Palm Tree Playground, Metairie

Palm Tree Playground owners Eric and Heather Hays spent the first four years of their children's lives moving around the country. In spots where the weather wasn't great for playing outside, they explored the local indoor playgrounds. Inspired by the cool places they visited, the family founded Palm Tree Playground once they settled down in New Orleans. Their playground incorporates the best features of the many playgrounds they visited including small play equipment for babies and toddler, and a big-kids soft-play structure with spiral slides and a contained ball arena. An attached surf-and-snack shack sells morsels and soft drinks, but families can bring their own lunches and enjoy them in the cafeteria too.