Top Places to Take the Kids in Louisiana

At a Glance 

• Top family-friendly activities in Louisiana include children’s museums, animal encounters, adventure parks, playgrounds, nature centers, science museums, zoos and historic spots.
• Top family-friendly attractions in Louisiana include the Sci-Port Discovery Center, Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo, Gator Country Alligator Park, Treehouse Children’s Museum, USS KIDD Veterans Museum and the Global Wildlife Center.

Working on your summer vacation plans? These family-friendly activities in Louisiana are fun for everyone.

Top Places to Take the Kids in North Louisiana

Sci-Port Discovery Center

Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport encourages visitors of all ages to get in touch with their STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) side. This 92,000-square-foot downtown museum overlooks the Red River and has hands-on science and math exhibits, interactive programs and demonstrations, a planetarium and a domed IMAX® theater.

Gators and Friends Adventure Park

At Gators and Friends Adventure Park in Greenwood, pet a baby alligator, race high-speed go-karts, play your favorite arcade games and zip-line through the park. 

Lincoln Parish Park

Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston boasts a 10-mile mountain bike trail that’s considered one of the best in the South for all skill levels. There’s also a playground for children of all abilities located within the park grounds.

Mitcham Farms Peach Store

Mitcham Farms is the largest peach orchard in Louisiana. Their Peach Store in Ruston offers seasonal u-pick peaches and peach-flavored treats, like ice cream.

Biedenharn Museum & Gardens

Biedenharn Museum & Gardens in Monroe features fascinating historical and artistic exhibits, stunning gardens and seasonal events for the whole family. The Coca-Cola Museum inside is a must-see for the kiddos!

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo in Monroe features a Zoo Oasis Splash Pad, playground, safari boat ride, petting zoo and train. Guests can meet about 400 animals from 200 species, including African lions, American bison, zebras, warthogs and more.

Top Places to Take the Kids in Central Louisiana

Gator Country Alligator Park

Gator Country Alligator Park in Natchitoches is the largest park of its kind in Louisiana. The seven-acre park houses more than 250 American alligators and features alligator feeding shows, a petting zoo, reptile house and tortoise exhibit.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum

Need to cool off indoors? Visit the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches. This LEED-certified building is a wonder to explore. The exhibits trace the history of sports in the Bayou State and illustrate their significance to Louisiana. Highlights include a commemorative football signed by all 53 New Orleans Saints after their 2010 Super Bowl victory and handcrafted items from the Cane River Creole community.

Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile

Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile in Natchitoches is Louisiana's oldest general store, established in 1863, and it's filled with anything one could possibly need from vintage goods to hot new gadgets — including children's toys.

Treehouse Children's Museum

At Treehouse Children's Museum in Alexandria, children will love learning about science, math, arts and the world around them through hands-on exhibits and interactive programming. There's also a playground and community garden. 

Louisiana Maneuvers & Military Museum

Stop by the Louisiana Maneuvers & Military Museum in Pineville if history is your child’s favorite subject in school. Built as a replica WWII barracks, this museum houses memorabilia and artifacts from the World War II era, as well as World War I and earlier time periods. View life-size military vehicles, authentic military uniforms and historic pieces from the home front.  

Top Places to Take the Kids in South Louisiana

Children’s Museum of Acadiana and Lafayette Science Museum

Children’s Museum of Acadiana in Lafayette houses more than a dozen permanent exhibits focused on demystifying the grown-up world for youngsters, allowing them to discover first-hand what it means to be a grocer, dentist, ambulance driver, chef, artist and more. The science museum next door has a state-of-the-art planetarium.

Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point

Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point in Lake Charles is home to imaginative, hands-on displays that share the culture of southwest Louisiana — including wildlife, local cuisine, and Cajun and zydeco music. Then, explore the Creole Nature Trail to see the wildlife in their natural habitat.

Lake Area Adventures

At Lake Area Adventures in Lake Charles, let the kids jump, tumble and slide on the Inflatable AirPark, or swing through the air on the ropes course. Make a splash at the 1,700-square-foot indoor swimming pool, then grab a delicious Cajun-inspired lunch at The Terrace restaurant.

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center in Baton Rouge is something you would not expect in the middle of Louisiana’s capital city. It's a 103-acre conservation, education and recreation center focused on the area’s pre-development ecosystem. In addition to a mile of paths and boardwalks through a cypress-tupelo swamp and hardwood forest that is a haven for birders, the nature center’s exhibit building has natural artifacts, a minerals display and live animal exhibits.

USS Kidd Veterans Museum

USS Kidd Veterans Museum in Baton Rouge is one of the few Fletcher-class destroyers that survived World War II — in fact, the Kidd survived a direct hit from a Kamikaze fighter in the Pacific theater. No child can resist the fun of the steep and narrow ladders connecting the ship’s decks. Note that the ship is currently away for repairs.

Global Wildlife Center

Just an hour from both Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the Global Wildlife Center is one of the largest free-roaming wildlife preserves in the country. Hop in a covered safari wagon and feed bison, giraffes, camels and more, or book an animal encounter to meet capybaras or kangaroos face-to-face.

Audubon Zoo and Aquarium

At Audubon Zoo and Aquarium in New Orleans, see animals from around the world in unique natural habitats like the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle. If you're visiting during the spring or summer, you won't want to miss their Cool Zoo waterpark. Then, visit the Audubon Aquarium to explore the species of the ocean and beyond.

There is no shortage of family fun in Louisiana! Find even more family-friendly attractions here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Family Vacations in Louisiana 

Is Louisiana a good family vacation destination? 

Yes, Louisiana is a great destination for families because it offers a mix of outdoor adventures, wildlife experiences, museums, aquariums, historic attractions, and kid-friendly festivals. Families can enjoy everything from swamp tours and zoos to science centers and interactive children’s museums. 

What are the best things to do in Louisiana with toddlers? 

Toddlers often enjoy attractions like the Audubon Zoo, Louisiana Children’s Museum, Treehouse Children’s Museum, splash pads, Storyland in New Orleans City Park and animal encounters at wildlife centers across Louisiana. Many attractions also include hands-on exhibits and shaded outdoor play areas. 

Are there kid-friendly things to do in New Orleans? 

Yes, New Orleans offers many family-friendly attractions including the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Louisiana Children’s Museum, Storyland, City Park, streetcar rides and riverboat cruises. 

What are the best rainy-day activities for kids in Louisiana? 

Indoor family attractions in Louisiana include children’s museums, science centers, aquariums, planetariums, arcades, and history museums. Popular rainy-day destinations include Sci-Port Discovery Center, Louisiana Children’s Museum, Lafayette Science Museum and the Audubon Aquarium. 

Are there free things to do with kids in Louisiana? 

Yes, families can enjoy free or low-cost activities like hiking nature trails, visiting public parks, riding streetcars in New Orleans, exploring riverfront areas and attending seasonal festivals and outdoor events throughout Louisiana.