If you didn’t know better, you could mistake this for being an actual ocean beach (but it’s not—Lake Pontchartrain is technically an estuary). Lake Pontchartrain’s shores are lined with walking paths, benches, steps, and in some places, actual sand. The best place for building sand castles is the beach behind the University of New Orleans—but swim at your own risk, because it’s not life guarded.

The West End neighborhood holds a peninsula park that is virtually surrounded by water. It’s perfect for picnics, fishing, star-gazing, or just enjoying the water. Located in the northern part of the city, it offers a panoramic view of Lake Ponthartrain, and, if you turn around you can spot the New Canal Lighthouse. If you turn west, you can catch a view of the Causeway, the longest continuous bridge in the world.

City Park is punctuated with plenty of oak-shaded bayous and lagoons, but nowhere do they feel as secluded and magical as Couterie Forest. The 60-acre forest is a habitat for native plants, birds, and more, and hiking paths make everything easily accessible.

Faubourg St. John is named after the body of water that defines the western edge of the neighborhood. The bayou starts at Lake Pontchartrain, which is north of New Orleans, and flows to Mid-City, near the Lafitte Greenway. Unless Bayou Boogaloo is raging, Bayou St. John tends to be a very tranquil area. It’s a scenic spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, or enjoying a picnic. You’ll find Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Creole homes along its shores.

This 1.4-mile linear park connects the Bywater, Marigny, and French Quarter. It’s hemmed on one side by the Mississippi River, and on the other by an active railway. In this post-industrial Eden, gardens, walking paths, and downtown views abound. Open since 2014, it’s a popular place to watch Fourth of July fireworks or take an outdoor yoga class.

Looking for something a little more rustic than Crescent Park? This grassy strip of levee tucked behind the former Port of Embarkation in the upper 9th Ward offers up-close views of where the Mississippi River connects with the Industrial Canal. It’s a popular place for fishing, dog walking, and bird-watching.

From the Fried Chicken Festival to French Quarter Fest, this riverfront park is a gracious host for the city’s biggest events. Walking paths, sculptures, memorials, green spaces, Pokemon gyms, and water features make it a scenic, interactive spot. You’ll also be able listen to live calliope music while snagging an occasional sighting of the Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi.

This portion of Audubon Park has beautiful green space, playground, and plenty of benches. If you visit the park during the end of the day, you’ll get an amazing view of the sun setting over the Mississippi, which is the fourth largest river in the world.