Storyland
4.5(867)google
4.1(72)yelp
KidsFamilyInteractiveOutdoorPhoto SpotHands-On
Overview
Storyland is a whimsical, historic children's amusement park tucked inside the sprawling expanses of New Orleans City Park. For generations, families have visited this enchanted playground to explore life-sized sculptures of characters from classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes, including Captain Hook's pirate ship and Cinderella's pumpkin coach. It provides a magical, nostalgic outdoor setting that sparks creativity and imaginative play, making it the perfect destination for families traveling with younger children.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1-2 hours
Best TimeSunny mornings between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM from autumn through early spring provide the gold standard for a family visit. The mild temperatures are perfect for toddlers and children to freely climb, slide, and explore the 20-plus life-sized historical fairytale sculptures like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned inside New Orleans City Park, right next to the Carousel Gardens. Take the Canal-City Park Streetcar line to the Victory Avenue station, then follow the internal park signs for a quick 4-minute walk to the entrance. Drivers will find plenty of free street parking along Victory Ave.
Travel Tips
- Closed on Mondays. Ideal for families with young children, with free entry for children under 36 inches. Note that the attraction is 100% cashless; plan for digital payment.
- The outdoor, fairy-tale themed park has limited shade. Visiting right at the 10:00 AM opening is advised to escape the intense afternoon heat and potential sudden rain showers.
- Outside alcohol and glass are strictly prohibited. Situated in City Park, parking is scarce on weekends; aim for early arrival for street parking or arrive by streetcar.
Reviews
Positive
- The park is full of fairytale whimsy and nostalgia; installations like the fire-breathing dragon slide and Jack and the Beanstalk climber keep young kids entertained for hours.
- The admission is very cheap (just a few dollars), making it a high-value, relaxing playground stop for families traveling with toddlers.
- The entire area is nestled under towering historic trees, providing plenty of much-needed shade even on New Orleans' hottest July and August days.
- Excellent location within New Orleans City Park, right next to the sculpture garden, putt-putt, and Café Du Monde, making it easy to combine itineraries.
Heads up
- The attractions are noticeably aged; many storybook statues suffer from missing paint, cracks, and dirt, urgently needing renovation and deep cleaning.
- The park area is very small with a limited variety of play structures and slides; it is not suited for older kids, basically only appealing to children under 8.
- Some staff members were blunt and lacked enthusiasm, even starting to brusquely rush visitors to leave 30 minutes before closing time.
- The sanitation of basic facilities like restrooms is mediocre with occasional odors, and trash cans aren't emptied promptly when busy on weekends.