Best Area To Stay In New Orleans With Family

Traveling to New Orleans with your family is a fantastic experience. Despite many people’s misconceptions that New Orleans is solely a party city, we have so much to offer for adults and kids alike. Naturally, the activities range based on the ages of the people in the family. There are many adults who are kids at heart, and old souls that live inside ten year olds. Where you stay in the city is going to be completely your decision, as all New Orleans neighborhoods are unique and interesting. Each has a distinct personality that you’ll be able to pick up on when you stay there. That’s what makes the experience so wonderful and personal.

I’m going to break down some of the best areas to stay with your family here in New Orleans, and I know it will help make some amazing memories with your families, no matter the ages. Let’s see what New Orleans has to offer.

St. Louis Cathedral

Growing up in New Orleans, I never thought it was not kid and family friendly. There wasn’t a shortage of things to do at any age. And there is more now than even I had as a kid. All over the city, there are museums, parks, the zoo, and much more. It’s a matter of choosing what you like best and making it happen. Some areas are more central than others. But all are pretty easy to get to with the streetcar lines and other modes of transportation. If you’re looking for where to stay in New Orleans to walk everywhere, click on the link. I break down several neighborhoods and hotels that are helpful in your decision.

This isn’t something to stress over too much, as we are a small city, and one that is very child-and-family-friendly. It’s a delight seeing families enjoy the city in which I grew up and still enjoy. So please, come and make yourselves at home.

Bayou St. John

Yes, New Orleans is family friendly in big ways. Our culture is very inclusive of kids of all ages. Taking your kids to events like Jazz Fest, on swamp tours, and to eat beignets is a completely normal occurrence here. No one bats an eye when friends with and without kids show up to events with their littles. In fact, it’s welcome most times. While kids aren’t allowed in bars, many restaurants are set up to accommodate both.

It’s nothing to see parents and kids dining at the finer places like Commander’s Palace and Antoine’s, showing their kids what New Orleans traditions look like from a young age. We absolutely want you to do the same with your own kids. They will form these core memories with you and experience their own form of wanderlust and love for New Orleans.

Metairie Cemetery

French Quarter

The natural tendency for most visitors is to stay in the French Quarter. It’s the most known neighborhood, and people gravitate towards it for all kinds of reasons. If you’re coming to New Orleans with family, I’d encourage you to choose carefully when you stay here, as it can be an area geared towards adults for the most part. I’ll be honest, it wouldn’t be my very first option to stay (for families) for a few reasons.

First, Canal Street has become somewhat dicey. At night I (and many locals) choose to stay away from it. Second, there are a lot of adults who come here to drink themselves silly. And because we can take alcohol into the streets, drunk people and alcohol are everywhere. This may be somewhat controversial, but since it’s my blog I get to tell you my opinion. That is my opinion. If you’re going to stay in the French Quarter, I would simply be mindful of the location.

Garden District/Uptown

The Garden District and Uptown New Orleans would be a great option for families who are visiting. You’re near St. Charles Avenue, which has the iconic green streetcar line running along it. There are beaucoup restaurants, casual and nice. And it’s still a very happening area of town for all ages. You can take the streetcar to Audubon Park and the Audubon zoo, The Fly/Batture, and Loyola and Tulane campuses, all of which could take up days to discover everything.

Magazine Street is also a great place to shop, particularly with the older ones. Little kids may not get much out of this (ok, they really won’t get anything out of it), but with older kid families, it’s a nice stroll. You're not far from the other areas of the city, and you could take the hop on, hop off bus, the streetcar, or an Uber to get to where you want to go.

Warehouse District/CBD

Adjacent to the French Quarter, and much calmer and quieter, are the Warehouse District and CDB (central business district). They are very close to one another, just a few blocks actually. Here you’ll get the feel of the city without having to dodge street juice and other unappealing happenings that go on near the French Quarter.

You’re also near the red streetcar line, where you can take it all the way down by City Park, where you can hit the Children’s Museum, NOMA, and the amusement park (which kids and adults alike enjoy). If you want to do something in the neighborhood, hit the National WWII Museum, a phenomenal space that people visit from all over the world. In the Warehouse District and CBD, you’ll get the best of all worlds, especially with families. 

Metairie

Yes, some people with families do want to stay in the ‘burbs. It’s totally ok, too. Metairie is adjacent to to New Orleans, and you even have to pass through it to get to New Orleans from the airport. New Orleans is unique that way, so if you have a car and are staying in Metairie, you might actually save quite a bit of money by doing so. There also may be more family friendly hotels than in the heart of New Orleans. It will take you just a few minutes to travel into the city and do whatever it is that you want to do.

You’ll also be quite close to Mid City, where City Park is, and the abundance of activities you can do there with families is awesome. No, it’s not New Orleans proper, but no one is judging you. I’m in support of doing what’s best for you, so don’t rule out Metairie if you have a mode of transportation (a car) to get you around the crescent city. It could make a lot of sense. 

Steamboat Natchez

If you’re traveling to New Orleans with kids, where you stay matters more than you might think. The right hotel can make your trip feel easy, or exhausting. For families, I always recommend choosing a place that’s:

• walkable (or on the streetcar line)
• in a safe, calmer area at night
• spacious enough to not feel cramped

Here are my recommendations for you to consider when booking your trip to New Orleans, broken down by area so you can choose what fits your trip best.

Hotel Monteleone

Hotel Monteleone is a classic New Orleans hotel that works really well for families. It’s close to everything but just far enough from Bourbon Street to avoid the late-night chaos. The rooftop pool is a huge bonus, and it’s easy to pop back to your room during the day if kids need a break.

Best for: first-time visitors who want to be in the middle of everything without it feeling overwhelming. It feels upscale but not pretentious.

Place d’Armes Hotel

Place d'Armes Hotel is a quieter, more tucked-away option right by Jackson Square. Built around peaceful, quintessential New Orleans French Quarter courtyards, this hotel gives families space to relax without feeling stuck in a typical hotel setting. It feels calmer than most of the French Quarter, especially at night. You're steps away from the action if you want it, though.

Best for: families who want a central location without the noise and crowds. It's a calm hotel, so keep that in mind if you have kids that like to be kids.

Hotel Henrietta

Hotel Henrietta is one of the best newer options Uptown for families. Rooms are spacious (some suites sleep up to 8 people), and certain layouts include connecting rooms, which makes a big difference with kids. You’re right on St. Charles Avenue, so getting around is easy and convenient. Green streetcar line at your front door.

Best for: families who want a quieter, more local stay with space and a slightly elevated feel.

St. Charles Inn

St. Charles Inn is a very solid, no-stress option right on - you guessed it -St. Charles Avenue. It’s not fancy, but it’s comfortable, affordable, and easy, which matters a lot when traveling with kids. Continental breakfast is included, and the location makes getting around simple. You can go further uptown or downtown by hopping on the streetcar.

Best for: families who want something reasonable, well-located, and budget-friendly.

Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans

One of the easiest hotels for families, Dury Plaza Hotel New Orleans gets great reviews from people. You get free breakfast, evening snacks, and larger rooms, which makes traveling with kids so much simpler. It’s also quieter than the French Quarter but still walkable. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Best for: families who want convenience and value. You're near a ton but not in the chaos.

Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District Hotel

The Renaissance Arts Hotel is in a converted historic warehouse (as most businesses around there are), which gives it more character than most CBD hotels. It’s still very functional and practical. There’s a rooftop pool, on-site dining, and you’re within walking distance of the French Quarter, museums, and the riverfront. Loads of restaurants around that area, too. It also sits in a slightly quieter pocket of the city, which is ideal with kids.

Best for: families who want a more stylish stay without sacrificing location or convenience. Great prices, too.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Metairie New Orleans

Homewood Suites is ideal for families who want more space. Suites include kitchens and separate living areas, which can make a big difference on longer trips or trips where you need these accommodation styles. It’s also close to shopping and casual restaurants.

Best for: longer stays or families who want more room to spread out. If you're going into New Orleans, you'll need transportation.

New Orleans might not seem like a “kid city” at first, but it’s actually full of things to do with kids if you know where to go. I happen to know where to go and where to tell you to go.

The key is mixing in activities that are:

• interactive
• outdoors (when weather allows)
• easy to pair with your itinerary

Here are some of the best family-friendly things to do in New Orleans:

Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, and Insectarium

Check out all three if you can, and if not, any one of them that fancies you and your kids' interests are worth going. These are state-of-the-art facilities, and well known throughout the country as being solid attractions to visit while in New Orleans.

Louisiana Children's Museum

Geared more towards younger kids, the Children's Museum is a fantastic way to spend a day with your kids. There's a cafe in the museum, and loads of interesting things to discover.

City Park

City Park is loaded with kid-friendly things to do. Whether you're stuffing your face with beignets at Cafe du Monde and then burning the sugar off at the playground, or riding the Ladybug roller coaster at Carousel Gardens, City Park is a great pick for things to do with kids.

Ride the Streetcar

When I was a kid, we used to have birthday parties on the streetcar - that is how kid-friendly it is. It's a delightful way to spend some time, and you can look out the window and enjoy the sights while relaxing.

Take a Swamp Tour

All ages will like the swamps. Getting on a boat and traveling through the swamps of Louisiana is a very special experience, and one that I recommend to most people, with or without kids.

New Orleans truly is a shining star when it comes to entertainment and things to do for all kinds of visitors. The amount of activities that you are able to accomplish is up to you, but know that we have them. Whether you’re wondering what to do in New Orleans for first time visitors, have been here many times, or dream of making this your home, we welcome you with lots of open arms. Choosing where to stay is one of the factors, and the good news is that you will be able to get around very easily, no matter where you land. So what are you waiting for? Book that room, that ticket, or fill up your tank and get here. We can’t wait to see you!

If you liked this blog, you might also like the one I wrote about where to stay in New Orleans to walk everywhere or authentic New Orleans experiences.

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