Top Rated Parks to Visit in New Orleans

"You could take a New Orleans river cruise on the Steamboat Natchez, grab a drink at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, visit Louis Armstrong Park, or take a class at the New Orleans school of cooking, to name a few. Better yet, for the best of both worlds, choose a half day tour option from among the most popular New Orleans day trips and spend the other half of your last day back in New Orleans."

"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."

"Just outside of the French Quarter is Louis Armstrong Park, a public space honoring the jazz musician it was named after. 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."

"This sprawling 1,300-acre masterpiece is one of the largest urban parks in the country, with a history reaching back over 170 years. Featuring an assortment of green spaces, massive oak trees, lagoons, and more, you’ll find a variety of atmospheres for your picnic. There are also numerous attractions within the park, including sculpture gardens, an amusement park, botanical gardens, bike trails, surrey and boat rentals, and the New Orleans Museum of Art, just to name a few."

"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:"

"Founded in 1854, this 1,300-acre expanse of moss-draped oaks and 11 miles of gentle lagoons is just 2 miles from the French Quarter,…"

"In a bold move to reclaim New Orleans’ Riverfront, the development plan for this park began in 2007 as a public space project for both locals and tourists. Now anyone can enjoy a view of the city skyline that was previously reserved for those that worked on the river or in the wharves. The award-winning park can be accessed via elevator or by walking across one of several bridges that step over the city’s flood protection and rail tracks and connect the riverfront with the adjacent neighborhoods."

"In the French Market District, Crescent Park is a linear park, 1.4 miles long beside the Mississippi. You can get there by crossing the levee and railway via the “rusty bridge”. On the water there’s a supreme view west to the French District and Central Business District, accompanied by lots of public art, a series of mixed-use pavilions, native landscaping and paths for cyclists and pedestrians."

"This park was created in 2014, when a formerly derelict area of the city near the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods was targeted for redevelopment. The park runs along the river; it is 1.4 miles long and is spread out over 20 acres. The main attraction in the park, apart from the pleasant green spaces, is the Piety Street Bridge."

"The refined Uptown park around Audubon Zoo is a bit older, having been landscaped in the 1880s on what used to be a plantation and staging area for Buffalo Soldiers in the Civil War. If you’re mesmerised by New Orleans’ twisting live oaks you’ll love Audubon Park, which has trees that go back to its plantation days. Before this space could be laid out by the eminent John Charles Olmsted, it hosted the World Cotton Centennial of 1884, a world’s fair."

"A scenic ride through Uptown on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line takes you right to the park’s entrance. Stunning oak trees draped with Spanish moss, tranquil lagoons, and sprawling green lawns can be found in every corner of the park, along with exciting attractions like the Audubon Trail Golf Course and Audubon Zoo. This natural space dates back to 1898, and its beautiful landscape draws visitors and locals alike."

"Louisiana is a state that is famous for its waterways and bayous, and New Orleans is no exception to the rule. Fronting the French Quarter is one of the best riverside parks in the city – Woldenberg Park. Originally the location of warehouses and wharves on the east bank of the Mississippi, the site was retooled in the 1980s and 1990s into a 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."

"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"

"This little green sliver in the Lower 9th Ward map is a developing green infrastructure project that both holds excess water and provides a natural breath of fresh air in the midst of the city. The 1.5-acre park is peppered with ponds, native tupelo and bald cypress trees and attractive landscaping. Wetland birds and an alligator have taken up residence, perhaps awaiting the time the park expands into a planned 42-acre natural reserve."

"The Mississippi River is a very prominent part of New Orleans, so you have to get a picture along its banks. My favorite spot is just south of Jackson Square where you can get a nice shot of the Crescent City Connection Bridge in the background. This shot below was late in the day we arrived after a long flight."

"At the very heart of the French Quarter on Bourbon Street there’s a paved courtyard park celebrating New Orleans’ musical giants with plaques, artwork and other commemorative displays. Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Chris Owens, Al Hirt and Louis Prima are all honoured here, among others. A constant stream of musicians put on free performances in this laid-back environment with lots of shade, and you can grab coffee and a Cajun speciality like crawfish omelette at Cafe Beignet."

"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."

"If you want a place that is surrounded by musical history, then the Musical Legends Park should be on your list. Sit and sip on a drink and eat some beignets while you listen to live music. Artists display their artwork around the park."

"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."

"Riverwalk Marketplace is the premier retail attraction in New Orleans and is home to the city's unique sights, tastes and sounds. With the best selection of nationally-known and locally-loved shops like Brookstone, Clarks, Gap, The Body Shop , ...[Learn more]"

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Are you looking for a mall with fewer crowds?. Cypress Plaza Shopping Center is relatively smaller and only houses a few shops, making the shopping experience here more relaxed."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Algiers Plaza (@algiersplaza) on Feb 19, 2020 at 7:47am PST"

"Between po-boys and gumbos, you might be craving a pizza one time or another during your trip. Don’t worry, we’ve found one of the best restaurants in New Orleans to find pizza!. Wit’s Inn is a sport bar and pizza atmosphere, meaning you need to be 21 or over to enter, so this one is perfect for date night out!"

"A barbecued chicken pizza includes an herb sauce base, mushrooms, bell peppers, red onions, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, jalapenos and barbecue sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily, brunch Sat.-Sun."

"Built in 1883, the Columns offers a gorgeous Victorian setting, a stellar bar (order a Ramos gin fizz) and a reputation among locals for serving a most genteel Sunday brunch. Friday, Saturday and Sunday The Columns opens up the lovely Victorian dining room at 11 am. Within minutes, it is filled with "in the know" locals, coming to feast on shrimp & grits, eggs Benedict or jumbo lump crab cake."

"Grab a drink at the historic Columns Hotel overlooks St. Charles Avenue. The romantic Victorian Lounge features a mahogany bar and classic fifteen-foot ceilings. Open Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m."

"A classic upscale steakhouse in Old Gretna since 1963, the dinner menu here brings the prices one would expect in such a setting, but the weekday lunch specials bring two-course meals of stunningly high quality for $10.95. Choose from a starter of excellent turtle soup, seafood gumbo, soup of the day, or a fresh salad, followed by six entrees that include slow-cooked boiled beef brisket with cabbage, carrots, new potatoes, and horseradish sauce; and a boneless pork rib-eye glazed with Steen’s cane syrup and fig reduction with yam mash, and haricots verts. 1036 Lafayette St., Gretna, 367-0935, theredmaple.com."

"1036 Lafayette St., Gretna, (504) 367-0935; www.theredmaple.com. Grilled redfish Pontchartrain is topped with crabmeat and served with sherry mushroom cream sauce and haricots verts. Reservations recommended."

"Riverwalk Marketplace is the premier retail attraction in New Orleans and is home to the city's unique sights, tastes and sounds. With the best selection of nationally-known and locally-loved shops like Brookstone, Clarks, Gap, The Body Shop , ...[Learn more]"

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. If you’re a self-confessed shopaholic, a trip to McArthur Shopping Center on MacArthur Blvd is something you shouldn’t miss. This shopping destination seems to have everything: bakeries, restaurants, clothing stores, and salons."