New Orleans City Park

New Orleans City Park, at 1 Palm Drive in the Mid-City area of New Orleans, Louisiana, covers about 1,300 acres and is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, larger than New York's Central Park. It opened in the 1850s on land once part of a plantation, and its signature feature is a collection of ancient live oaks, some reportedly hundreds of years old, which shade many of its paths and lawns. The park offers a mix of attractions: the New Orleans Botanical Garden, with Art Deco sculpture and seasonal plantings; Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, which includes a historic carousel and rides for younger children; the Storyland play area; the New Orleans Museum of Art and Besthoff Sculpture Garden; golf courses, tennis courts and a disc golf course; boat rentals on the lagoons; and miles of paths for walking, jogging and cycling. Visitors typically spend half a day, and enthusiasts can fill a full day by combining NOMA, the gardens and a picnic. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, while attractions such as the Botanical Garden and amusement park have their own hours and seasonal schedules, so checking neworleanscitypark.org is wise before a visit. Admission to the park itself is free, with separate fees for the Botanical Garden, Carousel Gardens and other facilities. Crowds are lightest on weekday mornings and heaviest on weekends, school holidays and during major events. For photographs, the Singing Oak with its wind chimes, the Dueling Oak and the lagoon views toward the museum are popular. The park can be reached by the Canal Streetcar City Park line to the terminus, followed by a short walk, or by bus or rideshare. Summers are hot and humid, so spring and fall mornings are the most pleasant times to explore, and visitors often bring water and insect repellent.