2022 Guide to Fall Fun in New Orleans

The 2022 Guide to Fall Fun in New Orleans With Kids :: 75+ Things to Do With Kids in New Orleans

The Guide to Fall Fun in New Orleans

It is time for Fall Fun in New Orleans! There are so many things to do with kids in New Orleans this Fall! Below are over 75 of our favorite ideas for entertaining kids in New Orleans. There are ideas for every family’s budget and interests. Whether you are visiting New Orleans with kids or you live in New Orleans year-round, there are tons of kid-friendly outings to choose from. Fall is also pumpkin patch season in New Orleans, and we have that covered, too!

Are you looking for a day trip from New Orleans? Check out our Lafayette and Baton Rouge guides for more Louisiana fall fun ideas! 

Let’s get ready for Fall fun in New Orleans with this ultimate guide to things to do for families! Start planning your Fall fun today!

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Special thanks to our sponsor that made this Fall fun guide possible, The New Orleans Public Library! New Orleans Fall Homework Resources

School is back in session and the New Orleans Public Library is here to help students of all ages thrive in the classroom this year.

Get free one-on-one, online tutoring, test prep, writing help, and more with Homework! Engage K-6 grade students with literacy through e-books and National Geographic videos on Tumblebooks. Explore the world on Britannica Library’s interactive encyclopedia and atlas, featuring thousands of curated articles, pictures, and videos for learners of all levels. You can even access New Orleans’ culture for free by using the Library’s Culture Pass program, which allows you to reserve passes for free tickets to a number of the city’s museums and attractions.

To unlock all of this and more, all you need is a Library card. Stop by any Library location to sign up, or visit nolalibrary.org to explore all the fantastic resources, services, and tools the Library has to offer.

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Tips For Visiting New Orleans With Kids!

things to do in the summer in New Orleans


 

Now let’s get started, and be sure to show us YOUR New Orleans with kids outings and adventures by using the hashtag:

#NOMFALLFUN

Please note, we do recommend that you check each event/business website for the most up to date information.


New Orleans Fall Fun for the Whole Family

  • Head to Lakeside Shopping Center where there is something for everyone :: shopping, eating, and an awesome Kids’ Castle play area for the littlest members of your family. Every Friday at 11am there are extra activities to participate in as well. (As of 09/02/21 Kids’ Castle play area is open via reserved times.)
  • Peek-a-Boo at the Zoo! This family-favorite Halloween tradition is back for another year of socially distant, family-friendly fun. Take advantage of this great opportunity to safely celebrate Halloween with your little ghouls and goblins! Mid the Zoo will be decorated with spooktacular decorations to get you and your little creatures in the Halloween spirit! We’ll have extra Halloween hocus pocus for families, so join us…if you DARE! Dates coming soon!
  • Spend a day at City Park :: visit Storyland, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, or play a round of miniature golf at City Putt. Rent a paddleboat for a ride across Big Lake or rent a bike from the boathouse to trek across City Park’s natural wonders. Wheel Fun Rentals has bikes available to rent including surrey bikes, cruisers and bikes with trailers. They also have different boat options including canoes, kayaks and even swan boats! And did you know you can enjoy an authentic Venetian gondola ride through City Park’s Big Lake? Check out NOLA Gondola for details! In October check out their annual Fall event, Ghost in the Oaks. There is so much to explore at City Park for every member of your family. 
  • Kids love to ride the iconic New Orleans Street Car and hop off for some shopping and dining. Some of our favorite restaurants along the Streetcar line include Camellia Grill, Superior Seafood and brunch at the Columns Hotel
  • Explore the French Quarter :: eat Beignets at Cafe Du Monde, shop at the French Market, take a tour of the Cabildo Museum while enjoying the a/c and take a family selfie in front of Jackson Square. 
  • Treat yourself to an array of Beignets as well as live music and coffee at Beignet Fest! September 24th, 10am-6pm. We have all the details here!
  • Escape the heat by catching a movie at one of the local theaters. The Broad Theater and Prytania Theatres are open and ready for business.
  • For some more kid friendly ideas in New Orleans, make sure to check this post out.
  • Do some shopping at the French Market and enjoy the weather. For extra fun, make sure to check out their Boo Carre’ Halloween Hunt on October 15th.
  • Bring the kids on a French Quartour Kids Spooky History Tour! This tour is full of tricks, treats, and spells and superstitions. It is for kids 5-10 years old.
  • A family favorite, Mrs. Heather’s Farm! We break down everything you need to know about this pumpkin patch that is driving distance from New Orleans for you. It’s much more than just a pumpkin patch, make sure to head over and check out all their outdoor fun including zip lines, jumping pillow, tunnel slides and much more. Open from September 24 – November 6. Heads up that it’s cash only to get in!
  • Divine Mercy Parish Seafood Festival is back! From the thrilling rides to the the homemade jambalaya, the energizing bands to the memories you’ll make, we hope you and your family will join us October 7-9 for a weekend full of outdoor fun.
  • Take a road trip and head out to Tabasco’s Avery Island!
  • Family Night every Thursday at Faubourg Brewing Co.! Bring the kids and enjoy a night out at Faubourg! Check their website for free live music nights as well as their fall sunset concert series!
  • NOLA Craft Culture has multiple Halloween crafts for the whole family to enjoy! Check out their calendar of events that include a headdress workshop, pumpkin glittering and more.
  • Get crafty at the Shard Shop! Their ShardWorx® Pumpkin Dirty Pour Class is great kids and adult workshop decorating pumpkins for the Fall and Halloween Season. Classes are offered Wednesday – Sunday, reserve your spot in advance.
  • Head on over the beautiful Longue Vue Gardens for Fall Fest on October 29th! A festive Fall evening including trick or treating. Advance tickets are required. Check out their calendar for many other fall themed events like twilight concerts, wreath making, and harvest camp.
  • A weekend full of fun at the Washington Parish Free Fair! Rides, attractions and events for the whole family. October 19th-23rd.
  • Barktober at Pelican Park! Head to Bark Park on October 30th as we celebrate Howl-o-ween with our Furry Friends at the inaugural Barktober Fest event!
  • Check out this NOM post for more family friendly ideas at home and around town!

New Orleans Fall Fun for the Littles:

  • The Kids’ Castle at Lakeside mall is the perfect place to beat the heat with your littles and it’s free! In the Fall their spooky train is usually in service, make sure to bring your little ghouls for a ride.
  • Rock out to musical instruments and bond with your littles through online Kindermusik with Madeline (all classes are virtual at this time).
  •  Looking for free enrichment to enjoy with your child, then head to one of New Orleans public libraries to read some books, enjoy story time, and grab a take and make craft.  Check your local branch for story time and hours of operations.
  • Let your little one reach for bubbles and take a ride on a parachute at a Gym Rompers class where they can explore childhood through both independent play and group engagement. The Fall 2022 session begins on August 13th at both their Uptown and Metairie locations.
  • Visit The Louisiana Children’s Museum and enjoy the variety of indoor and outdoor hands-on play and learning areas. LCM is requiring timed-entry tickets that must be reserved in advance.
  • For the days when the weather isn’t sunny, head to an indoor play place like We PLAY Center, NOLA Kidsground, Luv 2 Play.

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NOLA Fall Fun for the Bigs (School Age Kids and Beyond):


New Orleans Fall MSY Love:

  • Take a stroll along Julia Street to check out the art galleries.
  • Take a Swamp Tour and see if you can spot an alligator. 
  • Shop the Crescent City Farmers Market and stock up on supplies to make your favorite New Orleans recipe. 
  • Marvel at the creativity of our locals and purchase something for yourself or loved one at the Palmer Park Art Market. The market is on select Saturdays from 10am-4pm. Check the website for dates! 
  • Enjoy the Sculpture Garden at City Park. The garden is open and is following these guidelines.
  • The Music Box Village is made up of structures such as phone booths, houses, and Japanese pagodas that play music.  It’s a hands-on experience during public hours, and hosts musical concerts as well. Reopening weekend is September 16th with a special Halloween Art Market Sunday, October 23rd at noon. 

New Orleans Fall MSY Eats:


New Orleans Fall Outdoor Adventures:

  • Get moving at a favorite local park :: team favorites include Audubon Park, Lafreniere Park and City Park
  • New Orleans Fall Garden Festival is October 8th and 9th at the New Orleans Botanical Gardens includes kid friendly events, music, and art.
  • Get up close and personal with the wildlife at the Audubon Zoo
  • Float down the Bogue Chitto River. At the Bogue Chitto Tubing Center, you can choose your means of transportation- tube, canoe, or kayak. 
  • Rent a kayak for some water adventure with Bayou Paddle Sports in Mid-City or Canoe and Trail Adventures on the Northshore. 
  • Go fishing. You can catch and release in City Park or rent a boat from one of the many local fishing charters.
  • The Barataria Preserve offers a taste of Louisiana’s wild wetlands. Take a self-guided tour on their boardwalks and dirt trails or enjoy the exhibits in their visitor center.
  • Bring a picnic dinner and catch a gorgeous Louisiana sunset at The Fly on the Southshore or Sunset Point from the Northshore (bonus points for this spot where you can spend the afternoon fishing before catching a beautiful sunset).
  • Go camping at a park, or have a backyard camp-out at home.
  • Spend the day at Fontainebleau State Park and enjoy their trails, beach or explore the lake on kayaks or canoes. You could even rent a cabin or reserve a camp site and stay the night. 
  • Explore 10 acres of cultivated gardens at The New Orleans Botanical Gardens

New Orleans Fall Worth the Drive:

  • Take a day trip to Avery Island home of Tabasco! Visit the factory or restaurant. Take a guided bird tour or take a self guided tour through the Jungle Gardens. Are you a foodie? Then sign up for one of their cooking classes or guided culinary tours through Cajun country. 
  • Take a drive to Mississippi to visit the Infinity Science Center and tour the Stennis Space Center. 
  • Enjoy an animal encounter at Global Wildlife. This wildlife sanctuary, located in Folsom, LA, includes zebras, giraffes, camels, and more! Feed these free-roaming animals located on over 900 acres of farmland from your own guided wagon ride. 
  • Looking for something to do in the Hammond area, then take a look at our handy guide.
  • Located a short ferry ride from Mississippi’s coast, you can find some of the last undeveloped barrier islands in America at Ship Island. Now booking Dolphin Cruises
  • Pack the family up and take the short trip out to Sugar Roots Farm to pet the animals, ride horses, and taste some of the deliciousness produced on the farm. (The farm is currently open.)
  • Scale the colossal Climbing structure at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
  • Knock Knock Children’s Museum in Baton Rouge was named “Louisiana Museum of the Year” last year. 
  • The 31st Annual Wooden Boat Festival on the banks of the beautiful Tchefuncte River. This family friendly event attracts over one hundred classic boats as well as music enthusiasts for this two-day celebration. Come enjoy the great food, live music, children’s activities (10 AM-4 PM), arts and crafts and don’t miss the Quick’n Dirty Boat Building Contest on Sunday! October 15th and 16th.
  • The Corn Maze at Burden in Baton Rouge includes all kinds of quintessential fall activities including: sunflower fields, a pumpkin patch, petting farm, a hay mountain, fall food trucks, and of course, the corn maze! This takes place every Saturday of October and you must purchase tickets in advance.

New Orleans Fall Learning Fun:

  • New Orleans is home to the #3 museum in the country according to Trip Advisor! Our WWII Museum is a must-see attraction that really can’t be missed if you live in this city. They offer children’s programming, a wonderful camp, movies in their Stage Door Canteen and volunteer opportunities for  children aged 13-17. 
  • Check out the Ogden Museum for art exhibits and events for kids, click here for their programs for kids! 
  • Instill a love of reading and literacy in your children while you sing songs and play games together in New Orleans READ program.
  • The Backstreet Cultural Museum celebrates  New Orleans’ masking and processional traditions.  It houses a large collection of Mardi Gras Indian costumes and even gives children a chance to learn to sew the costumes themselves. 
  • Visit the St. Tammany Children’s Museum and build your own rollercoaster. 

New Orleans Fall Sports and Fitness:

  • The New Orleans Boulder Lounge is New Orleans premier indoor climbing facility.  They offer kids only hours on Sunday morning and youth climbing teams for children aged 5-12. 
  • Sign your littles up for Soccer Shots at one of their many New Orleans locations. For children ages 2-8. 
  • Take a bike ride along the scenic Tammany Trace that spans from downtown Covington, through Abita Springs, Mandeville, Lacombe and ends in Slidell. 
  • Fall is a time to slow down and take time to breathe. Lolo’s Youth Yoga specializes in Children’s yoga. 
  • Go for a run along Crescent Park, a beautiful urban park along the riverfront. 
  • Enjoy hitting some balls at Big Easy Sportsplex
  • Do a warrior style obstacle course at NOLA Muscle Park.

New Orleans Fall Date Night (or Date Day): 

  • Hit the town and enjoy a show at Saenger Theater. 
  • Take a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Book a demonstration class or hands-on class.
  • Go for a wine tasting at Pontchartrain Vineyards. You could even make a night of it and stay at the Southern Hotel, then enjoy brunch at Hambone the next day. 
  • Spend the evening painting the town at an adult class with Painting with a Twist.
  • Looking for a location that gives you all the laid-back romance vibes, then Bacchanal Wine is the perfect place to spend some one on one time with your love. Good food. Good Wine. Great Ambiance. 
  • Leave your cell phone in your bag and spend the night catching up over Doberge cake, champagne, and board games at the Bakery Bar. If you are in the Metairie/Kenner area, check out their newest location in Rivertown at Debbie on the Levee
  • Spend an evening out listening to music on Frenchmen Street. (Please check individual jazz clubs for updates.)
  • Get crafty and have a date night at the Rustic Brush. Feel like staying in? They also offer DIY Home Kits!

New Orleans Fall Fun at Home:

  • Plant a vegetable garden.
  • Roast marshmallows for s’mores.
  • Build a fort in your living room.
  • Send letters or pictures to friends and family.
  • Make root beer floats.
  • Make tie dyed t-shirts.
  • Do some youtube kids exercise videos. We particularly like Cosmic Kids Yoga and Moovlee.
  • Pick up some pumpkins and get creative! You can carve, paint or decorate them however you wish!
  • 10 Boredom Busters to Prime Right Now – Have these items delivered straight to your door to provide your kids with hours of entertainment!

Still Need More Ideas?

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