Top Places to Take the Kids in Louisiana

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

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 ZooOasis 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. Note that certain areas of the zoo may be closed due to construction.

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 over 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

For an indoor activity, 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 handcrafts 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 the hot new gadgets — including children's toys.

T.R.E.E. House Children's Museum

At T.R.E.E. House 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.  

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, Cajun and Zydeco music and more. Then, explore the Creole Nature Trail to see the wildlife in their natural habitat.

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.

U.S.S. Kidd

U.S.S. Kidd 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 drydock repairs. Learn more about the restoration.

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 water park. 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.