If you are looking for things to do with kids in New Orleans, you have come to the right website because New Orleans Mom is the “go to” resource for enjoying New Orleans with kids. However, if you are looking for fun date ideas in New Orleans (I.e. you don’t want the kids around), we have you covered, too. If your family is moving to New Orleans, or recently relocated to the area, welcome! We have compiled several resources and tips about enjoying New Orleans with kids over the years. Pssssst. We also have the best way to find a baby-sitter in New Orleans below.
25 Date Ideas In and Around New Orleans
As the parents of small children in New Orleans, most of us are always on the go. Between school events, sports, work and birthday parties, weeknights and weekends fill up quickly. Not to mention, every time we turn around there’s another event or festival in New Orleans! It’s common for families in New Orleans to fill the remaining free time in their schedule entertaining the kids. That said, it is also important to make an effort to prioritize scheduling regular dates. Not necessarily just date nights (we are tired), but day dates, too. That said, finding a high quality and available sitter can be hard in New Orleans – enter our sponsors, Wyndy.
Each sitter is background-checked and completes an interview to ensure they have childcare experience and are the perfect Wyndy sitter. You can now find, book, and pay baby-sitters in New Orleans in one single app! Even though we want to get out and have some adult fun, we don’t want to break the bank doing so. We are lucky to have an abundance of things to explore right here in the greater New Orleans area (while we have a Wyndy sitter) that are FREE or inexpensive.
Play Tourist in New Orleans
We know that it can be hard to come up with date ideas in New Orleans even once the sitter is booked, so we are here to help! Some of these dates are free (or almost free), while some have admission or costs associated with them. Either way, we hope you’re able to enjoy life in New Orleans with kids … and also without!
1. The French Quarter is one of our favorite day dates. Either Uber down there or park at one of the lots along Decatur, and you can have a whole day of fun. Grab some café au lait and beignets from Café Du Monde and eat them in Jackson Square. Regardless of the day, there are countless street performers and artists surrounding the Square. Stroll down Royal Street and peek in all the antique shops and art galleries. Another gem near the French Quarter is the often forgotten Crescent Park, which has amazing views of the city from a little further out in the Bywater. Entering Crescent Park to walk is 100% free, though we can never help but stop at Pizza Delicious for a slice and beer after we’ve done that! Once you get tired of walking, relax along the riverfront and watch the boats go by. Better yet, hop on the ferry in downtown New Orleans and ride over to Algiers Point. There are dozens of hidden gems on the Westbank, some of which would make a great date (margaritas at Barracuda, anyone?) If you prefer to stay in one place, consider grabbing pool passes to The Chloe Hotel and lounging for the day; it’s kind of like going out of town but not!
2. Hop on a streetcar. There are four different routes that the streetcars take throughout the city: canal – cemeteries, St. Charles, City Park/Museum, and Rampart-St. Claude. It is only $1.25/person one way or $3.00/person for an unlimited day pass. Regardless of which route you take, there are plenty of restaurants to grab a bite to eat and scenery to take in. Check out the routes and schedules to plan your day of fun. We love hopping off at The Columns for an adult beverage under the oaks.
3. Squeeze in some exercise on your day date by renting a Blue Bike to explore on. For only $0.15/minute (and $1 to unlock) you can grab a bike at one of the many bike stations around the city and take off for an adventure. Getting active is a really fun date idea in New Orleans because so much of our culture revolves around food and drink. New Orleans has gotten more bike friendly over the years, so this can be a fun way to see the city while burning some calories. If you prefer the water to land, look into Bayou Paddlesports and canoe your way to a great date! Feeling adventurous? Zip NOLA may be more your speed, pun intended. If you can get away for a little bit longer and enjoy the outdoors, camping is an affordable and easy getaway within Louisiana. If you like the idea of a physical date but it happens to be raining or just too hot, the New Orleans Boulder Lounge is a fun experience.
4. Take in some history at the Chalmette Battlefield. Entrance into the park is 100% free, and there are many events and exhibits available as well. Instead of driving to Chalmette, you can take the Creole Queen and cruise the river to get to the site of the Battle of New Orleans.
Outdoor Concerts and Sporting Events
5. The Young Leadership Council of New Orleans sponsors weekly Wednesday at the Square concerts at Lafayette Square March through May every year. You can find the amazing line up of performers here. Admission is free. Bring chairs or a blanket and enjoy the music for a mid week treat.
6. Tulane University athletic events are tons of fun! Both football and baseball games are outdoors, affordable and easily accessible in uptown New Orleans. Check out the schedule of Tulane games online. While you have to purchase tickets, Tulane games tend to be affordable and less crowded than larger sporting events. This is a great date idea in New Orleans for couples who enjoy Saints / Pelicans games but don’t have as much energy as going downtown entails.
7. City Park offers its Thursdays at Twilight series that features as assortment of jazz, blues, and other genres of music in the Pavilion of Two Sisters and in the Botanical Gardens. Admission is $12 per person and they sell mint juleps, beer, wine, water and soft drinks. Note :: this was paused during COVID but ideally will return soon!
Visit a New Orleans Museum
Did you know that The Helis Foundation offers FREE admission to many amazing institutions across New Orleans? You can learn more online here. Museums are a wonderful date idea in New Orleans for rainy days and weekdays.
8. The Historic New Orleans Collection, located on Royal St. offers a variety of exhibitions. You can download the app and take a free self guided Architecture and Courtyard audio tour. Guided tours are also available for a small fee. The collection is closed on Mondays.
9. Located behind the New Orleans Museum of Art is the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Visiting the garden is FREE (they are open daily 10:00am – 6:00pm), and they offer a mobile audio tour. Admire pieces such as the Mirror Labyrinth, the LOVE sculpture, as well as many others.
10. While you are making plans to check out the sculpture garden, did you know that New Orleans Museum of Art, offers free admission (thank you, Helis Foundation) on Wednesdays to Louisiana residents? While the kids are in school, why not spend the day admiring the works of art with your significant other.
11. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is another amazing local museum that offers complimentary admission to Louisiana residents (with identification) on Thursdays thanks to The Helis Foundation. Hours are from 10:00am-5:00pm and would make another great day date.
12. Yet one more museum with free admission for locals is The Contemporary Arts Center. On Sundays residents can enjoy the paintings, photography, and performing arts such as dance, music and theater compliments of The Helis Foundation. If you don’t go on a free day, admission is only $10.
Unwind at Happy Hour in New Orleans
13. JB’s Fuel Dock is family owned and operated. Happy Hour starts at 3:00pm on weekdays. New Orleans families (with or without kids) can sit outside and watch the boats in the marina. Make sure to try the pizza. This is located on the Lakefront of New Orleans and on a pretty day is hard to beat! Speaking of pizza, Pizza Domenica has one of our favorite happy hours and multiple locations throughout the city.
14. Two words :: spicy margaritas {at Zocalo on Metairie Road}. If you’re up for a splurge meal, however, we think N7 is one of the best date nights in the city, hands down. Maybe you just love to eat, in which case you may consider any one of these hidden Harahan gems, all of which are delicious for a date. For those advanced planners (this idea requires reservations), we absolutely love drag brunch at the Country Club.
15. Gattuso’s Neighborhood Bar and Restaurant on the Westbank offers an excellent daily happy hour from 2:00-6:00pm. Enjoy half price appetizers and drink specials. The specials rotate daily, so it’s never a bad time to visit Gattuso’s! And while you’re on the Westbank, you may want to hit one of these other hidden gems.
Out & About in New Orleans
16. Free Festivals in New Orleans
- French Quarter Festival: Always 4 days long in April, and the weather is usually gorgeous. Enjoy multiple locations for music and local food and drinks.
- Hancock Whitney White Linen Night: Presented by the CAC, it is always an evening event on a Saturday in August. Get dressed up in your best white outfits and stroll in and out of the art galleries on Julia St.
17. City Park is one of the largest urban area parks. Not only does it have beautiful landscapes, but there are tons of activities to do within the park. City Putt is a great day or night date. Play one or both courses of mini golf or if you prefer “real” golf, grab a bucket of balls at the driving range.
18. Stop by a farmer’s market to do some shopping together. You can connect while checking out the fresh products from local vendors. On a pretty day, it is hard to beat strolling with a coffee and leisurely shopping for whatever you enjoy while tasting local items!
19. If you and your honey are beer lovers, Tchoupitoulas St. has a plethora of breweries where you can sample and take a tour. Nola Brewing does free tours Friday-Sunday (altered schedule during the summer). Urban South charges a small fee of $10/person for tours, but that includes a souvenir cup and two beers. Make sure to taste test Holy Roller IPA.. Port Orleans hosts trivia nights, brewery bingo, and has specials for every Monday for service industry professionals.
20. In the heat of the summer, take a quick date to one of the many snowball stands around town or escape the heat altogether. Here are the best snowball flavors around New Orleans. Other ideas for indoor adult fun in New Orleans include Clue Carre, The Escape Game, JAMNOLA, and ARTmazing pop ups (various locations around town).
On the Northshore
21. Load up your bikes and ride along one of the paths of Tammany Trace. If you are riding along in Mandeville take a pit stop for snowballs or ice cream at Northshore Ice Co. They are family-owned and operated and just 2 blocks from the Trace. While you’re on the Northshore, you may consider making plans to eat at either one of these delicious restaurants. This is a great date idea in New Orleans if you want to actually get AWAY from New Orleans and escape the city for a bit.
22. If you are in Slidell, make sure to follow the Old Towne Slidell Main Street Facebook page. The historic district is home to gift shops, antique stores, restaurants, and bars. They often post information on free events such as the farmers market, a summer art show, and free concerts in Heritage Park. There always seems to be something going on in or around Main Street.
23. Take your date outdoors to Camp Salmen in Slidell. Spend the day exploring 130 acres of the park. Print out a map and walk the trails. Go bird watching on the Camp Ridge Trail. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the serenity of the scenery.
24. The Wine Garden in Slidell has something fun going on almost every day of the week. Whether you want to do a Thursday or Saturday date night, they have various offerings weekly.
25. Visit Wild Bush Farm + Vineyard for either a wine tasting or outdoor concert. You can also add Skal Ax Throwing or Escapology in Covington to your list if you’re looking for a fun and unique group date idea!
A date in New Orleans with your spouse can really be anything. It is about slowing down and enjoying each other’s company. You don’t have to stretch your budget to get out and explore all that our area has to offer. Whether you want to be indoors or outdoors, have 30 minutes or all day, take the time to just be together.
Lots of great ideas! We have done many of them ourselves. Another thing we do is go to “free” movie screenings. You have to check around when they have them, sometimes I get them in my email.
Also, don’t forget all the “free” festivals around town and parades are “free”!
Great list, Andie!!
Good Ideas that I can use.
FREE Swing Dance Lesson at d.b.a. Frenchmen at 5pm Sundays followed by a dance