Very peaceful way to watch the river and all of the traffic on the water. Parking is free and very…read moreeasy 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!

The Fly is a locals retreat from the touristy parts of town. I've been going here since I was a wee…read moretot 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.

Audubon Park ended up being one of my favorite places to wander in New Orleans. It's a beautiful…read moregreen space filled with massive live oaks, lagoons, and shaded walking paths, but it also has a lot of attractions-the Audubon Zoo, the Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, an 18-hole golf course, fountains, playgrounds, and plenty of open lawns to relax on. It feels less like a city park and more like a destination where you could easily spend an entire afternoon. Audubon Park strikes a great balance between being an active public space and a peaceful escape from the city.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature with picturesque…read morepaths of mature oak trees to shade you head to Audubon Park. Not only to do they have multiple connecting parks with running paths, a splash zoo and regular zoo, but it is also a photographer's canvas to explore chiaroscuro elements. I smile as I look back to our visit because it was humorous that we were laying on the landing by the lagoon taking in sunrays and a bird approached us looking bewildered. I asked it to walk around so I can take pictures and I do not know if it understood but it struck a few poses before it hopped back in the water then flew to a shaded area across the lagoon. Be carful not to park in the parking lot near the golf clubhouse. If you prefer the scenic view from the city, hop on the St. Charles streetcar. Get off at the Tulane/Loyola stop and you will be at the front entrance.

This is Johnny Jacobs park located off the Westbank Expressway near Ames. There is a stadium area…read morewith a 1/4 mile track, spots for field events and bleachers. There is a pool near the front entrance to the park, but I have never used it, nor do I know when it is open. The track attracts a good amount of walkers during the day, but it is large, so there is still room for running. The entrance and road are not well marked. When you are headed eastbound on the expressway, start looking for a rock road on your right, shortly past Ames Blvd.

It has a baseball field a football field, a park for kids, and a auditorium, the track is around…read morethe football field and is 1/4 mile. I do like that the track is well lit at night. This park is located off of the road and a dirt road leads you to it which seems suspect but it's a pretty decent park. The actual track is not cement it's Tartan which is great rain or shine and on joints! I'll give this Park a 3.

Peaceful walking trail, large enough that if you want to run a decent pace you'll be pretty tired…read moreafter 3-4 laps. It's always well maintained and the grass is always neat. It includes a park to the side so if you have kids and they get bored there's that for them.

Nice fitness trail. Not a very huge park but big enough to do a lot. The walking trail took me…read more4.5 rounds to get a mile in. However, it's a great place for a stroll or even a jog. For me, I like a much longer trail; whereas, I don't feel like I'm walking around in small circle lol. Walking in mixed terrains makes me feel like I'm walking further. This park has a fitness section with lots of equipment to exercise with and a park for the kiddos. I like that it's a family friendly park, nice and clean with restrooms, a water fountain and books for reading. I'm definitely planning to visit more.

This is my childhood playground. And the correct name is Jefferson Playground: Home of the…read moreMustangs. And the colors are black & gold. I rollerskated (and attempted skateboarding) here. My Dad boxed upstairs in the gym in the 50s and there used to be plays on the stage. Depending on the season, you'll see all the kid sports: football, baseball, softball, track, soccer, tennis. Plus as an old school playground it has wide open space to just run (my favorite). The playground equipment is all new and was donated by a medical conference a couple of years ago as post-K largesse. The only issue with the space is that the condo owners across the street walk their dogs in the greenspace and some forget to scoop the poop. Not cool when you have kids running around. The skating rink is now a parking lot; the boxing space is offices; they've made the place a lot safer than when I was kid...how did we climb up in the rafters of the stage. But a great space to play

I have four young children who have played sports at Jefferson Playground for…read morethe past 7 years. They have made great friendships that will last a lifetime! The coaches really care about all the kids who participate in the athletic programs. It has been both competitive and fun for my children. I would highly recommend Jefferson Playground! GO MUSTANGS!

Do you need to just stop and breathe? Maybe let your mind wander to break that writer's block or…read morecontemplate nature for a bit? Then get yourself over to Audubon Park on East Park Drive, on the downtown side/East/Exposition Blvd and between Laurel and Magazine, and walk the Labyrinth. Don't mind the address on this listing; it belongs to the friends group. The Labyrinth is a meditative walking path with one way in and one way out. It's based on a medieval version at Chartres Cathedral in France. Since this movement began at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, it's become pretty popular and you can find other Labyrinth walks (http://labyrinthlocator.com/). It's also pretty fun to watch kids just hop/skip/jump all over the patterns and invent their own games. Highly recommended as a place to stop and catch your breath.

Read about this in atlas obscura & made a point to drive there…read more Ample parking and a lot of locals excersizing in the park. The actual sight of the labyrinth is a bit underwhelming. But it's still worth the trip. Warning: You may get a bit dizy but walk the brick labyrinth to appreciate the artistry and planning to create a monument like this. It is a Katrina memorial that is not obvious but meaningful. Stop across the street from cemetery #1 to nola visitor center and you will really feel more connected to the exhbit. It was nice it is outside. It's also up the street from tree of life which is one of my favorite stops/photo ops.

Hey, I didn't know this park went on for miles and miles until after I saw everyone else's reviews…read more I still give it 5 stars for the little bit I saw and experienced. I just walked on the outskirts of this enormous park. On my way to the New Orleans Museum of Art, I walked on the sidewalk. I really enjoyed the large, old canopy of trees that line both sides of the sidewalk. On my way to and from the museum, I saw so many varieties of birds and groups of squirrels. The squirrels were frolicking and playing, chasing one another. The ducks were just hanging out, but there were other varieties of birds that were searching for and dining on earthworms, after the rain had brought them up to the surface. Lots of space and green grass. It's a beautiful park to visit and enjoy nature. No need to drive. You can take the trolly here, as I did.

New Orleans City Park is a great place to escape the crowds for a while. The park is beautifully…read moremaintained, with sprawling oak trees, scenic walking paths, and plenty of green space to relax and enjoy the scenery. It's a fantastic reminder that New Orleans has a quieter side beyond the busy streets and nightlife. The park is home to the beautiful Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and even the nostalgic Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, so you can easily spend half a day exploring without running out of things to see. The blend of natural beauty, historic architecture, and cultural attractions gives the park a lot of character. If you have a few extra hours during your trip, City Park is definitely worth a visit. It's a beautiful space that's easy to enjoy at your own pace and offers something for just about everyone.

The Lazy River Landing is a historic location with an interesting history. You can get a nice view…read moreof the East Bank of The Mississippi River here as it is right across from The Fly which is the same area where Audubon Park and The Audubon Zoo are located. This is an interesting area with a few restaurants along with this great view. They do have some work to do so you can get closer to a view nearer the river and it looks like a work in progress that might not progress for awhile.