It's just impossible to get bored of New Orleans' plush City Park. Sprawled over 1,500 acres, this welcoming oasis attracts hordes of people every day. You'll find lovebirds sharing some time together, children playing around, joggers doing their daily rounds and people absorbing the park's beauty. Camps, field trips and an amusement park are the facilities for children. Sports lovers can choose from golf, football, tennis and lots more. The park also provides the perfect setting for weddings, picnics, birthdays or other special functions. If you're a nature lover, you can volunteer to help protect this beautiful park.
Having started out as the nation's first sugar plantation, then an urban park, and finally renamed in 1886 as Audubon Park in tribute to John James Audubon who painted many of his famed "Birds of America" in Louisiana, the 350-acre (141.64 hectares) Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo is a place one can truly and peacefully enjoy New Orleans's old-world charm: fountains, statues, gazebos, lagoons, giant oak trees, and the occasional horse-back riders and carriages. There are also a golf course, tennis courts, and a extremely popular 1.8-mile-long (2.8 kilometers) paved jogging track. Do walk along the outskirts of the park and be wowed by the historic buildings of Loyola and Tulane universities, as well as many elegant mansions.
Louis Armstrong Park, made of grassy knolls and lagoons, is named after the world-famous musician and native son Louis Armstrong. His 12-foot (3.6 meters) statue, by Elizabeth Cartlett, is erected near the brightly lit entrance on the outer boundary of the French Quarter. Ironically, Armstrong was not allowed to play in the now well-known clubs during his career. The park is also home to a bust of jazz maestro Sidney Bechet and cornetist Buddy Bolden. Other landmarks including Congo Square and the Morris F.X. Jeff Municipal Auditorium surround the park.
New Orleans Musical Legends Park is a lovely outdoor space that is dedicated to creating awareness about the rich cultural and musical heritage of the city of New Orleans. A pleasant reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city, the space offers visitors a tranquil oasis with interesting exhibits that chronicle the various influences that have shaped the culture of this vibrant city. Entrance to the park is free, and live musical performances are par course. Grab a table and some beignets from the Cafe, or simply settle down and enjoy a musical extravaganza in this beautiful outdoor setting at the heart of the French Quarter.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park, a green oasis of 16 acres (6.47 hectares) stretches along the old Governor Nicholls Street wharf to the Aquarium of the Americas at Canal Street. This promenade is located in the heart of the city and is scattered with numerous works by local artists. It boasts hundreds of beautiful trees such as oaks, magnolias, willows and crepe myrtle. Sit on one of the many benches and view the city's busy port, second only to Amsterdam in tonnage.
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Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter, contains a church, a seat of government and major stores. Along with all of the other important elements, there is a historic landmark called Washington Artillery Park. It is a raised concrete area creating a great spot to stop and relax while you watch the paddle boats glide down the Mississippi. The mounted canon is a model of the same canon used in the Civil War. This monument honors the local 141st Field Artillery of the Louisiana National Guard that saw action from the Civil War through World War II.
Stretched along the length of the Mississippi river, Crescent Park offers 1.4 miles (2.25 kilometers) of paved trails, picnic areas, and stunning views of the New Orleans skyline. This riverfront park has a promenade that also features benches for sitting and a nifty bridge called the Piety Street Arch that connects Charles Street to Piety Wharf. Bring your pets here for a quick walk or simply gaze at the mighty river during a beautiful sunset.
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The Fly
The Fly is that area of Audubon Park that faces Mississippi River. This beautiful waterfront park affords a breathtaking panorama of the river and its opposite bank. It was named after a shelter shaped like a butterfly that stood at this site from the 1960s to 80s. Located close to Audubon Zoo, it is the place to enjoy a riverside picnic, stroll along tree-lined trails and enjoy romantic walks. Head here for a barbecue party or crawfish boil and let the aromas wafting along with the breeze beguile you. Toss a frisbee with friends or sharpen your baseball, tennis and soccer skills. Come here late in the evening to watch the setting sun blanket the landscape in a magnificent golden glow.
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