New Orleans Botanical Garden at City Park

City Park in New Orleans offers a relaxing take on the party scene of Bourbon Street. A stroll through the New Orleans Botanical Garden is worth every moment. From colorful flowers and wildlife to sculptures and endless hedges.

Here’s a rundown of what you need to know as you plan your visit to the Big Easy and need something more low key than street parties.

History of the New Orleans Botanical Garden

The original garden debuted during the Great Depression with a City Park Rose Garden in 1936. It’s current structure opened in the 1980s as the New Orleans Botanical Garden at City Park.

It houses more than 2,000 different types of flowers and trees. As a Utah native, I loved seeing the large oak trees reaching out from the trunk, and strings of moss tangled in their branches.

The garden is open year round, so visitors are able to explore it any time of year and see what each season brings.

The Gardens within the Garden

Although the New Orleans Botanical Garden is one large, 10-acre garden, it’s comprised of several smaller gardens that showcase different plants.

For example, a butterfly garden is filled with colorful blossoms to attract the flying insect. I had several cross my path while standing in the garden. They were just too quick for me to capture any photos – maybe they were just camera shy.

The Japanese garden was… interesting. I noticed large stones hanging on ropes tied to the trees and figured they were either serious about their weather rocks, or they were using them to pull the branches down so they grew out instead of up.

I enjoyed spending a few minutes in the shade garden sitting on a swinging bench and admiring the garden around me. There are paths winding their way from one garden to the next, and it’s pretty easy to get lost.

But it’s important to stop and smell the roses… or the magnolias, azaleas, or lilies.

Sculptures Scattered Throughout the Garden

After walking through the Arrival Garden, you’ll find yourself looking at numerous sculptures by artist Enrique Alferez. The majority of the statues scattered throughout the entire 10-acre garden are done by Mr. Alferez. But the greatest concentration of his sculptures are found in that first area past the Arrival Garden.

Grab a map at the visitor center when you check in and see if you can name the sculptures as you find them. As with some sculptures, there are human figures that are sans clothing – so just be aware.

At the far end of the Garden you’ll find The Flute Player. Looking at that sculpture from the right angle makes the statue blend in to the trunk of the tree behind it. It’s an interesting affect in a photo and almost hides it.

Wildlife Wanders Among the Flowers and Fountains

While I really enjoyed photographing the flowers, the wildlife was equally interesting. I watched a crane make it’s way along the edge of the reflective fountain and captured the moment it went to grab a meal out of the water.

I’ve already mentioned the challenge with the camera-shy butterflies, but the honeybee didn’t seem to mind me taking its photo as it climbed around an orange flower.

There are squirrels running around there as well, so just keep your eyes open and you’ll love the wildlife you’re able to see. After all, they want to enjoy the garden as much as we do.

Buildings and Pavilions in the New Orleans Botanical Garden

As you meander through the Garden you’ll notice several buildings. Some you’re able to enter, while others are reserved for special events.

Conservatory of the Two Sisters

Inside the Conservatory of the Two Sisters you’ll find two ends of the building featuring different plant life. Keep the door closed, because on one end, you’ve got tropical flowers in a climate controlled room. Look up in the trees to see colorful flowers – or you can enjoy the sounds of a waterfall in the indoor pond.

On the other side of the building are prehistoric plants. They look like plants my grandma had hung in her living room – but I’m not saying she was prehistoric or anything. Haha! This side also has a pond and waterfall for you to enjoy.

Pavilion of the Two Sisters

The Pavilion of the Two Sisters host events – whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, company meeting or anniversary celebration. There are restrooms and a drinking fountain nearby, so be sure and take advantage of that while you’re passing by.

The Lath House and Garden Study Center

Lath House and Garden Study Center house a variety of classes. Check out the New Orleans Botanical Garden website for details on classes available to the public.

Concerts are held at the back end of the Garden at the Robert B. Haspel Stage and features some of New Orleans’ finest musicians. Check out their events calendar for upcoming concerts and events.

The Details

Address: 5 Victory Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124

Cost: $8 for adults. Children 3-12 are $4 and children under 3 are free. There’s free admission for Louisiana residents every Wednesday.

Hours: Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the last entry is at 4 p.m.

Website: https://neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden

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