Jog Through New Orleans: 4 Places to Tour Healthy

One of my favorite ways to explore a city is on foot, jogging. You’re able to dash into alleys and swept away corners, discovering parts of a city that you never would have if you were on a bike or in a car. Running isn’t as laborious as walking, which can take forever, plus it’s a great way to stay in shape!

I have literally run in every single neighborhood in New Orleans, from Uptown to downtown, Metairie to Mid-City. Here are four places to jog that will give you a true experience of New Orleans!

1. Audubon Park + The Fly – At some point, everyone should make their way to Audubon park to admire the ancient live oaks, murky lagoons, and old southern architecture. Take a running tour of Audubon Park by jogging around the outer dirt path, a total of 2.2 miles, and admire the old mansions lining the park. The inner asphalt loop is 1.8 miles and hugs the murky lagoon and golf course. If you want to to take your mileage up a notch, cross magazine street to The Fly - you’ll catch a glimpse of the mighty Mississippi River and will even pass by Audubon Zoo. Where: Audubon Park, 6500 Magazine Street

2. French Quarter & Mississippi River – Walking around the Quarter is nice, but if you run through it you get a chance to scope out every club, bar and coffee shop, a great way to figure out what you’ll be doing that night! I like to start on the outskirts of the Quarter in the Marigny, parking near Elysian Fields Avenue and Royal Street (the parking is free). Make your way down Royal St. and then cut across to the Mississippi River to take in the sprawling views of Algier’s Point. Where: Elysian Fields Ave & Royal Street.

3. Old Metairie - This is a secret running spot. Old Metairie is a beautiful, residential neighborhood full of old houses and towering oak trees. Start by parking your car at Metairie Park on Falcon Rd & Bella Ave. Instead of running in the park, opt to run through the neighborhoods. Make sure you take a jog down Northline Street, a street completely tunneled by oak trees and lined with enormous mansions. It’s really otherworldly. Where: Metairie Park, Falcon Rd. & Bella Ave.

4. Streetcar Line – You can jog the entire way down St. Charles Avenue on the streetcar line. Soak in the looming mansions on St. Charles, the neighborhood eateries on Carrollton, and the street cars drifting back and forth from downtown. The sandy grass on the neutral ground makes running easy on your knees! Make sure you keep an eye out for the streetcars – I once had a streetcar driver yell at me, “Get off my line or I’ll flatten you like a chicken patty!” Where: St. Charles Ave Street Car Line, St. Charles Ave & Walnut St.

Tagged as: Audubon Park, jogging in New Orleans, Mississippi Riverfront New Orleans, New Orleans exercise, New Orleans health, New Orleans jogging routes, New Orleans Streetcar, Old Metairie, St. Charles streetcar line, The Fly New Orleans