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Nature & parks in New Orleans

Top Parks & Nature Attractions in New Orleans, LA

Nature & Parks in New Orleans

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Top-Rated Outdoor Activities (40)

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
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Showing results 1-30 of 36

What travellers are saying

  • Bijal P
    Flower Mound, TX25 contributions
    City park
    One of the best places to visit if you visit NOLA. Do not miss it. Loved , loved the nature and the picturesque scenery. Beautiful , clean park with a nice free sculpture garden. Great place to take pictures and I 100% recommend to everyone. They have a playgorund for kids, Cafe de Monde , paddle boats and kayaks. and icing on the cake is the park is FREE!! Spend few hours here. Its well worth. Also the Streetcar "48" comes all the way to here so you dont have to drive. The streetcar name is Canal st- City park/museum.
    Review of: New Orleans City Park
    Written 6 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • tachyonbb
    Omaha, NE386 contributions
    A great city park
    First visit was in 1970 as a student at Tulane. This year we took my grandsons to the park to play after visiting Tulane and Loyola. Something for everyone. Used to run the park every day, now I meander.
    Review of: Audubon Park
    Written 2 November 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Douglas H
    2 contributions
    What a show!!
    So my wife and I took our 2 year old to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans recently. We had an amazing time. The weather was great. Everyone was nice. And the entertainment level was through the roof! I was pushing the stroller and we made it over to the gorillas. The big one was super close and you could clearly see how healthy he was. You always hear people saying they feel bad for these animals being trapped in the zoo but I think this place is doing a great job, especially when it comes to feeding them. It was very apparent. Trust me. Okpara, the lone male of the group, was directly in front of us and he turned around and reached down like he was scratching his butt. Only after about 30sec he starts cranking out a long smooth plump juicy turd right into his hand. The crowd started groaning but not me. I knew what was coming next and the anticipation built. The crowd grew louder as they too realized what was happening. He took that vile piece of tubular waste and wrapped his lips right around it and slowly and delicately pushed it in and out of his mouth. He pulled it out and circled his tongue around it like it was ice cream. The crowd was screaming. I’m dying. This was the funniest thing I’d ever seen. Okpara then broke the turd in half and crammed it into each cheek and squished it around like pudding between his teeth. Then he pressed his cheeks and shot it all out onto the ground. He wasn’t done yet. He squatted again and a gallon of rectal juice came flooding out of his hole. All the other gorillas came over and started licking up the diarrhea. Now the females were aroused and the fecal-orgy began. They were doing it upside down and every which way you could think of. The amount of primate-feces I saw that day still boggles the mind. My wife made us leave after Okpara started squirting liquid rectal-juice straight up in the air and letting it land all over his face. We will definitely be coming back. Well done New Orleans Zoo. Keep up the good work and don’t change a thing. I’m looking forward to visiting again soon but it’ll be hard to top this trip.
    Review of: Audubon Zoo
    Written 5 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Colfax735
    Minneapolis, MN34 contributions
    First time in New Orleans
    The free music lecture series at 2 pm almost every day. The staff were great, and the bathrooms were clean. The history talk about the New Orleans area was well worth the time.
    Review of: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
    Written 21 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AMovingMillennial
    43 contributions
    Mermaids Exhibit
    We came to see the Mermaids when they had presented them. The facility is definitely a treat for the eyes. I think the rate is high though for what you get. Without the mermaids, the usual interactive exhibit is the stingray pool. It's all scenic, makes for good pictures. Entry gave 5 minutes to see the mermaids in the water, another charge to take a photo with one. It's appearance is nice, immersive. Nothing to do outside like others I've been to, but it is a place to check off when visiting New Orleans. It's just the rate for admission that I think is high, spend all day there, get your monies worth. I think the rate for kids and seniors SHOULD be $15, adults $25. That's comparable to what you get, since you're doing all the work of walking. They have a neat treehouse you can stand in, overlook the rainforest type foliage and guests walking under. I heard they closed since our visit and are undergoing renovations and will reopen in the summer of 2023. I hope the rate doesn't increase because then it might be fitting if they add to it.
    Review of: Audubon Aquarium
    Written 15 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Alfredo G
    Miami, FL42 contributions
    Wonderful mansion and gardens!!
    Excellent option to visit an afternoon with family or friends! Located near the center of New Orleans, it is a beautiful mansion and gardens! We really enjoyed our visit!!
    Review of: Longue Vue House and Gardens
    Written 7 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brandon
    Cypress, TX19 contributions
    A quick relax spot on Bourbon
    Super chill place right on Bourbon that is a break from the blaring pop music. Listen to a live band in a slower environment, shop, eat, and drink.
    Review of: New Orleans Musical Legends Park
    Written 17 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Simon G
    Milton Keynes, UK615 contributions
    Not quite the WOW of the garden district but still…..
    Totally worth the visit, an hour walking around the grounds, reading about the history through the statues and well maintained. Great place to go in the morning before discovering the French quarter which is close by. Really enjoyed our walk around the park.
    Review of: Louis Armstrong Park
    Written 31 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • California_momofsix
    Fairfield1,084 contributions
    Actually you never drive out of sight of the shore
    My guidebook says the causeway is so long that in the middle you won't be able to see either shore. I figured we had to experience that. Well, the guidebook lied, but it's still an impressive bridge. It goes on longer than you can imagine and I don't regret driving here. There is a toll for crossing the entire way, but if you enter from the New Orleans side you can drive as far as you want, then turn around to the southbound lane at one of the many turnarounds and head back southbound without paying a toll. We found seeing the New Orleans skyline on the southbound drive particularly worth seeing.
    Review of: Lake Pontchartrain
    Written 7 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • STraveler2
    New York452 contributions
    The Battle of New Orleans presented
    In 1814 we took a little trip... or rather 2022. The site of the Battle of New Orleans has great significance for the U.S. and is well presented in the battle ground visitor center at the Chalmette Battleground Nat Park. You can imagine the British crossing the field towards the Louisiana rag tag group including Andrew Jackson and the Pirate Jean Lafite. I'm so glad we stopped and there was no entrance fee. Educational and enjoyable.
    Review of: Chalmette National Historical Park
    Written 2 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • robert c
    Sunnyvale, CA3,513 contributions
    no model trains in sight, let alone no model trains running
    Came here by trolley from Canal Street next to the French Quarter. Canal street trolley route still severed by the wreckage of the Hard Rock Hotel, so you need to catch the trolley north of the wreckage, about a mile from the center of the French Quarter.

    Leave your stilettos for the nighttime, and wear comfortable shoes, as we walked at least a half mile walk from the trolley stop to get here.

    $8 admission to the gardens, located behind the Art Museum. And right at the entrance is the obligatory gift shop. If you don't want to pay the $8, you can see the outside Sculpture museum area free, and then wander through the 1300 acres of New Orleans Park, checking out the stadiums, ponds, canals. But even a cheap skate like me can afford the $8.

    Some magnificent vistas, walkways, arches, architecture, and water fountains. Came here in January, so no roses in bloom. Wife thrilled by numerous butterflies in the butterfly garden area, the Japanese garden, and the greenhouse full of cactus, making it worthwhile for one of us.

    Highlight of the day for me was seeing the model train, with a circular track running maybe 150 feet through miniature sections of the city, complete with houses, buildings, water towers, railway stations, restaurants, and vehicles stopped at the railroad gates. At least they have the track laid out, as we didn't see any trains, let alone trains running today.

    Was told that the train runs on weekends, before the pandemic hit. The city has apparently cut back on garden maintenance, due to the pandemic, so some of the lawns and nurseries are starting to look a little ragged with weeds, just like my back yard!

    $8 admission fee waived on Wednesdays, but for locals only!
    Review of: New Orleans Botanical Gardens
    Written 7 April 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TWB
    Cincinnati, OH2,310 contributions
    Peaceful
    This is a nice park for a quiet break or peaceful stroll. Great location convenient to everything the French Quarter offers. Parking lot runs alongside it for easy access.
    Review of: Woldenberg Riverfront Park
    Written 25 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Stacie B
    Mount Pleasant, SC285 contributions
    Peace & Quiet.
    While visiting a friend on that side of town we stumbled upon the park. The walkway over the trains caught our attention. Great walkway along the water! Lovely outdoor space to walk & watch boats on the river! Recommend for a quiet, beautiful walk!
    Review of: Crescent Park
    Written 8 November 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jake23
    New Jersey6,507 contributions
    Nice views
    Nice views of the murky Mississippi. Walk down if you want a nice stroll by the river. Close to Jackson Swuare as well so it’s still close to all the attractions.
    Review of: Washington Artillery Park
    Written 12 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Frank D
    Slidell, LA1,310 contributions
    Nice Place To Walk and Visit Nature
    Bayou Sauvage is NOT near Lacombe! It is just off US Highway 90 - East of I-510 - New Orleans East The Ridge Trail and Joe Madere units are on opposite sides of the highway and less than a mile apart with good signage.

    Ridge Trail Unit: This area has a really nice parking lot, restroom facilities, a shelter with picnic tables and a great boardwalk that is fully wheelchair accessible. There are numerous benches along the way to rest or just sit and enjoy the atmosphere. The bordwalk is about 1/2 mile and comes out to a roadway that goes about another 1/10 mile back to the parking lot. There are several walkways going off to the side and ending at little observation decks.

    Joe Madere Marsh Unit: This area has a nice parking lot with a shelter and picnic tables. There is a short boardwalk out to an observation deck. There is also a boat launch which, theoretically, opens out to the marsh and some open water. When I visited, there was a small clear area and it appeared that any outlet was closed off by vegetation.
    Review of: Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
    Written 11 April 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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