New Orleans Kids Aquarium of the Americas
Foot of Canal St
504-581-4629
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 9:30-6, Fri.-Sat. 9:30-7
More than 7,000 aquatic creatures swim in 60 displays in this world-class aquarium. There are four major exhibit areas: the Amazon River Basin, the Caribbean Reef, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf Coast, each with fish and animals native to that environment.More Info

Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Foot of Canal St
This park surrounds the aquarium, and it is a great spot for viewing the active Mississippi. Water tours leave from the park frequently.

Audubon Park
Once a plantation, the park is now one of the largest (340 acres) and most acclaimed metropolitan parks in the United States. It has a world-class zoo, picnic and play areas, a golf course, a miniature train, riding stables, a tennis court, and a river view.

Audubon Zoo
6500 Magazine St
504-581-4629.
Daily 9:30-5, summer weekends til 6 pm
This wonderful zoo is a great place for families to visit. The zoo has a tremendous number of exhibits, including a Louisiana Swamp, tropical-bird house, butterfly exhibit, flamingo pond, sea lions, and white tigers.More Info

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
233 Newton St
504-361-7821
Hours: Daily 9:30-4:30
As the name suggests, this attraction is dedicated to the most famous party in America, Mardi Gras. Visitors can watch floats being made, view a film about Mardi Gras, and buy Carnival memorabilia in the gift shop. Kids will enjoy trying on a trunk full of costumes. More Info

Carousel Gardens
City Park
504-483-9356
Hours: Hrs may vary by season; closed in winter except for Christmas season
The carousel was built in 1906 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the park is just as good. The park includes a roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and other rides.

City Park
Bordered by City Park Ave, Robert E Lee Blvd, Marconi Dr, and Bayou St John
City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. Within its 1,500 acres, the Casino, Botanical Garden, Storyland, Carousel Gardens, New Orleans Museum of Art, tennis courts, and a golf course attract and entertain visitors.More Info

Confederate Museum
929 Camp St
504-523-4522
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-4
This imposing building, covered in ivy, houses an extensive collection of artifacts and records from the Civil War. This museum is the oldest in Louisiana. More Info

Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St
504-523-1216
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5
The center has won prizes for its own good looks, and the art inside is even better. The center also hosts concerts, films, theatrical and dance performances, and art-related workshops and seminars.

Custom House
423 Canal St
Built in 1849, this staunch structure occupies the whole block and is a major city landmark. The building has identical entrances on all four sides, and visitors are welcome to look around.

Elms Mansion
3029 St. Charles Ave
504-895-5493
Hours: Weekdays 9:30-5:00
Built in 1869, this magnificent home features marble fireplaces and stained-glass windows. The house has been carefully restored and furnished with period pieces.

Energy IMAX Theater
Foot of Canal St
504-581-4629
Hours: Shows daily
With a screen 5-1/2 stories tall, this is one of the most thrilling cinema experiences around. The theater shows breathtaking nature films related to the sea, Earth, and outer space that are meant for the whole family to enjoy.More Info

French Market
Ursulines St
The French Market contains shops, offices, and eating places, and it is an important part of the life of New Orleans. Street performers enliven the marketplace, and visitors can choose from the best of New Orleans delicacies.

Hermann-Grima House
820 St. Louis St
504-525-5661
Hours: Tours Mon.-Sat. 10-3:30
This house is one of the French Quarter's largest and best examples of American architecture. Cooking demonstrations, held in the city's only open Creole kitchen, delight visitors all day long.

Jackson Square
Hours: Daily 8-6
Occupying the heart of the French Quarter, the square was built in 1718. A statue of Andrew Jackson commemorates his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Artists hang their paintings on the park fence and set up outdoor studios, as do musicians, dancers, and magicians.

Louisiana Children's Museum
428 Julia St
504-523-1357
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30-4:30, Sun. noon-4:30; in summer open daily
One of the best children's museums in the country, the Louisiana Children's Museum has lots of hands-on activities. It also features a playscape for very young children, and lots to do for the whole family.

Musee Conti Wax Museum
917 Conti St
504-525-2605
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. noon-5:30
This wax museum features famous residents and natives of Louisiana. More than 100 wax figures are featured. More Info

New Orleans Botanical Garden
City Park
504-483-9386 Hours: Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30
While the garden may be relatively small (10 acres), it is a lovely spot to visit and has lots to offer. The gardens include a tropical conservatory, a water-lily pond, a formal rose garden, azalea and camellia gardens, and horticultural gardens. Fountains and sculpture are found throughout, and everything can be seen during a guided tour.

New Orleans Museum of Art
City Park
504-488-2631
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 10-5
One of the best museums in the country, the NOMA has a large permanent collection that specializes in pre-Columbian, African, and local art. World-class traveling exhibits also come frequently to the museum.

Storyland
City Park
504-483-9381
Hours: Hrs vary
by season This theme park is designed almost exclusively for children. It features 26 storybook exhibits built around fairy-tale characters. Child Magazine has rated Storyland one of the ten best playgrounds in the country.

The Casino
City Park
504-483-9371
Hours: Daily 8-4
Built to be a casino, this Spanish-style building is now an enlarged concession stand selling New Orleans delicacies, including the world-famous po'boys. A band stand has frequent performances, kids enjoy the playground, and paddle boats are available for rent in the lagoon.

Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Hours: Weekdays 6 am-10 pm, weekends 6 am-midnight
Offering an incredible view of the Mississippi, the park has a wooden promenade and many stores and restaurants. It is easily one of the best river front developments in the nation.