-on exhibits that let you defy gravity, grow and shrink your body, walk into a life-size kaleidoscope, and play tricks on your senses at every turn.
Then there's JAMNOLA, where you can weave your way through 29 interactive exhibits showcasing the iconic art, music, food, and theatrics of New Orleans. Over 100 artists have collaborated into bringing these exhibits to life. Step into the mouth of an alligator, the suit of a Mardi Gras Indian, and the tongue of a New Orleanian via the Big Easy Speakeasy, plus more! Take the whole family to wind your way through this cultural fun house.
Vue Orleans is an observatory deck and cultural experience featuring the only 360 degree panoramic riverfront views of New Orleans. Soak up the rich and storied history featured within the museum. While at Vue Orleans, enjoy a cocktail or snack while taking in views of the city.
Go hands-on with a class
For some hands-on creative fun, you can find everything from candle-making classes at Wicks NOLA to perfume-making at Tijon, and of course, plenty of options for cooking classes to hone in on culinary skills from pastry making to learning classic New Orleans cuisine, all of which you can recreate at home to remind you of your time together in New Orleans. The best gift is a memory made through an experience!