10 Free Things to Do With Babies and Toddlers in New Orleans

Key Takeaways

• New Orleans has a wide range of truly free destinations that work well for babies and toddlers.
• The most enjoyable outings for young children tend to focus on movement, fresh air, and simple sensory experiences.
• Flexible, low-pressure activities make it easier for parents to explore the city without rigid schedules or overstimulation.

Getting out of the house with a baby or toddler doesn’t always require tickets, reservations, or carefully timed plans. In New Orleans, many of the city’s most family-friendly experiences are completely free and naturally suited to a slower pace.

From shaded parks and sculpture gardens to storytimes and boat watching, these destinations let little ones observe, move, and engage without pressure. Whether you’re a local parent or a tourist visiting with a baby or toddler, explore free activities that make it easy to enjoy New Orleans in a way that feels manageable and low-stress.

1. Stroll and Play at Audubon Park

• Neighborhood: Uptown
• Open to the public: 5 AM - 10 PM daily

Audubon Park is a longtime favorite for families with young children. Wide, stroller-friendly paths wind through open green space shaded by oak trees, creating an easy environment for short walks or blanket time.

There’s no admission fee, which makes Audubon Park a reliable option for spontaneous outings that can end whenever nap time approaches.

2. Explore the Grounds at City Park

• Neighborhood: Mid-City
• Open to the public: 5 AM - 10 PM daily

City Park offers acres of space that families can enjoy completely free of charge. Babies and toddlers often enjoy watching ducks and turtles near the lagoons or looking out from the park’s many bridges.

Parents appreciate the wide paths and flexible layout, which make it easy to explore for ten minutes or an hour without committing to a structured activity.

3. Enjoy Scenic Views at Crescent Park

• Neighborhood: Marigny/Bywater
• Open to the public: 6 AM - 7:30 PM daily

Crescent Park stretches along the Mississippi River and offers scenic views with a quieter feel. It’s free to enter and tends to be less crowded than some larger parks.

For babies and toddlers, the open space and changing river scenery provide gentle stimulation without overwhelming noise or activity.

4. Explore the New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden

• Neighborhood: Mid-City
• Open to the public: Open daily. Summer Hours (April–September): 10 AM – 6 PM  | Winter Hours (October–March): 10 AM – 5 PM

The Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA is always free to enter and easy to navigate with a stroller. Large-scale sculptures and open lawns give babies and toddlers plenty to look at without requiring long attention spans.

Because the garden is outdoors, families can move at their own pace and take breaks as needed.

5. Attend Free Storytime at a New Orleans Public Library Branch

• Neighborhood: Multiple neighborhoods
• Open to the public: Varies

The New Orleans Public Library offers free storytime programs for babies and toddlers at branches across the city. These sessions usually include short stories, songs, and simple movement activities.

Storytime provides a gentle introduction to group settings while remaining welcoming and low-pressure.

6. Watch Boats Along the Mississippi River

• Neighborhood: Woldenberg Park / French Quarter
• Open to the public: 24/7

Few things capture a baby’s attention like steady movement. Along the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Park, tugboats, barges, ferries, and cruise ships pass by regularly. The wide, paved brick paths are perfect for strollers, and there are plenty of benches for parents to sit and rest while little ones watch the activity on the water.

7. Spot Streetcars Along St. Charles Avenue

• Neighborhood: Uptown and downtown
• Open to the public: 24/7

You don’t need to board a streetcar to enjoy it. Standing or sitting along St. Charles Avenue lets babies and toddlers watch the iconic green streetcars roll by beneath the oak trees.

The steady movement and familiar sounds can be surprisingly engaging for little ones, and it’s completely free.

8. Walk the Lafitte Greenway

• Neighborhood: Mid-City
• Open to the public: 24/7

The Lafitte Greenway is a free, paved trail connecting several neighborhoods. Its wide paths make stroller walks easy, and toddlers often enjoy watching bikes and pedestrians pass by.

It’s a flexible option that allows families to walk as long or as little as they’d like without crowds or pressure.

Note: While the path is open 24/7, the playgrounds along the path (like Lemann) typically close at 10 PM.

9. Relax at "The Fly" (Audubon Riverfront)

• Neighborhood: Uptown
• Open to the public: 5 AM - 10 PM daily

Located right behind Audubon Zoo, this waterfront stretch of Audubon Park is a local favorite. It offers a massive green space where toddlers can run freely while watching massive cargo ships navigate the curve of the river. It’s the perfect spot for a sunset "blanket dinner" or watching local dogs play in the grass—simple, high-contrast entertainment for a baby.

10. Wander Through the French Market

• Neighborhood: French Quarter
• Open to the public: 10 AM - 6 PM daily (General market hours)

While it’s a shopping destination, walking through the open-air French Market is a sensory delight for little ones that costs nothing. Toddlers love the bright colors of the fruit stalls, the unique crafts, and the near-constant sound of live brass bands playing near the Dutch Alley area. It’s a great way to soak up the French Quarter atmosphere in a space that is wide enough for a stroller and moves at your own pace.

Making the Most of Your NOLA Outings

The best part of exploring New Orleans with a little one is that you don't need a massive itinerary to have a great day. Whether you’re watching the tugboats on the Mississippi or finding a shady spot under an oak tree in Audubon Park, the city provides the entertainment. You just provide the snacks and the stroller.

Dress for the Big Easy lifestyle

New Orleans weather can be as unpredictable as a toddler’s nap schedule. To keep those "low-pressure" outings from turning into "high-stress" meltdowns, comfort is key.

Pearls & Pelicans creates New Orleans–inspired bamboo collections designed for exactly these kinds of days. Our buttery-soft, breathable fabrics keep babies and toddlers cool during humid park strolls and cozy during breezy riverfront walks. 

Ready to gear up for your next outing? Shop our latest locally-inspired bamboo collections here.