We track 3 splash pads in New Orleans. 2 of them are free. 1 is confirmed against official parks-department listings.
Peak summer highs in New Orleans average 92°F. Mornings and late afternoons are far more comfortable than the middle of the day, and shade is worth planning around.
| Month | Average high |
|---|---|
| June | 90°F |
| July | 92°F |
| August | 92°F |
The typical New Orleans pad runs about 18 weeks a year. Municipal pads often close early for maintenance, so the last few weeks of the season are the least reliable.
The things that decide a trip with small children — a toilet, some shade, somewhere to sit — are exactly what listings usually leave out. Across the 3 pads in New Orleans:
Freepublic-parkzero-depthtoddlerplayground-nearby
NORD's first stand-alone splash pad, a $926,000 project that opened in July 2026 in the Algiers Cut-Off neighborhood. The 2,000-square-foot pad packs in 30 jets and fixtures plus a giant bucket that dumps water over kids every seven minutes.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season · parks dept confirmed
$39.50water-parkticketedzero-depthtoddlershaderestrooms
Audubon Zoo's seasonal water playground pairs a giant alligator water slide with the Gator Run lazy river, splash zones for little kids and white-sand beach areas. Combo zoo-plus-waterpark tickets run $39.50-$44.50, with free inner tubes and life vests plus cabana rentals for shade.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season
Freepublic-parkzero-depthrestrooms
New Orleans' first public splash pad sits beside the George V. Rainey Natatorium in Algiers, so families can pair spray-ground time with the indoor pool next door. Admission is free through the NORD recreation system.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season
Know a splash pad we're missing in New Orleans?Add it to the guide.