Outdoor Activities In New Orleans – Let’s be honest: New Orleans has a reputation for being a hub for amazing food (and not just crawfish and gumbo – there’s everything, even vegan options!), fascinating history, legendary live music, and , well, let’s call it exactly what it is. is – a party.
A destination for foodies, history buffs, music lovers, and any type of celebration. But there’s actually a lot more to this magical city, and one of the best ways to experience it firsthand is to get out.
Outdoor Activities In New Orleans
Cruise through some of NOLA’s oldest and most impressive neighborhoods in a kayak, cycle through one of the country’s largest parks in New Orleans pubs, or see alligators up close.
Adventure Itinerary In New Orleans
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If you’re going to enjoy outdoor activities in New Orleans, there are a few things you should know about the weather. In addition to the fact that
Yes, seriously – but for what it’s worth, we only saw rain twice on our four-day trip and both times it was short-lived.
Here are some tips to make sure unpredictable weather doesn’t ruin your planned New Orleans outdoor activities.
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Maybe you like to relax on a boat, or maybe you just want to get some hearty cardio. Maybe it’s a bit of both. Whatever your style, these outdoor activities in New Orleans are sure to quench your thirst for adventure.
The list of New Orleans outdoor activities must start with a swamp tour. If you’re anything like me, that’s what you want to hear the most!
As you research New Orleans jungle tours, you will quickly realize that there are many things to choose from. However, they are not all created equal – not even close.
In the end I chose Beyond the Bayou Tours, which proved to be an excellent decision. Before I go any further, yes, we saw a lot of crocodiles! And turtles and rare birds and even beavers!
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Which means they have very little impact on wildlife and the environment. Think of it as a touring version of Leave No Trace.
In this case, the least impact is to use a custom flat bottom boat that is safer for the sensitive marsh ecosystem.
Another way that Beyond Bayou sets itself apart from other swamp tourism attractions is that they do not feed or bait alligators in any way.
I knew, in my mind, that this was a “thing” in Louisiana, but I didn’t realize how common it was – and to be honest, I was shocked. I still am, actually. Crocodiles are wild animals; How on earth do you try to feed them for entertainment?!
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The company does this to ensure that people see crocodiles on their travels. See an alligator = positive reviews = more money.
. You will see them, and you don’t have to feed them marshmallows to increase your chances! Feeding gators trains them to associate humans with food. It’s not good for anyone, be it the gators or us humans!
Finally, there’s another reason to choose Beyond the Bayou: they go out into the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, about 45 minutes outside of the city. Most of the other swamp tours and water activities in New Orleans are very close, which means they are also very crowded.
The Maurepas Swamp is truly beautiful (seriously, this desert dweller has a very different vision of the swamp!), isolated, and completely undeveloped. In other words, it’s the most authentic New Orleans river cruise you’ll find because, well, it’s a protected marsh!
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In addition to swamp tours, Beyond the Bayou offers garden tours, kayak tours, and several combination tours.
When I travel, I walk or cycle as often as possible. I even do this at home! Cycling, in particular, is a great way to experience the true atmosphere of the village. It’s also easy on the wallet, friendly to the environment, and less stressful than trying to find parking in a new city.
The streets of New Orleans are incredibly scenic (and flat!), with a new charm everywhere. New Orleans isn’t a particularly big city, so cruising around on a bike allows you to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
Then there’s the fact that driving around the Big Easy and trying to park is an absolute nightmare. Old streets, narrow streets, lack of off-street parking, and a culture where concerts in the middle of the street are not common… NOLA is not the best city for drivers. But it’s great for cycling!
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Whether you want to rent a bike and explore on your own or take a small group tour, biking is one of New Orleans’ most fun outdoor activities. Check out all the options for tours and bike rentals in New Orleans:
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local looking for a new idea, horseback riding is one of the best outdoor activities in New Orleans. And if you’re coming to visit, I recommend riding the bus before you do anything else, because it’s a good way to get the lay of the land.
There are quite a few travel companies to choose from, but none compare to Royal Carriages. This family company has been operating car tours in New Orleans for over 80 years and it’s clear that they love what they do.
As well as riding down to a science and the most knowledgeable guides, the Royal Carriage treats its horses exceptionally well.
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They were given several hours off each day, as well as a full day off each week, and even Leave at least three months a year. And I mean really – holiday mules on a farm outside the city!
The Royal Carriages depart from Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. Arrive a little early, grab a beignets and Cafe Au Lait from Cafe Du Monde, and explore the Square.
Amazed by the cathedral of St. Louis, the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the country, and just people watching. Everyone knows this is the best outdoor activity in New Orleans!
Did you know that New Orleans has a bigger park than NYC’s Central Park?! Much more, in fact – NOLA’s city park is 1,300 acres, while Central Park is about 840 acres. With all those open spaces, it goes without saying that City Park has a lot to offer
French Quarter (new Orleans)
The city’s parks are home to the Children’s Museum of Louisiana, the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Carousel Gardens, and the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA).
There are also several playgrounds and fishing areas, a dog park, a 36-hole miniature golf course, and a sculpture park, which is home to the famous Blue Dog. Café Du Monde even has a location inside the park!
With so many options, it can be overwhelming to even decide to start. To help plan your trip to City Park, here are some of my favorite things to do:
City Park is so big and there are so many things to do that you could spend a whole week here. Here are some of the highlights, but remember that this barely scratches the surface of all the New Orleans outdoor activities you can do in the park.
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With so much water, it’s no wonder that swimming is one of the most popular outdoor activities in New Orleans. There’s really no bad way to experience it: go to the lake, take a boat ride down the lake, or kayak on one of the lakes.
Bayou St. John is the most accessible place to paddle in New Orleans. Running alongside City Park, it’s scenic and peaceful, and you’ll pass many impressive homes and historic sites. It’s definitely an urban hiking experience, but maybe even quieter—mainly because motorboats aren’t allowed on the bayou.
For a scenic kayaking trip on Bayou St. John, there is no better choice than Kayak-iti-Yat. A small family company offers tours six days a week and has the best, most knowledgeable guides.
On our two-hour Big Easy Bayou tour, I learned a ton about the neighborhood, history, wildlife, and even the horrors of the city. Don’t judge – I live in Arizona. Of course there are no bayous in these parts!
Winter Outdoor Play Class In Audubon Park, New Orleans, Louisiana On Tuesdays At 11:00am
Looking for a longer or more challenging experience? Check out the Pontchartrain Kayak-iti-Yat Paddle. The four hour trip paddles along Bayou St. John, to Lake Pontchartrain.
If you want to rent kayaks or paddle boards instead of taking a tour, there are plenty of outfitters for rent in City Park and along the bayou. Bayou Paddlesports offers rentals by the hour, along with special events like Night Runs and Dog Days on the Bayou.
: Bayou St. John is very calm, but the rain affects him a lot. When the water level rises, it can be difficult to cross the bridge. To be on the safe side, go to a guide at Kayak-iti-Yat and ask about the water level and current conditions of the bayou.
Skip the most crowded tourist spots on Bourbon Street and gather your crew to spend a few hours on the water.