If you're looking for a place to "pass a good time" in New Orleans, you can't go wrong spending a day at City Park. Spanning 1,300 acres, this 150 year old urban park is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States. The park features dozens of attractions and amenities including a botanical garden, tennis courts, The New Orleans Museum of Art, a golf course, pedal boating, and paths for jogging, biking or walking. There's lots of family-friendly attractions including City Putt miniature golf, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland Theme Park, featuring life-sized storybook characters that will delight visitors of all ages. It might sound cliche-ish but there's literally something for everyone to enjoy at City Park.
Parking and public transportation at New Orleans City Park
There's ample free onsite parking in one of the available lots or on the streets blanketing the park. You can easily access the park using public transportation, on either a city bus or the red Canal Streetcar using direct and connecting service.
Best and worst times to go to New Orleans City Park
In addition to all of the great attractions in City Park, the site is the venue for numerous special events throughout the year. One of the best times to visit the park is during one of these events like Swing in the Oaks, a free outdoor concert featuring the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra or Celebration in the Oaks, a month-long holiday lights celebration. One of the worst times to visit City Park is during Jazz Fest weekends. You can expect tons of traffic and very few (if any) places to park because many park and walk to the New Orleans Fairgrounds or take a shuttle bus to the popular music festival.
Admission to New Orleans City Park
Admission to the park is free, however, there are fees for many of the special attraction venues. For example, you can expect to pay around $5.00 for admission to the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, with children under 36 inches getting in free. The rides in the amusement park cost about $5 each or in the $20 range for an unlimited ride band. You'll pay about $10 for City Putt, with discounts for children under twelve.
Must see/do at New Orleans City Park
You cannot visit the park without strolling around Big Lake, 25 acres replete with art installations, wildlife and more. The Train Gardens is an architecturally stunning miniature New Orleans with train and street cars winding around the track that you'll definitely want to visit. When you're ready for a snack, stop by Morning Call for hot fluffy New Orleans beignets and a cup of java ( a playground is adjacent for the kiddies).
Other places to visit near New Orleans City Park
If you're hungry for authentic New Orleans cuisine after your visit, try Ralph's on the Park, where you'll find favorites like turtle soup, barbeque shrimp and of course, several seafood dishes. Residents of New Orleans get used to seeing our dead buried above ground, but many visitors are fascinated by our cemeteries. If you are too, stop by the historic Greenwood Cemetery, to see examples of classic and extravagant tombs and monuments. A few steps away from the park is Pitot House, well worth a visit if you want to see an authentic example of an 18th Century Creole home.
Insider tip for visitors to New Orleans City Park
A great way to see the park is by bike. No bike..no problem. Bike rentals are available and include everything from singles to kids to doubles to canopied surrey bikes. You can expect to pay about $20-35 an hour or about $50 for a full day rental.
Author's bio: Myra Faye Turner lives in New Orleans and along with her son Tyler, has spent too many days to count enjoying City Park.
Tucked away in Uptown New Orleans, Audubon Zoo offers visitors of all ages an opportunity to see a menagerie of animals in their natural habitat. Expect to see typical zoo animals like elephants and bears and some Louisiana favorites like the alligator and nutria. Over two dozen attractions and exhibits await visitors to this expansive wildlife oasis that also hosts numerous festivals and special events year-round.
Best and worst time to go to Audubon Zoo
A favorite destination for visitors and locals alike, to get the best Audubon experience visit on weekday afternoons when crowds are thinner. Avoid going to the zoo during peak school field trip times, typically weekday mornings October through May.
Must see/do at Audubon Zoo
Learn about Cajun culture and see a live alligator feeding at the hugely popular Louisiana Swamp Exhibit. Head over to Cool Zoo splash park, the perfect place to chill during the "so- hot- I -could- fry- an-egg- on- the- sidewalk" days in the Big Easy. Make sure you hop aboard the Swamp Train for a behind the scenes narrated tour that winds through the zoo, stopping at three locations to disperse and retrieve passengers.
Admission to Audubon Zoo
You can expect to pay about $20 for general admissions to the zoo with discounts for seniors and children. Some attractions, like the Cool Zoo, Swamp Train and Dinosaur World, require additional fees. For about $15 you can purchase a POP (Pay one Price) Wristband, that allows unlimited admission to all of the paid attractions.
Parking at Audubon Zoo
The zoo offers ample free parking and can usually accommodate the normal flow of visitors during daily operations. During major events, if the paved lot is full, visitors are usually directed to park on several grassy spots on the property. There is also plenty of street parking available in front of the zoo on Magazine Street.
Public Transportation to Audubon Zoo
The zoo is easily accessible by taking the historic St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, where you can enjoy a breathtaking tour of the beautiful mansions along the route. In addition, three buses provide service to the zoo. Both the streetcar and bus stops are within a comfortable walking distance to the main entrance.
Food at Audubon Zoo
There's no shortage of food at the Audubon Zoo including several concession stands, quick snack options and three cafes sprinkled throughout the property. You'll pay about $5 for a snack and for about $10, you can have a decent lunch. Sit outside on the wooden deck overlooking the swamp at the Cypress Knee Cafe, located in the Louisiana Swamp area, and enjoy New Orleans-style cuisine or classic, kid-friendly favorites like burgers, hot dogs and fries. Be sure to stop by the Roman Candy wagon, a New Orleans gooey, taffy tradition since 1915.
Insider tip for visitors to the Audubon Zoo
If you're visiting during Mother's Day, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans", Grammy winner Irma Thomas, hosts an annual Mother's Day extravaganza, with good food, good music and free admissions for all mothers.
Author's bio: Myra Faye Turner writes from New Orleans and frequently visits the zoo with her adorable son, Tyler.
