Our Favorite Outdoor Spots in NOLA

by | Oct 28, 2021 | New Orleans

I think fall has arrived! We’re looking at temperatures in the 70’s and even the 60’s over the coming days! It will be a great reprieve from the normal heat and humidity we’ve been working with since the summer. We’ve had tastes of this cooler weather, but it seems like it is here to stay.

With temperatures dropping, it is a wonderful time to get outside and explore the outdoor spaces New Orleans has to offer. While we don’t have mountains or anything like that, there are many wonderful places to take a walk, bring a picnic, or just sit and enjoy a sunny afternoon. Here are some of our favorites!

Crescent Park!

1) The Crescent Park: If you haven’t checked out this park that stretches from the very tip of the French Quarter through the Marigny and all the way down through the Bywater, make this place the first stop on your list. To me, this park is very reminiscent of the High Line in NYC. The Crescent Park is 1.4 miles long and over 20 acres set up in a linear fashion along the Mississippi River. The park offers some of the best skyline views of the city and makes for a perfect jog down the main running path. Access to the park is easily on Piety Street in the Bywater or the staircase/elevator right past the French Market. Trust me on this one- you’ll love this spot from the second you cross over the massive bridge at its entrance. I’d also recommend picking up some ‘za from Pizza Delicious while you’re over there!

2) Couturie Forest: For the perfect shaded run for any nature-lover, head over to the Couturie Forest in City Park. They bill it as “a natural escape in the heart of the city,” and I think that is spot on. I love walking around the wooded trails and getting lost here. Sometimes I end up at a huge lake; other times you’ll find yourself atop Laborde Mountain- the highest point in the city of New Orleans at a whopping 43 feet above sea level. The forest is over 60 acres!

3) Jean Lafitte Nature Trail: Cypress swamps are something else, and you’ll feel like you are miles and miles away from any city when you check out this trail. Located just 30 minutes from town, it’s a great escape for a gorgeous hike through the bayou. I love this trial because you are guaranteed to experience some serious gator sightings. I think the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve is relatively unknown, especially being so close to town. But I don’t mind keeping it that way- the trail and preserve are peaceful and a total oasis. The boardwalk trial through the Barataira Preserve leads you to a stunning view of the bayou.
Mississippi River Trail (The Levee Path) - Great Runs

https://greatruns.com/new-orleans-mississippi-river-trail/

4) The Mississippi River Trail– A.k.a. the Levee Top Trail, this is a great place for a bike ride! It starts right in Audubon Park and will take you all the way out through River Ridge, Kenner and all the way out past Destrehan for a nice 40 mile round trip ride. You can even connect and take it up through Baton Rouge. The MRT offers 3,000 miles of trails from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, and our little strip in town is a great spot for a long weekend ride. You’ll see tons of pro cyclists and triathletes out there, or even my parents!

5) The Fly: If you follow any Tulane kids on Instagram, you’ve seen the Fly! Be sure to stick around for the sunset. It will make you never want to leave as you watch the tug boats and barges mosey their way upriver. Here, you’ll see people balancing on their slacklines, frat boys playing Spikeball, and locals just taking in the perfect NOLA evening. Bonus—bring some boiled crawfish for a true Louisiana experience when they are in season this spring!