Review: Audubon Park

So, can you tell us a little about this place?
Audubon Park, which runs from St. Charles Avenue down to the Mississippi River, is home to the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium. It’s the green space itself, though, that we like to explore, for its ancient oak trees and awesome playgrounds. There's also Bird Island, a nesting and migratory base for thousands of birds, which sits in the middle of a lagoon.

Sounds cool. What should we check out first?
The lagoon, an important stop for many migratory birds, is one of New Orleans’s treasures. Here, you’ll see thousands of them, including bigger species like egrets, cormorants, and herons. Many nest on Ochsner Island, known among locals as Bird Island. Another landmark is the Tree of Life, a favorite spot for climbing—unless a wedding is taking place there, of course. Giraffes are also known to peek out over the zoo walls, just beyond the tree. In addition to a 1.8-mile bike path, there are also a few playgrounds; the St. Charles Avenue one is particularly scenic, with the spires of Loyola University in the background.

Got it. How easy is it to get around?
The park is well-manicured and easy to navigate, with plenty of spots to stop, rest, and feed the birds.

Great. So how can we make the most of our time at the park?
Bring stale bread to feed the birds in the lagoon around Bird Island; you can also pick up provisions along Magazine Street and picnic under a shady oak.