Malls, parks, and neighborhood sidewalks seem to be the places where you see moms pushing strollers trying to get some fresh air and a little exercise. Sometimes you just wanna do something a little different but you have to drag the kids around in that bulky stroller you had to have because it closes at the push of a button or has enormous basket space underneath. Well, you can! From the Northshore to the Westbank, and everywhere in between, here are some Stroller Friendly Attractions In New Orleans that are perfect for little kids and beyond.
Sponsored by Little Hearts at the Academy of Sacred Heart.
AUDUBON PARK
Audubon Park is in the heart of Uptown New Orleans, across from Loyola and Tulane. It has a jogging path, shelters, playgrounds, a lagoon and more. The jogging path is wide enough to share with walkers, joggers, and cyclists (who have their own lane). The park is beautiful and you can enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the many shelters or on the vast green spaces.
AUDUBON ZOO
Audubon Zoo is a great place to bring the kids and not have to worry about them tiring from walking or carrying them around. On a cool fall day, it can truly be the best idea to get everyone out of the house for a much-needed dose of Vitamin D. Also, their membership is one of the best in town!
AUDUBON AQUARIUM
The aquarium is easily accessible from the Canal Place parking garage and a stroller is a must when your little one falls asleep in the dark Gulf of Mexico exhibit. Besides, a relaxing trip around the fish can be very therapeutic.
AUDUBON LOUISIANA NATURE CENTER
The nature center has a one-mile long boardwalk that is perfect for taking babies and toddlers on an adventure to discover nature. Don’t forget the bug spray and sunscreen.
LEVEES/LAKESHORE DRIVE/BONNABEL BOAT LAUNCH
Have you ever parked and walked the levee from one end to the other? It’s pretty amazing how far you can go when you’re traveling in a relatively straight line. Whether you choose riverside or lakefront you can’t go wrong! You can also check out the Bonnabel Boat Launch, which has a nice walking path and a playground! There is also a dog park at Bonnabel Boat Launch in case Fido is joining you on your stroll!
FRENCH MARKET
While you may encounter some potholes, buckled sidewalks, and crowded corners, it can be fun to walk around the French Quarter during the daytime. Enjoy some shopping in the French Market and surrounding shops, grab some beignets and cafe au lait, catch a band playing in the streets, and listen to the tourists try to figure out how to pronounce the street names.
CRESCENT PARK
After you're finished with the French Market, head on over to Crescent Park. It is a 20-acre linear urban park that has pavilions, a dog run, bike paths, with pretty neat landscaping. Don't forget to take some pictures! The views are awesome & unique.
FARMERS MARKETS
Educational and a great way to introduce new foods to your family, farmers markets are popping up all over the New Orleans Area. You can find some of the tastiest jams and jellies, freshest veggies, and even meet new friends strolling with their own crew.
NEWCOMB ART MUSEUM
The second Saturday of each month is “Stroller Saturday”. The museum opens at 10:30 am for parents with small children who can enjoy a private tour of the exhibitions with Tom Friel, the museum’s Coordinator for Interpretation & Public Engagement. FREE
ART MARKETS
Local artists truly are the best thing about living down South. You never know where you could find the next piece of art or the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for family member… and get the kids a little culture while you’re at it!
SNOWBALL STANDS
Try out a bunch nearby and find who has the best chocolate, the most flavors for stain-free clear snowballs, and the best prices. You don’t want to take a toddler without the stroller. Walking and eating snowballs do NOT go together!
LIBRARY
Don’t miss out on story time! Pack up and stroll on over to the library for some free entertainment and grab a book or DVD to bring home.
MARDI GRAS WORLD
Teach your kids about the best holiday in NOLA and see the historical floats up close. Sounds like a win-win to me!
LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS
Quite the hidden gem if you don’t know it’s there! The gardens at Longue Vue are truly a sight to behold. They even have seminars for all ages throughout the year. Go see what’s in bloom!
CITY PARK SCULPTURE GARDEN
Learn about art and get some Vitamin D while you’re at it. Toddlers can learn shapes and colors while older children can learn about the styles and techniques used to create some of the most breathtaking pieces. City Park is currently in the process of expanding this exquisite attraction, and we are so excited!
LAFRENIERE PARK
There is a 2-mile track that circles the park that is great for a walk in the stroller. Don’t miss the two playgrounds, splash pad and spotting wildlife on the boardwalk.
LASALLE PARK
Located next to the Shrine on Airline, LaSalle has a fitness trail, playgrounds, and a nature boardwalk – which are all great for strollers!
THE RIVERWALK
Head downtown for a little shopping and fun! Grab some lunch, walk around and treat yourself. The Riverwalk also has an indoor play area perfect for little ones.
TRAILHEADS ON THE NORTHSHORE
Take a short drive across the Causeway and visit the Abita & Mandeville Trailheads. It’s not your regular park so the kids will enjoy the new sights and sounds. It might become your favorite new getaway!
THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
The Children's Museum is 30,000 sq. ft. of fun and interactive play! They have a climbing wall, art studio, grocery store, and mock cafe, among many other activities! This is a great place to let your little one out of the stroller to get his/her energy out before roaming around the warehouse district!
PONTIFF PLAYGROUND
Wally Pontiff, Jr. Playground (formerly Metairie Playground) is set behind a quiet, residential neighborhood in Old Metairie, located at 1521 Palm Drive. It's easily accessible with plenty of parking. It is the oldest playground in Jefferson Parish. It has two walking paths, two playgrounds and plenty of green space.
STORYLAND
Storyland is a playground located in City Park is the perfect place to take your stroller-age child. It has life-size storybook characters which are a delight to see at any age! $4 for those under 36″
THE FLY
The Fly located behind Audubon Zoo on the Mississippi River has open green space, recreational sports fields, public restrooms, and a playground. Its great to stroll through and watch the barges rollin' down the river.
WWII MUSEUM
This historical museum is currently #2 in both the US and the World – pretty impressive! It’s hou6-acre a 6-acre campus with many historical exhibits, a dinner theatre, and restaurants. It is a great place to expose your little ones (and the rest of the family) to the sights and sounds of this historic event.
BREWERIES
There are several family-friendly breweries in the area, Urban South, Abita Brewery, NOLA, and Second Line Brewery; their taprooms are all kid-friendly. Most have covered and/or indoor areas and Urban South has a bounce house rockin' every Sunday!
ARMSTRONG PARK/CONGO SQUARE
On the edges of the French Quarter in the Treme neighborhood is Armstrong Park & Congo Square. It is a public park that had lots of open spaces, sculptures, and duck ponds! It's a beautiful park to spend your afternoon leisurely strolling and having a picnic lunch.
ALGIERS POINT/FERRY
You can take a quick ferry ride from the foot of Canal Street to the historic neighboorhood of Algiers Point. There are paths along the levee for walking, Confetti Park (a playground), and plenty of nearby kid-friendly restaurants.
BARATARIA PRESERVE
On the Westbank, right outside of Marrero is the Barataria Preserve, which offers a close-up look at Louisiana's Swamplands. There are boardwalks where you can spot all sorts of wildlife, birds, plants, and flowers. You can do a self-guided tour, cell phone tour, or a Wetlands Walk tour hosted by a park Ranger every Wednesday – Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Your older child (5-12) can even join the Junior Ranger program!
LAFITTE BARATARIA MUSEUM AND WETLANDS TRACE
This is another nature-centered, stroller-friendly location on the Westbank. The museum tells the story of the fishing town of Jean Lafitte and the people and industries that created this town. After learning about the history, take a stroll down the Wetlands Trace nature trail, located behind the museum.
GRETNA CENTENNIAL LIBRARY PARK
You can head to the Gretna Library and check out this awesome addition! Located across the street from the library this gated park features a walking trail, gazebo, and fountain. It's the perfect place to stroll after spending some time reading to your tot!
Where are your favorite places to go with your little ones when you want to get out of the house but need some sunshine and/or exercise?
About the Academy of Sacred Heart
The Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls offering education and instructional services from pre-kindergarten school through grade 12. Little Hearts, ages 1–3, is our Early Learning Division of the school.
Founded in 1867 and affectionately known as the Rosary, the school has a long history that is rooted in the spiritual charism of the Society of the Sacred Heart whose mission is to “make known the love of God through the heart of Jesus.”
At Sacred Heart, we challenge our girls with an education attuned to the circumstances and times in which we live, and we express an exceptional spirit of love – for our traditions, our students and our community.
Customs and traditions that characterize Sacred Heart schools evolve over the years, but the vital force always remains the same: a deep personal love of God. This love inspires our students to share their gifts with others through lives of concern and service. T
That's how our girls become bold, confident women who make change in the world.
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