Things to Do Near Port of New Orleans

Touch tanks, penguins, and a Caribbean reef tunnel -- kids love the hands-on exhibits

Best for: Families with kids of all ages, animal lovers

Pro tip: The touch tank with stingrays is the biggest hit with little ones. The parakeet pointe lets kids feed birds by hand. The insectarium is now inside the aquarium -- included in admission. Go early before it gets crowded.

Louisiana wildlife, a splash park, and a lazy river -- kids could spend all day here

Best for: Animal-loving families, anyone who needs to tire out energetic kids

Pro tip: The Cool Zoo splash park is open seasonally and is a blast for kids on hot days. The Louisiana Swamp exhibit has real gators and is uniquely NOLA. Take the Magazine Street bus or drive -- the streetcar to the zoo takes a while. Combo tickets with the aquarium save money.

Whimsical storybook playground with giant sculptures kids can climb on -- free and magical

Best for: Toddlers and young kids who love playgrounds and fairy tales

Pro tip: Giant storybook character sculptures are climbable -- Jack and the Beanstalk, Pinocchio, and more. The adjacent Carousel Gardens Amusement Park has a vintage carousel and small rides ($5 each). Bring a picnic blanket for the shaded areas.

Brand-new outdoor children's museum in City Park -- part playground, part educational wonderland

Best for: Families with kids under 10

Pro tip: Opened in 2022 in a stunning new location in City Park. Mostly outdoor exhibits connected by walkways through gardens. The mini grocery store and music room are favorites. Bring sunscreen and hats -- most exhibits are outdoors. Combine with Storyland for a full morning.

Powdered sugar beignets that kids will talk about for the entire cruise -- messy, sweet, unforgettable

Best for: Everyone -- it's a mandatory New Orleans experience

Pro tip: Use the takeout window to skip the line with little ones. Sit outside so the powdered sugar mess doesn't matter. Chocolate milk for kids, cafe au lait for parents. Bring wet wipes.

Free outdoor entertainment -- musicians, jugglers, and artists that kids find mesmerizing

Best for: All ages -- quick, free, and always entertaining

Pro tip: Walk around the square to see different artists and performers. The horse-drawn carriages parked nearby fascinate little kids. Combine with Cafe Du Monde across the street. Best in the morning before it gets too hot and crowded.

Kids think it's a ride at an amusement park -- the world's oldest streetcar is cheap fun

Best for: Train-loving kids, tired parents who want to sit down

Pro tip: Sit up front for the best views. Ride it one way and Uber back to save time. The bell and wooden seats make it feel like a time machine. Air conditioned in summer.

Walk along the Mississippi River and watch ships go by -- simple, free, and surprisingly fun for kids

Best for: Quick outdoor activity, stroller-friendly

Pro tip: The Riverwalk has a riverside path where kids can watch barges and ships on the Mississippi. The mall inside has bathrooms and snack options. Walking distance from the cruise terminal -- perfect for killing time right before boarding.

Immersive war history with real tanks, planes, and a 4D movie narrated by Tom Hanks -- way cooler than it sounds

Best for: History buffs, gamers who like war history, anyone who appreciates immersive experiences

Pro tip: The Beyond All Boundaries 4D theater experience is mind-blowing. The submarine exhibit lets you walk through a real restored sub. Interactive stations keep teens engaged -- it's not just reading plaques.

Centuries-old streets with street performers, artists, and the most Instagram-worthy architecture in America

Best for: Photo-lovers, anyone who wants to see the real NOLA

Pro tip: Walk Royal Street for the best galleries and street musicians (better than Bourbon during the day). Jackson Square has tarot readers and artists. Grab beignets at Cafe Du Monde. The architecture alone is worth the walk.

Six miles of indie shops, vintage stores, and local boutiques -- way more interesting than a mall

Best for: Shoppers, vintage fans, anyone who likes unique finds

Pro tip: The stretch between Jackson Ave and Napoleon Ave has the densest concentration of shops. Vintage clothing stores, record shops, and local art galleries. Great coffee shops and snack spots along the way.

Build your own gourmet hot dog with crazy toppings -- alligator sausage is the dare

Best for: Foodies, adventurous eaters, anyone who appreciates good street food

Pro tip: Try the crawfish sausage or alligator sausage for the full NOLA experience. The Frenchmen Street location lets you hear live music spilling out of clubs while you eat. Best in the evening when the street comes alive.

Haunted houses, voodoo history, and creepy cemeteries -- New Orleans after dark is something else

Best for: Teens who love spooky stuff, true crime fans, history nerds

Pro tip: Evening tours are way more atmospheric than daytime ones. Many tours include stops at real haunted buildings and above-ground cemeteries. The LaLaurie Mansion is a highlight. Book in advance -- popular tours sell out.

Waterfront shopping mall right next to the port -- good for killing time with AC

Best for: Last-minute shopping, anyone wanting an air-conditioned escape

Pro tip: Right next to the cruise terminal -- you can literally walk here. Good mix of brand-name outlets. The food court has decent options. Views of the Mississippi from the upper level.

Explore 300 years of history through wrought-iron balconies, hidden courtyards, and jazz-soaked streets

Best for: First-time visitors, history buffs, architecture fans

Pro tip: Jackson Square is the heart of it. Walk Royal Street for antique shops and galleries (more interesting than Bourbon during the day). Free live music at almost every corner. Wear comfortable shoes -- the sidewalks are uneven.

The oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world -- a moving tour through the Garden District

Best for: Everyone -- it's practical transportation that doubles as a tourist attraction

Pro tip: Board near Canal Street and ride through the Garden District to see the grand mansions and live oaks. Get off at Washington Ave to explore the Garden District on foot, then hop back on. Exact change required, or buy a Jazzy Pass from the RTA app.

Where locals go for live jazz, brass bands, and blues -- skip Bourbon, come here instead

Best for: Music lovers, couples, nightlife seekers

Pro tip: This is the real deal -- the local music scene, not the tourist trap. The Spotted Cat and d.b.a. are the go-to clubs. Most places don't charge cover before 9 PM. Walk between venues to hear different styles. Best experienced the night before your cruise.

Grand antebellum mansions, century-old oaks, and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 -- the beautiful side of NOLA

Best for: Architecture fans, couples, anyone wanting a quieter alternative to the Quarter

Pro tip: Take the St. Charles streetcar here and walk back. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is free and fascinating. Magazine Street has great shopping and cafes. Commander's Palace restaurant is right here if you want to combine dining and touring.

Two-hour Mississippi River cruise with live jazz and Creole cuisine on an authentic sternwheeler

Best for: Couples, music lovers, anyone who wants to be on the water

Pro tip: Book the daytime cruise for the best views and lighter crowds. The dinner cruise includes a Creole buffet. The live jazz band is excellent. Boards at the Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax Brewery.

The iconic heart of the French Quarter -- street performers, artists, and a 300-year-old cathedral

Best for: Everyone -- quick, free, and photogenic

Pro tip: The cathedral is the oldest in continuous use in the United States and free to enter. Street artists and fortune tellers line the iron fence. Great place to grab a beignet from Cafe Du Monde across the street and people-watch. Best in the morning before the heat and crowds.