New Orleans Botanical Garden
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New Orleans Botanical Garden

4.7
·1k reviews·New Orleans, United States

A serene urban oasis in City Park, featuring diverse global flora, majestic live oaks, and a unique Kitchen Garden.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wednesdays

Free for LA residents!

CrowdMedium
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New Orleans Botanical Garden

New Orleans Botanical Garden

Best Time

Wednesdays

Free for LA residents!

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A serene urban oasis in City Park, featuring diverse global flora, majestic live oaks, and a unique Kitchen Garden.

4.7
(1k reviews)

"A peaceful escape from the busy French Quarter, the Botanical Garden is a must-see for its charm and beauty."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Free Wednesday Entry

Louisiana residents get in FREE on Wednesdays! Perfect for a budget-friendly visit.

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking on various paths.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 1,487 reviews

Type

Botanical Garden

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Kitchen Garden

Kitchen Garden

Main Garden Area

Discover a unique and fun display of vegetables and herbs, showcasing local produce and gardening techniques.

Grand Live Oaks

Grand Live Oaks

Throughout the Garden

Marvel at majestic live oak trees draped in Spanish moss, offering classic New Orleans beauty and much-needed shade.

Themed Gardens

Themed Gardens

Various Sections

Explore diverse themed areas, including a tranquil Japanese garden and a vibrant butterfly garden, each with unique flora.

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Planning Your Visit

Free Wednesdays for Louisiana Residents

Louisiana residents can enjoy free admission to the New Orleans Botanical Garden on Wednesdays! It's a fantastic way to experience this urban oasis without the usual ticket cost. Check their website for any specific hours or reservation requirements.

Beat the Heat and Crowds

New Orleans can get hot and humid, especially in summer. Visiting in the morning or late afternoon can offer cooler temperatures and fewer people. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.

Best Times

When
Wednesdays
Why
Free for LA residents!
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday mornings
Why
Cooler temps, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Golden hour beauty
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The REAL Florida Finds Secret Garden Edition There is a magical botanical garden with koi fish, an 100 year old quary, endless nature trails and let me tell you guys the cedar lake woods is a magical place I would definitely recommend! 📍Cedar Lake Woods Garden $12 Per Person Opens 9:30-5pm Tip: Go during the week! #botanicalgardens #floridaadventures #travelideas #visitflorida #floridathings...
@peakacity
156.7K likes • 2.4M views

🎯 Free Wednesday Entry

Louisiana residents get in FREE on Wednesdays! Perfect for a budget-friendly visit. Instagram+1

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking on various paths. Reddit

Okay so it’s not actually a secret but it does feel like my own personal hidden garden oasis located right in city park. The best part - sometimes it’s free!! #neworleans #secretgarden #botanicalgarden #nola #citypark #louisiana #hiddengems
@samanthadenelle_
34.5K likes • 254.3K views
🌿 Did you know the New Orleans Botanical Garden is free for Louisiana residents every Wednesday? My kids and I took full advantage of it today and had the best time slowing down and soaking in the beauty. It was the perfect chance to teach them about plants that grow well in our zone and which ones are pollinator-friendly 🐝💚 Highly recommend adding this to your midweek bucket list! #NOLABotanicalG...
bebesbeautyandbees
40 likes • 876 views

💧 Stay Hydrated

New Orleans is humid; bring water, especially in warmer months. Reddit

☀️ Seek Shade

The large oak trees provide great shade, making afternoons more bearable. Reddit

Spend some time at the New Orleans Botanical Garden; you’ll be glad you did. 🌞🌿🪷 Fun fact: Admission is free for Louisiana residents on Wednesdays.
davidnola
750 likes • 11K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Free Wednesday Entry

Louisiana residents get in FREE on Wednesdays! Perfect for a budget-friendly visit. Instagram+1

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

You'll be doing a lot of walking on various paths. Reddit

💧 Stay Hydrated

New Orleans is humid; bring water, especially in warmer months. Reddit

☀️ Seek Shade

The large oak trees provide great shade, making afternoons more bearable. Reddit

📸 Capture the Beauty

Plenty of photo opportunities with diverse plants and scenic views. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.7
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the New Orleans Botanical Garden for its beauty, tranquility, and unique features like the Kitchen Garden and majestic live oaks. It's seen as a peaceful escape from the city's hustle. However, some find the admission price a bit high for families, suggesting it might be better suited for plant enthusiasts or solo visits.

"We visited the New Orleans Botanical Garden today, and it was such a lovely experience. The gardens are really beautiful and full of charm. One of my favorite parts was the kitchen garden with all the vegetables growing—it was so unique and fun to see. The rest of the gardens were just as wonderful, especially the live oak trees draped in Spanish moss. They added so much character and that classic New Orleans beauty.

Coming from Birmingham, Alabama, where we have a very lovely botanical garden of our own, I can say this one is special in its own right because of those grand oaks and the Southern atmosphere. It made the visit memorable and peaceful all at once.

If you’re visiting New Orleans and want a break from the busy French Quarter, the Botanical Garden is a must-see. We truly enjoyed our time there."

Bill Tiemann

"We visited the New Orleans Botanical Garden during a trip to City Park, and while the gardens themselves are well-maintained and offer some lovely sights, the overall experience felt overpriced—especially for a family.

The space is peaceful and offers a mix of tropical plants, flowers, and a few artistic installations. It’s a nice place to explore if you’re really into horticulture or looking for a quiet walk. That said, I expected more for the cost of admission. I honestly would’ve preferred to visit alone or with other plant lovers rather than bring the whole family, considering how quickly the price adds up and how little there was to keep the kids engaged after a short while.

There were some highlights: the butterfly garden, interesting sculptures, and shaded areas to rest. But overall, it didn’t feel like a good value for a full family outing. If you’re on a budget or traveling with kids, I’d think twice unless you know they’ll be into the experience. Next door they have a story book land which kids may enjoy more.

I absolutely loved the kitchen garden and that part of the botanical garden."

Brittany Atkinson

"Beautiful garden. The covered gardens were nice and cool. Shade trees were magical, especially in the summer swelter.

We went on a Friday afternoon. Walking in the garden was very calming. Not many people around, so you could take you time and enjoy the view. The fans in some of the areas provided great relief for the heat."

Alicia C

What People Like

Beautiful and charming gardens
Unique Kitchen Garden
Majestic live oaks with Spanish moss

What People Dislike

Perceived as overpriced for families
Less engaging for young children

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The New Orleans Botanical Garden is located within City Park. You can drive and find plenty of parking nearby. Public transportation options are also available, with several bus routes serving the City Park area. TikTok

Yes, there is ample parking available in the vicinity of the New Orleans Botanical Garden within City Park. Reddit

Absolutely! Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are a convenient way to reach the garden, especially if you're coming from other parts of the city. TikTok

Yes, several New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) bus lines stop near City Park, providing access to the Botanical Garden. Check the RTA website for specific routes and schedules. TikTok

From the French Quarter, you can take a taxi, rideshare, or specific RTA bus lines that head towards City Park. It's a relatively short ride. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

General admission for adults is typically around $10, with children aged 3-12 costing $5. Children under 3 are usually free. Louisiana residents can enjoy free admission on Wednesdays. Instagram

Yes! Louisiana residents get free admission every Wednesday. It's a great tip for locals and visitors from the state. Instagram+1

The garden is typically open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It's always a good idea to check their official website for the most current hours, as they can vary seasonally. Instagram

While not always mandatory, booking tickets in advance, especially for free Wednesday admission or during peak times, can save you time and guarantee entry. Check the garden's website for their policy. Instagram

The New Orleans Botanical Garden is generally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Always confirm hours on their official website before your visit. Instagram

🎫 🌿 Onsite Experience

Don't miss the unique Kitchen Garden, the majestic live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and the various themed gardens like the Japanese Garden and Butterfly Garden. InstagramReddit

While it offers a peaceful walk, some reviewers suggest it might not hold the attention of younger children for extended periods unless they have a strong interest in plants. The nearby Storybook Land might be more engaging for them. Reddit

Yes, the garden has many large shade trees, especially the live oaks, and some covered areas that provide relief from the heat. Fans are also present in some sections. Reddit

Absolutely! The New Orleans Botanical Garden is a beautiful spot for photography, with diverse plant life, sculptures, and scenic views. Instagram

The garden is not incredibly large, but it offers plenty to see with its various themed sections and diverse plant collections. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Currently, there is no food service or cafe within the New Orleans Botanical Garden itself. Visitors are advised to bring their own snacks or plan to eat before or after their visit. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, it's generally recommended to check the garden's policy on outside food and beverages. Picnics might be allowed in designated areas, but it's best to confirm. Reddit

There are dining options within City Park, and of course, the wider New Orleans area offers countless culinary experiences. Nearby cafes and restaurants are a short drive away. Reddit

It's advisable to bring your own water bottle, as water fountains may not be readily available throughout the garden. Staying hydrated is key in the New Orleans climate. Reddit

You can find various eateries around City Park, from casual cafes to more upscale dining. Many visitors also combine their trip with a visit to iconic New Orleans spots like Cafe Du Monde for beignets. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The lush greenery, vibrant flowers, Spanish moss-draped oaks, and the unique Kitchen Garden offer fantastic photo opportunities. The themed gardens also provide picturesque settings. Instagram

Typically, drone usage is restricted in botanical gardens and public parks to ensure the safety and tranquility of visitors and wildlife. It's best to check the garden's specific regulations. Instagram

Early morning or late afternoon, during the 'golden hours,' offers the most beautiful natural light for photography, minimizing harsh shadows and creating a warm glow. Instagram

While general photography is encouraged, professional photoshoots or commercial filming may require permits. Always respect signage and other visitors. Instagram

A versatile lens, like a 24-70mm, is great for capturing both wide landscapes and close-up details. A macro lens can be useful for flower photography. Instagram

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