On Gentilly Blvd near the Fair Grounds Racetrack, this sweet urban park features a HUGE swimming…read morepool that is FREE and open to anyone during certain times of the year. This year it will be closing for the last time on Sept. 4th. The park also has a jungle gym play area, several basket ball courts and lots of open area for kids to run around and play. The swimming pool is the fantastic and I am sad to report that even though I have lived within blocks of this place since the late 1980s, I went in for the first time this past week. What a mistake that was, I will take advantage of the MUCH more going forward.

love the pool. i live next door. so happy this exists. its clean and the lifeguards are on their…read moreshit.

I really enjoyed this pool club experience. My hotel didn't have a pool so I bought a pool pass for…read morethe day here. The pool passes cost about $25 except on Friday. It's $35. I ended up going on a Friday and to my surprise, it wasn't terribly overpacked. However, I did get there quite early just as they opened. I was disappointment that I was not allowed to have a lounge chair, I was only allowed to have a couch spot that was further from the pool. Other than that, I loved the decor, the drinks and apps. I appreciated that they offered free available water and clean restrooms. They even supplied nice towels so you don't need to bring one if you're on a day pass. It also had a beautiful rooftop view. I'd definitely go back.

So I had a gin lemon mocktail to start, which really just tasted like a sweet lemonade... But after…read morethat one I switched to alcohol drinks - they were so delicious! I got a Tally Me Banana m, which was really nicely balanced between bitter and sweet and a hint of citrus. And then I got a chocolate spicy orange frozen cocktail... I wish I could find it somewhere on their website but I couldn't-- because I would love to try to re-create this at home! The pool bar server that I had two nights in a row was really amazing. The chicken wings were pretty good too. But the vibes... All the vibes were so relaxing and they had a really great DJ on Sunday. Definitely check their website because they have live music regularly.

JCC Aqua Fit program has been declining for months. Suggestions by members to increase classes,…read moreupgrade equipment and replace instructors are ignored. Since the hiring of a new CEO a couple of months ago, several aqua fit classes have been canceled so the pool can be used for swim lessons for the child care center and summer camps. This has especially impacted the seniors who joined the JCC specifically for the low impact benefits of water aerobics. Since summer camps, swim lessons and pool parties generate significant income, It seems that the financial bottom line is more important than addressing membership in the "community center." Too bad, the aqua fit program affects at least 50 members who are the active adults who use the facility daily. Do not join for the aqua program right now. Hopefully we will be heard in the future and classes will be restored.

Re: COVID-19 operations and safety practices…read more I gotta slow clap for y'all because I am loving the new implementation of the appointments online and how serious the JCC is taking COVID-19. Members of JCC Uptown are able to book appointments up to three days in advance for one hour block sessions. Everyone has to wear a mask upon entry and get your temperature checked. Per their constant email communications all members must arrive ready to workout (lockers are only available for bathrooms so no showers or storage purposes) and bring in your own towel and water bottle. They allow no more than 7 people at a time in the cardio room and around 8/9 in the weights room. Within the cardio room every other machine is shut down to practice social distancing. You'll also find plenty of marked disinfected and used cleaning sprays so you can wipe your machine before and after. Their team also cleans the machines CONSTANTLY. Like I seriously would get off the cardio machine wipe it down, just to then see them wipe it down again themselves. I feel safe coming here and appreciate there isn't a crazy occupancy capacity happening right now. TAKE MY MONIES. *Just know you will have to sign a waiver the first time you initially go during COVID-19, because liability and lawsuits ya know...

This gym is fantastic! The first test of fitness is getting through the front door because that…read moredarn door takes so much force to push through! Anyways, once you are past that, it feels like stepping back in time--but with upgraded amenities and machines, of course. But I just absolutely adore the historic atmosphere. There are antique weights in a mini-museum in one of the large fitness rooms, the walls lined with vintage gym bro photos (I didn't see any muscle mamis tho...), and even a crystal chandelier! But like I mentioned, the amenities are all updated. There's a good-sized pool, both a sauna and steam room, and a nice sized locker room. The locker room has a bathing suit dryer! My favorite surprise was the cafe/lounge/bar area that's suitable for working, studying, reading, etc. They even have a women-only machine room--love that thoughtful, inclusive touch. You know what New Orleans doesn't have enough of? Tracks. Luckily, NOAC has an indoor track for those who don't like treadmills. They also have a jam-packed group fitness schedule that included improv and acting classes on Wednesday nights--where else do you find that at a gym?! It's probably an extra fee though. They have a Pilates reformer studio that isn't included in membership, apparently. Although it's in the quarter/downtown, they have plenty of nearby parking lots for members. I came on a buddy pass (you only get 6 a year), but my friend mentioned that members can bring their spouses for free on weekends. Only small downside: towels cost $1.50, but honestly, just bring your own. I am so tempted to join!

5 Stars "This place is like stepping into a fitness time…read moremachine -- in the BEST way!" I loved working out here! The New Orleans Athletic Club isn't just a gym -- it's a whole vibe. From the second you walk in, it feels like old-school charm meets modern-day motivation. The building itself is gorgeous -- think chandeliers, brick walls, and history dripping from every dumbbell. The weight room? Massive. The cardio section? Plenty of options. The pool? Stunning and feels like something Gatsby would've done laps in. And don't even get me started on the boxing ring -- I half-expected to see Rocky training in the corner. There's even a Turkish bath. Yes, a Turkish bath -- where else are you gonna find that? The people were super friendly, and there was this kind of unspoken camaraderie in the air -- everyone's working hard but also vibing with the beauty of the space. I got a killer workout and a mini history tour all in one. If you're in New Orleans and want to sweat in style -- this is the spot. 10/10 will be back (probably sore but smiling).

At Lost Coyote, you get spectacular food, wonderful vibes, a heated pool, and a furry friend…read more(Rosalita)! A combo that can't be beat if you ask me. I tried the shishito peppers, crawfish boil fried potatoes, red & golden beets, burrata with pepper jelly agrodolce, gulf fish, and fried pork chop Please don't be like me and wait to go here. Add it to your list *now* I'm embarrassed it took me so long to check it out. Expect to find me at Lost Coyote all the time, especially when we're back into peak pool season (although the pool is heated year round)

What a great spot! I was invited to a last minute brunch and wasn't clear on what the plan was but…read moreit turned out there was a burlesque show! Except that our reservations were 1st thing at 10am and the show wasn't scheduled until noon. The reservations included a small surcharge per person for the show. The drinks and food were delicious. I had the wanderer's call for my cocktail and it was delicious; I really appreciated there was a mocktail list too. And we shared an assortment of small plates, the deviled eggs and the cornbread were standouts. I love when you can make a humble dish like cornbread shine. I snitched a bite of the crab pasta from a friend and it was great. Service was top notch and the space is gorgeous. Unfortunately I had to duck out before the show but the photos and videos of my friends shenanigans made me very regretful that I did.

This pool COULD be amazing. It's in an historic and beautiful location, and it's a very pretty…read morespace. That said, with the extremely limited time it's open coupled with the useless employees that work there (aside from a lifeguard or two that actually care about their jobs), this pool leaves much to be desired. There is generally at any given time, not less than three "employees" sitting in folding chairs texting. When it opens in June, the place is pristine, but the dressing rooms and bathrooms are never cleaned, so as the previous poster mentioned, by August they smell like pee, are covered in refuse, and are generally unusable. The pool area is generally well-maintained, however. Verdict: Nice pool, but terrible dressing rooms/bathrooms. Wear your bathing suit under your clothes and bypass the dressing area completely. Only go in the bathroom if it's an emergency.

I concur with the prior poster that the pool is awesome in a lot of ways. However, by mid-August,…read morethe place was trashed. The facilities had no running water: no showers, no sinks, and no flushing toilets. The toilets themselves were stuffed with all manner of refuse, and the dressing rooms reeked of urine. It's too bad that a few feral New Orleanians wrecked the place for everyone.

My son goes here for swimming lessons and so far is been great!…read moreGood location and very clean pool.

My kids have grown up here. The members are our extended family, not just other members of the…read moreclub. The kids have enjoyed both the swim and dive teams, and 2 of my kids have moved onto coaching for the club while 2 are still participating. Turns out this is a tradition at Sunrise. Beautiful pools and there are 2 large pools with one reserved for adults only! The kids have a blast, but I have as much fun as them!

Definitely giving a Palm Springs vibe! Very cool workers,…read moreand also my favorite place to get my tan on! 100% recommend this place everyone! Food is also very delicious!

This place is cute! I love a good pool party, and even though this one was in January and it was…read morecold, they had heaters outside to keep everyone warm. The food was good, I had the shrimp roll, and the drinks were even better. I tried a few items from the menu, and the drinks were tasty and strong. The DJ was great, and they even had a sketch artist drawing portraits, which was such a fun touch. I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite spots in the spring. Between the food, drinks, and the pool, I might just be there every weekend!

What a great addition to the Audubon Zoo! This was my first time to see the venue after hearing…read moreabout it for a while. The lazy river is artfully done, giving a nod to Louisiana wildlife and nature areas. There are a lot of skillful and friendly lifeguards around the area. There are several different food pavilions, restrooms, locker areas, and areas to sit. There is also a fun water slide, giving homage to the infamous alligators with albinism who have taken residence at the Zoo and Aquarium over the years. This would be a fun place to relax with your kids during one of the summer sessions. My friends and I attending the adults-only Sip and Dip event held on Fridays during the summer. It was very affordable for a private cabana for six with early access. Be sure to reserve your tickets for the event early online as it does sell out. It got a bit crowded toward the end, and they did run out of regular floats, though some preferred the thick floating noodles offered. Every Friday night has a different theme, so there is something for everyone. They bring in Dickie Brennans for the bar, and they were wonderful with decently priced drinks and quality alcohol. They were also creating with the mocktails. I certainly will return for another Sip and Dip either later this summer, if able, or next year. Absolutely worth it!

Four stars for Cool Zoo's beautiful grounds and water features that are artfully rendered. Two and…read morea half stars for Sip & Dip. Five stars for the incredibly friendly staff. My first time at Cool Zoo was for the adults-only Friday night party, Sip & Dip. This event is 2X a month during the heart of the summer and features theme nights with DJs and of course since this is NOLA, people get creative and might dress in theme. I went on 80s night and the music was so fun and I loved people wearing neon, 80s tshirts and even hair and make-up. Refreshments stands are spread out among the park and they do a themed cocktail and sell beer, hard seltzer and soft drinks, along with typical concession food and popcorn. I had the cocktail of the evening, the Purple Rain and while it was eye-catching, it was so sweet and possibly strong, too, that I couldn't drink more than 1/4 of it (and it's a huge cup, fairly priced at only $13). The grounds are beautiful with fountains and an area with slides and water features that you'd normally see children dominating (with perfectly good reason) but it was actually fun to see adults having at it on the slides and at the water sprayers. Then there's the lazy river, which is a decent size, warm and full of jets to move you along. We ended up not using flotation devices and swam/walked through it. My main issue and why this event isn't personally my cup of tea: it's too crowded. It sells out but I think they sell far too many tickets. We arrived 15 min after it started and there wasn't a lounge chair nor seat at a table to be found. Cabanas are so cheap here but they sell out immediately ahead of the event, likely the day that tickets go on sale. The only way I'd return was if I could get a cabana. The lazy river is completely packed 45 minutes into the event. We were lucky enough to get a locker (which also sell out so imagine being there without a space to put your things??? how is that fun?). People are in general nice enough to hand over the inner tubes but good luck ever getting a place to sit if you didn't line up in advance of start time. I keep going back between 3 and 4 stars for the main reason that everyone who works here is SO nice. The staff really made everything bearable for me, as they were so welcoming and helpful to point out where the lockers were (there's another set behind the set you initially encounter). I just think this isn't the event for anyone who avoids crowds of people. And the crowd that was there that night were totally fine (at least early in the evening). They just sell too many tickets for me to enjoy it.