New Canal Lighthouse
4.6(258)4.6 out of 5 stars, 258 reviews New Orleans, LA
About New Canal Lighthouse
The New Canal Lighthouse offers a unique blend of local history, interactive science, and environmental education, all set against the scenic backdrop of Lake Pontchartrain. It stands out for its successful rebuild after hurricane damage, its focus on coastal preservation, and engaging hands-on exhibits like the interactive water flow sandbox.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking an educational outing focused on local history, science, and environmental topics.Parents looking for an activity with interactive elements that can engage elementary and middle school-aged children.A scenic visit for families who appreciate beautiful views and local landmarks.A self-paced learning experience, especially with the use of their self-guided tour app.**Elementary School (6-10 years):** The interactive sandbox exhibit is likely a huge hit, offering hands-on science learning. The self-guided tour app and informative guides provide accessible historical and environmental facts.
Why families love it
- Interactive sand box exhibit in the gift shop allows hands-on learning about water flow, shifting sand, and rain patterns, appealing to various ages.
- Self-guided tour available via a dedicated app provides detailed and informative content, offering a flexible learning pace.
- Staff are described as very informative, friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the region and their work.
- Beautiful surrounding area with great views of Lake Pontchartrain, enhancing the visit's overall experience.
- Highlights the resilience and history of the area, having been rebuilt after extensive hurricane damage (Katrina and Rita in 2005).
- Interactive sandbox exhibit demonstrating water flow and rain patterns (located in the gift shop).
Insider tips
- Be prepared for steps up to the exhibit, plan accordingly if using a stroller or if anyone in your group has mobility issues.
- Plan for parking ahead of time, as there is no dedicated parking lot and you'll rely on street parking.
- Manage expectations regarding the lighthouse access; only the first floor is open as a museum.
- Consider downloading the self-guided tour app before your visit to maximize the informational aspect.
- If interested in lighthouses, consider visiting other nearby lighthouses like Port Pontchartrain (U. of New Orleans campus) and Tchefuncte River (Madisonville) as suggested by a reviewer for a fuller experience.
Good to know before you go
- If you require full wheelchair or stroller accessibility to all exhibit areas, as there are steps and only the first floor is accessible.
- If your children are looking for a high-energy, purely 'play-based' science center, as this venue is more museum-like with interactive elements.
- Only the first floor of the lighthouse is accessible as a museum, which may limit exploration expectations.
- There are steps up to the exhibit, which could be a barrier for strollers, wheelchairs, or visitors with mobility challenges.
- No dedicated parking lot, meaning parents will need to find street parking or alternative arrangements.
- Crowds
- Reviews do not provide specific information about crowd levels. The mention of a 'self-guided tour' suggests flexibility, but no peak times or quiet periods are noted.
- Value
- Pricing is not mentioned in the provided reviews, so it's not possible to assess the value. Parents should check the official website for current admission fees.
- Accessibility
- There are steps up to the exhibit, which may present challenges for wheelchairs, strollers, or individuals with mobility impairments.
- Safety
- No specific safety features are mentioned in the reviews.
What parents say
"The original lighthouse was built in 1838 on a foundation of sheet piling filled in with shells. The tower was octagonal, built of cypress, about 28 feet (8.5 m) high. The tower deteriorated badly and was replaced in 1855 with a square wood dwelling on screw piles with an iron lantern and a 5th order Fresnel lens."
3 months ago
"Amazing place. Took the self guided tour with their app. Very informative. Informative and friendly employees. There are steps up to the exhibit. No dedicated parking lot. The part that stands out in my mind is in the gift shop they have a sand box set up to show how water will flow that shifts as you change the sand. And if you hold your hand out, it will demonstrate how the rain would fall and go to low lying areas."
2 years ago
"The first floor of the lighthouses the museum. And that is the only floor that you can go on"
6 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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