City Park & the New Orleans Museum of Art

A vast green escape from the city — centuries-old oaks, a renowned art museum, a free sculpture garden, and family attractions, all in one place.

In short: New Orleans City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country — bigger than New York's Central Park — home to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and the free Besthoff Sculpture Garden. It's a great half-day, especially for families or anyone craving green space and art.

What it is

City Park spans roughly 1,300 acres in Mid-City, larger than Central Park, and is famous for its grove of ancient live oaks — some estimated to be hundreds of years old. It blends nature, art, and family fun, and is easy to reach by the Canal Street streetcar.

What to see & do

New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) — the city's premier art museum, founded in 1911, with a strong collection spanning the globe.
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden — an outdoor garden of major modern and contemporary sculpture, free to enter, set among lagoons and oaks.
The ancient oaks — the park's signature live oaks, some among the oldest in the world, draped in Spanish moss.
Family attractions — Carousel Gardens amusement park, the Storyland fairy-tale playground, City Putt mini-golf, and the Botanical Garden.
Big Lake — a walking and biking loop with boat rentals.

Tips for visiting

The Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free — an easy win even if you skip the museum.
Take the Canal Street streetcar (City Park/Museum branch) right to the entrance.
Mornings are cooler and quieter, ideal in the warmer months.
Great for families — the amusement-park and playground areas are clustered together.

Frequently asked questions

Is City Park bigger than Central Park?

Yes. New Orleans City Park covers about 1,300 acres, larger than New York's Central Park (about 843 acres).

Is the sculpture garden free?

Yes — the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free to enter. The New Orleans Museum of Art has a separate admission.

How do you get to City Park?

Take the Canal Street streetcar (the City Park/Museum branch), which stops at the park entrance near NOMA. Rideshare and driving also work, with on-site parking.