Parks and the outdoors in New Orleans

140 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around New Orleans.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 140.

Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 (licence)

SeeHistoric siteFrench Quarter
Jackson Square
The old town square, often live music is going on here, as well as street corner painters and tarot readers. Around the square are:.
Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumTremé
Backstreet Cultural Museum
Costumes of "Mardi Gras Indians" and other artifacts of Tremé culture. An easy walk a block and a half from the French Quarter; well worth the $8 admission fee not only for the displays but also for fascinating narration about local culture by the neighborhood curators.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM · Standard $20; Locals, Seniors & Veterans $15; Children 12 & Under $10
SeeMuseumMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
Pitot House Museum and Gardens
Historic house of a former mayor from the era of the Louisiana Purchase at the start of the 19th century.
We-Fr 10:00-15:00
SeeCentral Business District
Lafayette Square
The center of what was the "Old American Quarter" in the early 19th century, with the city's neo-classical city hall and a belle epoch courthouse.
DoJazz barFrench Quarter
Maison Bourbon
Sometimes has decent bands (though as often doesn't), as many good local Dixieland players lacking a better gig for the moment often wind up here. As the doors are open to the street, you can listen a bit from outside, judge for yourself whether they have a band you'd enjoy, and walk on by or go on in as appropriate.
EatRestaurantMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
Ralph's On The Park
Highly regarded Contemporary Louisiana cuisine in a renovated 1860s tavern building.
DoTheme park
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
located in New Orleans
SeeMuseumFrench Quarter
Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve
Headquarters for National Park that includes several historic sites in and near New Orleans. Has a small museum and visitor's center. Show up by 9AM to get a place on the informative free walking tour of the French Quarter.
Tu-Sa 09:00-16:30 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible
DoParkFrench Quarter
New Orleans Jazz Park
Actually in "Dutch Alley", the French Market pedestrian alley on the river side of Decatur between Dumaine and St. Philip Streets. Often has free live music weekend afternoons and sometimes other times.
Free, some park programs have a fee
SeeHistoric siteTremé
Perseverance Hall #4
At the Saint Claude entrance to the park, is a 19th-century dance hall, usually vacant, but sometimes used for music, exhibits, and other events.
SeeFrench Quarter
Moon Walk
A brick walking path along the Mississippi River across Decatur Street from Jackson Square. The curious name comes from its dedication to former New Orleans mayor Moon Landrieu.
SeePublic artTremé
Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts
This is one of the largest performance venues in the city, and is frequently used by the Louisiana Symphony Orchestra and for large scale dance performances and musicals. The official address is listed as 801 N Rampart St, but it is away from Rampart towards the back of the park.
SeeAudubon and University
Audubon Zoo
Very good zoo, see the rare white alligators, at the upper end of Magazine Street. Riverboats connect the Zoo to the Central Business District; also accessible from the St. Charles Streetcar via a shuttle bus that runs back and forth from the main entrance to Audubon Park on St. Charles to the Zoo.
Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-6PM
DoMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
Longue Vue House and Gardens
Elegant mansion set in lush gardens is pretty and historic. In Western central New Orleans off Metairie Road, a short drive from Metarie Cemetery and Mid-City.
9ː30AM-5PM, daily
SeeMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
City Park
The large park has winding lanes through old trees for walking or driving through, and includes such attractions as an outdoor sculpture garden, a botanical garden. As of 2022, renovations and improvements since Katrina have City Park looking more beautiful than ever. "Storyland", a children's playground based around fairy tale characters, has been a favorite of local children for generations. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park has a beautiful merry-go-round (known to local old timers as "the flying horses" dating back to 1906, as well as an assortment of other amusement park rides including a miniature railway to ride around part of the park. During nights of the Christmas season there is an elaborate celebration with lights, additional rides, and music in the park called "Celebration in the Oaks". In 2020, the Louisiana Children's Museum moved to new larger quarters in City Park.
SeeTremé
Louis Armstrong Park and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
Includes historic Congo Square, and statues of early jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Buddy Bolden. A visitor for the national historic park is located at 916 N Peters St in the French Quarter, but within Armstrong Park are 3 important buildings:.
SeeFrench Quarter
New Orleans Jazz Park Visitor's Center & Headquarters
Often has live music, lectures, and gives music history related walking tours. Many events are free; those that aren't are a bargain.
SeeTremé
Saint Louis Cemetery #1
Local notables entombed here include 19th-century Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Do not visit this cemetery alone, as criminals have been known to target vulnerable individual tourists. It can safely be visited with tour groups; free ones are given by the park service in addition to various pay tours. Almost all tours start early in the morning, although a couple pay tours will start at 1PM during weekdays.
Mon-Fri 9AM-3PM, Sat Sun 9AM-noon · Free
SeeAudubon and University
Tulane University
The main campus of New Orleans' most famous university stretches from St. Charles Avenue across from Audubon Park back to Claiborne Avenue. It includes a few attractions of special interest to some:
SeeMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
Metairie Cemetery
This cemetery is just outside of Mid-City by most definitions, but is only a short drive from this neighborhood or a 5 minute walk from the end of the "Cemeteries" branch of the Canal streetcar line (Walking directions: from the end of the line, go left along City Park Avenue, past Greenwood Cemetery on the right, and continue under the Interstate overpass; Metairie Cemetery is on the right). Metairie is the city's most elaborate cemetery, with many interesting 19th-century grand tombs and monuments.
SeeMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
Saint Louis Cemetery #3
19th-century above-ground tombs. Safe to walk around in during the day, this is popular with visitors.
Do Not mapped
Creole Queen Sightseeing Cruise
A diesel-powered paddlewheel boat. A one-hour shore excursion at the battlefield features a guided tour and talk by National Park Rangers. Boarding 30 min before departure.
Daily: daytime cruise 10AM and 2PM, evening cruise with jazz band 7PM · Daytime: adult $34, child (6-12) $14, child under 6 free; buffet $19 per person, or available à la carte. Evening with dinner/without: adult $79/48, child (6-12) $36/24, child (3-5) $12/free
EatAudubon and University Not mapped
Audubon Clubhouse Cafe
Old clubhouse is open to the public for breakfast, lunch, and Sunday brunch. The reason to come here is for the relaxing view of the park and golf course; sit on the porch having a leisurely meal while sipping mimosas or bloody marys.
SeeAudubon and University Not mapped
Audubon Park
Pleasant park to walk around, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same fellow who designed Central Park in New York City. Runs from St. Charles Avenue to the river.
BuyUptown Not mapped
Garden District Book Shop
Independent book store specializes in local subjects, and usually has a variety of signed copies of books by local authors. Also a small but select case of rare used books.
EatCarrollton Not mapped
Plum Street Sno-Balls
Plum at Burdette: a local delicacy during summer, finely shaved ice with your choice of many custom made syrups. A gourmet version of the northern "snow cone". On Plum Street, a pleasant 3 block walk down from Carrollton Avenue, open 2PM-dark during the long New Orleans summer.
BuyCentral Business District Not mapped
Riverwalk
On a pier along the Mississippi Riverfront and connected to the New Orleans Hilton. In addition to a variety of shops, hosts a fine view of the Mississippi River.
Drink Not mapped
Tales of the Cocktail
An annual event each July in the Quarter and CBD with seminars, tastings, and other events, drawing in people from master bartenders to casual cocktail lovers. There's even a "jazz funeral" procession for the cocktail which top bartenders would most like to see buried (past "funerals" have included "sex on the beach" and the "appletini").
EatAudubon and University Not mapped
Tartine
French style bakery & cafe; breakfast & lunch. Also has fresh baguettes, scones, etc to go for a tasty picnic in the nearby Audubon Park.
DoAudubon and University Not mapped
Uptown Crescent City Farmers Market
Market with fresh produce and fresh prepared local dishes. Every Tuesday 9AM-1PM, University Square parking lot (formerly known as Uptown Square), 200 block of Broadway, near the riverfront, a couple blocks on the upriver side of Audubon Park.
DoPark
Louis Armstrong Park
Louis Armstrong Park is a 32-acre (130,000 m2) park located in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, just across Rampart Street from the French Quarter. In the 1960s a controversial urban renewal project leveled a substantial portion of the Tremé neighborhood adjacent to Congo Square. After a decade of debate, the City created the present-day park from that land.
DoFrench Quarter Not mapped
Carriage rides
Mule-drawn carriages have driven tourists around the Quarter since the gasoline rationing of the 1940s. Carriage drivers are licensed tour guides and give tourists a full blown tour consisting of a mix of history, architecture, restaurants & stories, though some drivers have been known to spin stories that are more colorful than factual. Available to tourists is a 30-minute tour of the French Quarter, hour tour of the St. Louis No.1 Cemetery/French Quarter combo, hour and one half or two hour Garden District tour, or any combination thereof. Carriage drivers also do bar-hopping tours, shopping by carriage, Marigny tours & ghost tours. There are several options from group rates 6-8 people to private tours for 1-4 people. Things have changed quite a bit in the carriage industry in the past 7 years! Drivers are more customer service oriented & courteous.
SeeFrench Quarter Not mapped
Chartres Street
Parallels Bourbon and Royal Streets, one block closer to the river than Royal. While less famous with visitors, those who enjoy historic architecture will find the city's greatest concentration of preserved colonial era buildings along Chartres, along with early 19th century town-houses. Plus it passes through Jackson Square. A pleasant walk with local shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars scattered along the street.
DoFrench Quarter Not mapped
Walking tours
Plentiful but often pricey. Most cost $10-20 per person, but there are a couple of good, free walking tours. Or you can simply walk and see all of the landmarks since most are labeled and you can go in and read about it yourself. Park rangers from the Jean Lafitte National Park (see above) offer a free walking tour of the French Quarter that is very informative. Space is very limited, and spots on the tour are only given out on the day of the tour at 9AM. You should try to show up at least half an hour early to reserve a spot. You'll learn the real history of New Orleans, which is often as colorful as the tall stories.
SeeHistoric site
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is a U.S. National Historical Park in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, near the French Quarter. It was created in 1994 to celebrate the origins and evolution of jazz. Most of the historical park property consists of 4 acres (16,000 m2) within Louis Armstrong Park leased by the National Park Service.
Wheelchair accessible
DrinkPubMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
Bayou Beer Garden
326 N Jefferson Davis Pkwy
SeeTremé
park service (Visitor Center)
419 Decatur St
SeeAttraction
New Orleans Botanical Gardens
The New Orleans Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located in City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana. The first classical garden in New Orleans, it was funded by the Works Progress Administration.
Tu-Su 10:00-16:30
DoPark
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Woldenberg Park is a park in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was created in the late 1980s on land that had been occupied by old wharves and warehouses along the Mississippi Riverfront, in the upper French Quarter, first opening as a park in October 1989. It is named after philanthropist Malcolm Woldenberg (1896–1982) who helped fund its construction.
Su-Th 06:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-00:00
EatLakeview and Lakeshore Not mapped
Landry's
Seafood with a view of Lake Pontchartrain.
Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to New Orleans (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).