Five Things to Do in New Orleans This Halloween with Your Baby (Even If They’re Not Walking Yet)

Looking for baby-friendly Halloween ideas in New Orleans? Try the City Park carousel and train, the pumpkin patch at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Carrollton, Boo at the Zoo, Krewe of Boo Parade, and trick-or-treating with Cool Murphy Real Estate. Keep reading to find out where to find us!

Toddler ain’t toddlin’ yet, but you want to share spooky season with him? Here are five things that you can do that you’ll both enjoy. Boo.

Halloween hits different when your little one’s still more about snacks than scares. You want to make the memories, get the pictures, and soak in the season — without melting down by noon or missing nap time. Here’s what worked for us this year.

1. Carousel Gardens & Story Land at City Park

While most rides are for the 36-inches-and-up crowd, there are still two that make this worth the trip — the carousel and the train.

The carousel itself is a New Orleans treasure, built in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as is the beautiful building that houses it. The carved horses, the organ music — it’s all just magic.

Then there’s the miniature train that loops through City Park for about twenty minutes. Around Halloween (and later again at Christmas), the park takes on this extra shimmer — families in costume, decorations tucked into oak trees, lights twinkling through the moss.

Our little one loved watching his cousins go on the bigger rides, and even more than that, he loved watching other kids just being kids. And if you go, don’t miss the giant pumpkin carriage at Story Land — Cinderella’s coach — for the perfect family photo. (see photo at the top of this email).

2. The Pumpkin Patch at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Carrollton

If you search “pumpkin patch New Orleans,” you’ll find the one at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Carrollton — and it’s a must.

It’s stroller-friendly, full of inflatables for bigger kids, and somehow still peaceful enough for babies to crawl among the pumpkins. We don’t have much yard space, so watching our son roll, reach, and laugh in a pile of hay and gourds felt like such a gift.

He picked out his first pumpkin from the $2 mini-bin, and we painted them later at home with non-toxic Crayola paint. The whole thing is simple, seasonal, and good for everyone — from babies to grandparents.

3. Boo at the Zoo

Yes, Boo at the Zoo technically already happened, but the zoo stays decked out for Halloween long after, and it’s worth a visit.

Imagine a kid-sized festival — trick-or-treat walks, pumpkin painting, face painting, stuffed-animal “check-ups” (yes, they inoculate your monster), EMT hats, bouncy houses, a DJ, and animals joining in on the fun.

Even with a baby, it’s perfect. You can stroll around, watch the elephants play with pumpkins, and see the sea lions’ feeding. The main fountain greets you with elephants wrapped in mummy cloth and a lion in a witch’s hat — googly eyes included. It’s all in good fun and supports a great cause.

4. Krewe of Boo Parade

You might think Halloween parades are just for older kids — they’re not. Cooper (and his cousins, ages 5 to 16) were completely mesmerized.

The lights, the music, the dancers, the costumes — it’s sensory heaven. He loved watching the performers go by, dancing in his stroller, and getting candy that we got to eat. He did manage a couple of lollipops under close supervision, which, as a teething baby, he thought was peak holiday joy.

If you go, bring ear protection for little ears — marching bands and speakers can get loud — and plan to hang back near the curb where the crowd thins a little. It’s the perfect way to share in the city’s spirit without needing to do much more than show up and enjoy it.

Bonus: The Skeleton House on St. Charles Avenue

It’s hard to say what the best photo op of Halloween is — there are so many contenders. Story Land’s pumpkin coach, the hay maze at the pumpkin patch, the parade dancers, even the zoo fountain with its mummy-wrapped elephants.

But the one that takes the cake (or the candy corn) for us this year was The Skeleton House on St. Charles Avenue.

We happened to visit on a weekend night when the family who owns the home was heading out to a costume party. We met them in person — she was dressed as Elphaba from Wicked — and they were so patient and proud, chatting with all of us gawkers snapping photos.

The display itself is massive and clever — skeletons dressed as everything from E.T. and Taylor Swift to the Beverly Hillbillies. There’s even a Cooper Manning skeleton, which we obviously had to get a picture with since our son’s name is Cooper and my mother’s maiden name is Manning.

We can’t promise you’ll catch the owners in costume, but even without that, it’s a must-see. The creativity alone makes it a city landmark.

5. Trick-or-Treat with Cool Murphy at 1514 Arabella

If you want a neighborhood that goes all-in on Halloween, head Uptown. People actually drive in for it — and you’ll see why.

This year [October 2025], Cool Murphy Real Estate will be at 1514 Arabella, our $1.85 million listing in the Golden Rectangle — just half a block from the St. Charles streetcar and a short walk from Audubon Park.

We’ll be handing out treats for kids and grown-ups, so come by and say hi. And if you happen to live nearby, don’t be surprised if we swing by with something special just for you.

It’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a little neighborhood magic, see a stunning historic home, and be part of one of New Orleans’ favorite traditions.

This is why it’s so great to live in New Orleans.

If you’re thinking about making a move here — or within New Orleans — we can help you find the best fit.

Just like finding the best places for your little one to celebrate Halloween, we take the time to understand what’s unique about you and your family (or lack thereof).

Whether it’s a space that’s kid-friendly, adult-friendly, grandparent-friendly, or perfect for you and your fur baby, we’ll help you find it.

That’s how I moved here — and I’d love to help you do the same.

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Voted Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor three years in a row, Cool Murphy Real Estate is a top-producing, licensed real estate team based in New Orleans, brokered by Cool Murphy, LLC.

Celebrated for her next-level creative approach to real estate, Elisa Cool Murphy is an award-winning, top-performing real estate broker in New Orleans and the founder of Cool Murphy Real Estate.

You can learn more about her here.

Contact Her -

email: cool@coolmurphy.com  

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phone: 504-321-3194