Planning a family trip and looking for free things to do in New Orleans with kids? The good news is that New Orleans is actually a very family-friendly destination, and there are plenty of fun things to do that don’t cost anything at all.

From watching street performers in the French Quarter to exploring huge parks, riverwalk views, and historic neighborhoods, some of the best things to do in New Orleans are completely free.

If you’re trying to plan a New Orleans trip on a budget, this list of free things to do in New Orleans with kids will help you save money while still experiencing the best parts of the city.

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NOLA architecture, brick wall building with balconies and intricate ironwork columns in a street of the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana

1. Watch Street Performers in the French Quarter

One of the easiest free things to do in New Orleans with kids is to watch the street performers in the French Quarter. You’ll usually find musicians, magicians, artists, and other performers around Jackson Square and throughout the French Quarter. Kids love stopping to watch the shows, and it’s a great way to take a break while exploring.

This is also a good time to grab a snack, sit for a bit, and just enjoy the atmosphere of New Orleans without spending any money.

New Orleans, Louisiana at Jackson Square.

2. Visit Jackson Square

Jackson Square is one of the most famous places in New Orleans and a great stop when visiting with kids. There are usually artists, performers, and musicians in the area, so there’s always something interesting to see. It’s also right next to the St. Louis Cathedral, which is a beautiful place to take pictures and walk around.

This is an easy free stop to add to your day when exploring the French Quarter.

new orleans river — New Orleans, Louisiana, USA at Crescent City Connection Bridge over the Mississippi River at sunset.

3. Walk Along the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Park

Woldenberg Park is right along the Mississippi River and is a great place to let kids run around while you watch the steamboats and large ships go by. There’s a walking path, benches, and lots of open space, which makes it a great free stop when exploring New Orleans with kids.

If your kids like boats, this will probably be one of their favorite stops.

4. Ride the St. Charles Streetcar (Very Cheap)

While not free, the St. Charles Streetcar is very cheap and is one of the best things to do in New Orleans with kids. The ride goes past beautiful homes and the Garden District, and kids usually love riding the streetcar. It’s a great way to rest your feet while still seeing a lot of the city.

5. Explore City Park

City Park is one of the best free things to do in New Orleans with kids. The park is huge and has walking paths, playgrounds, open fields, and beautiful oak trees. This is a great place to relax and let kids run around for a while.

There’s plenty of space for a picnic, and it’s a nice break from the busy French Quarter.

6. Walk Around the Garden District

The Garden District is a beautiful neighborhood with historic homes, huge trees, and quiet streets. It’s a great area to walk around if you want a break from the busy tourist areas. If your kids are getting tired of the crowds, this is a good place to slow down and take a quieter walk.

7. Visit the French Market

The French Market is fun to walk through even if you don’t buy anything. There are usually local artists, food vendors, and souvenir stands to look at, and it’s a fun area to explore. Even just walking through and looking around is a fun free activity.

8. Visit St. Louis Cathedral

St. Louis Cathedral is free to enter and is one of the most beautiful buildings in New Orleans. Even if you only stay a few minutes, it’s worth stepping inside while you’re visiting Jackson Square.

9. Walk Along Magazine Street

Magazine Street is a great place to walk around, window shop, and explore local shops and restaurants. Even if you’re not buying anything, it’s a fun area to explore and see a different part of the city.

10. Visit Audubon Park

Audubon Park is another great free park in New Orleans. There are walking paths, open spaces, and lots of room for kids to run around. This is a great stop if you want something relaxing and free to do.

11. Crescent Park

Crescent Park is a riverfront park with walking paths and great views of the city and the Mississippi River. It’s usually less crowded than the French Quarter and is a nice place to walk around and let kids burn off some energy.

12. Visit During a Free Festival

If you happen to visit New Orleans at the right time, you may be able to experience one of the city’s many free festivals. New Orleans is known for its festivals, and many of them are free to attend and very family-friendly during the day.

Some popular free festivals in New Orleans include French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest (the Fair Grounds requires a ticket, but there are free events around the city), and local neighborhood festivals throughout the year. These festivals often have live music, local food vendors, art booths, and plenty of things to see and do just by walking around.

If your trip lines up with a festival, this can easily become one of the most fun and memorable free things to do in New Orleans with kids.

Before your trip, it’s a good idea to check the New Orleans festival calendar to see if anything is happening while you’re in town.

Here is my guide to all the 2026 New Orleans Festivals.

What to Bring When Visiting New Orleans with Kids

If you’re planning a trip to New Orleans, there are a few things I definitely recommend bringing to make your trip more comfortable, especially if you plan on walking a lot and spending time outdoors.

First, make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes because you will be walking a lot and some of the sidewalks are uneven.

If you’re visiting when it’s warm, a portable fan is a lifesaver. The heat and humidity can be intense, especially if you’re walking around the French Quarter.

I also recommend bringing acrossbody bagor anti-theft backpack so you can keep your belongings close to you in busy areas.

The weather can change quickly, so pack a poncho or small umbrella so you don’t get stuck in the rain.

And don’t forget a refillable water bottle so you can stay hydrated and save money.

If you’re traveling with kids, a stroller fan made a huge difference for us and kept everyone much more comfortable.

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Here are a few things we personally recommend bringing to New Orleans to make your trip easier and more comfortable:

Plan Your New Orleans Trip

If you’re planning a trip to New Orleans, you might also find these posts helpful:

Planning ahead can make your trip so much easier, especially when traveling with kids.

Conclusion

New Orleans can be a very fun and memorable trip for families, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy the city. Some of the best things to do in New Orleans with kids are completely free, from watching street performers to exploring parks and walking along the river.

If you’re planning a family trip, adding a few of these free things to do in New Orleans to your itinerary is a great way to experience the city while sticking to a budget.