I’ll share in detail my experiences visiting three incredible areas inside and around City Park, each with its own charm, and then recommend three other parks and gardens in New Orleans that deserve a spot on any traveler’s itinerary. Along the way, I’ll share my honest impressions — the good, the not-so-good, and the unforgettable moments. I’ll also include practical information: locations, how to get there from the airport and train station, services, activities, ticketing platforms, and, most importantly, my personal feelings as I explored.
Getting to City Park
Before diving into the highlights, let’s talk about logistics. City Park is located at 1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124.
• From Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY):
I took an Uber, which cost me about $28 and took around 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Public transit is possible too — the E2 Airport Express bus connects to downtown, and from there you can catch the 48 Canal Streetcar directly to City Park. The streetcar option is slower (about 1 hour and 15 minutes total) but much cheaper at only $1.25 per ride.
• From Union Passenger Terminal (Amtrak & Greyhound):
It’s about 5 miles. I hopped on the Canal Streetcar (Cemeteries line), which dropped me at the entrance to City Park. For $3, I bought a Jazzy Day Pass, which allowed unlimited rides — highly recommended if you’re hopping around the city.
My Three Personal Experiences in City Park
The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
If I had to pick one part of City Park that completely stole my heart, it was the Sculpture Garden. Nestled right next to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), this garden is not just a collection of sculptures, but a world-class outdoor museum.
• Details & Tickets: Admission is free, which blew my mind given the quality of art. The garden is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily.
• What I Loved:
Walking beneath the shade of moss-draped oak trees, I wandered among more than 90 works of art from internationally renowned artists. My favorites included:
o Spider by Louise Bourgeois: A massive steel spider, intimidating yet strangely elegant.
o Love, Red and Blue by Robert Indiana: Iconic, bold, and perfect for photos.
o Mother and Child by Henry Moore: Subtle, emotional, and grounding amidst the playful setting.
• Personal Impression: I felt like I was in Europe, maybe in a Parisian sculpture garden, but with a distinctly Louisiana vibe thanks to the swamps and cypress trees surrounding me. The reflection ponds and bridges gave it a sense of calm, even with kids laughing nearby.
• Pros: Free entry, world-class art, peaceful atmosphere.
• Cons: In summer, the mosquitoes can be brutal, so bring repellent.
Big Lake & Boat Rentals
Next, I wandered to Big Lake, a beautiful open space with water activities. Renting a swan-shaped paddleboat was one of those delightfully touristy things I couldn’t resist.
• Rental Info: Boats cost $12 per person for 30 minutes. Available at the boathouse from Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–sunset.
• My Experience: I paddled lazily across the lake, passing under stone bridges, and watching ducks chase after breadcrumbs tossed by kids onshore. The view of the Peristyle Pavilion, a grand white columned structure, was picture-perfect.
• Highlight: I noticed couples proposing and families picnicking on the shore — there was a wholesome, celebratory energy. The paddleboats weren’t strenuous, so I could just relax and soak in the scenery.
• Pros: Fun, affordable, family-friendly.
• Cons: If it’s windy, paddling can be tougher than expected. Also, lines can get long on weekends.
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
No visit to City Park would be complete without tapping into its whimsical side. I made my way to Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, home to one of the oldest operating carousels in the U.S., known as the “Flying Horses”.
• Tickets: General admission is $5, and rides are $4 each, or you can buy an unlimited wristband for $18. The park is seasonal, open primarily in spring and summer.
• What I Loved:
o The hand-carved horses on the carousel were breathtaking. Each one felt like a piece of history.
o The Ferris wheel offered sweeping views of the park.
o Families with kids were everywhere, their laughter infectious.
• Personal Feeling: I’ll admit, as an adult traveling solo, I felt a little silly at first riding the carousel. But within minutes, I was grinning like a child. That’s the magic of Carousel Gardens — it makes you forget your age and simply enjoy the ride.
• Pros: Affordable, nostalgic, and unique.
• Cons: Crowded on weekends; some rides show their age.
Three More Recommended Parks and Gardens in New Orleans
While City Park is undoubtedly the crown jewel, New Orleans is blessed with several other green spaces that carry their own magic. Each one offers a different perspective of the city — whether it’s family fun, riverside romance, or historic elegance. Here are three of my personal recommendations, with detailed notes from my visits:
1. Audubon Park
- Location: 6500 Magazine Street, Uptown New Orleans. Right across from Tulane and Loyola Universities, making it popular with students and locals alike.
- Activities & Highlights:
- A 1.8-mile jogging and biking path shaded by massive live oaks. I jogged here early in the morning, and the way the Spanish moss hung from the branches made it feel like I was running through a cathedral made of trees. It’s one of the most beautiful urban jogging trails I’ve ever seen.
- The Audubon Zoo sits at the far end of the park. Tickets cost around \$29.95 for adults and \$24.95 for kids, but it’s worth it if you’re traveling with family.
- A public golf course is also tucked inside the park. Green fees start at around \$30 on weekdays.
- Pros: Peaceful compared to the French Quarter chaos; full of families, students, and joggers; plenty of shaded areas for picnics.
- Cons: Limited parking near peak hours; mosquitoes can be an issue in summer.
- Personal Tip: I loved grabbing a coffee from French Truck Coffee on Magazine Street before heading into the park. Sitting on a bench with my latte, watching joggers, students with books, and families cycling by, I felt like part of the local community.
- Recommendation Index: ★★★★☆ (Perfect if you want fitness and family time rolled into one).
2. Crescent Park
- Location: Bywater neighborhood, stretching for 1.4 miles along the Mississippi River. Entrance via the Rusty Rainbow Bridge (a steep, rust-colored pedestrian bridge) is an experience in itself.
- Activities & Highlights:
- Wide walking and biking trails with panoramic views of the downtown New Orleans skyline.
- A dog park, always bustling with locals and their pets. It’s one of the best people-watching spots in the city.
- Riverside lawns where I saw couples setting up picnics, young people sketching the skyline, and families flying kites.
- Sunset is magical here — the sun dips right behind the skyline, turning the Mississippi gold.
- Pros: Free entry, modern design, amazing views, and a true local vibe away from the tourist-heavy French Quarter.
- Cons: There’s very little shade, so in summer it can feel blazing hot. Bring water and sunscreen!
- Personal Tip: I visited on a Sunday afternoon and ended up chatting with local artists who were sketching. Crescent Park felt creative and alive, the kind of place where you can breathe and soak in the city without being overwhelmed by crowds.
- Recommendation Index: ★★★★★ (Absolutely unmissable if you love views and want a romantic or reflective moment in New Orleans).
3. Longue Vue House and Gardens
- Location: 7 Bamboo Road, New Orleans, tucked away in a quiet residential area. It’s only about a 15-minute drive from downtown but feels like a world apart.
- Activities & Highlights:
- Guided tours of the historic mansion, once the home of philanthropists Edgar and Edith Stern. The interiors are beautifully preserved, offering a glimpse into the refined lifestyle of New Orleans’ wealthy families in the early 20th century.
- Eight acres of formal gardens, complete with fountains, ponds, and manicured lawns. Each garden has its own theme — the Spanish Court Garden was my personal favorite, with symmetrical lines and classical beauty.
- Admission is \$15 for adults, \$12 for seniors, and \$8 for children. Tours run throughout the day.
- Pros: Quieter and less crowded than City Park; offers both history and beauty; excellent photo opportunities.
- Cons: Not easily accessible by public transit; best if you have a car or take a rideshare (my Uber from the French Quarter cost about \$18).
- Personal Tip: I recommend going in spring when the flowers are in full bloom. I visited in April, and the air was fragrant with camellias and azaleas. Sitting by the fountains, I felt like I was in a European villa garden rather than New Orleans.
- Recommendation Index: ★★★★☆ (Ideal for travelers who love elegance, history, and tranquility).
Booking & Platforms
For activities in City Park, I found NewOrleansCityPark.com extremely useful for updated hours, ticket prices, and event calendars. Boat rentals and amusement park tickets can be bought onsite, but during festivals or holidays, I suggest checking their website first.
I had heard about it for years — its centuries-old oak trees, its art-filled gardens, and its family-friendly attractions — but being there in person was something else entirely. It wasn’t just a park; it felt like the heartbeat of New Orleans, sprawling across 1,300 acres, larger even than New York’s Central Park.
