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 is easily one of the most beautiful green spaces in New Orleans and has become my…read morego-to spot for getting outdoors. The main feature is a 1.8-mile paved loop that routes you under gorgeous ancient live oaks and past peaceful lagoons (you might even catch a glimpse of the swans!). For those looking for a softer foot strike or a good trail run, there's a 2.2-mile dirt path around the perimeter--just a heads up that it gets pretty muddy after it rains. Budgeting about an hour is perfect if you just want to soak up the scenery and wildlife. Alternatively, there is a beautifully maintained golf course right in the center. Whether you're logging miles, taking a meditative stroll, or playing 18 holes, this park is an absolute must-visit.

Audubon Park is truly one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in New Orleans. I love walking…read moreand running on the track beneath the stunning oak trees with their hanging moss -- it's such a calming, picturesque experience. The exercise stations along the way are a great bonus for a full-body workout. Parking on Magazine Street or St. Charles Avenue is convenient, and the park's location near Loyola and Tulane Universities makes it easily accessible. There are water stations available, and the ponds and duck-watching areas are always a treat. The loop is about 1.67 miles, and I enjoy going around twice for a great workout. The park is always well maintained and kept in beautiful condition. A true NOLA gem!

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.

Perfectly peaceful! The location is great…read more It has water fountains and bathrooms, things you don't normally see on a trail.

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!

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.

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.

So much fun to visit City Park in New Orleans on the first day of Spring. (It's actually one of the…read moreplaces that I visit almost every trip to New Orleans.) The park is sprawling. Covering 1300 acres, it is one of the largest urban parks in the US. Bike trails, walking trails, museums, restaurants, sculpture gardens, botanicals gardens and an amusement park for kids. What more could you want? Love art? Check out NOMA. This is often on my agenda. Love the rotating exhibits, Newcomb pottery and collection of impressionist paintings. I use my Graycliff annual pass for reciprocal admission fees. Bonus: One of my besties works here! Want art outdoors? The newly expanded sculpture garden is so beautiful and free to explore. Frank Stella. Yaacov Agam. Beverly Pepper. Take a photo with LOVE by Robert Indiana. Don't sit on Bear with Us by Frank Gehry. Feel free to walk across the Mississippi Meaders Bridge. Take a selfie in the Mirrors Labyrinth. Love to talk a walk here. Sorry, GiGi. No dogs allowed. Love flowers? If you are lucky, you may see tulips or wildflowers. Or visit the New Orleans Botanic Garden. It's also included on the Graycliff Martin annual reciprocal pass. The garden is filled with azaleas, camellias and beds of roses. Love the native Louisiana raised vegetable beds and the butterfly garden. Sit under the oaks on a park bench or a swing to take a rest. Like art? Explore the large collection of Enrique Alfarez sculptures spread throughout the garden. Hungry? Thirsty? This is the best place to visit Cafe du Monde. No lines and the parking is free and so much easier than the quarter. Order a cafe au lait or a hot chocolate with a plate of beignets. Then grab a table with a green umbrella outside to enjoy the sunshine and the famous oak trees in the park. City Park has one of the largest collections of Live Oak trees in the world. Have a kid? Or just feel like a kid? Storyland is so cute! Created by Mardi Gras float makers, it is a New Orleans classic full of whimsy. Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Mother Goose. It is filled with fairy tale and nursery rhyme classics. Fun fact: New Orleans City Park is one of the largest parks in the US. At 1,300 square acres it is almost twice as large as New York's Central Park which is just a little over 800 square acres and does not make the top twenty for size. (But Central Park is still amazing, too!) Parking is free. Or come by streetcar. It stops near NOMA. Thanks for the free flowers on the first day of spring.

I just love this park!!! City Park is so beautiful and the views are amazing. I had a meeting…read morerecently and held it at City Park to be able to enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful views. The moss lines trees and walking paths are great for getting a little fitness and fresh air. I'm a local and this park is truly my favorite for so many reasons - the paths, views, meeting spots, cafe du monde, amusement park, sculpture garden, NOMA and so much more. You could really spend a day there just enjoying the spaces. Give it a try!!! You will love it.

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.