The family is the basic unit of society—yet, statistically, family members are the very people most likely to steal the extra Arch Deluxe you've been saving for all these years. Solidify family alliances and suss out enemies with today's Groupon: for $8, you get admission and unlimited rides for a full day at Carousel Gardens Amusement Park (a $20 value), adjacent to Storyland in City Park. Your Groupon is not valid during Celebration in the Oaks from November 25 to January 2, or during special events. Check the website for park hours.

Glee-seekers can present their Groupon at the admission ticket booth before spinning on the Tilt-A-Whirl, knocking bumper cars, or gliding down the 40-foot fun slide in addition to enjoying more than 10 other timeless amusement-park rides. Hop on the Ferris wheel for sky-skimming panoramic views, or climb aboard the miniature train for a leisurely tour through picturesque City Park. Stop by the historic wooden carousel to ride on the well-known “flying horses” and reminisce about simpler times when animals were all carved from gilded logs before coming to life. Next to the amusement park, smaller children can wander in wonder around Storyland, which brims with more than 25 larger-than-life playground pieces inspired by well-known children's stories and rhymes. Little ones and non-Lilliputian folk alike can climb aboard Captain Hook’s pirate ship, step into the mouth of Pinocchio’s whale, or dash up Jack and Jill’s hill without losing costly crowns.

Grab a quick change of scenery throughout the day by wandering through City Park’s hundreds of acres, which include playgrounds, trails, and beautiful architecture, making for a scenic, fun-filled getaway for families, blind dates, and “just friends, it’s not-a-date” dates.

Children under the height of 35" get in and ride for free.

Reviews

City Park was named a 2010 winner in the Times-Picayune's Readers’ Choice awards for Favorite Place for Family Fun, Favorite Place to Get Married, Favorite Park/Picnic Area, Favorite Tennis Courts, Favorite Golf Course, and Favorite Place to Exercise. Frommer's named the park an Exceptional Destination, Yelpers give it an average of five stars, and six TripAdvisors give it an average of four owl-eyes.

• Given what it went through (devastating photos can be viewed at their website), it looks pretty good, and is a charming place for a walk and bird-watching. – Frommer's
• Mature Oak trees with Spanish Moss dripping off, an amusement park with historic carousel for the kids (and Storybook Land for the 6 and under set), an art museum, a train that runs around the perimeter--wow! – Rusty M., Yelp
• There's so much there, the sculpture garden, golf course, tennis courts, lagoons, trails, but best of all, the little train that runs around the park and the Storyland area, which is great for kids. – crazyAustin, TripAdvisor