Parking for Audubon Park & City Park

Question

Hello,

We will be traveling with our young child to New Orleans later this month. We would like to visit Audubon Park (and Zoo) as well as City Park during our trip. However, we were trying to figure out how difficult it may be to find parking in or around these areas. We would be in town from Thursday to Saturday.

I recognize we could try to park at Audubon Zoo after 10:00 AM or even look into the premium parking spots for the day we would go. However, I imagine we may try to visit the park earlier in the morning (8:30 - 9:00 AM), so I didn't know if there might be an alternate option we should consider.

Similarly, we would like to visit the section of City Park with more kid-friendly activities, including Storyland, Carousel Gardens and the Botanical Garden/Train Garden. Is it difficult to find parking here during the week? Saturdays? We can look into whether it would be better to take a streetcar, but we will likely have a car available to us during our stay, so we thought we should look into parking options just in case.

We appreciate any advice you can offer us.

Answer

It's great that you're planning to visit both Audubon Park and City Park during your stay in New Orleans! Both of these parks are beautiful and offer plenty of kid-friendly activities. I understand your concern about parking, and here’s a breakdown of what you can expect and some options to make your visit easier:

1. Parking at Audubon Park (and Zoo):

Parking at Audubon Park, especially near the zoo, is usually manageable, but it can get crowded during peak hours, particularly after 10:00 AM when the zoo opens. Here are a few things to consider:

Arriving early: Since you're planning to arrive around 8:30 - 9:00 AM, you should have no trouble finding parking. Most visitors arrive later in the morning or early afternoon, so arriving before that time should help you secure a spot closer to the zoo or the park’s main areas.
Zoo Parking: The zoo has a large parking lot, but it can fill up quickly on weekends or holidays. However, it's often less crowded in the morning, so you'll likely find a space easily if you arrive early.
Street Parking: There is free street parking around Audubon Park and the zoo, though spaces can be limited, especially on weekends. If you don’t mind walking a little, you can often find parking on the perimeter of the park. Make sure to check parking signs to avoid any restrictions.
Premium Parking: If you’re visiting during a busy time, you could consider paying for premium parking at the zoo. This lot tends to fill up later in the day, but if you arrive early, it's a good option for convenience.

2. Parking at City Park (Storyland, Carousel Gardens, Botanical Garden, and Train Garden):

City Park is much larger than Audubon Park, and parking is generally more available, but it can still be busy, especially on weekends. Here’s what you can expect:

Weekdays: On weekdays, parking at City Park is relatively easy to find. There are several parking lots near the park's main attractions, including the Botanical Garden, Carousel Gardens, and Storyland. Most of the lots are free, but be sure to check for any signs indicating time restrictions or fees.
Saturdays: Saturdays can be busier, especially around the more popular areas like Storyland and the Botanical Garden. However, there are multiple parking areas within the park, so if one lot is full, it’s likely you’ll find another nearby. Some of the lots are located close to the park entrance, while others are further along the park’s perimeter.
Parking near Attractions: There is parking available near the specific kid-friendly attractions you mentioned (Storyland, Carousel Gardens, etc.). If the main lot near these attractions is full, there are additional parking lots near the Sculpture Garden and the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) that are just a short walk away.
Street Parking: There is also street parking around the park, though it may be more limited during peak times. Keep an eye out for parking meters or restrictions, especially if you're parking near the museum or the edge of the park.

3. Alternative Transportation Options:

If parking turns out to be difficult, you might consider using public transportation, such as the streetcar, which is an easy and fun way to get around the city. The streetcar runs to both Audubon Park and City Park, and it can be a convenient option if you don’t want to deal with parking altogether. However, since you’ll likely have a car, it’s probably easier to park directly at the parks for your visit.

4. General Tips:

Arrive early: Whether you're visiting Audubon Park or City Park, arriving early in the morning gives you the best chance at finding convenient parking.
Check for special events: If you're visiting during a holiday or special event, be aware that parking may be more difficult. You can check the parks’ websites or local event calendars to see if anything special is happening that might affect parking availability.
Consider weekdays over weekends: If you have some flexibility, visiting the parks on a weekday might make parking easier, as weekends tend to be busier.

In summary, if you arrive early in the morning (before 9:00 AM), you should have no trouble finding parking at either Audubon Park or City Park. Weekdays will generally be easier for parking, but even on weekends, there are plenty of options, especially if you're flexible with where you park and willing to walk a bit. Enjoy your visit with your little one—it sounds like a great time!

Parking for Audubon Park & City Park

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