Top 7 Parks Found in New Orleans

Public parks are a great place to go for fun. They provide a free option for all kinds of activities, along with fresh air and a new connection with nature. Whether you want to enjoy a family picnic, time on a playground or just the amazing scenery, New Orleans offers plenty of great parks.

There are several parks to enjoy and plenty of different ways to enjoy them. Here’s a look at some of the top parks found throughout New Orleans.

City Park – 1 Palm Drive

Established in 1854, City Park covers more than 1,300 acres of space. It has survived through wars and the Great Depression. The park has been developed and redeveloped multiple times, as well.

New Orleans City Park is home to some of the oldest groves of live oak trees in the entire world. It’s also home to the Big Lake, which is a great place to rent a boat for the day or enjoy walking, jogging or biking around the lake. You can also hike in the Couturie Forest or enjoy the Botanical Gardens.

City Park is also home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, Morning Call beignet stand, Carousel Gardens and Storyland. You’ll also find a regular golf course, a miniature golf course and athletic fields here. It’s one of the best parks in the city and offers plenty for everybody to enjoy.

Audubon Park – 6500 Magazine Street

As one of the most loved parks in New Orleans, Audubon Park provides plenty of things to enjoy. It features a 1.8-mile jogging path, which can also be used by rollerbladers, cyclists and those walking dogs. The park also provides exercise equipment along the path. In addition, Audubon Park is very popular for those looking to spot birds.

The park is also very family friendly with three playgrounds and plenty of green space to enjoy. It’s also home to athletic fields, tennis courts and horse stables.

Pontchartrain Park – 6500 Press Drive

Found in the Gentilly area, Pontchartrain Park was created in 1955. It took over old swampland and has become a popular place with about 183 acres of space to enjoy. The park is home to lagoons, jogging paths, athletic fields and other recreation areas. It’s also found very close to the Joseph Bartholomew Golf Course.

Armstrong Park – 701 North Rampart Street

Named for one of the top jazz musicians of all time, Louis Armstrong Park is a beautiful choice. It’s not nearly as popular as some of the others on the list, but those seeking natural beauty will love this park. It’s full of cypress trees and lagoons. In addition, the park is home to sculptures that pay homage to jazz music originating from slaves. These are found in Congo Square, which is part of the park.

The main reason people go to Armstrong Park is the weekly concert in the spring and fall. Jazz in the Park is held here and it’s free for all to enjoy. The Mahalia Jackson Theater of Performing Arts, the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium and several other buildings are part of the park.

Palmer Park – South Carrollton at South Claiborne Avenue

Palmer Park used to be called Hamilton Square and it was created in 1833. It became Palmer Park in 1902 and the Palmer Park arch was created in 1912. The park is best known for the Palmer Park Arts Market held every month on the last Saturday from 10am to 4pm. This market provides many artists and craftspeople with plenty of items to sell. The park is also home to playground equipment and it’s one of the few parks open 24 hours a day.

Washington Square Park – 700 Elysian Fields Avenue

A quiet and shady area found past Frenchmen Street, Washington Square Park offers plenty to enjoy. It covers about the space of a city block and has become a common place for festivals and dog walkers. The park is home to many beautiful trees and it has a playground for children to enjoy.

Crescent Park – 1008 North Peters Street

A newer park helping to reconnect the city with the Mississippi River, Crescent Park offers a 1.4-mile linear park with paths for running, dog walking and more. It provides great views of the river and downtown, along with a fenced dog run, picnic tables and more. Many free fitness classes are held at the park, as well. Crescent Park is most known for the rust-colored bridge, which arches over railroad tracks and has been named the Rusty Rainbow.

There are several other great parks in New Orleans, but these are by far the top choices. Whether you want to enjoy something historical or get moving on one of the many paths, you’ll find something to enjoy at one of the best parks in the city.

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