Visiting Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans: A Local Mom’s Guide to the Area
If you’re headed to Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans — formerly Children’s Hospital New Orleans — chances are you already have enough on your mind.
Maybe you’re coming in for a quick appointment. Maybe you’ll be there most of the day. Maybe you’re traveling from another part of Louisiana or the Gulf Coast and suddenly find yourself Googling things like Where can we eat? What can we do nearby with another child? Where can I grab something we forgot? And what part of New Orleans am I even in?
As a New Orleans-area mom and local small business owner, I wanted to put together a simple guide to the area around Manning Family Children’s — not a medical guide, and definitely not a replacement for information from the hospital, but the kind of practical local information I’d want another mom to give me.
First: Where Is Manning Family Children’s?
Manning Family Children’s is located at 200 Henry Clay Avenue in Uptown New Orleans, not far from the Mississippi River and Audubon Park.
If you’ve been coming here for years, you may still know it as Children’s Hospital New Orleans. The hospital officially became Manning Family Children’s in 2025, so don’t worry if you still hear both names.
For parking, check-in, visiting hours, campus maps and other hospital-specific information, I recommend checking the hospital’s official visitor information before your visit, since those details can change.
Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need
This is my first piece of New Orleans advice in general.
New Orleans traffic operates according to its own set of rules.
There could be construction. A street could suddenly be closed. A train could decide that today is your day. During Mardi Gras season, a parade route can turn what should be a ten-minute drive into a complete geography lesson.
If you have an important appointment, give yourself some extra time — especially during morning traffic, school pickup, Mardi Gras season or a major event weekend.
And if your GPS tells you to do something that looks questionable, welcome to New Orleans.
You're Actually in a Great Part of the City
One thing families visiting Manning Family Children’s may not realize is that the hospital is in a beautiful part of Uptown New Orleans.
You’re close to Audubon Park, the Audubon Zoo, Magazine Street and the Mississippi River.
That means if you’re in town for an appointment and have a few hours before heading home — or you have siblings or other family members who need something to do during a longer hospital stay — there are several options nearby.
Audubon Park
If everyone simply needs some fresh air after being inside all day, Audubon Park is one of my favorite options.
There’s plenty of green space, beautiful oak trees and room for kids to move around.
Sometimes you don't need another “activity.”
You need somewhere your child can run for twenty minutes while you sit down and reconsider every decision that led to packing approximately 47 things for a doctor's appointment and somehow forgetting the ONE thing they actually wanted.
Audubon Park is good for that.
Audubon Zoo
If you have several hours to fill, Audubon Zoo is also nearby.
This is especially helpful if you're traveling with siblings. Hospital days can be long for everyone, and having something fun planned for a brother or sister can make the day feel a little more normal.
I wouldn't try to squeeze the zoo into a tiny window between appointments, but if you have an afternoon or an extra day in New Orleans, it's worth considering.
Take a Drive Down Magazine Street
If you have time and want to explore a little more of Uptown, head toward Magazine Street.
Magazine stretches through several New Orleans neighborhoods and is full of restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, bakeries and local businesses.
And yes, supporting a New Orleans small business while you're here earns you imaginary bonus points.
We don't make the rules.
Actually, as a small business owner, I may have made that particular rule.
Where to Eat Near Manning Family Children’s
New Orleans is one of those places where asking, “Where should we eat?” can accidentally start a 45-minute argument.
Everyone has an opinion.
Rather than telling you there is ONE restaurant you absolutely have to visit, my advice is to decide what kind of day you're having.
If everyone is exhausted, find something quick and easy.
If the appointment is over and you're turning the trip into a little New Orleans day, venture farther down Magazine Street and make lunch part of the experience.
If you have a child who currently survives on approximately four approved foods, this is not the day to prove a point. Find the chicken tenders.
There will be another day for culinary exploration.
If You're Visiting New Orleans From Out of Town
If you're traveling here from another part of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or elsewhere along the Gulf Coast, you don't have to make the entire trip about the hospital.
If your child's appointment allows it, consider giving them one little thing to look forward to afterward.
That doesn't have to mean spending an entire day sightseeing.
It could be:
- Walking beneath the oak trees at Audubon Park
- Seeing the animals at Audubon Zoo
- Getting a New Orleans treat
- Riding around Uptown and looking at the houses
- Exploring Magazine Street
- Picking out a small Louisiana souvenir
- Simply having lunch somewhere fun before heading home
Medical appointments can take over the whole day. Adding one normal or fun thing afterward can sometimes make the trip feel less like the hospital trip and more like the day we went to New Orleans.
What If You Forgot Something?
First of all, you probably did.
Because you're a parent.
It's basically part of the job description.
The Uptown area has pharmacies, grocery stores and plenty of shopping nearby, so you aren't stranded if you realize you left something at home.
For a longer stay, I'd also make a quick list before leaving home with chargers, comfortable clothes, a sweatshirt, toiletries, snacks, entertainment for siblings and whatever comfort item your child loves.
And bring the charger.
Seriously.
Bring. The. Charger.
A Little New Orleans Weather Warning
If you aren't from South Louisiana, there's another thing you should know.
Our weather has commitment issues.
It can be sunny when you park the car and pouring rain when you walk outside.
Summer is hot and humid. Afternoon thunderstorms can appear quickly. Winter can be 75 degrees one day and surprisingly cold the next.
Layers, comfortable shoes and a small umbrella are never terrible things to have in the car.
During Mardi Gras season, I'd also check parade schedules before driving anywhere in Uptown New Orleans. A parade between you and your destination can change your plans considerably.
Bringing a Little Something to a Child in the Hospital
If you're visiting a child rather than bringing your own child for an appointment, you may be wondering what to bring.
Depending on the child's age and hospital rules, simple comfort gifts can be wonderful — a stuffed animal, small toy, book, pajamas, blanket or something that reminds them of home.
Always check current hospital policies if you're unsure whether a particular item is allowed.
And don't feel like a gift has to be elaborate.
Sometimes something little that says I was thinking about you is exactly enough.
Looking for a Louisiana Gift While You're Here?
This is where I get to tell you a little about us.
Jolie & Jax is a locally owned Louisiana boutique built around the things we love about living here.
We carry Louisiana-inspired apparel, children's items, baby gifts, toys, accessories and gifts, including many designs inspired by New Orleans traditions, food and culture.
A lot of our designs are created specifically because we wanted something that felt like our Louisiana — not just another generic New Orleans souvenir.
So if you're visiting from out of town and want to bring home something Louisiana-inspired for your child, grandchild or family, we'd love for you to shop with us online.
And if you found this guide because you're spending time at Manning Family Children’s, I genuinely hope your visit goes as smoothly as possible.
A Few More New Orleans Tips From a Local Mom
Before you go, here are a few things worth remembering:
Check traffic before leaving. New Orleans can turn a short drive into an adventure without warning.
Check the weather. Do not trust what the sky looked like when you left the house.
Keep comfortable shoes in the car. This is generally good New Orleans life advice.
During Carnival season, check parade routes. Seriously. Check them.
Don't feel pressured to “do New Orleans.” If your family is tired, go rest. The zoo and beignets will still be here next time.
And most importantly, give yourself some grace. Traveling with kids is already an adventure. Traveling for a medical appointment adds an entirely different layer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manning Family Children’s the same as Children’s Hospital New Orleans?
Yes. Children’s Hospital New Orleans was renamed Manning Family Children’s in 2025. You may still see or hear people use the former name.
Where is Manning Family Children’s located?
The main hospital campus is located at 200 Henry Clay Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the Uptown area.
What is near Manning Family Children’s?
The hospital is near Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, the Mississippi River and Magazine Street, with restaurants, shopping and other family-friendly attractions throughout Uptown.
Is there anything to do with kids near Manning Family Children’s?
Yes. Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo are two of the biggest nearby options. Families can also explore Uptown, Magazine Street and other parts of New Orleans depending on how much time they have.
What should I bring for a day at a children's hospital?
What you'll need depends on the reason for your visit, so follow any instructions provided by your child's care team. For the non-medical side of the day, parents may find it helpful to bring chargers, comfortable clothing, snacks where permitted, entertainment and a favorite comfort item.
Welcome to New Orleans
Whether you're here for a routine appointment, visiting someone you love or spending more time at Manning Family Children’s than you ever expected, I hope this little guide makes navigating our corner of New Orleans a bit easier.
Take the extra charger.
Check the weather.
Check the parade route.
And if you have time afterward, go let the kids run underneath the oak trees for a while.
Sometimes that's enough.
— Erica
Jolie & Jax