City Park in New Orleans
January 19th, 2010 | 
Author: When I was in New Orleans last, staying nearly a week, I rarely ventured out of the French Quarter, attracted by the restaurants and bars and jazz, by Jackson Square, and the Cafe DuMonde Coffee Stand. For some reason, I didn’t consider heading over to the City Park New Orleans, and it’s one of the regrets I have about the visit. The City Park was once the site of the Allard Plantation, which faced the Bayou St. John, and is comprised of 1,300 acres. The place contains New Orleans Museum of Art as well as one of the world’s biggest collections of oak trees; the most ancient grove contains trees over six hundred years old. It’s here, too, that jass, a musical form that was gave rise to jazz, was performed. For that history, you’ll want to investigate Buddy Bolden.
The City Park was established in 1854, so at 156 years, it’s one of the oldest parks in the nation. Over time, it’s expanded to its present acreage, making it one of America’s largest city parks as well. The buildings and bridges and sculpture in the park range from Neo-Classical revival and Art Deco styles, and is a gathering spot for sports and recreation; there’s kid’s attractions, too, as well as a Botanical Garden. There’s boat rides as well. Almost something for anyone to do, the park entertains about an eleven million visits each year.
Once you’ve situated yourself in one of New Orlean’s hotels, then take a walk through the French Quarter and find the entrance to City Park. You’ll discover the Botanical Garden, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and the Storyland fairyland playground. In Storyland, children can play aboard Captain Hook’s pirate ship, take a trip into a whale’s mouth with Pinocchio, and climb up Jack & Jill’s Hill (with any luck, without similar results).
My second trip to New Orleans, I’ll make the park a priority. If it’s your first trip to New Orleans, I’d go ahead and see it now.
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