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.

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.

I must start with I was extremely disappointed with the condition of this historical park. Located…read moreabout 7 mins from the French Quarters. Someone is maintaining the landscaping but that's about all Now, there's a gentleman ( his name escapes me) that gives an amazing tour of the park and history of New Orleans. Wildlife (ducks, geese, cranes) are present so please watch your step Lovely sculptures. They need to be cleaned and maintained. Even with the disappointment I was happy to visit the park

Cool space, pretty views, nice lake with a bridge. Perfect spot for a festival or fair.read more

I love how this strip of a park has developed over the years. It's now a lush green space with a…read morefountain where you often find children playing and dogs frolicing. Since many of the people who live in the area do not have a ton of yardspace, many make this their defacto front yard which is fun to observe and not crash (unless invited of course). Love that the trees are lush and beautiful right now despite the cold winter...or maybe because of it. Now I just wish some neighbor with a green thumb would plant some flower beds to enhance the beauty.

This park is way bigger than I ever realized. Years ago, I worked in the Waldemar Nelson building…read moreon Prytania, and so was close to Coliseum Square. I never ventured all the way down to where the fountain is, though, and therefore I never saw more than a fraction of this cute little dog-friendly park. Why three stars? Well, I'd probably give it four if I... A) Lived in the Lower Garden District B) Had a dog. C) All of the above. So, yeah, there's a fountain (who knew?) that looks really scummy and smells like wet dog when you're up close, but that's probably not a big deal if you have a dog. Even less so if you have a dog who loves water and are looking for places to let your puppyface swim. Because there were definitely dogs swimming in the fountain. It has your average number of sketchy and/or homeless looking people, but not all sprawled out on the ground, sleeping, like I've seen on weekday afternoons in Lafayette Square. Also, it apparently closes - there's a sign that says the park is closed from 10:30 pm to 6:00 am (interesting that they give you the closing time first, rather than the usual open/close times). Since I didn't realize it was such a big park, I also didn't realize it had official hours. You learn something new every day.

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.

My "center" each time I visit Nola. I am familiar with this area and always make my way here to…read moresee the shops, the French Market down the road, the waterfront across the way and Jackson Square park and Cathedral. The grounds are beautiful and historical. I'm not a fan of horse drawn carriage rides so I'll admit it tugs at my heart a bit to see the horses foaming at the mouth on a hot and humid day while "entertaining" humans who could easily walk to their destination. Judgement aside, this area is a nice place for tourists to explore, shop and eat. Local artists display their wares around the square and there are plenty of tasty restaurants all around.

To walk through the French Quarters listening to local musicians playing while the sun shines…read morebright is definitely an experience to remember. You're experiencing colonial architecture, lots of history and local ppl willing to tell you about it outside of the tourist industry. Lots of street music and food Now, you will experience urine smells so walk fast in those sections. Also, make sure to walk to the other side of the square to see the beautiful New Orleans sign and the magnificent view of the water

Crescent Park is such a peaceful place to slow down and enjoy the beauty of New Orleans. Walking…read morealong the river walkway, surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers beside the path, feels like a little escape from the rush of everyday life. The river breeze and open views make it easy to clear your mind and simply enjoy the moment. The new playground is a wonderful addition for families, bringing another reason to spend time in this lovely space. But what I appreciate most is how calming the walk feels. Whether you come for a quiet stroll, time with loved ones, or a moment to yourself, Crescent Park leaves you feeling refreshed and at peace.

This park is great for a stroll along the mighty Mississippi River with beautiful views of downtown…read moreNew Orleans and the French Quarter. The Rusty Rainbow Bridge and Piety Wharf are good photo opp spots. There is little to no tree coverage and limited spots to enter and exit the park, so be careful and bring a water if you're walking here during the hot summer months. There are also people taking rest in the shade of the Mandeville Shed that I would suggest you not walk near for various reasons. Like any place, just walk swiftly and be aware of your surroundings, and you'll be fine.

I came by on a Sunday to see the Katrina House in a tree not realizing there was a park right…read morebehind it. Across the street from the convention center, this is a lovely spot to sit for a moment, rest your tired feet and enjoy the green space around you. Well maintained, there are several benches, large green space. When I went there was some guy spreading the good word about the end of times coming and how we should all repent and lay our sins at the feet of the higher power and so on and so forth. There were a handful of other people in the park, I am not sure if they were with the gentleman or not.

The French Quarter has some remarkable sites and sounds. On my recent trip here, I discovered the…read moreMississppi River Heritage Park. Its location is very centralized and very nice to hang out in on any given day of the week. I found myself here walking along the French Quarter, admiring the city and just being able to be here on a lovely but chill Thursday in November 2019. Thankful for Google Maps that alerted me to this place. There wasn't too much people here on a nice afternoon. I arrived here around 4:00pm and it was brisk. What's unique about this park was the Hurricane Katrina sculpture that remembers the story of the Hurricane that destroyed much of New Orleans physically, but not her spirit. Within 7 years since the event, the city of New Orleans gradually came back to life and the culture along with it. The House In the Tree sculpture adds some sort of sense of community here, especially when the entire region was impacted by the catastrophic nature of the hurricane. I spent about an hour here before it got dark, then left the area in an uber. The Mississippi River Heritage Park isn't large, by any means, but it does provide that open space for anyone and everyone to come and enjoy while being here next to the French Quarter and the New Orleans Convention Center. On my experience here at the park, there seems to be a few people who like to scam other locals and tourists about their shoes. The overall experience here at the Mississippi River Heritage Park was nice, scenic, and quite a nice alternative to the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. The only issue was those scammers that were more an annoyance than anything, but I ignored them and was on my way thereafter. I did thought that the House in the Tree sculpture added some depth to the architecture and the ambiance of this area of New Orleans, even if it was overshadowed by the Convention Center, literally across the street. It was a nice time here for me and I think you'd have a nice relaxing time if you come here, even for a few moments after enjoying the French Quarter. It helps to have this space to recharge yourself after a morning or afternoon of shopping and dining in the area. The Mississippi River Heritage Park is located about 3 or so blacks from the World War II museum on John Churchill Chase Street and the Convention Center Blvd. The Hampton Inn and the Hilton Garden Inn is nearby also. Being that it is a public park, there is no admission fee charged. You can come and go as you please. It's a place to be yourself. The closest you can be to get here on the New Orleans City Bus is on route 10, depending on where you are before then. Not sure where you can park, in terms of availability in the French Quarter, but best bet is to walk here if you are staying in downtown New Orleans. There are a few benches for those who need to sit down and hang out for a spell. Pretty sure there there's no restroom facilities on site. For the most part though, the Mississippi River Heritage Park is one of those parks that adds to the surrounding community of downtown New Orleans. While you may miss it from time to time, this open space is amazing. One may not notice it from the day to day, but if you do, I promise you that it will add to your day. I know it has been for me, especially with all the traveling that I do. It's always nice to take the time to enjoy the blessing that you have. The blessings come from me traveling and it was nice to see and realize that here in New Orleans and at the Mississippi River Heritage Park. You can't go wrong coming here, although best believe you may want to not be there after sunset. Not sure how it is after dark. Still it's worth coming to if you're in the French Quarter and want something outside to see. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. The small park is well kept and maintained by the City of New Orleans. Support local! A

I second what all the reviews say about this lovely park!…read more You get a great view of the Mississippi River and when you turn back, you'll get a lovely glimpse of some of the fine architecture that makes NOLA a unique city. As you walk through here, you'll likely pass the aquarium, shopping center, and the Woldenberg statue. All of which are excellent artifacts/venues to see. Heard they also host concerts/events here during the day. Hopefully I can catch one sometime!

This park is really nice! New renovations were made for Woldenberg Riverfront Park, so there's alot…read moreof upgrades they made inducing a nice playground set for kids and additional swings. As of right now, the area is really clean. It's a good place to run, bike, or just hang out while looking at the nice riverfront views. Would recommend visiting if you're in the area already!

A perfect spot to admire the Mississippi River and relax while vessels glide back and forth. The…read moresunset here feels like a gift from God. The light reflecting over the river and the vegetation on the opposite bank, the bridge dominating the scene, and the soft purple lights slowly illuminating as darkness approaches. It's close to the original Café du Monde location, so my plan worked perfectly: enjoy a café au lait and beignets, then take a walk. The stairs to the riverwalk are right there, and as you climb up, you're greeted by this magical view. Steps lead down to a place to sit in front of all that beauty and just like that, time seems to stop for a moment. Life hits pause, giving you space to reconnect and recharge. A picture perfect memory to treasure in your heart!

After leaving Cafe Du Monde, we took a walk down to the Moonwalk to see the Mississippi River. It…read morewas beautiful and a nice, relaxing stroll after eating. The views were stunning and the atmosphere was peaceful. The area does have a noticeable number of homeless people, so it's worth being aware of your surroundings, but overall it was a lovely walk and a great way to enjoy the river.

Lafayette Square is a small but beautiful pocket of greenery in the heart of downtown New Orleans…read more Surrounded by some of the city's most impressive historic buildings, the square feels like a quiet pause from the energy of the surrounding streets. It's great place to sit down and appreciate downtown New Orleans for a bit.

Lafayette Square is the 2nd oldest public park in New Orleans. It's located in th Central Business…read moreDistrict, but in the late 18th century, it was part of a residential area called Faubourg Sainte Marie. Gallier Hall, the old City Hall of New Orleans faces the square on St. Charles Avenue.