Whether he’s 25 or 85, there’s nothing dad loves more than family time. This year, take Father’s Day out of the backyard and make memories together.

Get Wild with Dad 

Whether you hop on an airboat and fly through the swamp, take a traditional swamp boat, or go kayaking, nothing brings the family together like a Louisiana swamp tour! Learn more. Get coupon.

Go Cruising on the Steamboat NATCHEZ

Take dad back in time on a river cruise. He’ll have fun listening to jazz, exploring the boat with the kids or grandkids, and taking in some of the best views of New Orleans.  Learn more. Get coupon.

Swing Over to Loft18

Play golf without breaking a sweat at Loft18, featuring five golf simulation stalls and a fun menu with great burgers and more.  Learn more.

Visit Mardi Gras World

Why not make Father’s Day another Mardi Gras? There’s fun – and king cake – for everyone at Mardi Gras World. Learn more. Get coupon. 

>>Where to Take Dad Out to Eat This Father’s Day >>

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Know what kids love best on Mother’s Day? Mother Nature! Pick up a picnic from one or your favorite New Orleans restaurants and pull up some grass at one these four parks.

City Park (Mid-City/Lakeview)

As New Orleans’ largest park, City Park stretches from Mid-City and Bayou St. John into the Lakeview neighborhood toward Lake Pontchartrain. From end to end, City Park boasts luscious green space lined with Spanish moss-draped oak trees and is filled with plenty of walking and biking paths. Come climb a tree, read stories under the oaks, and feed the ducks.

Audubon Park (Uptown)

Audubon Park is another large grassy area with plenty of room to run around and have a picnic. The park also has lots of gazebos and covered areas for setting up camp while the kids play tag and fly kites. 

The Fly (Uptown)

After driving beyond Audubon Park and past the Audubon Zoo, you’ll reach The Fly, a long stretch of a park that borders and overlooks the Mississippi River. Come throw a Frisbee or have a picnic as you enjoy the mighty river in the background. 

Woldenberg Park (French Quarter)

Woldenberg Park borders the Mississippi River on the Canal Street side of the French Quarter. There are lots of statues and art to enjoy as well as river traffic. Come take a walk or jog as a family.

New Orleans makes the music.
You make the memories. 

April 24-May 4, 2025

Jazz Fest is part of growing up in New Orleans. And while it might seem like more work than fun to have the little ones in tow for an event like this, most parents we know wouldn’t have it any other way. You’ve gotta start them on the Zydeco early!

If you do decide to Jazz Fest with the fam, here are a few tips. You might want to bring a beach blanket or a chair with an umbrella for quick naps. If you’re worried about music levels on your little one’s ears, throw some ear muffs or headphones into the stroller. And invest in a pair of those cute little rain boots, just in case.

The Official Jazz Fest Shuttle will get you right inside the gate (see link below). Once inside, head for less crowded stages like the Jazz & Heritage and Fais Do-Do stages. Plus the Blues and Gospel tents offer chairs. And don’t forget the Jazz Fest Kids Area! Your children will love the Ochsner Children’s Tent with shows specifically tailored for kids.

The Cultural Arts Tent is a great place to get those creative juices flowing. Your kids will be able to work with Mardi Gras flower makers, float painters and builders, paper mâché sculptures, puppeteers, costume makers and more. Each Saturday, at 2 pm, a petit carnival parade will roll through the area and your kids can join in!

There’s also the Ochsner’s Children’s Activity Tent offering fun STEM-focused health and wellness activities. And new this year is the Interactive Technology Tent where you can have motion graphics fun using props and a green screen. And the JF Peace Garden offers mindful movement, games and activities that use quiet observations and play for a gentle sensory experience. Have a tween in your household? They can take part in a Silent Disco Dance Party from 3-5 pm. daily. 

And all this is just the tip of the iceberg! Some people might recommend going on Thursdays or Fridays to avoid the larger crowds but some of the best acts are on the weekend so we say “just go for it.” 

Photo credit: Missy Fields Dalton

<<Jazz Fest Shuttle Info>>

<<Learn More About Jazz Fest/See 2025 Lineup>>

<<Find a Hotel for Jazz Fest>>

Lend us your bunny ears! 

This April 9th, hop down the Bunny Trail with Old Man River. On  the Easter Bunny Brunch Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat NATCHEZ, your family will have a blast getting your pictures taken with the Easter Bunny, dancing to live jazz, and nibbling away at an eggcellent brunch buffet. And, of course, there are those great river views. This is how you make Easter memories that will last a lifetime.

Date: Sunday, April 20th, 2024

First Sailing: Boarding at 11:00 a.m., Cruising from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Second Sailing Boarding at 2:00 p.m., Cruising from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Place: Steamboat Natchez (where Toulouse St. Meets the Mississippi River)

Reservations are required. Book here.

Raw oysters? Nuh uh. Fried alligator? No way, dude.

New Orleans may be the Creole and Cajun Culinary Capital of the World but, let’s face it, most little ones aren’t going to be happy with iconic New Orleans dishes like turtle soup, crawfish étouffée, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce.

On the other hand, fresh-caught, fried Gulf seafood is always a kid pleaser but, if your kids will go through withdrawal without chicken tenders, you can find it in our local restaurants as well.

Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter and Metairie serves a whole lot more than oysters. Kids under 12 can have their choice of Fried Shrimp, Fried Fish, Chicken Tenders, Cheese Burgers and Junior Dawgs–all served with French fries and a small fountain drink–for just $5.99.

Felix’s menu in the French Quarter and at the Lakefront has great choices for your little ones as well, including Fried Fish, Fried Shrimp, Chicken Tenders and Hamburgers. Plus, your kids will get a kick out of watching the oyster shuckers at work even if they won’t eat oysters.

Landry’s Seafood House also has a special menu for the little ones. Kids can eat for under $8 in both the French Quarter and Lakefront locations. There are 11 options including Fried Shrimp, Corn Dogs and Chicken Strips and it comes with juice, milk or soda and one side (not to mention a great view).

The thing that really stands out to us on Oceana’s Kid’s Menu is The Big Ch-Easy Burger, but they also have Fried Shrimp and great Chicken Tenders. We love that you can get kiddy cocktails here. Remember Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers?

The kid’s menu at Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant in the Arts/Warehouse District is a winner, too. Burgers, Shrimp, Fish, Chicken Tenders, Buttered Pasta…it’s all good. 

Porter & Luke’s on Metairie Road is idea for families as well. There your kids can choose from Meatballs & Pasta, Luke’s Chicken Fingers, Catfish Strips and Porter’s Shrimp Plate.

And although they don’t have a kid’s menu per say, Commander’s Palace in the Garden District offers off-the-menu kid items like Fried Shrimp and Fried Chicken with fries on the side. They also serve a wonderful mocktail called the Duck Bubble Bath made with orange juice and cranberry juice, garnished with a rubber duck wearing a chef’s hat. 

After a day of exploring New Orleans, your kids are going to be hungry. Make sure you know where to go. Find more family restaurant ideas.

Photo courtesy Acme Oyster House

>>Go to Free Things to Do in New Orleans

French Quarter Fest in the Vieux Carré is “The Largest Showcase of Louisiana Music in the World.” Not only is it FREE, but it’s a great opportunity to introduce your kids to the music and culture you love. And this year, they’re offering something new: the Chevron STEM Boat: A Voyage of Discovery on the Riverboat City of New Orleans!

This is an opportunity for your children to delve into the wonders of maritime science, marine biology, and the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana’s waterways and boats. The STEM Zone will take place Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

You can also listen to Calliope Concerts from the Steamboat Natchez on the Riverfront every morning during French Quarter Fest from 10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. And the whole family can take free dance lessons at the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and at the Chevron Stage

Come enjoy fantastic music! Enjoy New Orleans’ food from places like Tujague’s, Landry’s Seafood House, New Orleans School of Cooking, and Cafe Beignet. 

Learn more and plan your adventure today!

2025 Entertainment Lineup

Photo by Zack Smith Photography, Courtesy of French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

Kids can never get enough beads! On the heels of Mardi Gras come New Orleans St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day parades. Put the kids back in the car and head for the fun.  

Irish Channel Parade, March 15
POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

This procession in the Irish Channel neighborhood will start rolling around 1 p.m. Organized by The Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Committee in 1947, throws always include beads, flowers, and the fixing for an Irish stew. See parade route.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Metairie Road, March 16

This parade has been rolling down Metairie Road since 1971. Head there for noon to see 100 floats and trucks, bands, and marching clubs. View route.

Downtown Irish Club Parade, March 17

The Downtown Irish Club Parade starts at 7 p.m. Your little leprechauns will love it. See route.

Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade in Metairie, March 23

Head to the burbs for the Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade. We’ll see you on the Veterans parade route at noon. See route.

Italian-American St. Joseph’s Parade in the French Quarter, March 22

The Italian American St Joseph’s Society has taken to the streets for this parade for more than 50 years! The procession begins at 6 p.m. with floats, the queen with 100-some maids, and hundreds of tuxedoed Italian-Americans offering up green, white and red beads, silk flowers, and blessed fava beans. View route. 

Gretna Irish-Italian Parade, March 30

The City of Gretna’s Irish-Italian Heritage Parade & Events begins at noon at  Burmaster & Franklin Streets and ends at 4th Street & Huey P. Long Ave. Music & free beer while supplies last. View route

St. Bernard Irish-Italian Islenos Parade, April 5

The St. Bernard Irish-Italian Islenos Community Parade starts at 11 a.m. in Chalmette. Come see more than 50 floats, 35 marching groups and 1,500 cabbage-tossing members. View route.

On Sunday, February 16^th, the Krewe of Little Rascals rolled in Metairie. Founded in 1983 by Jack and Maureen Spittler, their goal was to give the children of the New Orleans area their own unique Mardi Gras experience. In 2024, the parade was cancelled after Jack Spittler’s death. This year’s procession saluted their late founder with a lead float with an empty seat.

With members ranging from age 2 to 19, was built to promote the qualities of leadership and self-esteem. The founders believed children should be children, and ALL children should have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential regardless of race, color, economic background, religion or special needs.

Today, a percentage of the krewe’s members come from agencies that serve physically and emotionally challenged children.

When the krewe began there were only 3 Krewe floats plus the royal floats. Now the parade has 17 floats that are joined by marching groups, bands, horseback riding groups, car clubs and more.

Mardi Gras legend Arthur Hardy once wrote, the Krewe “Little Rascals is the longest running, most flamboyant, most successful organization for young people in the history of Mardi Gras.”

Sensory-Friendly Saturdays at HNOC (the Historic New Orleans Collection) are mornings of exploration and hands-on learning for neurodiverse guests and their families.

These events are designed for visitors of all ages who would benefit from a quieter, more relaxed museum experience. With a range of activities tailored to different abilities, there’s something for everyone.

For those who can’t attend a Sensory-Friendly Saturday, HNOC provides Sensory Inclusive bags at the Welcome Center. These bags are filled with items like noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and visual cue cards to help reduce sensory overload.

January’s Experience

On January 25th, from 9-11 a.m., explore the exhibition A Vanishing Bounty: Louisiana’s Coastal Environment and Culture through a sensory-friendly lens. Learn about Louisiana’s unique people, wildlife, and plants in a calm, interactive environment. Participate in a gallery scavenger hunt, try sketching some of Louisiana’s iconic animals, or enjoy a storytime with one of HNOC’s Education staff.

Sensory-Friendly Saturdays are free and open to the public, though registration is recommended. For more details, visit hnoc.org.

Photo credit: hnoc.org

This year, Family Gras will take place at Mardi Gras Plaza, in the 3300 block of Veterans Memorial Boulevard across from Lakeside Shopping Center. The festivities are scheduled for February 21, 22 & 23 with free outdoor concerts. This year’s entertainment lineup includes Gary LeVox, Gabby Barrett, Ambrosia, Justin Moore, Kansas, Marc Martel, Zebra, Rock Show NOLA, Timothy Wayne, Imagination Movers, Amanda Shaw and River Dan.

But Family Gras is more than just great concerts by big-name performers – it’s parades, food, an Art Market, kids’ activities and even a run! The Krewe of Excalibur will roll on Friday, the Magical Krewe of MadHatters on Saturday, and the Krewe of Atlas on Sunday. Come enjoy all your favorite New Orleans dishes at the Flambeau Food Court, shop for local art, photography and hand-crafted jewelry at the Art Market and don’t miss the face painting, hand-wax art and interactive games for kids 12 and under at the Kids’ Court. 

Mardi Gras is not just for grownups. Come join the fun this year!

Photo: VisitJeffersonParish.com

>> See The Complete Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

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