Louisiana Children's Museum
Rating
Family of 4
$56-$72 (general admission $14/person, children under 1 free).
Duration
2-3 hours
Best Ages
Best for ages 0-8
About
The Louisiana Children's Museum relocated to a purpose-built campus in City Park in 2020, creating one of the most innovative children's museums in the country. The 8.5-acre campus integrates indoor exhibits with extensive outdoor nature play.
Indoor exhibits are rooted in Louisiana culture and geography. A miniature New Orleans neighborhood lets children roleplay in a music studio, restaurant kitchen, and grocery store. A water table traces the Mississippi River's path through Louisiana.
The outdoor campus includes climbing structures from natural materials, mud kitchens, water features, sand play, and trails through City Park's oak canopy. A working kitchen garden grows vegetables that appear in the museum cafe's menu.
The museum's location within City Park makes it a natural anchor for a full-day family outing. Storyland is a 5-minute walk. Carousel Gardens is adjacent. The Besthoff Sculpture Garden (free) is nearby.
The museum uses timed-entry tickets. Admission is $14 per person (under 1 free). Parking is free. Closed Mondays. Plan 2-3 hours.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Indoor & Outdoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings for thinnest crowds. The outdoor areas are beautiful in cooler months. Closed Mondays.
Wait Times
Timed entry tickets -- buy online. No waits once inside.
Nearby Food
On-site cafe. In City Park: Cafe Du Monde (beignets, 5 min walk), Morning Call (coffee, 5 min). Mid-City: Katie's Restaurant, Parkway Bakery (10 min).
Why Kids Love It
The Louisiana Children's Museum moved to a stunning new campus in City Park in 2020. Half the museum is outdoors -- climbing structures, water play, a kitchen garden where kids help grow vegetables, and nature trails through oak hammocks.
Inside, exhibits are rooted in Louisiana culture. A miniature New Orleans neighborhood lets kids roleplay in a music studio, restaurant kitchen (Creole cooking!), and grocery store. A water table traces the Mississippi River through Louisiana.
The outdoor campus is the differentiator. The nature-play area lets kids climb natural structures, dig in mud kitchens, splash in water features, and explore trails through City Park's oak canopy.
Pro Tips from Parents
- The outdoor nature-play areas are as good as the indoor exhibits -- allocate half your visit to outside
- Combine with Storyland (5 min walk) and the free Sculpture Garden for a full City Park day
- Buy timed-entry tickets online
- The on-site cafe uses vegetables from the museum's kitchen garden
- Closed Mondays
What to Bring
- change of clothes (water play)
- sunscreen
- comfortable shoes
- snacks
- camera
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$56-$72 (general admission $14/person, children under 1 free).
2 adults x $14 + 2 kids x $14 = $56.
On-site cafe.
Parking free in City Park.
Tips to Save
- Children under 1 free.
- The museum is in City Park -- combine with Storyland ($5) and the free Sculpture Garden for a full day.
- Buy timed-entry tickets online.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Monday
- Closed
- Sunday
- 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Saturday
- 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Thursday
- 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
