New Orleans City Park
New Orleans City Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
One of the largest urban parks in the country, City Park has golf, tennis and horseback riding.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Lakeview extends inland from the shores of Lake Pontchartrain with much of the area reserved for family-friendly City Park. Home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and the city’s own lush Botanical Gardens, City Park is a New Orleans gem and the perfect spot for outdoor fun with as much of a mix of culture and/or amusement as you would like. Beyond City Park more great excuses to stay outside beckon, whether on land or by boat. Developed a good deal later than most other New Orleans neighborhoods, Lakeview has a distinctively different look and feel compared to other parts of the city. Fans of mid century modern design and contemporary architecture particularly enjoy leisurely drives around the residential streets of Lake Vista, Park Island and along Lakeshore Drive.
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412 within 3 miles
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604 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- James R9 contributionsSydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a Must-see.City Park is A-mazing! As a local, I visit at least twice per month. The Sculpture Garden is a must-see and the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is there. Cafe du Mond also has a location here. Spacious and beautiful all year round.Visited February 2024Traveled soloWritten February 24, 2024
- Jeff MBurlington, Canada64 contributionsA Pleasant SurpriseWe had an unplanned morning during our trip to N.O. so we decided to take the street car up to the park. Our main goal was to have coffee and beignets at the Cafe Du Monde in the park instead of fighting the crowds at the main location. That plan worked out well as there were only a couple people in line in front of us when we arrived around 9am. It did fill in but nowhere close to what it was like at the main location. After our breakfast we strolled around the immediate area. We only explored the areas in the south end of the park but there was lots to see. There are some beautiful bridges over the water and the McDonogh Oak was close by (over 800 years old). The real surprise was the free Sculpture Garden. The gates opened at 10am and there is a LOT of sculptures to look at in an extremely well manicured grounds. Well worth your time. After the sculpture garden we walked west through the park, took a nice swing on one of the many bench swings, then headed out of the park to visit the Hurricane Katrina Memorial and some of the nearby cemeteries. You could easily spend a full day in the park. We barely scratched the surface. Take the 48 street car (Green route) to the Museum of Art stop (it's the last stop on the route) and it is a short walk to Cafe Du Monde or the Sculpture Garden. If you find yourself at the west end of the park it is only a short walk to the 47 street car (red route) Cemeteries Transit Terminal, which will take you back down Canal to the French Quarter area.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 17, 2024
- Adrienne CNew York City, New York539 contributionsLovely park and memorable sculpture gardenVery pleasant place to stroll around and take in the sunshine and lovely sculptures. A highly unique spot for a big city. Definitely recommend visiting! We came during Christmas time and definitely would have done the holiday night walk if we had a few extra days – can imagine that would be spectacular.Visited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 29, 2024
- Namas CLevan, Utah10 contributionsFamily friendly must visit place in New OrleansThis is a great place if you are visiting New Orleans. While the city center itself caters to a variety of food and music, here is where you can taka nice leisurely walk and see a few museums-that are all of very high quality. If you are coming to NO with family, do not miss this place. Plenty of parking and lots of trail, food and museumsVisited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 23, 2024
- Ginger B ROswego, New York534 contributionsNice break from the cityThis is a lovely city park. There is a free scultpure museum to walk around, and a big lake. We rented a surrey and a swan boat which were pretty fun activities. It's a very large park, with pretty trees. We enjoyed the break from the streets of Nola.Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten August 15, 2024
- BeauNew Orleans, Louisiana3 contributionsThe sculptures are absolutely stunning, each one a unique masterpiece that truly captures the beauty of the parkHad a great time strolling through City Park —the scenery was beautiful, and the vibe was super chill. Only downside? It was nearly impossible to find a bathroom nearby, which was a bit frustrating. Still, it's a solid spot to relax and enjoy the outdoors.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten October 4, 2024
- Brown_SamanthaKennewick, Washington1,826 contributionsEnormous city park with many mature oak trees, lakes, streams, charming bridges, and a sculpture gardenFirst of all, this is a sprawling city park indeed. We only got to visit a small section, adjacent to the Art Museum and its free sculpture garden. From there, we visited the Big Lake. Then onto the oak tree grove (McDonogh Oak), crossing 3 bridges including the beautiful and charming Langles Bridge. There is a Cafe du Monde, and nearby the Peristyle. We took the 91 transit bus here from our hotel located in the French Quarter. It took about 30 minutes. There is also the Canal Street streetcar that services this area, so it is pretty easy to reach. Only wish we had more time to explore the park.Visited November 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 18, 2024
- Hort TipsWoodstock, New York10 contributionsThis huge park feels removed from the city and is well worth the tripThis is a big beautiful park with a lot to do in it as well as an art museum and scultpure park. We only scratched the surface. It boasts gorgeous huge old live oak trees hung with Spanish moss and a world-class sculpture park with water running through it in very artistic ways. One highlight was the fairly large alligator we saw swimming through the sculpture park waterway. There are also quite a few charming bridges that cross streams, ponds in the main part of the park and are picturesque. There is also a Cafe Du Monde in the park so you can get beignets and coffee. We took the City Park Line of the streetcar out to the park but chose to uber back to our apartment as our feet were tired after all the walking. There is no fee to enter the park or sculpture garden.Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten December 29, 2024
- Sandy F5 contributionsAmazing Park!City Park was AMAZING! We first went to experience Celebration in the Oaks. It was absolutely beautiful! We went back to check out the Sculpture Garden and some more of the park. Everything was wonderful. It is such a huge and well maintained park with so much to do! The Cafe Du Monde had much shorter lines than the one in the French Quarter! We loved City Park!Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten December 30, 2024
- Chris MartinPoitiers, France1,674 contributionsBeautiful park even in the rainTake streetcar 48 from canal 40 minutes journey c is the terminal. This park is very beautiful spectacular trees of the small bridges of the islets fauna and flora beautiful diversity even in a fine rain we follow a small path we forget the noise of the city c is relaxing. Nice walk with some squirrels.Visited January 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten January 14, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
4,369 reviews
Excellent
3,051
Very good
1,102
Average
178
Poor
26
Terrible
12
California_momofsix
Fairfield1,119 contributions
Jul 2020
New Orleans City Park is impressive. It's huge with so many different recreational possibilities from tree lined allies, to sports fields, museums and boat rides and much more. It's easy to reach by street car or by car, with plenty of parking.
The park has its own website and I would highly recommend taking a look before your visit. Due to covid, the amusement park and some other activities are still closed. The website provided up to date information of what is available. Some activities have limited availability due to social distancing requirements and reservations need to be made ahead of time online. The website also has a detailed map.
I would recommend a visit, even during the pandemic. City Park was one of the few places in New Orleans with a measure of normalcy when we visited and because it's so large, social distancing is easy. We visited too late in the day to go to the museums but I definitely want to come back and visit the art museum and the sculpture garden.
The park has its own website and I would highly recommend taking a look before your visit. Due to covid, the amusement park and some other activities are still closed. The website provided up to date information of what is available. Some activities have limited availability due to social distancing requirements and reservations need to be made ahead of time online. The website also has a detailed map.
I would recommend a visit, even during the pandemic. City Park was one of the few places in New Orleans with a measure of normalcy when we visited and because it's so large, social distancing is easy. We visited too late in the day to go to the museums but I definitely want to come back and visit the art museum and the sculpture garden.
Written October 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
May F
Loveland, CO2,440 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
Worth visiting if you are around the city park area. There is no entrance fees. It is part of the art museum but that part requires a entrance fee. The park is it with lots of landscape of lakes, sculptures and nature to see. Worth walking around. The restroom is very clean. Enjoy the time here in New Orleans. The canal tram stops walking distance to the museum and city park entrance.
Written December 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marc W
Bloomington, MN399 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
If you have time on your visit to New Orleans take a nature break and go to City Park with or without children. It’s a beautiful drive down Esplanade Ave from the French Quarter. Bring the little ones to see Storyland (admission fee) where you can see interactive statues of all the classic children’s stories. Across the street is a putt putt course for older children. Wander over to the peristyle and the lagoon to see the ducks, Ibis and turtles. Let the kids climb on massive Live Oak branches. You can even skip waiting in line for beignet’s at the French Quarter Cafe du’Mond and get them at the park’s location.
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alicia K
Lutherville Timonium, MD8 contributions
Jan 2024 • Business
Took he streetcar from Canal St. to the end of the line at New Orleans City Park. This is not to be missed if you enjoy beautiful trees, ponds, landscaping, interesting paths, and art. The Sculpture Garden was beautiful, not only due to the sculptures, but the landscaping and water features surrounding the sculptures. Stopping at the Cafe du Monde in the park was an added bonus. You caneven rent a bike there.
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack S
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Solo
I started visiting the park in the 1950's as my mother did in the 30's. What always struck me the most is some of the structures and statues are from the age of the Tartaria. The Tartarian architecture is easy to spot especially the structure with the columns and lions by the water.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erin S
6 contributions
Apr 2023
This was such an unexpected wonderful find. My daughter and I had spent several days in the French Quarter and Warehouse district and were looking for something different. This was wonderful! The park is beautiful. We saw beautiful trees and a lake, tons of adorable turtles and really loved walking through the outdoor sculpture garden. If you like to take photographs, this is a great place. We finished with beignets at Café du Monde, which was way less crowded than in the French Quarter. It was such a great few hours.
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Departure49109036156
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
Beautiful, well-maintained park with winding paths that feature a large number of metal sculptures in all sizes. The streetcar takes you right there from the French Quarter, about 45 mins. There is an art gallery there as well, but we didn't have a chance to visit.
Written December 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bijal P
Flower Mound, TX49 contributions
Feb 2023
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.
Written February 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WorldTravelers1999
United States522 contributions
Jun 2021
There’s so much to see at the New Orleans City Park! Today we visited the art museum, but we plan to return within the week to see other things in this area. This is a great area to get out of the house, socialize, and enjoy the great outdoors. Highly recommend!
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily T
5 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
We didn’t do an official tour of the park, but we explored the area around the bridge and the sculpture garden. This was my favorite part of New Orleans. The trees are magnificent. They are massive, and the Spanish moss hanging from them creates the feeling of a magical land from another time. The park is so huge, we didn’t know exactly how to find the famous bridge we saw in so many photos. A nice cab driver told us it was near Cafe du Monde. We were confused, because we only knew about the Cafe du Monde at the French Quarter. But he gave us directions, and lo and behold there was a Cafe du Monde right by the bridge, in the park, amidst the magnificent trees! We wanted to eat beignets and drink coffee at Cafe du Monde, but when we saw the line at the one in the French Quarter we gave up. We aren’t much on waiting in long lines. We didn’t have to wait at all to place our order at the cafe in the park, although there was a still a decent crowd dining there. It was nice to experience two quintessential things in the same location. I think we enjoyed Cafe du Monde even more because we DID go to the one in the park. It was so serene.
As for the park itself, the flowers, plants, trees and wildlife along with the trails, structures, sculptures and other man made additions, makes for one of the most beautiful places on earth. I could have spent our whole vacation in the park. To find the part of the park where the bridge is, try using the address for the cafe: 56 Dreyfous Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124.
As for the park itself, the flowers, plants, trees and wildlife along with the trails, structures, sculptures and other man made additions, makes for one of the most beautiful places on earth. I could have spent our whole vacation in the park. To find the part of the park where the bridge is, try using the address for the cafe: 56 Dreyfous Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The_Loup_Garou
Phoenix, Arizona
164,987 contributions
Yes, one can bicycle throughout most of the park.
Especially in the front section of the park, closest to City Park Ave, there is lots of shade too.
Written March 11, 2020
When is the free music festival in the park. I heard it is in October but I can't find any info online about it.
Written October 9, 2019
Not sure about a festival, but there’s some free music evenings included on the New Orleans City Park website on their events calendar (called “Evenings with Enrique”)
Written October 10, 2019
What is the best place in the park to see the most trees together?
Like you see in the pictures.
Written March 12, 2019
Left side of Lelong Drive and in NOLA Museum of Art. But the Park has also many atractions to see. Have good time!
Written March 13, 2019
want to go to light show in city park can I bring my leashed dog to this attraction
Written December 26, 2018
You should be able to bring your dog on a leash. Enjoy!
Written May 14, 2019
How long does it typically take to view the city park Christmas lights?
Written December 24, 2018
About 2 hours from the time you arrive ... In addition to the lights in the botanical garden area you may want to explore the stage areas for Karaoke, Local groups/choirs singing, a stop in their cafe (try the gumbo!) and Storyland (great for kids of all ages) the kid's amusement park which included the Flying Horses (Carousel) and the optional train ride under the stars, oaks and lights. Parking is limited, so plan a little extra time to get to and from your vehicle. Some tour companies offer bus transportation which drops you right at the main entrance.
Written December 25, 2018
Yes. Remember for safety and others, the law mandates that dogs are leashed at all times. Enjoy.
Written December 25, 2018
Is there a decently priced hotel within walking distance from the park?
Written August 6, 2018
I don’t know, but if it helps, the park is at the end of one of the streetcar lines that runs the length of canal street, so it is not hard to get to from the hotels located in the french quarter and downtown area.
Written August 6, 2018
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