I am one of the least outdoorsy people I know. I don’t camp, don’t fish, don’t hike (you get the picture!), but living in New Orleans I have found that there are many fabulous things to do outside at all times of the year. Soaking up the sun, drinking a cold Abita and listening to live local music is a magical combination, and I’m a huge fan of being anywhere you can create this experience. There are the obvious outdoor pastimes such as Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras, but I am going to uncover the lesser-known, but equally awesome, outdoor activities available in New Orleans and bring them to you. Welcome to Outdoor Nola!
It’s Picnic Season again! I, for one, could not be more thrilled. New Orleanians will use any excuse to spend time outside at this time of year. The weather is perfect -- balmy, windy, not sweltering hot yet -- absolutely perfect picnic weather! There are great picnic locations throughout the city, including Audubon Park, City Park, and anywhere along a bayou. One of these wonderful, but lesser known, picnic destinations is the levee at Algiers Point. I’ve been there several times, once for a music festival, once to meet a friend for lunch, and recently for an awesome picnic!
Algiers Point is one of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods. It has a wonderful far-away small-town feeling, considering its proximity to the French Quarter. Walking around in its quiet neighborhoods can be an afternoon activity in itself; the town is full of interesting architecture, small parks, and quirky restaurants and cafes. The levee in Algiers Point is less well known, and therefore quieter, than most of our east-bank picnic spots, providing a pleasant escape from the activity of the French Quarter. It is nice to be able to listen to the quiet breeze while looking back across the river, knowing the hustle and bustle is still there, and that you can go back to it any time. All in all, Algiers Point makes for a very peaceful and intimate spot to share some wine, cheese, and great conversation with a few friends.
The fact that you can get to Algiers Point by taking a free ferry ride across the Mississippi is just icing on the cake! The ferry leaves every few minutes from the Riverwalk area, right next to the Audubon Aquarium. You can even take your car with you for the affordable price of $1. Riding the ferry over to Algiers contributes to the feeling of getting away from the city, despite the fact that it is only a five minute ride. You can’t beat the feel of wind in your face and the scent of the mighty Mississippi. Next time you find yourself wanting to spend all day outside in our perfect New Orleans weather, consider taking the ferry across the river to historic old Algiers for a picnic on the levee, a walk around the town, and an exploration of a place you might not have considered visiting.
It’s Picnic Season again! I, for one, could not be more thrilled. New Orleanians will use any excuse to spend time outside at this time of year. The weather is perfect -- balmy, windy, not sweltering hot yet -- absolutely perfect picnic weather! There are great picnic locations throughout the city, including Audubon Park, City Park, and anywhere along a bayou. One of these wonderful, but lesser known, picnic destinations is the levee at Algiers Point. I’ve been there several times, once for a music festival, once to meet a friend for lunch, and recently for an awesome picnic!
Algiers Point is one of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods. It has a wonderful far-away small-town feeling, considering its proximity to the French Quarter. Walking around in its quiet neighborhoods can be an afternoon activity in itself; the town is full of interesting architecture, small parks, and quirky restaurants and cafes. The levee in Algiers Point is less well known, and therefore quieter, than most of our east-bank picnic spots, providing a pleasant escape from the activity of the French Quarter. It is nice to be able to listen to the quiet breeze while looking back across the river, knowing the hustle and bustle is still there, and that you can go back to it any time. All in all, Algiers Point makes for a very peaceful and intimate spot to share some wine, cheese, and great conversation with a few friends.
The fact that you can get to Algiers Point by taking a free ferry ride across the Mississippi is just icing on the cake! The ferry leaves every few minutes from the Riverwalk area, right next to the Audubon Aquarium. You can even take your car with you for the affordable price of $1. Riding the ferry over to Algiers contributes to the feeling of getting away from the city, despite the fact that it is only a five minute ride. You can’t beat the feel of wind in your face and the scent of the mighty Mississippi. Next time you find yourself wanting to spend all day outside in our perfect New Orleans weather, consider taking the ferry across the river to historic old Algiers for a picnic on the levee, a walk around the town, and an exploration of a place you might not have considered visiting.
*Photo Credit: http://www.algierspoint.org/
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