Family Summer Activities in New Orleans
Family time is always important. But it’s even more fun during the warm summer months. You’ll be able to get out and enjoy all the activities that New Orleans has to offer. Let’s look at some of the things you might want to try.
Swimming
As the mercury rises, swimming is a great way to cool down. If you have a backyard pool, you can invite some friends over and have a pool party. If not, there are plenty of other options that you can explore.
First, you might want to check out the Cool Zoo and Gator Run. This is great if you have young kids. They’ll be able to spend some time in the water park. Meanwhile, you can relax and float down the lazy river. Another option is the Bayou Segnette State Park Wave Pool. If you want, you can make this into an overnight adventure, staying in one of the floating cabins.
New Orleans has plenty of beaches. You can swim in the clear blue ocean, or relax on the sand.
Go For a Hike
New Orleans is known for its wide range of state parks, with plenty of trails for you to explore. This is a great chance to see some wildlife. If you want a more high-octane adventure, you can bring along your bike and try riding some of the local trails. This site talks you through the state parks that you can explore and tells you what each has to offer.
Take a Boating Trip
New Orleans is known for its waterways. You can rent out a boat and go for a family fishing trip. If you have teenagers, you might want to hop on one of the historic steamboats. These are a good way of seeing the city and learning more about the rich history of New Orleans. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy listening to some live jazz music.
If you are game, you might want to book a swamp tour. This will allow you to come face-to-face with an alligator. For something tamer, New Orleans City Park offers paddle boats that you can rent out.
Visit a Museum
Another way to learn more about the history of the area is by going through a museum. One of the best options is the New Orleans Museum of Art. This is packed with ancient artifacts, with the exhibits changing frequently, so there’s always something new to see. If you are looking for a unique experience, you might want to check out the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.
New Orleans City Park
This is one of the largest parks in the New Orleans area. It has the facilities to do dozens of fun family activities. For example, you might want to check out the Carousel Gardens Theme Park. You can also visit Storyland, a wonderland based on classic bedtime stories, like Three Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. There are rides and snowcones for the kids. Teenagers might enjoy a leisurely hike through the Train Garden, which is a 1/22 replica railroad track, reminiscent of those built in the 1800s. This map will help you get around this huge park.
Visit the Audubon Zoo
If you want to see some wildlife, you might want to check out the Audubon Zoo. This has a wide range of animals for you to check out. For example, you’ll be able to see an Asian Elephant, Malayan Tiger, Zebra, Moon Jellies, Louisiana Black Bear, and many others.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
If you prefer to see underwater animals, you might want to plan a visit to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. This houses some of the best underwater animals. You’ll be able to see penguins, sharks, and turtles. It’s connected to the Audubon Zoo, so you can see both attractions on the same day if you want. Even better, by visiting these locations, you’ll be supporting the conservation of endangered species.
Listen to Some Free Concerts
New Orleans is known internationally for its music. Usually, you don’t have to go too far to find a busking street musician. If you want, you can take your family for a walk around St. Claude Avenue or Royal Street. Preservation Hall is also home to a lot of bands.
Have a Camping Trip
The warm summer months are the ideal time for a camping trip. You can cook some marshmallows and tell scary stories around the campfire. Or you can use a telescope to do some stargazing.
There are plenty of natural parks that you can explore, though you might need to pay a small fee to use the campground. Alternatively, you can pitch a tent in the backyard.
Set Up an Outdoor Movie Night
Another way that you can enjoy the outdoors is by having a family movie night under the stars. This is easy to organize. All you need to do is set up a projector, a screen, and some speakers. Then, invite your friends around to watch a movie, pull up some comfortable chairs, and enjoy the popcorn and your favorite characters.
Learn to Play Ping Pong
Summer is a great time to start playing outdoor sports. Ping pong will be suitable for all members of your family. It doesn’t matter your age or level of physical fitness. You’ll still be able to enjoy the game.
Even better, you don’t need a lot of equipment. You can set up the table outdoors, so you don’t need to risk damaging your windows. If you are planning on playing outdoors, it’s a good idea to get something that can cope with these harsh conditions. To help you know what you should be looking for it can help to use this list of outdoor ping-pong tables.
Conclusion
New Orleans is a vibrant city, which comes to life during the summer months. From camping under the stars to exploring the natural parks or learning a new sport, there are plenty of activities for your family to try. So, start planning your New Orleans adventure today.