Why City Park is perfect in winter

In the heart of the Big Easy—quite literally—New Orleans City Park offers an unexpected oasis of shady oak alleys and sleepy lagoons. It's one of my favorite places linked to warm memories feeding ducks and eating beignets with my grandparents. Post-holiday, pre-Mardi Gras winter is the ideal time for City Park. The rush of the overstuffed holiday calendar has finally relaxed, so you can take your time meandering along the bayous and crossing the fairytale stone bridges. This far South, January weather and light are often beautiful (excellent for photo shoots). Everything feels unhurried and contemplative. Even the grass in the meadows softens and loses its summer itchiness.

Yet sometimes I wonder if, outside of the annual Celebration in the Oaks holiday light show, City Park is kind of under the radar. Here are some things most people don't know about this radiant gem.

City Park is gigantic—50 percent larger than New York Central Park (!). It's one of the oldest urban parks in the United States, dating back to 1854.

The park houses the largest collection of mature live oaks in the world. Some of the oak trees are 800+ years old (!!). The Spanish moss-draped trees were already 200 years old by the time St Jeanne d'Arc was born. So much history witnessed.

Most of the roadways, lanes, and fountains throughout the park were created by 20,000 artists and builders funded by Roosevelt's WPA program. The lakes and lagoons are not man-made, but a remains of an old bayou system used by the first indigenous people.

An iconic City Park structure, the Peristyle was built in 1907 as a dance floor to accompany a nearby bandstand. Now you know exactly how seriously New Orleans takes parties.

The free sculpture garden holds works by masters like Rodin, Renoir, and Picasso, which are often encountered only abroad.

Plus, there’s just a ton to do: amazing playgrounds; bayous and lakes you can kayak; horse stables; surrey bike rentals; hiking trails; fishing; a full golf course and miniature golf; botanical gardens; an amusement park; a vintage Cafe du Monde outpost; and even an island forest. See what I mean? Under the radar.

How to plan a visit to New Orleans City Park

If you're tapped out from holiday shopping and social whirlwinds, head to City Park.  It's an ideal place to restore yourself so you can recover the necessary stamina for the happy chaos of Carnival.

Location: 1 Palm Drive, New Orleans

Hours: Daily, 6:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. (individual attractions may have separate hours)

Admission: Free for general park access; fees vary for New Orleans Museum of Art; Storyland; Carousel Gardens Amusement Park; and golf

Recommended time: 2–4 hours; longer if you plan to explore multiple attractions

Recommended ages: All, including children

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