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.
If you've ever wanted to get a glimpse into what it was like to live the life of the rich in New Orleans during the 1940s, then a visit to the Longue Vue House and Gardens is in order. This 8-acre estate was the former home of philanthropists Edgar and Edith Stern (an heiress to the Sears fortune) and their three children. The tour of this three-story, architecturally stunning house, features the main living quarters of the Stern family, complete with the original furnishings, antiques and artwork, as well as changing exhibitions. In the gardens you'll find seasonal blooms, fountains, ponds and a discovery garden targeted at kids but adults will enjoy it as well. Avid gardeners should definitely add a trip to Longue Vue to their must-see list. Longue Vue is also a National Historic Landmark and was one of the first houses in New Orleans to have air conditioning.
Parking and public transportation at Longue Vue House and Gardens
There's free off- treet parking for visitors. Unfortunately, public transportation is not a viable option. You could take the Canal streetcar but the nearest stop is about a mile away and the path is not the best. It's a better option to take a cab if you don't have your own car.
Best and worst time to go to Longue Vue House and Gardens
During the summer months, pint-sized campers are underfoot during the weekday, so this may not be the best time to visit, especially in the gardens; try weekends instead. A good time to enjoy the gardens is during special events. Longue Vue has hosted an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social and Longue Vue After Hours, for instance. Both of these family-friendly events offer fun activities on the lawn and is a great way to relax with family and friends, while learning more about the house and gardens from knowledgeable staff.
Admission to Longue Vue House and Gardens
Admission to Longue Vue cost about $12.00 with discounts for students, seniors and children under 10. You can usually get in free on Museum Day Live!, held in September. The last tour of the house starts at 4 p.m.
Must see/do at Longue Vue House and Gardens
Longue Vue is intimate enough where you can easily see everything in the house and gardens during your visit. Of note in the house are the specialty rooms such as the Wrapping Room, which was used specifically to open mail and wrap presents and the Blue Room, elaborately decorated in blue walls, carpeting and furniture. Outside in the gardens, don't miss the Goldfish Pond, which is surrounded by lush tropical plants and is the perfect, serene spot to take a meditation break. Even if you're not traveling with kids, visit the Discovery Gardens, a delightful spot, created with kids in mind, complete with a giant watering can sculpture.
Other places to visit near Longue Vue House and Gardens
Longue Vue is just a stone's throw away from City Park, a great place to spend a few hours or the entire day. If you haven't visited any of the New Orleans' cemeteries, this would be a good time to do so. There are a couple in this area including Greenwood. This area also has a fine selection of restaurants that'll get your taste bud juices flowing. Try Mizado Cocina , offering great Latin dishes, cocktails and great patio seating.
Insider tip for visitors to Longue Vue House and Gardens
Unfortunately, you can't take photos inside the house, but there are numerous photo opportunities in the gardens and you can take some gorgeous exterior shots of the house.
Author's bio: Myra Faye Turner is a writer living in New Orleans. She fantasizes about one day owning a house as grand as Longue Vue.
The Audubon Gardens and Insectarium is not for the squeamish. Fat cockroaches, squirmy centipedes and slimy worms are a few of the insects on display in what was once the U.S. Customs House in New Orleans. But there's an upside -- you'll also witness amazingly beautiful butterflies in a serene free-flight setting and if you're lucky you may get a chance to see an insect undergo metamorphosis before your very eyes. There's lots of preserved and live bugs for your viewing pleasure and experts are on hand to offer facts and information to inquisitive visitors. It's not all about bugs though, be sure to stop by the Louisiana Swamp Gallery, a recreated wetlands habitat ... but watch the 'gators.
Parking and Public Transportation at the Audubon Butterfly Gardens and Insectarium
If you're staying in the French Quarter/Downtown area, you can easily walk to the Insectarium (we locals drop the full name). The Riverfront, St. Charles and Canal streetcar lines, as well as numerous direct and connecting buses provide service to the Insectarium. Metered and public parking lots abound and a few offer discounts with validation. A good option is the Jax Brewery parking lot; you'll pay about $5 with a validated ticket.
Best and worst time to go to the Audubon Butterfly Gardens and Insectarium
This popular attraction is a favorite destination for school field trips, so avoid mornings during the school year. You'll also want to steer clear during major events in the area like the French Quarter Festival -- unless you like long lines and sweaty crowds. For a better experience, try weekday afternoons, when the crowds tend to be thinner.
Admission to the Audubon Butterfly Gardens and Insectarium
You may be able to find printable discount tickets online or check your hotel for a travel guide which often has discount tickets or codes. Otherwise, expect to pay about $20 for adult admission, with discounts for children and seniors. Children under 2 get in free.
Must see/do at the Audubon Butterfly Gardens and Insectarium
If you dare, stop by Bug Appétit for a cooking demonstration unlike any you have ever seen and sample critter comfort food like chocolate chirp cookies and salsa with a little something extra added (hint: think six legs). Yes, the demonstrations include recipes with real bugs. Another favorite spot is the Terminix Immersion Theater, featuring a celebrity-voiced film, Awards Night, which pays homage to a host of superstar bugs. There's limited seating so you may have to wait but it's well worth it. Just prepare yourself for a few unbelievable and fun sensory surprises.
Other places to visit near the Audubon Butterfly Gardens and Insectarium
You can't turn around in this area without bumping into another great place to visit. After your trip, consider taking a ferry ride to the Westbank of New Orleans (Algiers) or stroll along Woldenberg Park and marvel at the muddy Mississippi. If you're up for a little shopping, try the newly renovated Outlet Collection at Riverwalk (formerly Riverwalk Marketplace), featuring over 70 stores offering deep discounts on many national brands
Insider tip for visitors to the Audubon Butterfly Gardens and Insectarium
Because the Insectarium is located in a federal building, visitors must go through a metal detector and have their purses and bags scanned. Check the website for a list of items you can't bring inside, including sharp items you might forget to remove from your purse, like a fingernail file.
Author's bio: Myra Faye Turner lives and writes from New Orleans. She has visited the Insectarium on many occasions and unlike her son Tyler, she has never tried the bug treats.