New Orleans City Park

For getting back to nature, City Park can’t be beat, from the lushly landscaped New Orleans Botanical Gardens to the world’s oldest live oak grove and the wild ecosystems of Couturie Forest. Athletes of all stripes will find plenty of space to practice at the Pepsi Tennis Center, Equest Field, the boating lake, and the multiple sports fields and stadiums. Families flock to City Park for the Louisiana Children’s Museum, Storyland theme park, City Putt mini golf, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.

• Bikes and boats are available to rent from Wheel Fun Rentals at the Big Lake Boat House.

• For free cultural fun, stroll through the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden outside the New Orleans Museum of Art.

• Food and drink are available at Parker’s Cafe in Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Cafe NOMA inside the New Orleans Museum of Art.

• Dogs are allowed off-leash at the City Bark dog park. Entrance requires permits and proof of vaccination.

City Park is located in the Lakeview District of New Orleans. Parking is available at multiple locations, and the 48-City Park/Museum streetcar services the park from Canal Street.

City Park is generally open from dawn to dusk, although hours vary by attraction and season. Check the City Park website for up-to-date hours. Visit the park some evenings for special events. From June to November, the weekly Thursdays at Twilight concert series is held at the Pavilion of Two Sisters, and in December, the annual Celebration in the Oaks holiday festival celebrates the season by cloaking the famous trees in more than one million sparkling lights.

This seasonal theme park inside City Park is a family favorite, featuring rides such as a miniature train, Tilt-a-Whirl, fun slide, Ferris wheel, and bumper cars. The crown jewel of the park is the rare vintage carousel known for its masterfully carved flying horses. Admission to Carousel Gardens is $5, and ride tickets can be purchased individually or with an unlimited-ride wristband. A ticket also includes admission to the Storyland theme park and playground for a full day of kid-friendly fun.