City: New Orleans, LA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (504) 482-4888

Address: 1 Palm Dr.

Description: More than a century ago, philanthropist John McDonogh bestowed to the City of New Orleans a 100-acre tract of land in Mid-City, which has evolved into the fifth-largest municipal park in the country. Today the park encompasses 1,500 acres and accommodates 10 million annual visitors. Enjoy City Park by just sitting under beautiful moss-draped live oak trees, eating an ice-cream cone, and feeding the ducks. Or check out the Carousel Gardens amusement area and Storyland play area, two of the best reasons for visiting the park with children. Since the turn of the last century, children have enjoyed the “flying horses” of the amusement area’s antique carousel. One of only 100 wooden merry-go-rounds left in the United States and the last in Louisiana, the carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other rides include two miniature antique trains, a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, a 40-foot fun slide, the Lady Bug roller coaster, tilt-a-whirl, the toy helicopter ride, and antique cars. Open Thurs through Sun, hours vary. Ride tickets are purchased separately in addition to admission, or visitors can purchase a wristband good for unlimited rides all day. Storyland, a fairy tale theme park rated one of the top 10 playgrounds in the country by Child magazine, gives kids the chance to climb into the mouth of Pinocchio’s whale, have a pretend sword fight aboard Captain Hook’s ship, or fish in the Little Mermaid’s Pond, all beneath the approving gaze of Mother Goose as she flies amid the limbs of ancient oaks. Storyland is open Tues through Sun. Call or check the Web site for varying seasonal hours. The park also offers recreational activities such as canoeing, fishing, tennis, and horseback riding.