Very peaceful way to watch the river and all of the traffic on the water. Parking is free and very easy to navigate. The kids can run around and play while taking in a picnic. The road was very bumpy but overall it was a great place! read more

The Fly is a locals retreat from the touristy parts of town. I've been going here since I was a wee tot with my bros and parents just to hang, play frisbee, ride my bike, watch the intramural soccer games, picnics and more. It's a peaceful space where families come to gather for birthdays, holidays or just because. Sunsets here are unmatched. I love coming to the fly with lunch or a snowball. Watching the river barges float by is an underrated pastime. read more

Beautiful, peaceful, and super romantic. The river views, open green space, and sunset make it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the moment. Perfect for couples and quiet vibes. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Didn't get to go but staff on the phone were pleasant and helpful If I ever end back here I will try to go

The Fly is such a peaceful spot in New Orleans to relax and take in the views. Watching the sunset by the river is a highlight -- the colors are stunning and make for a great place to unwind. There's plenty of open space to picnic, walk, or just sit back and enjoy the calm atmosphere. It's one of those local gems where you can slow down and appreciate nature right in the city. read more

Beautiful place to watch the sunset in Audubon Park. Nicknamed "The Fly" for a butterfly shaped viewing area that no longer exists, it is a very popular place to relax, have a picnic or fly a kite. Plenty of parking. So relaxing to watch the ships go by or watch the migrating birds. Bring a stadium chair or a beach blanket. Perfect way to end a nice day in New Orleans. read more

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What an awesome park. Tons of parking and grassy areas to hangout, all along the riverfront. Bring your blanket, snacks, and friends. read more

The Fly - Beautiful view - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The fly is one of my favorite places to watch sunset. There is a huge stretch of grass for people to picnic, set up an game of pong, etc. and watch the sun set over the mississippi river. It's normally pretty busy most nights of the week, but there is a ton of space for people to go and there is plenty of parking. You have to cross the train tracks to get there so beware of getting stuck behind the train because they are longgggg. read more

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Had the chance to check out The Fly for the first time since moving here and I must say I genuinely enjoyed my time. The entrance is closer to the zoo as a point of reference. There's plenty of parking but just know that it's a one way road which isn't a big deal. Plenty of space to bring a blanket, drinks, your fur baby, and lounge with friends. It's a very relaxing environment and I'm certain I'll be here for a crawfish boil or two. Didn't have the chance to fully explore everything as I stayed near the front half of the area but I'm certain I'll get the chance to explore more each time I go back. read more

I love the Fly as many New Orleanians do. It is the perfect place to get a breath of fresh air. Right by the river, you can sit and watch the boats go past. It is a popular spot during sunset because it is a gorgeous view. It is a great place for a picnic, spike ball and frisbee, eating messy crawfish, reading a book, taking pictures, the best of the outdoors. I have also done fishing here and have caught catfish! So if you are into that, I would recommend driving further down the Fly and you are sure to find other people fishing as well. Remember to bring a net to haul your catch up onto the bank. It can be crowded on the weekends especially during sunset as almost everyone wants to come and enjoy the view. But don't let that deter you. You can go further down the bank to find a less crowded area. read more

Nothing really announces the presence of this riverside park behind Audubon Zoo. The entrance is really just the bus turn-off, and this place is less ostentatious than the zoo or the inland park. That being said, it has plenty of parking and one of the few riverside spots where one can watch a sunset. Plenty of people picnic there as well. Any local involved in kids' sports must know where it is, because a substantial complex of various fields and courts lies past the riverside viewing area. Besides the river and the sky, you'll get a nice view of ships and trains going by. The city is not known for its natural spaces, but the Fly is worth checking out. read more

Enjoy some green space and hang out with your friends at the fly! I know this place is no secret, but I always feel like it is when I'm here. Watching boats go by and basking in the sun with my legs dangling off the edge, i feel very peaceful when I'm here. Bring your own food and drink, and a picnic blanket if you want to stay awhile. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The fly has always been a great place to cookout, exercise or even eat lunch. When I was younger, my family spent many weekends at the park located in the fly and just sitting along the river watching barges go by. There is a baseball/softball field, space to play soccer and a few places to fish. What is also nice about this place is that it is located right behind Audubon zoo. Great spot to chill out or hang with friends and family. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The Fly is one of my favorite public areas in the city. There are large fields where you can play or watch sports, but the real reason to come to the Fly is the river. I can't think of an area in the city that has this much unspoiled riverfront space, other than possibly Woldenburg Park. The difference at the Fly is that the river seems less spoiled since it is further from the city center. I realize that may not make much sense, but I have always found the river at the Fly to be far more relaxing than the river downtown. I have very fond memories of both places, but the Fly always wins out. One of my favorite things to do here is sit on one of the many riverfront benches, or in one of the gazebos and watch the river. It does get crowded on the weekend so I recommend coming mid day during the week. If you must come on a weekend, I suggest coming to watch the river after a marathon bar and drinking night. Just make sure you avoid falling in and be prepared for stares from the joggers. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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What a perfect spot for a picnic! Between the levee and the river, is this little nest of picnic area, exercise area and fields for the sports balls. It is right behind the zoo, in a tucked away spot that is in the city, yet you feel a million miles away. This spot is a great spot for watching fireworks on the West Bank during prime firework time. My favorite time is the fall when it is cooling off and not hotter than hades. Bring a blanket, hand sanitizer and your own toilet paper. Wear comfortable shoes and something cool to drink. It is easy to consider a simple time, away from the traffic and hubbub of the city and consider you have no issues at all. It is a great way to get out of town without leaving. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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My buddies used to hang out here on Saturdays and Sundays. Many many of them. I somehow manage to only make it a couple of times. Usually because I was too hungover to move, wait I mean I was manically studying, yes that's right, hitting those books! Anyway, weather permitting, this is a lovely place to tow along some blankets, dogs, frisbees, lawn chairs, and coolers of adult beverages. There's shade here and there and benches - possibly a pretty place for a photoshoot too? It's soothing to just sit back and watch the cargo and barges slug on by, the throngs of college kids progressive get drunker and drunker, louder and louder. Actually the bit about the rowdy college kids isn't all that soothing, but it's amusing at least. Anyway, it's nice and easily accessible for you Uptown folks, so if you need some respite from your "studies" - do check it out for yourself. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The Fly is a great little gem for anyone looking for a nice spot to catch the sunset. The entrance to The Fly is closer to Audobon Zoo. There's plenty of parking available - I've gone several times and have never had any issues finding a spot. There are also public bathrooms to use that are maintained pretty well. The Fly is a great place to have a picnic, play some games with friends, people watch, etc. There's always lots of dogs around too which makes the overall experience very enjoyable. There's a walkway to run/walk on and it connects easily to the rest of Audobon Park. You could also run on the levee, which also starts here. Some of my most perfect days in New Orleans have been at The Fly and would definitely recommend to anyone looking to spend a nice, relaxing day outdoors. There's also very few tourists around which is another plus! read more

This place is one of my favorite New Orleans hang outs. Whether it be a soccer game for my son, a picnic or a walk along the Mississippi, The Fly is a great place to go on beautiful day. There use to be way more locals BBQing, but since the early 2000s it has been taken over by college student in the weekend. Not such a big deal, but you have to watch out for drunks who drive like they're on the highway. Especially with the soccer complex nearby. read more

The Fly is a nice little park behind Audubon Zoo. Entrance isn't obvious for a first-timer. Just act like you're going to the front of the zoo along the right side of the parking lot and keep driving over the levee and railway. Product: N/A Service: N/A, unless you count security and the cleaning crews, but they rarely interact with people using the area. I'd like to see them empty trash more and clean the restrooms more often. (let's say 3 stars) Facilities: This is really a nice little park. From my understanding, it is publicly owned but managed by the Audubon Zoological Society. There is plenty of open green space, a smattering of tree shade, a newly-renovated public restroom building, and some permanent pavilions. There are soccer and baseball fields. Also, there is a small open-air amphitheater. Parking is ample for most days, but it can get crowded for holidays in the warmer months. The view of the Mississippi River is probably the best in town. There is a walkway right along the banks, with bench seating along the length. As noted earlier, there are pavilions here--right over the river. I find the seating nice, but the cover isn't great for protection from rain or sun. There is one large pavilion where the riverboat used to stop, but I don't think the dock is used any longer. Anyway, the large pavilion is hot real-estate, and is often taken by someone on weekends early in the morning, unless the weather is horrible. The only major downside is that one is at the mercy of the New Orleans Public Belt railroad for entrance/exit to the park. (4 stars) Overall: Probably my favorite park in New Orleans. There aren't many amenities, but I don't really care about that when going to a park---you make your own outdoors fun. As long as there are restrooms accessible, it doesn't really matter. (4 stars) read more

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**GET YOUR RIVER FIX IN A QUIET PARK** Grab a blanket. Grab the Kindle. If it's hot, grab the bikini. Relax in front of the lazy river. Watch the people: college kids, young couples, and older folks. Frisbees, dogs, coolers, lawn chairs. It was that kind of place. Truly delightful. RECOMMEND. read more

This park is such a wonderful spot. Feels like one of those secrets you discover when you're willing to explore a little. It's a stretch of grass and a concrete pavement over a stretch of the river. Perfect to lounge with your partner, your kids or your pup. The view is beautiful, the breeze feels great, and the park is situated right along a bike trail that will take you further along the river. Only rated 4 stars because the lack of bike racks to lock bikes up is a real shame. That didn't give us enough freedom to leave our bikes and walk around as we pleased. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I remember the first time I went to the Fly like it was yesterday. It was senior skip day and my entire class came out here to hang out. It was pretty funny bc I remember wearing a leather jacket and got annoyed bc a bird pooped on me (which is supposedly is good luck but I think that's what people say bc they feel bad that a bird pooped on ya!) hehe. Anywho, I'm not going to tell you how long ago I was in high school bc suffice to say it was a long time ago. The Fly has come a long way since then! Now it has these fancy schmancy (and yes that is the technical term) tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields etc. Plus it has shelters, bathrooms and just an awesome place to have a picnic with friends and family. The last few times I've come out here one of my gf's has had crawfish boils out here which was awesome. Btw, you may want to bring your own tp and hand sanitizer bc when it's crowded during the summertime those two things run out in the bathrooms! It's a great park, it's next to Audubon Zoo and near Audubon Park as well! The advantage of this park is to be on the water which is always soothing! Happy park enjoying! read more

If you took field trips to Audubon Zoo (and if you're local, I'm guessing you did) this was the place to trek with your classmates and teacher for that picnic lunch before heading back to school. I did that many times when I was younger. And it makes perfect sense. Lots of shady oak trees, plenty of picnic tables, a great view of the River. It's the obvious choice. Some things never change and that's not a bad thing at all. Not long ago my daughter had a field trip to the zoo and here's where we brought our lunches to enjoy watching the boats going down the River, shaded by the oak trees and giving our legs a rest from the workout the zoo always gives you. The Fly is a nice place to enjoy a picnic with your kids, classmates or even a date. It's pretty, pretty, pretty. Go check it out! read more

The southern bend of Audubon Park offers almost nautical views of the Mississippi, which gives it a special air. You might as well round off your visit of the park with this pretty area. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I like The Fly but I can't give it 4 or 5 star status because that would be saying it's on par with Audobon and City Parks. It's not but it doesn't need to be. The Fly is a chill little park located directly behind Audobon Zoo on the river. There are several soccer fields and softball/baseball diamonds that seem to be reserved most of the time. There is a huge field that is big enough to start you own game or just frolic in the grass. (I love the fact that I just used the word frolic) The Fly's greatest attribute is it's view of the river. A perfect place to sit back, drink your favorite adult bevarage and watch the sun go down or the boats pass by. I also like how the The Fly is the start of the 25 mile bike path along the levee, I park here whenever I decide to don my Spandex and go for a stroll. The one major flaw at The Fly is the bathroom.....it's grody to the max! read more

Wow! The new sports areas are amazing! Went out last night to catch my niece's soccer game and I couldn't believe how that end of the park was transformed. A great addition to an already good space. Now if we just could do something about the extreme leash laws...my 13 yr old dog isn't wandering away or going to do anything besides collapse. read more

LOVE this place! Great place to bring your picnic lunch, set up a barbecue or a boil, and pass out in the sun from the yummy food. I love watching the boats/ships float/chug/paddle its way up and down the river. Things that would make this place better: Garbage cans with lids to keep birds and other animals out, and to keep the trash in (the wind blows a lot of it around). read more

The Fly is one of my very favorite places to go in New Orleans. I happened upon this gem by accident when I was walking the big loop around Audobon Park, but it was the middle of July and GOOD GOD IT WAS HOT so we just ran (err...slumped) away to the nearest air conditioning unit. Several months later, when the humidity had dimmed, my neighbor, a New Orleans native with an uncanny knowledge of all things awesome, recommended I come out here and boy was I glad he reminded me! I love bringing my dog here to hang out and watch the boats glide by. I have sort of a thing for clouds, and they make beautiful formations here. On the weekends, you can find people picnicking, drinking, boiling, bbq-ing, and generally loving this great space. Come here for a romantic sunset, lunch, dinner, 5 minutes, 5 hours, whatever. You will not regret it. Watching the sun set over the Mississippi is just the most beautiful thing. Pro-tip: If you run into me there, come over and ask for a beer. It is more than likely that I have brought an entire six-pack, and if you don't take one from me, I'll drink them all myself. Which is fine, as I am within walking distance, but sharing is caring! read more

The Fly is a park situated along the Mississippi River, just behind Audubon Zoo. It is almost hidden, yet complete open to the public, and offers a very nice expanse of green space, a delightful view of the river and the ships that travel on it, some baseball playing facilites (not that I have ever utilized this feature) and my personal favorite: it is a perfect place to throw down a picnic blanket and watch the clouds go by. Pack a little picnic lunch, or grab a daiquiri, or pull out your camp chairs and a book, the fly is an excellent space to enjoy being outside when the sun is shining and breeze is blowing. read more

This is a great spot for anyone missing the green spaces back at home since they've moved to New Orleans (aka ME). There is a huge amount of space and you pretty much have freedom to use it anyway you want--set up a tent, tailgate, grill, boil crawfish, play games, throw a football/frisbee, walk your dog, sit by the river and watch the boats go by. It is reminiscent of the soccer fields area of Zilker Park in Austin, except the nearby body of water isn't one you go swimming in and you can grill and drink wherever you want. There is enough room for everyone to have a decent buffer between tents even on holidays when it's really crowded. There are public bathrooms and park benches along the river, but not (m)any picnic areas with tables or covers--at least we've never been near one that I remember. If there were more spaces like this I would probably give it another star. read more

The Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The Fly is one of my favorite urban parks ever - there is no other park like this: a wide green swath along the Mississippi River where you can walk, stroll, run, skate, cycle - you can get there on foot, bicycle, car (parking!) via the neighborhood or across Audubon Park. It's such an awesome spot to enjoy the weather - and there's just nothing like river watching - the river is just fun. Sunrise, sunset (hey, it curves!) - middle of the day. Birds and boats, people and dogs, boats and logs. Great spot to exercise or to relax. Some professors even hold class here as a treat for students (okay maybe that's just in the social sciences and the kinds of classes where students sit around a circle and discuss readings, probably not so much for hard sciences and computer science and stuff). read more

This is a really nice place to go to spread out a blanket, some newspapers, and several pounds of Big Fisherman crawfish. There's a lot of space for frisbee, kites, football, soccer, you name it! The last time we came here, about four high school girls showed up and decided to sunbathe topless. I don't think it's really that kind of place, but they parked themselves in front of my group - I was with some good-looking 20-something males, so maybe that's why they thought it was a good idea? Aaaaaaanyway, an older gentleman walked up behind them and gawked for a good five minutes before they realized he was there and quickly covered themselves up. He came BACK ten minutes later when they uncovered themselves again. They got tired of the creep and left and we continued eating our crawfish. A cop came over and asked my friend to park her scooter in a parking spot instead of on the grass by our blanket. The cops here are sticklers. Dogs MUST be leashed. I usually let mine run on 20' leashes staked into the ground and the cops don't seem to have a problem with it. A group of my friends and I were having a picnic with our crawfish and beer and the cops drove up on the grass and stopped about four feet from our blanket (I had to reel my dogs in as they drove up so my pups didn't get run over). I assume they were making sure we all looked old enough to be drinking. They were probably also checking for any *interesting* smells, as kids are known for coming here to get high, but they could have been more friendly about doing their rounds. They didn't say anything to us and eventually drove off. I've also seen the cops here hassling the little mini-car drivers (by mini car I mean those tiny cars they drive in the parades) - apparently you aren't allowed to ride those in the park unless they are road-legal. Seems unfair because the fly is cut off from traffic by a train track and the one-way traffic through the fly is super slow so it would be the perfect place for a go-cart or other small vehicle. I've come here to go horseback riding. My favorite part of the fly is leaving. You can sometimes see the giraffes to the left as you pass the big tree. The tree is glorious! read more

The Fly - Blanket, Crawfish, Music, Hat, Saints - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Gotta love the Fly. It's a real hidden gem nestled in the Riverbend area of uptown, located behind the Audubon Zoo and perched right up against the Mississippi River, the Fly is Audubon Park's backyard. Many random, college weekends and meet ups happened for me here, this park holds many memories for me. There's a lot of positive energy here, i can say I've never had a less than good time during any visit to the Fly. It's perfect for picnicking, setting up a blanket with some cold brews and tossing the pigskin around with friends. Bring your dog(s) here and let em' roam free! There's been some construction over the years, adding new baseball fields, tennis courts, soccer, all alongside the mighty Mississippi. Really chill to see the ships passing as you're kicking back on a nice Fall afternoon with your beats pill playing and a chicken 'fattie' from Rollin Fatties food truck...oh, was that my day today? Yes, it was. read more

Great hidden treasure of NOLA to relax and take in a little sun. Quiet place that also allowed me to get some work done, as my cell signal was string enough to work off a hot spot. It was a great day. read more

I almost hesitate to write a review, because I don't want this place to get even more crowded! Great spot on the river to watch boats pass, walk around, play soccer, have a picnic and so much more! My favorite part is the view of the sunset...doesn't get better than that! It's always a great time on the Fly. read more

The Fly - Cloudy night on the Fly - Parks Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The Fly is one of my favorite places in New Orleans! An extension of Audobon Park, with penty of space for activities overlooking the Mississippi. There are baseball/kickball and soccer fields, which hold sporting events for a variety of leagues. A walkway for walking and running. Benches to sit and watch the sunsets or the ferries float by. Open space for flying kites and throwing the frisbee. Set out a blanket for naps or reading. Set up a tent by a faucet with running water for crawfish boils and barbeques. Be careful at night, it is not very well lit! read more

Crawfish Beer Snowballs Something about grabbing these things sends my car straight on autopilot to The Fly. It's perfect on a day in New Orleans even if it's filled with humidity galore. You can park and set up chairs and blankets and watch the boats sail up and down the Mississippi. Great for family fun! read more

This park is always busy on a great day. Lots of sports, picnics, families and friends searching for smiles and laughs as the river parades threw. One of my favorite places in uptown, not just--"the spot you go when you can't get waaaay over there to the lakefront, " but the hidden jewel of the Mississippi. Bring your food and toys for a leisure day of relaxation and #fun! read more

The Fly is a bit of a locals secret that sees far less tourists than many other areas of the city. Being hidden back behind the zoo also makes it more fun as you get to get high up on the levee and look down on the zoo below. There is a good amount of open grassy space to play games, picnic, throw a Frisbee, let your dog go for a good game of fetch or otherwise enjoy a bit more open space than a lot of other areas in the city. It is also a great space just to get a bit of sun or watch the Mississippi River pass by as you sip on a daiquiri or some beers. This is a very relaxing spot or a great spot for activity depending on your mood. Unfortunately they keep building more and more stuff out here taking away from the open space and natural beauty of the area and that development has drawn enough complaints that it seems they have at least paused most additional development for the time being. Overall this is one of the nicest spots to kick back and have fun outside in the Uptown area. read more

The Fly was my favorite studying space when I went to college at Loyola. We used to drive here in between classes and just space out, looking at the cargo ships and seagulls frolicking in the Mississip. It was also the perfect spot to quiet the mind after cramming for mid-terms or the long waitressing shift to pay for the college experience. Despite the years, my love affair to this place hasn't changed. In fact, I feel like it's deepened. The older I get, the more I find excuses to come here. I love its unique views of the city since you don't really get much of the city view along the river. You get more of the natural landscaping and you notice the traffic on the river more. And depending on the season and time of day, you get a different experience here. Every time I come, I feel like I'm reintroduced to this New Orleans Mississippi Mistress. There's plenty of green space and benches so you can always find a place to people watch or have a picnic. Walking tracks and a hill even! The baseball and soccer fields makes the place packed on the weekends and during tournaments. Perfect place to bring your dog or your lunch and just enjoy the day. It's a hidden gem, because it's kinda hard to get if you don't know about it. I don't think there's actually any official signage calling it the Fly. I think the signs by Audubon call it Riverside Park or something. But as soon as you're driving past those levee walls and railroad tracks, I feel my worries melt away, and I just start enjoying the breeze, the fresh air and the green grass. read more