Rainy day in New Orleans? Use this quick guide to pick indoor activities for groups, including kid-friendly, low-energy, and walk-in vs. reservation options.
No matter how carefully you prepare for your vacation, Mother Nature has her own plans. If yours have gotten caught up in the drizzle of unpredictable weather, don’t fret. No matter what your group’s needs or interests are, there is a whole world of indoor activities and things to do in New Orleans when it rains.
Just because the weather is dreary doesn’t mean your day has to be! Check out our list of tried-and-true recommendations for a rainy day in New Orleans. From quick fixes to in-depth explorations, there are plenty of places to explore as you hide out from the downpour. For more fair-weather swaps, see the full list of things to do in New Orleans.
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RAINY DAY NEW ORLEANS: INDOOR GROUP ACTIVITIES WHEN THE WEATHER WRECKS THE PLAN
Quick Options: Things to Do in New Orleans When it Rains
If you’ve got 60–90 minutes:
- The Escape Game – Keep teens engaged with an immersive and collaborative adventure, perfect for family-friendly fun that encourages teamwork and critical thinking.
- New Orleans Jazz Museum – Explore the birth of jazz and its deep cultural roots. No one will be left bored, with plenty of pathways to explore the powerful art form.
If you’ve got a half-day:
- Mardi Gras World – Get an up-close view of the magic of Mardi Gras through exciting rainy day activities in New Orleans, like guided tours and hands-on workshops. Enjoy an upgraded experience with food options or head to the nearby Garden District for an abundance of eateries.
If you’ve got kids under 10:
- Louisiana Children’s Museum – Play, explore, and learn with a diverse offering of interactive experiences. Plan ahead by booking timed-entry tickets and guarantee your group a spot to play.
- Insta-Gator Alligator Ranch – Come meet the ancient residents of the region with informative alligator interactions. Tour the ranch and feed the hatchlings, all while gaining a unique education.
If you’ve got teens:
- JAMNOLA – Enter the immersive world of art and music and take part in joyfound throughout every exhibit. Teens will have plenty to engage with, and takea picture of, as they wind their way through this vibrant experience.
If you needlow walking /easy pacing:
- The Southern Food and Beverage Museum – Discover history you can taste. Take a slow stroll through the delicious history of the South or get hands-on with a Creole cooking class.
If you need walk-in availability:
- New Orleans Boulder Lounge – Get all the thrill of an outdoor adventure from the safety of an indoor gym with climbing opportunities for adventure seekers.
Note: Gym hours vary daily, and walk-ins are limited to 8 climbers per group.
Find additional reunion-friendly ideas with more things to do in New Orleans, your guide to exploring Crescent City.
More Indoor Activities in New Orleans for Groups
Audubon Aquarium (and Insectarium)
- Why it works for groups: Get a two-for-one experience at the Aquarium and Insectarium, with plenty to do across the exhibits for all ages.
- Best for: Mixed ages
- Time needed: Half-day
- Walking level: Medium
- Booking: Walk-in available (group reservation recommended ahead of time)
- Meet-up tip: The lobby is the best place to regroup before entry.
The National WWII Museum
- Why it works for groups: Bridge the gap between the generations with engaging history lessons that tell the story of the American experience in the war.
- Best for: Teens, adults, and seniors
- Time needed: Half-day
- Walking level: Low
- Booking: Walk-in available (group reservations must be made in advance)
- Meet-up tip: The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion at the main entrance.
Louisiana Children’s Museum
- Why it works for groups: While children are the focus, adults and grandparents are sure to join in on the fun found here.
- Best for: Kids
- Time needed: All day
- Walking level: Medium
- Booking: Timed-entry tickets are recommended.
- Meet-up tip: Meet up at the Acorn Cafe or Museum Store.
JAMNOLA
- Why it works for groups: A joyful celebration of art and music is sure to bring the whole group together.
- Best for: Mixed ages
- Time needed: Quick trip
- Walking level: Low
- Booking: Reservation required
- Meet-up tip: Meet up ahead of time outside.
Vue Orleans
- Why it works for groups: Get a panoramic view of New Orleans at this observation deck packed with local historyand stunning scenery.
- Best for: Mixed ages
- Time needed: Quick trip
- Walking level: Low
- Booking: Walk-in available (bookingahead of time recommended).
- Meet-up tip: Gather in the lobby before heading up.
Find additional reunion-friendly ideas with more things to do in New Orleans, your guide to exploring Crescent City.
Mardi Gras World
- Why it works for groups: A one-of-a-kind backstage look at how the world-famous Mardi Gras is crafted with hands-on workshops for all ages.
- Best for: Mixed ages
- Time needed: Half-day
- Walking level: Low
- Booking: Reservations required for group rates.
- Meet-up tip: Meet up at the free shuttle for easy transportation.
Sazerac House
- Why it works for groups: Come to New Orleans’ House of Cocktails for a unique tour of the world of spirits.
- Best for: Adults 21+
- Time needed: Quick trip
- Walking level: Low
- Booking: Advance booking recommended.
- Meet-up tip: Meet up at thefirst-floorbar for a tasting.
Ogden Museum
- Why it works for groups: Learn about the rich history of southern art with engaging exhibits and activities designed specifically for an array of age groups.
- Best for: Mixed ages
- Time needed: Half-day
- Walking level: Low
- Booking: Walk-in available
- Meet-up tip: Outside the front entrance, next to the sculpture art.
The Escape Game
- Why it works for groups: Put your group’s skill and communication to the test as you race to escape.
- Best for: Mixed ages
- Time needed: Quick trip
- Walking level: Low
- Booking: Walk-ins welcome
- Meet-up tip: Meet up in the lobby before the game starts.
Historic BK House & Gardens
- Why it works for groups: A unique look into 200 years of local history as told through the stories of the house’s past residents.
- Best for: Mixed ages
- Time needed: Quick trip
- Walking level: Low
- Booking: Walk-in available
- Meet-up tip: Meet up at the house entrance to begin the tour.
Reservations vs.Walk-In Options
It’s important to know whether you should make reservations for certain attractions and restaurants or if they accept walk-in groups, especially on rainy days in New Orleans. Consider the following when planning for indoor activities.
Timed entry / Reserve ahead
- Louisiana Children’s Museum: Open Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM, and Sunday, 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Timed-entry tickets are required to guarantee your spot.
- JAMNOLA: Open Thursday through Monday, 10:00 AM – 6:00/8:00 PM. Timed-entry tickets ensure a smooth experience. GROUP TIP: Bookings of 15 or more should be made in advance.
- Historic BK House & Gardens: Open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. GROUP TIP: Parties of 25 or more should contact in advance.
More Flexibility
- Audubon Aquarium: Open daily from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM (with last tickets sold at 4:00 PM). GROUP TIP: Parties of 20 or more should schedule in advance for discounted rates.
- New Orleans Jazz Museum: Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. GROUP TIP: Parties of 15 or more receive discounted rates (only with reservations)
- Mardi Gras World: Open daily with first admission at 9:30 AM and last admission at 4:30 PM. GROUP TIP: Special rates apply to groups of 20 or more (reservation required.)
- The Escape Game: Game times start as early as 8 AM and as late as 11:55 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations in advance ensure room availability.
- The Southern Food and Beverage Museum: Open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. GROUP TIP: Reach out in advance for group tours and classes.
- New Orleans Boulder Lounge: Open daily with varied hours. GROUP TIP: Walk-ins are welcome for groups of eight or fewer and groups of 20 or fewer with a reservation.
- The National WWII Museum: Open daily 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. GROUP TIP: Consider calling ahead for discounted rates for groups of 10 or more.
- Vue Orleans: Open Thursday through Monday,10:00 AM – 4:00/6:00 PM. GROUP TIP: Parties of 10 or more enjoy discounted rates.
- Sazerac House: Open daily 11:00 AM-6:00 PM. The last tour begins at 4:15 PM.
- Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Open daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. GROUP TIP: Guided group tours are available for free with museum admission.
Plan A Senior-Friendly Rainy Day in New Orleans
Find your rainy day hideout that’s perfect for older generations. The New Orleans Jazz Museum is a great senior-friendly option–you don’t have to leave the building to find all kinds of easy-going fun. Through fascinating stories, artifacts, and interactive exhibits, your group will get lost in the pivotal music of the city. And with a calendar full of events, 365+ concerts annually, you are likely to be treated to a musical display, making thisone of the most senior-friendly rainy day activities in New Orleans.
Once you have explored jazz to the fullest, satiate your appetite with nearby nourishment. Only a couple of blocks away from the French Quarter, you are within easy walking distance of some of New Orleans’ best dining experiences. No matter if you are in the mood for a quick bite or a plateful of the best seafood in the city, there isa spot for every craving.
Fun Never Stops in NOLA
Don’t let gray skies get you down; there are always unique and engaging things to do in New Orleans when it rains. Quick trips to indoor attractions help stave off the boredom of bad weather. And full-day adventures keep even the youngest members of the crowd going until the sun sets.
Come rain or shine, there are great options to explore New Orleans to the fullest. When the weather clears, explore more incredible things to do in New Orleans to swap in outdoor plans to complete your itinerary.
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