Variety tops the list of travel tips for nature lovers heading to the Big Easy. From the wilds of natural swampland to the planned and cultivated beauty of botanical gardens, here are 7 places to visit for outdoor experiences in New Orleans.
1. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve: This National Historical Park preserves the Louisiana wetland and teaches about the unique culture of the area. Here you can get bayou boat tours and learn the history of the area.
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2. Lake Pontchartrain: This large "lake" is actually a shallow brackish area about 40 miles wide and 24 miles high. It connects the Gulf of Mexico to inland fresh water which creates a mixes salt-water and fresh-water ecosystem. Nature lovers can enjoy swimming, fishing and boating.
Travel tips to enjoy this natural wonder include a double up of enjoyment with a drive across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge. While enjoying nature, travelers will also get the chance to experience the architectural wonder of the longest bridge in the world.
3. New Orleans Botanical Gardens: In New Orleans City Park, the New Orleans Botanical Garden features 12 acres of plants, flowers, and art. Included for nature lovers is the City Park rose garden, which is notable for its Art Deco design created during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Travel tips for experiencing this botanical wonder include making time for the Train Garden, which features a replica of the City of New Orleans made entirely of botanical materials as well as trains and streetcars.
4. Longue Vue House and Gardens: The grounds at Longue Vue House and Gardens provide a unique experience of the "country place" style of gardening pioneered by Ellen Biddle Shipman. The design includes European elements that blend the outdoor spaces with the indoor living areas. The house here was actually created to compliment the gardens.
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5. Audubon Park: The most distinct natural feature of this park and zoo might not be the wildlife, but instead the historic oak trees, which are believed to be more than 250 years old. This park, developed by the Audubon family, has belonged to the city of New Orleans since 1850.
It also includes jogging trails, lagoons, and more than 300 acres of greenspace for public enjoyment. Among travel tips for enjoying this natural place include stopping to appreciate Ochsner Island in the middle of the park’s lagoon, where hundreds of birds including several heron and egret varieties can be seen nesting each year.
6. New Orleans City Park: A perfect place for a picnic, the New Orleans City Park features 1,300 acres of public space for gathering and enjoying. Travel tips for enjoying this New Orleans jewel include a stop in Couturie Forest, which gives nature lovers the opportunity to pack a picnic and wander through 60 acres of native trees and wildlife in the heart of the city.
7. Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge: Nature lovers can enjoy over 24,000 acres of marshland and habitats at the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. This largest urban National Wildlife Refuge is just a few minutes from the New Orleans French Quarter. Nature lovers can see birds and other animals, including alligators, in several natural habitats.
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