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Every year, millions of people visit New Orleans to get a breath of fresh air. The city is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and the majestic Mississippi River. Spending time in New Orleans gives a chance to reconnect with nature. With so many outdoor places to visit and activities to do, you will have a great time exploring the Big Easy.

Barataria Preserve

If you are up for some alligator spotting, the Barataria Preserve is the best place in New Orleans. It is supervised and maintained by the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. Barataria Preserve is 1,855 acres of lush forests, swamps, and marsh. The Barataria Preserve guarantees a few alligator spotting in every visit and is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists. You can walk through the trails yourself to take in all the greenery and scenic beauty. They offer guided tours for people who are not acquainted with the preserve and also offer a junior park ranger workbook for kids. Being just 40 minutes to the south of the city makes it an easy place to visit.

Woldenberg Riverfront Park

Right in the middle of the French Quarter and the Mississippi, you will find this 16-acre expanse of forests and greenery. It has many eye-catching artworks and riverside promenades. You will come across frequent strolling bands and festivals while you take a walk around the Woldenberg Riverfront Park. A favorite with the visitors is the Moonwalk path, which gives a stunning view of the neighboring areas. This park is one of the best places to catch stunning sights of the Mississippi River. The Cafe du Monde is a famous eatery in Woldenberg Park.

Audubon Park

Audobon Park is best known for its great golf courses, but it has even more to offer. The towering oaks in the park are sure to grab your attention. The park is filled with lagoons and lawns, and open areas with picnic shelters for you to sit and relax. The pristine 1.8-mile jogging path is a favorite with the locals. It has a zoo, an aquarium, tennis courts, horse stables, soccer fields, and more to keep you entertained. Visit Aubodon Park at 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, daily from 5 am to 10 pm.

Sail through the Mississippi River

New Orleans gives you the amazing opportunity to cruise through the Mississippi River in a riverboat. The tours are usually fixed for about two hours and begin from the French Quarter. Along your journey, you will see the stunning shores of the Mississippi with its many embankments, levees, the historic Domino sugar refinery, and Cape Kennedy. Many boat trips include a complete experience with food, drinks, and music. Just being in the middle of the world’s third-largest river on a boat is something not to be missed. Enjoy your boat ride in Mississippi on your next tour to New Orleans.

Crescent Park

The Crescent Park connects the French Quarter to the Bywater neighborhood. This waterfront park runs along the edges of the Mississippi. The Crescent Park has several sections which are separated from the city by levee walls and a buffer zone of old railroad infrastructure. You will find footpaths, cycling paths, a dog park, open lawn spaces, and waterfront pedestrian areas in the park. The Piety Street Bridge and Greater New Orleans Bridge stand out for their stunning architecture. The Crescent Park is a popular destination for its range of fun options and proximity to the city proper.

Global Wildlife Center

For all wildlife enthusiasts, New Orleans has the Global Wildlife Center. It is an eco-friendly, 900-acre park. Interestingly, the park has no predatory animal, though it houses about 2700 animals of over 40 species. Antelopes, giraffes, deers, dromedaries, and bison abound in this wildlife center. You can catch a close glimpse of these magnificent animals in the guided tours that the park offers. The guided tours are conducted in wagons in 90-minute sessions. They get you so close to the animals that you can even feed them with your own hands. It is heaven for all animal and forest lovers.

City Park

The City Park is the largest and most famous urban park in New Orleans. Its 1300 acres of land is filled with trails, trees, gardens, pathways, with coffee shops and eateries. The park has the largest collection of live oak trees in the world. Some of these trees are more than 600 years old. There is so much to do in the park that we would recommend multiple visits to get a complete experience. From recreational activities to athletic facilities to amazing food options, the City Park has everything. No wonder 5 million people visit this park every year.