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Last Updated: Thursday, August 17, 2023 2:33 PM
New Orleans City Park is a massive Mid-City attraction known for its abundant activities, endless greenery, and unique events. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, a romantic escape, cultural exploration or the perfect outdoor destination to soak up the sun - City Park has you covered.
The 1,300-acre park houses countless attractions and recreation, gardens and nature, art and architecture, local food vendors and much more. Explore below to start planning your own City Park outing.
Perfect days in City Park begin with beignets and cafe au lait from the world-famous Cafe du Monde. You can enjoy the perfectly powdered pastry that New Orleans is known for before beginning a day filled with exploration and fun. Both the inside counter and outside service window are open, making it easy to either dine-in or take your sack of beignets on the go for a sweet picnic.
Located inside the Children’s Museum, Acorn offers family-friendly breakfast and lunch with vegetables sourced from the on-site vegetable garden. Sit outside and take in the beautiful views of the park, but inside dining is available as well. If you would rather picnic, there are fresh grab and go options to choose from.
An ideal activity for solo travelers and large groups alike, take your time sifting through NOMA’s collection of nearly 40,000 curated objects, which includes a host of global photographs, antiques, sculptures, paintings and more. Rotating interactive exhibits, exclusive screenings and panel discussions are also available to visitors throughout the year.
A great follow-up to a morning spent at the museum is an afternoon at the sculpture garden.The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is an outdoor expansion of NOMA that houses 90 sculptures by world-renowned artists. Bring along someone special for a picturesque stroll through the park. The sculpture garden is open daily with free admission.
Traveling with children? City Park has a handful of youth-centered activities approved by kids and parents alike.
The headquarters for kid-friendly fun, the newly opened Louisiana Children’s Museum is housed in New Orleans’ City Park. Children can easily spend hours interacting with the museum’s five distinct educational exhibit galleries.
The recently renovated Storyland, a favorite among families that visit City Park, features larger-than-life storybook sculptures and an enchanting playground. Young ones are free to explore and imagine in a space built especially for them (adults and children over 36” tall pay $5 for admission).
Hand-in-hand with Storyland, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park is yet another kid-friendly space within City Park. Check the park’s seasonal hours here, and enjoy 17 uniquely handcrafted rides.
Sometimes the best fun is found in an adventure! Luckily, City Park offers a number of resources and rentals to bring your ideal adventure to life.
Land or sea legs, all are welcome in City Park! Single and double kayaks, as well as canoe rentals, are available for those looking to experience the park while drifting along the bayou and lake. Or, take advantage of the park’s selection of bike rentals. Children's cruisers, tandem bikes and four-wheel surreys can be rented directly through the park.
Home to over 2,000 species of plants, the New Orleans Botanical Garden is a stunning site to see in City Park. Soak up the picturesque backdrops and serene walking trails that the garden has to offer. Make sure to check out the art from the Enrique Alferez Sculpture Garden during your visit. Admission for adults is $12, but Louisiana residents enjoy free admission to the garden on Wednesdays courtesy of the Helis Foundation.
At Bayou Oaks, it’s always tee time. Whether you’re an amateur, master or just a fan of golf, you’re welcome at Bayou Oaks.
If mini-golf is more your speed, be sure to check out City Putt. This family-friendly attraction features 36 holes and two separate courses that highlight both Louisiana and New Orleans cultural icons.
Read more about the history of City Park, volunteer opportunities and free admission to attractions within the park here.
City Park is home to a beautiful 18-hole disc golf course. Play through a good mix of open fields, tunnels of oak trees and around swampy water hazards. The course is FREE to play and beginner-friendly, but with enough variation to make it interesting for advanced players and veterans alike.
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