The Best View of New Orleans, Louisiana, Is Found at This Tiny Park

There are a few good spots to snag a great view of the New Orleans skyline. The unobstructed views of NOLA’s skyline, passing ships, and the towering bridges from across the Mississippi from Gretna Riverfront Park and Algiers Point are worthy of a postcard. But if you don't want to trek it too far, there is one tiny but mighty park that has the best view of New Orleans without having to leave the city limits. Whether you're visiting New Orleans for the first time or you're a lifelong local, visiting Crescent Park is always a good idea.

Folks looking to grab a glimpse at the New Orleans skyline can head over to Crescent Park. The waterfront park is conveniently located near most of the top attractions and hotels in NOLA. It’s less than two miles from the convention center and only a mile away from the French Quarter. Getting to Crescent Park can easily be done on foot, but there is free parking at the park’s entrance points, too.

There are three entrance points, one on either end and one (kind of) in the middle. The Piety Street entrance (the middle entrance) is the one with the iconic arch, pictured below. While this entrance is perhaps the most popular of the three, it’s the only one without ADA access. Head over to the Bartholomew Street entrance or Mandeville Crossing for an ADA-accessible entrance.

Crescent Park clocks in at about two miles with 20 acres of green space and paved areas to explore. The urban linear park hugs the Mighty Mississippi and offers beautiful riverfront scenes alongside unparalleled views of the New Orleans skyline. On any given day, it's not unusual to see locals hiking, biking, or jogging along the waterfront, sightseers snapping pictures of the skyline, or people simply sitting on the benches and soaking up the views.

The park is open every day from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Since this is a local park, there are some rules that visitors must respect to continue to maintain its beauty. If you ask me, the rules are fairly standard and include no skateboards or motorized vehicles, no cooking, no swimming, and no fishing. The good news is you can bring your pup along to walk the paved trails, but it must be on a leash.

It's a peaceful spot to sit and watch the boats pass by. If you stick around until sunset, you'll be glad you did! Watching the sunset over the New Orleans skyline should be on everyone's bucket list. And since the park connects to other nearby waterfront parks, visitors will have lots of opportunities to admire the views.

Crescent Park is open year-round, and while you can visit anytime, if you're here in the summer, it's best to come early when the park opens or wait until after the sun starts going down to avoid the hottest part of the day. In spring, the weather is ideal, and the park will be brimming with plenty of colorful flowers, and it's perfect for picnics, especially for anyone who would like to escape the crowds in NOLA for a more peaceful place in Louisiana.

Crescent Park often hosts special events, and the Mandeville Shed and Lawn can be rented out for special occasions, too. Visit the Crescent Park official website to learn more. Crescent Park is not the only place to see incredible views of Louisiana. Check out this road trip taking you to some of the most scenic places in Louisiana. And read the list of our favorite things to do in New Orleans, so you can fill your itinerary with some of the hidden spots that locals enjoy.