[Rock 'n' Bowl, Facebook]

10 Best Things To Do At Night With The Family While in NOLA

07:00 January 15, 2025
By: Staff

Sometimes bedtimes for kids—especially when on vacation—aren't necessarily hard and fast rules, but rather light suggestions. If you and your family are up late and can't seem to settle into bed, especially when visiting a city as exciting as New Orleans, then this list might be for you!

Although many might believe that the only things open late in the city are bars and a very few restaurants, there are surprisingly a lot of fun, late-night family-friendly activities to do with the kids. Staying up late and exploring the many options is both a magical and fun experience for parents and for their children. So, don't head to bed quite yet. Instead check out these 10 best things to do at night with the family.


Best Family Friendly Late-Night Activities


1. Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

(504) 943-8820

neworleanscarriages.com

[Royal Carriages, Website]

Running until 10:30 p.m., Royal Carriage tours host a multitude of horse-drawn and mule-drawn carriage tours throughout the French Quarter. A relaxing ride, guests can see local historical landmarks and learn about the history of the French Quarter and its many inhabitants. They also offer private carriage tours and haunted carriage tours that explore ghosts, pirates, voodoo, and much more!

During the holiday season, it can be especially magical to take a horse-drawn carriage throughout the French Quarter to see all the lights and decorations. During the Mardi Gras season, it can be fun to see costumes, holiday decor, and all the festivities while riding throughout the Quarter.


2. Rock 'n' Bowl

3016 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 861-1700

rocknbowl.com

[Todd Diemer, Unsplash]

With live music, delicious food, and lots of friendly competition, Rock 'n' Bowl is a lively bowling alley that is open pretty late most nights. They consistently have live music with performances by popular local singers and bands. Rent a lane for an hour or two and enjoy a late-night adventure of some bowling.

Serving all the classic, hearty, bowling alley food, grab some chicken wings, fries, or a late-night sweet treat to enjoy whilst playing! Check out their list of shows and events as depending on local and upcoming holidays and events they often throw themed concerts.


3. Family-Friendly Ghost Tours

(504) 975-5355

frenchquarterkidstours.com

[Gators and Ghosts Tours, Website]

Based on the name—and New Orleans' very spooky history—many parents might worry that a haunted ghost walking tour might be too scary for the whole family to enjoy. However, do not worry! Plenty of touring groups offer kid-focused and family friendly ghost tours. Whether you are looking to get into the Halloween spirit if you are visiting in October or you've got a kid who loves mysteries and haunted-stories, then a family-friendly ghost tour is an age-appropriate way to explore the French Quarter.

The Twilight Tour for tweens is a great experience for older kids, and the Ghosts of New Orleans City Tour is fun for the whole family! Combining history and folklore, some of these tours require less walking than a regular tour to help to accommodate better for younger kids.


4. JAMNOLA

2832 Royal St., (504) 233-2206

jamnola.com

[JAMNOLA, Website]

JAMNOLA features 17-exhibits that showcase and celebrate iconic local art, music, food, and theatrics from around New Orleans. A unique, funky, and topsy-turvey experience, this location is full of vibrant colors, cool materials, lots of places for photo-opts and plenty of fun!

Open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, all ages are welcome to enjoy the fun. JAMNOLA offers tours that last around 45-60 minutes. Artists at the exhibit pull inspiration from Mardi Gras and other important aspects of New Orleans culture. Some of the artists include: Alexander Glustrom, Ayo Scott, Breanna Thompson, and many more.


5. City Putt

33 Dreyfous Dr., (504) 483-9385

neworleanscitypark.org

[Peter Drew, Unsplash]

Not just regular old putt-putt, City Putt's courses are New Orleans and Louisiana themed, using cultural and historic icons from our city and state. With 36-holes, the mini-golf compound is made up of two different courses and is a family-friendly activity for everyone to enjoy.

Get your competition on and enjoy a night under the stars at City Putt. Open until 10 p.m., when the weather cools down in the evening here in New Orleans, City Putt is a way to get outdoors whilst simultaneously beating the heat.


6. Prytania Theatre

Multiple Locations, (504) 891-2787

theprytania.com

[Prytania Theatre, Website]

The Prytania Theatre isn't like your regular AMC, instead they boast unique qualities that set them apart as some of the nicest movie theaters in the city. The uptown Prytania Theatre, tucked away in a residential neighborhood, is tiny with its one screen, but has all the historic and classic charm of an old theater. The downtown theater—located in the Canal Place Mall—features luxurious recliners and a full service bar.

Both theaters have shows that run late into the night, and many that are family-friendly. During the Halloween and Christmas season, Prytania Theatre uptown will screen classic films—some even in black and white—and old reruns that will have parents sharing the joys of their childhood with their own children!


7. After Dinner Beignets at Cafe Du Monde

800 Decatur St., (504) 587-0833

cafedumonde.com

[Cafe Du Monde, Website]

Café Du Monde is a classic New Orleans destination. Due to its incredible popularity, there is always a long line out the door for beignets and coffee in the morning. However, when the sun begins to set and the commotion of the French Quarter begins to move towards Bourbon Street, Café Du Monde, which stays open until 11 p.m. and 12 a.m., becomes quieter. With much shorter line, grabbing a quick late night treat is a fun—and unforgettable—activity to do with the whole family!

If you are craving something sweet after dinner or simply want to visit Café Du Monde when it's not too busy, then grabbing Beignets after dinner is a fun option. During the holidays, especially, it is fun to warm up and grab a hot cocoa after seeing the lights decorating Jackson Square.


8. Board Game Night at Oak Street Brewery

8201 Oak St., (504) 533-9139

oakstbrewery.com

[Michal Parzuchowski, Unsplash]

Board games are an old but classic way to have fun with your family. Whether you like a little bit of competition or team building activities, board games are a great way to disconnect online and connect in person. Multiple cafés and restaurants throughout the city host board-game nights and events for the whole family to enjoy!

The Rook Café on Freret Street hosts board game marathons on Saturdays until 9 p.m., and Oak St. Brewery consistently hosts game nights, dart throwing evenings, and trivia nights for the whole family. So if you are a board game fanatic and need a way to connect with your family, then having a board game night is a super fun way to get out and get together.


9. Roller Skating in Jefferson Parish

1100 Terry Pkwy., Terrytown, (504) 392-2227

skatecountrywb.com

[Airline Skate Center, Website]

Embrace and reminisce on the vibes of the '80s and '90s by roller skating at one of the local roller skating rinks in Greater New Orleans. Enjoy themed nights such as: "Adult Throwback," "Pop and Hip-Hop Skate," and Holiday special events, which the entire family can enjoy.

Airline Skate Center and Skate Country Westbank are both fun, late-night activities to enjoy with the kids. If you've still got energy left and need a place to get your groove on and listen to some good music, these skating arenas are a fun way to do so! They also feature many games, competitions, and activities throughout the evening for everyone.


10. Adventure Quest Laser Tag & More

1200 S. Clearview Pkwy., (504) 207-4444

lasertagnola.com

[Adventure Quest, Website]

Adventure Quest indoor family entertainment center has a large variety of activities including: laser tag, mini golf, arcade games, food, and more! Open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Adventure Quest has loads of thrilling experiences and games where kids can get all their energy out.

Bumper cars, pickleball, and the escape room are all different types of activities that can satisfy any gaming-desire. Whether you are looking for something more low-key like an escape room or something really intense like a competitive match of pickleball, there are loads of activities for the whole family to enjoy.


Fun Things to Do With Families at Night

If you are not quite ready for then night to end and need something kid-friendly for the whole family to enjoy, than this list is a great resource to have some fun with everyone included!

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