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Things to do in New Orleans
Nature/ Wildlife Areas in New Orleans

THE 5 BEST New Orleans Nature & Wildlife Areas

Nature & Wildlife Areas in New Orleans

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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.

What travellers are saying

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Annie K
    Philadelphia, PA65 contributions
    Minimal "hiking" but great interpretive center
    For the traveler who enjoys animals or sitting on porch fronts in rocking chairs, this is the place for you. The interpretive center is full of living and non-living animal artifacts. There are nature trails that allow you to sit in many places and they are relatively well-maintained. For the avid hikers, the trails are rather short and not at all strenuous, so perhaps not the best choice for them.
    Review of: Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
    Written 10 November 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Patricia R
    Farmington, UT833 contributions
    Worth seeing it!
    Unfortunately we couldn’t hear the chimes as there was no wind that day. Still, we were happy to find the tree and just see it up close.
    The fact that the chimes were painted in black to blend in with the plant’s natural shadows was interesting and smart.
    If we had more time to spare we’d have stayed longer to hear some melody.
    Review of: The Singing Oak
    Written 23 November 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Andrei
    River Ridge, LA1,293 contributions
    A pretty place, but currently a work in progress.
    Located in the West Bank neighborhood of Tall Timbers-Brechtel, this quiet park feels worlds away from the bustle of the French Quarter and Central Business District of New Orleans. It is a calming place to get away from the city for a while and take a walk through the woods or just relax.

    The park is currently undergoing some renovations, though, so some parts that were previously open are closed off and full of construction equipment. Still, I found enough to do here for a couple of hours. Between taking walks underneath the huge trees that grow here and feeding the gaggle of ducks and geese that live by the water in the park, it was a fun, relaxing morning activity. It costs a dollar to get in the park, two dollars on weekends. I love the city's parks, so I was happy to pay and support their renovation project. Keep in mind also if you plan to visit that the park is closed on Wednesdays and is open an hour longer (until 6 PM) in the warmer months of the year.
    Review of: Brechtel Park
    Written 16 January 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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