clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
An outdoor scene of people walking down a sidewalk with the Mississippi River to the left and the Crescent City Connection and high rises in the back
Pedestrians on the New Orleans Riverwalk.
Shutterstock

Best places to take a stroll in New Orleans

From Uptown to downtown, a list of walkable areas in New Orleans

View as Map
Pedestrians on the New Orleans Riverwalk.
| Shutterstock

Where’s the best place to walk in New Orleans? Wherever’s shadiest...at least until these 90 degree days abate. But if you’re feeling a little cabin fever from staying cooped up with the A.C.—or if you’re only in town for a few days—never fear. The early morning and evening hours offer a brief, walkable respite, and these strolls are so scenic that you might forget how much you’re sweating. Just remember to stay hydrated (a go-cup daiquiri doesn’t count).

Read More

Freret Street

Copy Link

Freret Street, specifically between Jefferson and Napoleon Avenue, is a great place to start. Between those two major streets is the Freret Arts and Entertainment district, filled with several shops, restaurants and lounges. On the first Saturday of every month (except June, July, and August), from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Freret Market is held at the Freret Street and Napoleon Avenue intersection. The market offers free live music, food, clothing and art vendors.

Oak Street

Copy Link

Here you’ll find a seven-block strip of locally owned shops, restaurants and hobby stores. The historic Oak Street also serves as a vibrant hub for artists.

Magazine Street

Copy Link

Countless shops line Magazine Street between Jefferson Avenue and Felicity Street, totaling 44 blocks. From art markets, to a pawn shop, to clothing boutiques, Magazine offers ample opportunities for the indulgent window shopper, and a refreshing take on the New Orleans ambience for adventurous walkers.

Royal Street

Copy Link

Between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, vehicular traffic is closed as the upper part of Royal Street becomes a walking mall and an open art gallery. The 13-block section of Royal Street has live music, antique and jewelry stores, art galleries, and locally owned food vendors and restaurants. If you’re into architecture, you’ll enjoy the 19th-century buildings.

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Copy Link

Located in the heart of City Park, next to the New Orleans Museum of Art, is the Sidney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. The newly expanded garden has a beautiful lagoon, complemented by over 90 donated sculptures. The garden is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Fly (Avenger Park)

Copy Link

Located in Audubon Zoo across the the Mississippi River, this beautiful walking path is lined with trees and green space.

A post shared by Claire Weil (@claire_noeline) on

Bayou St. John

Copy Link

Starting at Moss Street and Lafitte Avenue, and ending at Moss Street and Florida Avenue is an serene walking path that traces the bayou in the Bayou St. John neighborhood. The bayou flows from Mid-City to Lake Pontchartrain.

Lafitte Greenway

Copy Link

The Lafitte Greenway is a 2.5 mile walking/biking path that connects Mid-City to the Treme and Iberville neighborhoods. Along the greenway is the Sojourner Truth Community Center, beer gardens, restaurants, green space, and an outdoor gym.

Louis Armstrong Park

Copy Link

Not far from the Lafitte Greenway is Louis Armstrong Park. The park has a gorgeous lagoon, water fountains, and historical tributes. Congo Square, a place where enslaved people congregated to dance and play music in the 18th and 19th centuries, is part of the park.

Moon Walk

Copy Link

Named for former mayor Moon Landrieu, the newly renovated Moon Walk path spans 11 blocks of the French Quarter. Near the Moon Walk is Woldenberg Park, Washington Artillery Park and Steamboat Natchez port. The Walk starts at the RiverWalk Outlet Collection and ends near Jax Brewery.

The Crescent Park

Copy Link

Crescent Park is a 1.4-mile riverfront park. Connecting the Bywater, Marigny and French Quarter, it boasts sweeping downtown views, walking trails, and a dog park.

The Lakefront

Copy Link

Located at the north edge of the city is a walking path along Lake Pontchartrain. It’s a great place to go if you want to catch a sea breeze (well, a Gulf of Mexico breeze) and maybe spot a dolphin.

French Market

Copy Link

One of the French Quarter's many delights is the French Market, which holds numerous local food and art vendors. The market is two blocks long, bounded by French Market Place and North Peters Street.

St. Charles Avenue

Copy Link

If you appreciate beautiful architecture, you'll love a walk down St. Charles Avenue, particularly in the Audubon and Uptown neighborhoods. The Avenue is lined with gorgeous mansions and architecture unique to New Orleans.

Esplanade Ridge

Copy Link

Right in between Mid-City and Bayou St. John is an intimate historical district known as Esplanade Ridge. On this side of Esplanade, there are several pocket parks, locally owned restaurants, markets, and shops. Feel free to walk down the rest of Esplanade to embark on an architectural sight-seeing adventure. and beautiful New Orleans homes.

Algiers Point

Copy Link

A ferry ride away from the French Quarter, the small, quaint neighborhood of Algiers Point offers much to see and do. In an informal walking tour, you can see the Algiers Courthouse, Confetti Park, the Algiers War Memorial, and a glass blowing studio. Algiers Point also holds a Mississippi River trail that stretches for miles. While walking, you can get a great view of the French Quarter, especially during sunset hours.

Coliseum Square

Copy Link

If you find yourself meandering around the Lower Garden District, check out one of New Orleans’s oldest parks. It was first built in the 19th century and restored in the early 1970s. Coliseum Square Association jumpstarted the park’s revival in the early 1970s. Coliseum Square has walking paths, oak trees, and lovely fountains.

Metairie Road

Copy Link

Just outside the bounds of New Orleans, this street has amazing old town vibes. From locally owned establishments to the St Francis Catholic Church, this street highlights a unique culture in the New Orleans metro area.

Infrogmation of New Orleans/Wikimedia Commons

Bayou Road

Copy Link

Noted as a historic commercial corridor, several locally owned businesses sit on this mural-filled street. The Benachi House, which Curbed NOLA noted as one of of the beautiful places to get married, is located steps away from this street on North Tonti.

Riverbend

Copy Link

If you cannot get enough of the Uptown/Audubon culture, check out this sweet corner of New Orleans. The Riverbend is home to the Mississippi River Trail, local businesses, and sits minutes away from gorgeous homes on St. Charles Avenue.

Mardi Gras Fountain

Copy Link

If you’re looking to add a visual experience to your walk, check out this fountain and art tribute that honors over 90 New Orleans Mardi Gras carnival krewes. Ample green space and a couple of walking paths surround the display, which edges Lakeshore Drive.

Fort St. John / Old Spanish Fort

Copy Link

Directly across from St. John Park sits the brick ruins of an old Spanish fort. It was first erected by the French in 1701, to protect what was then a trade route.

Photo via Infrogmation/Wikimedia Commons

Freret Street

Freret Street, specifically between Jefferson and Napoleon Avenue, is a great place to start. Between those two major streets is the Freret Arts and Entertainment district, filled with several shops, restaurants and lounges. On the first Saturday of every month (except June, July, and August), from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Freret Market is held at the Freret Street and Napoleon Avenue intersection. The market offers free live music, food, clothing and art vendors.

Oak Street

Here you’ll find a seven-block strip of locally owned shops, restaurants and hobby stores. The historic Oak Street also serves as a vibrant hub for artists.

Magazine Street

Countless shops line Magazine Street between Jefferson Avenue and Felicity Street, totaling 44 blocks. From art markets, to a pawn shop, to clothing boutiques, Magazine offers ample opportunities for the indulgent window shopper, and a refreshing take on the New Orleans ambience for adventurous walkers.

Royal Street

Between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, vehicular traffic is closed as the upper part of Royal Street becomes a walking mall and an open art gallery. The 13-block section of Royal Street has live music, antique and jewelry stores, art galleries, and locally owned food vendors and restaurants. If you’re into architecture, you’ll enjoy the 19th-century buildings.

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Located in the heart of City Park, next to the New Orleans Museum of Art, is the Sidney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. The newly expanded garden has a beautiful lagoon, complemented by over 90 donated sculptures. The garden is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Fly (Avenger Park)

Located in Audubon Zoo across the the Mississippi River, this beautiful walking path is lined with trees and green space.

A post shared by Claire Weil (@claire_noeline) on

Bayou St. John

Starting at Moss Street and Lafitte Avenue, and ending at Moss Street and Florida Avenue is an serene walking path that traces the bayou in the Bayou St. John neighborhood. The bayou flows from Mid-City to Lake Pontchartrain.

Lafitte Greenway

The Lafitte Greenway is a 2.5 mile walking/biking path that connects Mid-City to the Treme and Iberville neighborhoods. Along the greenway is the Sojourner Truth Community Center, beer gardens, restaurants, green space, and an outdoor gym.

Louis Armstrong Park

Not far from the Lafitte Greenway is Louis Armstrong Park. The park has a gorgeous lagoon, water fountains, and historical tributes. Congo Square, a place where enslaved people congregated to dance and play music in the 18th and 19th centuries, is part of the park.

Moon Walk

Named for former mayor Moon Landrieu, the newly renovated Moon Walk path spans 11 blocks of the French Quarter. Near the Moon Walk is Woldenberg Park, Washington Artillery Park and Steamboat Natchez port. The Walk starts at the RiverWalk Outlet Collection and ends near Jax Brewery.

The Crescent Park

Crescent Park is a 1.4-mile riverfront park. Connecting the Bywater, Marigny and French Quarter, it boasts sweeping downtown views, walking trails, and a dog park.

The Lakefront

Located at the north edge of the city is a walking path along Lake Pontchartrain. It’s a great place to go if you want to catch a sea breeze (well, a Gulf of Mexico breeze) and maybe spot a dolphin.

French Market

One of the French Quarter's many delights is the French Market, which holds numerous local food and art vendors. The market is two blocks long, bounded by French Market Place and North Peters Street.

St. Charles Avenue

If you appreciate beautiful architecture, you'll love a walk down St. Charles Avenue, particularly in the Audubon and Uptown neighborhoods. The Avenue is lined with gorgeous mansions and architecture unique to New Orleans.

Esplanade Ridge

Right in between Mid-City and Bayou St. John is an intimate historical district known as Esplanade Ridge. On this side of Esplanade, there are several pocket parks, locally owned restaurants, markets, and shops. Feel free to walk down the rest of Esplanade to embark on an architectural sight-seeing adventure. and beautiful New Orleans homes.

Algiers Point

A ferry ride away from the French Quarter, the small, quaint neighborhood of Algiers Point offers much to see and do. In an informal walking tour, you can see the Algiers Courthouse, Confetti Park, the Algiers War Memorial, and a glass blowing studio. Algiers Point also holds a Mississippi River trail that stretches for miles. While walking, you can get a great view of the French Quarter, especially during sunset hours.

Coliseum Square

If you find yourself meandering around the Lower Garden District, check out one of New Orleans’s oldest parks. It was first built in the 19th century and restored in the early 1970s. Coliseum Square Association jumpstarted the park’s revival in the early 1970s. Coliseum Square has walking paths, oak trees, and lovely fountains.

Metairie Road

Just outside the bounds of New Orleans, this street has amazing old town vibes. From locally owned establishments to the St Francis Catholic Church, this street highlights a unique culture in the New Orleans metro area.

Infrogmation of New Orleans/Wikimedia Commons

Bayou Road

Noted as a historic commercial corridor, several locally owned businesses sit on this mural-filled street. The Benachi House, which Curbed NOLA noted as one of of the beautiful places to get married, is located steps away from this street on North Tonti.

Riverbend

If you cannot get enough of the Uptown/Audubon culture, check out this sweet corner of New Orleans. The Riverbend is home to the Mississippi River Trail, local businesses, and sits minutes away from gorgeous homes on St. Charles Avenue.

Mardi Gras Fountain

If you’re looking to add a visual experience to your walk, check out this fountain and art tribute that honors over 90 New Orleans Mardi Gras carnival krewes. Ample green space and a couple of walking paths surround the display, which edges Lakeshore Drive.

Fort St. John / Old Spanish Fort

Directly across from St. John Park sits the brick ruins of an old Spanish fort. It was first erected by the French in 1701, to protect what was then a trade route.

Photo via Infrogmation/Wikimedia Commons