Top Rated Parks to Visit in Boutte

"In the 1960s a big chunk of the Tremé neighbourhood, across Rampart Street from the French Quarter, was razed to make way for the 32-acre Louis Armstrong Park. Tremé had a crucial role in the development of African American music, and Congo Square, preserved in the park, was its epicentre. Slaves were given the day off on Sundays from 1724, and from 1817 until the 1850s this space was a gathering point where a multitude of African dances and musical styles collided with European genres and instrumentation."

"In Louis Armstrong Park, Congo Square was a Sunday gathering spot for enslaved Africans under the French Code Noir. For one day of the week, they could sing the songs and practice the cultural traditions of their ancestral home. This was the groundwork of a uniquely New Orleanian link to the continent of Africa, and much of the city's most iconic food, music and culture has been built on that foundation."

"This park pays tribute to one of the Big Easy’s most esteemed legends, Louis Armstrong. The park is all about art, jazz, and music, featuring different events throughout the year at the historic Congo Square. It’s only a block from the jazz-inspired Hotel St. Pierre; so grab your food and find a peaceful spot among the trees, or spread out a blanket along the banks of the lagoon."

"Located slightly northwest of the French Quarter, City Park is a huge park and Botanical Garden to explore. The Park is full of the best things to do in New Orleans, especially if you’re looking for a more chilled out day. From carousels and statues (which you’ll find in the Storyland section) to stunning walks, it’s totally gorgeous and well worth a visit."

"In City Park twirling amongst the Spanish Moss Though all of the above are fantastic options for your New Orleans itinerary, here are a few more:"

"Until 2014, the banks of the Mississippi River bordering the city's downtown Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods were essentially unwalkable. The city invested in a large renovation program that's transformed unsightly, post-industrial wasteland into a lovely riverside park. Crescent Park is a mile-and-a-half long and feels very much like a local spot; you're unlikely to find Mardi Gras-beaded tourists here."

"This 1.4-mile, 20-acre urban park on the riverfront offers landscaped gardens, a dog park, walking paths, public restrooms, swings, and panoramic downtown views. Don't miss the David Adjaye-designed Piety Street Bridge, a pedestrian walkway that rises above active railroad tracks to connect the river with the Bywater community. A post shared by BJ Knights (@bj_knights) on Sep 5, 2016 at 8:32am PDT"

"Finally, head to Crescent Park for a beautiful sunset view of the city, and after the sun goes down venture over to Frenchmen Street for some live jazz and blues. While tourists tend to visit Bourbon Street, you’ll see more locals on Frenchmen. For tonight’s live music, check out this listing by the local radio station."

"Previously called Upper City Park, Audubon Park is located across from Tulane University. Audubon dates to the 1800’s. Audubon was originally part of the Bore Family Plantation."

"Formerly the plantation of Etienne de Boré, the father of the granulated-sugar industry in Louisiana, this large, lush patch of greenery…"

"Arcing around the east bank of the Mississippi opposite Algiers Point is a riverside park laid out in the 1980s and 90s on the site of former wharves and warehouses. Woldenberg Park fronts the French Quarter and is bordered to the south by the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Entergy Giant Screen Theater. During the French Quarter Festival in early April the main stages are put up in Woldenberg Park."

"For a day of exploring in the French Quarter, Woldenberg Park is an essential stop. Located right where the Quarter meets the mighty Mississippi, the park begins at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and runs along the water to St. Philip Street. Picnic spots, gazebos, and waterfront benches provide some of the city’s best views of the river."

"For example, at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park is a 16-acre park in front of downtown near everything. Woldenberg Riverfront Park is a wonderful place to go jogging or picnic. You’ll find people playing their music in the park."

"The Courturie Forest is another gem you can experience in City Park. Located not far from Scout Island, the trails through this park take you away from the manicured lawns and giant oak trees into a much more wild area along a waterway that is full of birds and turtles. Also located in the Couturie Forest is Laborde Mountain."

"Outside of New Orleans East, Couturie is the wildest natural space in the city. A series of paths wind through acres of Louisiana hardwood forest and lead to the highest point in the city: Laborde Mountain, towering at 43 feet over the surrounding park. When to go to New Orleans"

"Bourbon Street is a little overdone as a New Orleans tourist go-to, but some must-see gems that are worth visiting remain. One of them is the Musical Legends Park, which is a small park showcasing the musical and cultural background of New Orleans, Louisiana, teeming with a rich heritage. Throughout the park, there are life-sized, intricately made statues in bronze of many famous local musicians."

"What is particularly noteworthy on Bourbon Street is New Orleans Musical Legends, a cozy park with live jazz music flowing daily. There’s outdoor seating available for you to enjoy the music and it’s connected to Café Beignet (the BEST beignets), if you’d like a snack along with your musical enjoyment."

"One of the most popular spaces for public gatherings along Bourbon Street that doesn't involve the usual tourist schlock and frozen hurricanes. Free jazz sets are performed every day from 10 a.m. till close, and families congregate here to enjoy them."

"If you need to take a break in between exploring some of the historic architecture in Algiers Point, this unique community-centered playground is perfect for kids between two to five years old. A post shared by Sarah Kelly Adams (@iwearmyheartonmyback) on Nov 9, 2016 at 8:17am PST"

"Every fourth Sunday of the month, the Arts Council of New Orleans puts on the Arts Market of New Orleans, an excellent juried arts market at Palmer Park, located just off of Carrollton Ave. There you’ll find some of the city’s local creative talent, as well as kid-friendly music and activities. Alligators have been known to take up residence in Wetland Park in New Orleans © Justin Foulkes / Lonely Planet"

"Annual festivals, events, concerts, filming and fun filled activities are held there. It is the home of the Palmer Park Arts Market which takes place on the last Saturday of every month. This market sells arts, crafts, food, and more."

"Congo Square is located within Louis Armstrong Park, just north of the French District. It is a location steeped in history as the the enslaved of New Orleans would gather here on their day off to set up a market, sing, dance, and play music. There isn’t much here now, but the tiles and tress make for an interesting composition steeped in untold history."

"Inside, there are iconic sites like Congo Square, a historic meeting place for slaves in the 1800s. There are also sculptures, a duck pond and plenty of green space where you can relax after spending your morning walking around the city."

"Set in a renovated home with an outdoor deck on funky Freret Street, Origami has line-up of specialty rolls with topical (and dated?) names like FEMA roll, chocolate city roll, and bye-bye Katrina roll, the latter including layers of smelt roe, cucumber, eel, and shrimp tempura wrapped in tender soy paper, and garnished with snow crab and a drizzle of sweet and salty eel sauce. The fish is pristine and chopped with the kind of expertise that comes from years of experience. Six oyster shooters with spicy ponzu sauce for $6.95 is a deal."

"While from the outside it may look like your average home, Origami is far from ordinary. The menu is extremely versatile– from a poke salad with chili ponzu sauce to seafood gumbo to crawfish sushi. The prices are very reasonable, making it perfect for a night out with friends."

"Located near the AMC Elmwood Palace movie theater in an inconspicuous strip mall, the casual and colorful Kyoto 2 delivers consistently fresh seafood in generous servings. The best deal of all is the chirashi lunch special — a heaping bowl of fresh fish over fresh daikon radish and sushi rice for under $15. It’s big enough to split."

"Amazing value with their lunch roll combo, the noodle salad is a delicious starter, good service, and an overall friendly and warm atmosphe..."

"The retro-industrial vibes of this cafe make it a cosy place to chow down on some of NOLA’s best vegan food. The menu is cute and creative, divided into two sections, “good cat” or “bad cat,” depending on how healthy you’re feeling. We recommend their vegan quesadillas with a side of one of their delicious juices."

"Bearcat is a nice, beautiful space: From the outside, it looks really modern, and inside there’s a lot of windows, so it’s bright and open, and you feel good. The restaurant attracts mostly a college-age crowd, and older—not a lot of kids. It’s got table service, and they do brunch every day."

"Bearcat Cafe is a full service cafe located in Uptown New Orleans. They put a strong emphasis on “inclusion,” which particularly extends to their menu. On this menu you can find a pancake perfect for anyone… such as Gluten free, Vegan and Paleo friendly pancakes!"

"A solid spot for Cajun and southern dishes, Eat serves chef Jarred Zeringue’s take on hogs head cheese with andouille chips, crawfish pie, gumbo, blackened catfish, deviled eggs, and barbecue shrimp. Open for lunch and dinner most weekdays, with brunch served on Saturdays and Sundays."

"Smoked chicken salad is made with spring greens, boiled egg, avocado, Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse bacon, blue cheese and blue cheese dressing. Reservations recommended. Dinner Tue.-Sat., brunch Fri-Sun."

"Thai hot is only for the very brave at Suko Thai, a Thai eatery with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and dishes some of the best Thai cuisine in town in a setting that will soothe and delight. Everything is good, from the pad Thai to curries as fiery as you like and stir fries perfumed with Thai basil. Service is most accommodating and gluten free is the order of the day, since flour isn't a common ingredient in Thai cooking."

"Drunken Noodles, Dirty Noodles, Rad Da Noodles, Pad Thai and more - the carb overload is well worth it at Sukho Thai. In addition to their expansive noodle selection, this authentic Thai eatery offers a range of wok dishes, curries, vegan options and gluten-free choices. With locations in Uptown New Orleans and the Marigny, paying a visit to Sukho Thai is as convenient as it is delicious."

"2200 Royal St., (504) 948-9309; 4519 Magazine St., (504) 373-6471; www.sukhothai-nola.com. Pineapple seafood curry includes shrimp in red coconut curry with pineapple, bell pepper, broccoli, zucchini and sweet basil."

"Silk Road has come a long way since the days when it was a ramshackle neighborhood joint called Schiro's. Situated in the Marigny rectangle, the newly renovated restaurant, with its eye-popping art and handsome bar, is a hidden gem, polished beyond expectation. Chef Ganesh Ayyengar pays homage to his homeland with red curries from the South of India, along with spicy vindaloos popular in the west and tikka masala creamy with ghee."

"Silk Road is an Indian restaurant in the Marigny neighbourhood and is part of Balcony Guest House, the lovely B&B I had the pleasure of staying at. Their locally-sourced menu is full of vegetarian options – if I were you I’d definitely try one of their sumptuous curries. Oh, and they currently host free wine tastings every Thursday evening from 6-9 pm with live acoustic jazz and great specials!"