Outdoor Activities for the Summer In New Orleans

As the summer months are winding down and school is getting ready to restart, finding fun activities for the kids to participate in can be a task! With the heat, finding outdoor activities can present even more of a challenge. Keeping kids active and engaged in outdoor experiences is a fun way to bond with family and get some good exercise.

When choosing an outdoor activity, It's best to aim for early morning or evening once it gets cooler temperature-wise. Also, hydrating and drinking plenty of water are essential to keeping cool and staying healthy.

Below I've listed some fun suggestions for family time outdoors this summer:

City Park:

City Park has a plethora of things to do from the playgrounds, boating on the water, putt-putt golf, Storyland and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and the Sculpture Garden. There’s also a train ride throughout the park for the little ones. To top it off, grabbing beignets from Café du Monde is always a great treat! City Park also has beautiful oak trees providing plenty of shade in the heat. You can check out all the great things the park has to offer here: https://neworleanscitypark.org/

Family Walk or Bike Ride

Another great outdoor activity is getting some exercise by taking a walk or riding bikes. You can go to a nearby park, if you live near one, or ride through your neighborhood. It’s also a way for your family to bond and spend time together and even get to know your neighbors as you see them passing by. You can make it fun and creative by doing a scavenger hunt or game such as "I spy" or collecting items to make an art project at home. You can also help the environment by collecting trash or recyclable items in your neighborhood. 

Pools

Swimming is always an excellent way to cool off as well as be active. Check out NORD pool sites here for all the locations: https://nordc.org/parks/. If you have a pool at your home, invite some of your kids' friends over to have them join in on the fun! Even if you don’t have a pool, you can get an inflatable one, a sprinkler, or a slip-and-slide from Target or Walmart for water playtime.  Splash pads are also another great activity idea. You can check out some options here: https://www.nolanow.com/2023/05/12/beat-heat-pools-splash-pads-water-parks-cool-off/.

Explore Our Beautiful City (French Quarter/Streetcar Ride)

What better way to get outside than to explore our historic city! There’s history and culture (as well as some great shopping) to explore from the Lakefront to the French Quarter to Magazine St and much more. Don’t forget to grab a cool and sweet treat, a sno-ball of course, from some great stands such as Hansen’s, Pontilly, Pandora’s Sno-La, or Plum Street to name a few. Take a streetcar ride for a scenic tour of Canal St, Mid-city, or the beautiful St Charles Avenue and the historic homes comprising the Garden District. Grab a ride on the Hop-on Hop-off bus https://citysightseeingneworleans.com/ and make sure to check out https://www.tourneworleans.com/ for some great walking tour suggestions. 

However you choose to be active outdoors, remember that these moments are more than just activities, they’re opportunities to bond, grow, and learn together. From walking together to exploring culture and history to water fun, memories to cherish for a lifetime will be created. So grab your kids and an inner willing and readiness for family adventures and embark upon experiences that will keep you active and bring you and your family closer.

If you have toddlers who are still adjusting to a pool, or even bigger kids and may need a different experience than a pool then definitely check out a splash pad and make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and water to keep your body hydrated inside and out!