Top Rated Parks to Visit in Storyville

"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."

"New Orleans, Louisiana, isn’t particularly known for being lush with greenery. That’s probably why Louis Armstrong Park is one of the top green tourist attractions that New Orleans has to offer. It’s close to the teeming French Quarter so isn’t far displaced from the cultural aspects of the city, and with a huge 32-acre space, it’s often become the home of events and festivals."

"The iconic gate entrance to City Park is directly across from the famous Ralph’s on the Park. City Park, the largest park in New Orleans, contains 1,300-acres of land and is home to live oaks that are over 800 years old. The Carousel Gardens, a fun filled amusement park for kids and adults, contains a 100-year-old Carousel (flying horses as they are called by New Orleanians)."

"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:"

"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"

"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."

"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."

"This spectacular oasis in the middle of NOLA’s uptown area features multiple picnic spots, playgrounds, a jogging trail, riding stables, a golf course, and more. It stretches from St. Charles Avenue (making it an easy trip on the streetcar) to Magazine Street, and right across Magazine, you’ll find the impressive Audubon Zoo."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"You may very well hear this tree before you see it: a massive live oak in the middle of City Park. The Singing Oak is an art installation by artist Jim Hart that features wind chimes measuring as long as 14 feet. Part of the charm of The Singing Oak is just finding it."

"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."

"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."

"Whether you want a chocolate cake for a special occasion or to satisfy a sweet tooth, Heavenly Sweets will not disappoint. Their decadent chocolate cake is a must-try the next time you’re looking for a special treat."

"Bittersweet Confections is a chocoholics dream, with owner and local chocolatier Cheryl Scripter steering the ship. The signature Bittersweet cake combines moist chocolate cake with creamy chocolate mousse, topping it all with dark chocolate ganache and handcrafted truffles. Vanilla, strawberry shortcake, and red velvet are a few other options."

"Well known for its chocolate confections (including a to-die-for chocolate king cake during Carnival), Bittersweet Confection also offers fresh-baked bagels, biscuits, scones, muffins, and croissants. Have a craving outside the area?. Fear not -- the bakery recently opened a second location in the food hall/community center St. Roch Market."

"At the French market you can get a small individualized King Cake complete with the toy baby for good luck!. This tiny cake was the perfect size for the 4 of us to share."

"3524 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 455-2266; www.riccobonospeppermill.com. Sauteed veal Josephine is topped with lump crabmeat and shrimp and served with brabant potatoes. Reservations accepted."