When the weather in New Orleans turns chilly or rainy, it can be a challenge to find fun, indoor activities to keep your grandkids entertained. But don’t worry—NOLA offers plenty of exciting, family-friendly spots where your grandchildren can burn off energy, explore new interests, and have a blast. Whether you’re seeking interactive exhibits, games, art, or unique adventures, these top indoor venues in New Orleans are perfect for grandparents and grandkids alike. Tap on each business name to visit its website.
Adventure Quest Laser Tag and Fun Center
1200 S. Clearview Pkwy., Suite 1106, New Orleans | Mon–Thurs: Noon–9 p.m., Fri: Noon–11 p.m., Sat: 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. | Prices vary
Take the fun to a whole new level with this indoor family entertainment center with laser tag, bumper cars, arcade games, cosmic golf, escape rooms, and pickleball.
Airline Skate Center
6711 Airline Dr., Metairie | Open Tues, Fri–Sun; Hours vary | $7–10
If you’re looking for a fun way to move and groove with your grandkids on the weekend, check out this epic rollerskating rink.
Audubon Aquarium
August 11, 2023
Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium
1 Canal St., New Orleans | Open Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Adult: $39.95, Child: $34.95
Two attractions in one ticket! At the aquarium, spened time with the playful penguins, see alligators, stingrays, and sharks, and become an “undersea explorer” with the virtual reality experience. Then head on over to witness the beautiful butterflies and play in the interactive exhibits at the insectarium.
Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St., New Orleans | Weds.–Mon.: 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Tues.: Closed | Adult: $20, Child: $10 |
Free for Louisiana residents on Sundays, this art center has family-friendly exhibits. Additionally, they offer programs for children like “Creative Playtime” on Thursday mornings.
French Market
518 Saint Peter St., New Orleans | Open Daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Free
Bring your grandkids to the historic French Market where you can shop, eat, and explore. And perhaps a stop at the Southern Candymakers store “for the grandkids…”
Go 4 Games
4953 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie | Open Daily Noon–7 p.m. | Price varies
For your gamer grandkids, check out Greater New Orleans’ oldest hobby gaming store! If they want to play in the gaming space after perusing the shop. Day passes are available.
Jamnola (Joy, Art, Music– New Orleans)
2832 Royal St., New Orleans | Sun., Mon., Thur.s: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Fri.–Sat.: 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Tues.–Wed.: Closed | Adult: $32, Child:: $24
Just a 15-minute walk from the French Quarter, you’ll find 17 exhibits of pure joy that your grandkids will love, each showcasing the iconic art, music, food, and theatrics of NOLA by local artists. Plus, local Louisiana residents get 50 percent off on Thursdays.
Louisiana Children’s Museum
15 Henry Thomas Dr., New Orleans | Weds.–Sat.: 9:30 a.m.–4:40 p.m., Sun.: 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Adult: $18, Child: 18
Let your grandkids lead the way, since there’s no wrong way to explore the exhibits! There’s something for everyone, from up-close looks at nature to following food journeys to an entire area designated for sensory play.
Luv 2 Play
6851 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie | Mon.–Thurs.: 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Fri.–Sun.: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | Adult + 1 Child: $17.75
These two levels of indoor play are filled with crawl tubes, slides, tunnels, redemption video games, and more.
Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Pl., New Orleans | Open Daily 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | Adult: $29.95, Child: $24.95
Load up the car and take your grandkids on a behind-the-scenes look at New Orleans Mardi Gras. Plus, if you park far away, they offer a free shuttle.
New Orleans Boulder Lounge
2360 St Claude Ave., New Orleans | Mon.: 4–9 p.m., Tues., Thurs.: 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Weds.: Noon–9 p.m., Fri.: Noon–8 p.m., Sat.: 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun.: Noon–7 p.m. | Adult: $16–24, Child: $12–18
If you’re tired of your grandkids climbing your couch, try this family-friendly climbing gym! It even offers youth team options for a variety of ages.
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Locations and hours vary | Free
Whether you’re going for “Play and Learn with Puppets and Puzzles” at Rosa F. Keller Library, “Playtime: Let’s Play Science Lab” at Alvar Library, “Saturday Movies for Kids” at Central City Library, “DIY Treasure Boxes” at Main Library, or one of the many other events, your grandkids are bound to have a blast immersed in the world of books.
NOLA Kidsground
5700 Citrus Blvd. D, New Orleans | Hours vary | $13/child
An indoor playground created to spark creativity and a sense of adventure for younger kids.
Prytania Theatre
5339 Prytania St., New Orleans | Movie times vary | $8
This historic, circa-1914 single-screen movie theater shows new and classic kid-friendly movies that are fun for the whole family (including grandparents).
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Rock’n’Bowl
3016 S Carrollton Ave., New Orleans | Tues.–Fri.: 5 p.m.–Closing, Sat.: 4 p.m.–Closing
$25/hour/lane
Your grandkids will find this bowling experience is just up their alley! With live music, food, and bowling alleys, there is plenty of fun to be had at Rock’n’Bowl.
The National WWII Museum
945 Magazine St., New Orleans | Open Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Adult: $36, Child: $26
Teach your grandkids the importance of history with these immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, artifacts, and first-person oral histories from World War II.