The Louisiana outdoors have more to offer
than any state in the union
Bike Ride Around Audubon Park
The landscapes of the Mississippi River deltaic plain don't conjure up conventional images of hiking, à la the Rocky Mountains or the Appalachians.
But the proximity of wilderness preserves to New Orleans, and the paths that come with them, ensure that a good walk through the natural environment is never far away.
At destinations like Barataria Preserve and Bayou Segnette State Park, visitors can expect to find fabulous examples of the swampy Bayou country for which this region is world famous. The boardwalks and trail markers at these facilities often provide the only opportunity to traverse the watery world of cypress and tupelo swamps, fields of Louisiana irises and pastures of rich green bull's tongue that would otherwise be out of reach for those without water-born transportation.
New Orleans' level geography surrounded by the mighty Mississippi and the brackish waters of Lake
Pontchartrain provide unique opportunities for tourists who want to explore the city and its natural environment on foot or bicycle. Bike rentals and guided cycling and kayaking tours of New Orleans and the surrounding region are available.
Audubon Park's oval bike-and-walking path weaves around the perimeter of this subtropical paradise. Workout stations are situated along the path. Both paved and dirt paths run through City Park in Mid-City as well. Many locals also run along the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line and other medians – known here as neutral grounds – that divide the wide boulevards throughout the city.
With one of the largest levee systems in the world towering over the waterfront, it is easy to forget that New Orleans is surrounded by water.
To take advantage of river views, visitors can run or bike along the Levee Bike Path that begins Uptown at
Audubon and Magazine Streets and goes more than 80 miles to the state capitol at Baton Rouge. On the other side of town, paths along the edge of Lake Pontchartrain near Lake Shore Drive parallel a grassy levy shaded by oak trees and enhanced by playgrounds, benches and a few concession areas.
Across the lake is St. Tammany Trace, a 31-mile trail that is well loved by bike and horseback riders, cyclists, joggers and walkers alike. Converted from an old railroad line, this paved path goes from Covington to Slidell through Fontainebleau State Park, historic towns and horse farms. Outdoor enthusiasts have a chance to glimpse the foxes, deer, wild turkeys and swamp rabbits that are a part of the ecosystem.
There are many races throughout the year, ranging from 5K run/walks to internationally recognized marathons.
In October, the Audubon Zoo presents its annual Swamp Fest 5k run/walk. Racers are treated to a special party and all-day admission to Swamp Fest on race day. Check out New Orleans Track Club’s Website (www.runnotc.org) for more information about other events.
The annual Nokia Sugar Bowl Mardi Gras Marathon is, of course, held close to Mardi Gras. The route winds through many of New Orleans most famous neighborhoods and ends inside the Louisiana Superdome where an after race party is held with plenty of live music, food and refreshments for participants.
The Crescent City Classic is held the Saturday before Easter. This 10,000- meter road race attracts everyone from world-class athletes to weekend joggers and everyone in between. Each year, more than 15,000 runners participate in the event. Beginning at Jackson Square, the race continues through the Central Business District, and follows along Esplanade Avenue to the finish line in City Park. The flat terrain in New Orleans helps make this course one of the fastest. Five world and four American records have been recorded at The Classic.
For the less ambitious but curious, the French Quarter, Garden District, Esplanade Ridge or Mississippi River parks such as Moonwalk and Woldenberg Park offer great, safe and accessible walking while taking in the sights of one of the world's most charming and exotic cities.
Audubon Golf Course
For those who can squeeze a half-day out of a busy conference schedule, or who are on holiday with all the time in the world, New Orleans has beautiful and challenging golf courses that take full advantage of the historic, tropical ambience of the city's landscape.
Temperate weather throughout most of the year, with just two cold months, also makes New Orleans a great golfing destination. For members of clubs out of town, there are a good number of private clubs with generous reciprocal membership arrangements. Those looking for something a little more casual can find plenty of options at both of the city's large public parks feature endless golf courses.
Golfing in New Orleans is a great way to experience the exotic natural settings the city has to offer. Just as some of the Mardi Gras or Jazz Festival revelers come to the city and never leave, some golfers may never again have to look elsewhere for a good game of golf.
Audubon Golf Course Opened over 100 years to serve New Orleans' aristocracy, the now public Audubon Golf Course is located within the public park of the same name. The majestic live oaks draped with Spanish moss that characterize Audubon Park are a common menace to the golfer here, especially on the fourth hole, where they create a canopy over the fairway 175 yards from the tee. For more details, call 504-865-8260 or visit www.auduboninstitute.org.
Tournament Players Club of Louisiana Situated on 250 acres across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, the TPC of Louisiana was designed by Pete Dye, who created the flagship layout for the PGA TOUR. It is the new home of the annual Zurich Classic, which it will host in May 2005. The 7,300-yard, par-72 course offers four sets of tees, and the championship course stretches to 7,300 yards from the championship tees. Call 504-299-8721 or visit www.tpc.com to set up a tee time.
Bayou Oaks Golf Course Located in the extremely large City Park (second largest in the nation, to New York’s Central Park), The Bayou Oaks actually comprises four courses and a two story driving range. With so much choice it is safe to say there is something for everyone from the beginner to the more serious player. Enjoy the bayou classic Louisiana scenery with giant trees and meandering bayous. Call 504-483-9397 or visit www.neworleanscitypark. com/golf.html for more information.
English Turn This immaculate Jack Nicklaus designed course is the private playground of some 450 members. A meandering lake and many mature old oak trees set the scene for the beautifully manicured 7,078 yard, 74.2 rated course. Although private, members of other clubs around the country are welcome.
Lake Pontchartrain Harbor Club
The license plate in Louisiana describes the state as a "Sportsman's Paradise", and this is referring to one sport more than any others: fishing. The wetlands of the Mississippi River are such a rich and productive ecosystem that they provide upwards of 30 percent of the nation’s commercial fishing catch, and play host to thousands of satisfied fishing enthusiasts year round who keep coming back for the speckled trout, redfish, and many other game fish found in the marshes.
For those with a boat, the options are limited only by the imagination. There are many launches south of New Orleans and many spots to choose from once you are in the water. If you do not have a boat but would love to toss in a line and try your luck, then there are still many options. Boat hire is easy to arrange, as are guides to add some local knowledge to your fishing excursion. There are also many spots on the roads south of New Orleans where it is easy to act like a native by setting up a chair and catching some fish while keeping your feet on dry land!
Visitors can pick up a Louisiana State Fishing License from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at www.wlf.state.la.us/apps/netgear/page1.asp.
Famous locally as a weekend destination, Grand Isle is a beloved place for serious fishers. At less than two hours drive from downtown New Orleans, the fishing holes of Grand Isle are very accessible to visitors to the city. Many of the camps (as holiday houses are called down here) that line the Gulf beach are available for holiday rental and camping is available at Grand Isle State Park.
The annual Tarpon Rodeo brings in people from around the country to see who can catch the most fish. For an extensive list of experienced fishermen and their fishing teams, see www.rodnreel.com.
For those who want a taste of the region's watery wildlife, but don't have time to venture outside of the city limits, fishing in City Park is a surprisingly productive venture. Fishing at Lake Pontchartrain, accessible by public transit, and even Bayou St. John, adjacent to City Park, are also common pursuits by natives. Even the nonfishers know these waters have fish. The pelicans, gulls and jumping fish are the giveaway.
The rich wetland habitat of south Louisiana has abundant birdlife, and with the recent completion of the
America's WETLAND Birding Trail, access to this great natural resource is world class. The new trail follows seven scenic byways through 22 coastal parishes. The 115 sites along the trail introduce visitors to a variety of Louisiana's coastal habitats including fresh and saltwater marshes, cheniers, upland pines, riparian hardwood forests, cypress-tupelo swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, open meadows, lagoons, canals, borrow pits and natural bayous, to name a few. Associated with these diverse habitats are an exceptional array of birds and other wildlife.
Much of the region's bird life can be found right within city limits, in the parks and gardens, on the bayous, ponds and lakes. Keep your eyes open on any roadway for the ubiquitous snowy egrets that remind you constantly that you are in America's WETLAND. To learn more about the birds of Louisiana, visit the Audubon Zoo. As a result in part of the Audubon Institute's Species Survival Center at the end of the Mississippi River, the Zoo contains exhibits, in natural settings, of many endangered bird species.
Artist John James Audubon, whose legendary paintings of American birds are a beautiful and remarkable record of our bountiful birdlife, painted most of his work in New Orleans while living in a French Quarter cottage now part of the Maison De Ville Hotel. Consequently, many homes, museums and public spaces exhibit copies and originals of his work. More ambitious birding enthusiasts can use New Orleans as a departure point to access the 12 mapped out 'loops' of America's WETLAND Birding Trail. Chances are you will encounter thousands of migratory waterfowl that flock to the region every year, or you can revel in the area's resident herons, ibises, eagles, osprey and many more. Visit Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge on the Louisiana Scenic Bayou Scenic Byway/Florida Parishes Loop to see the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, one of our nation's officially endangered bird species. Don't be surprised to look out of your hotel room window in the heart of New Orleans and see an avian visitor from Louisiana's swamps or a migratory flock look back at you. If you were flying over New Orleans and spotted any one of its myriad lush gardens, you might stray just as so many birds do...all year long.
This material may be reproduced for editorial purposes of promoting New Orleans. Please attribute stories to New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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