The Singing Oak
Tired of the touristy cacophony of Bourbon Street? Find some tranquility at The Singing Oak, an immense tree draped in windchimes that forms a calming yet whimsical outdoor installation in the Bayou St. John neighborhood. This beloved oak is believed to be between 100-500 years old and has miraculously survived several hurricanes over the centuries. As the winds rustle the thousands of hanging chimes, you’ll hear the soothing sounds of what seems like a mystical, natural symphony. This serene spot is the perfect respite to get away from the city noise for a while. Grab a bench and let the calming melodies provide a meditative moment. Or spread out a blanket and have a picnic underneath the shaded, churning branches. The Singing Oak is most enchanting during the spring when the tree’s bright green canopy is at its peak. And although located right along a sleepy residential block, the area offers plenty of free street parking for your party bus to effortlessly roll up to this secret oasis right in the heart of the city.
Address: 3600 Dumaine St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Crescent Park
The Mississippi River isn’t just a watery border, it’s the life force that breathes vitality into New Orleans culture. Experience the iconic waterway and its sprawling banks at Crescent Park, a 1.4-mile linear park perfect for strolling, biking, or absorbing epic views of the Downtown skyline and French Quarter. This lush, 20-acre green space integrates historical features like the country’s first navigational lights system and the Railway Arches viaduct. The park also has dedicated spaces for live music performances and outdoor movies on the riverfront. Round up your group and party bus team to see what events may be happening during your NOLA visit. Crescent Park hosts free fitness classes, outdoor festivals, and sporting tournaments throughout the year. Or pack a picnic and spend a breezy afternoon roaming the walking paths or renting bikes to cruise the entire park loop at your leisure. When the sun sets, the oak-lined pedestrian paths light up with dreamy bistro lighting that make for magical evening strolls along the Mississippi.
Address: 700 Mazant St, New Orleans, LA 70117
Longue Vue House & Gardens
This lavish, 8-acre estate tucked away in the Lakewood neighborhood will make you feel transported to an elegant European countryside villa. Built in the 1940s, the Longue Vue House was inspired by English-, Spanish-, and Italian-style country homes and is surrounded by absolutely breathtaking gardens. Wander through the sprawling lawns, exotic plant displays, and sculptural fountains speckled throughout secret alcoves and pebbled courtyards. Inside the main house, visitors will find an eclectic assemblage of antique decor, furnishings, and artwork curated by the estate’s original owners. You can take guided historic tours through the main home’s ornate interior rooms or visit the newly renovated Discovery Garden for interactive exhibits. The gardens also have regular rotating art and sculpture installations amid the lush, pastoral surroundings. It’s an unparalleled cultural oasis that seems oceans away from the French Quarter festivities. Don’t miss Longue Vue’s calendar of events for live music concerts, outdoor film screenings, and themed garden strolls.
Address: 7 Bamboo Rd, New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone: (504) 488-5488
Algiers Point
You haven’t fully appreciated New Orleans until you’ve experienced the mighty Mississippi River up close. And there’s no better vista than the lush, quiet neighborhood of Algiers Point right across the river from the famous French Quarter skyline. This quaint, residential area has a nostalgic, small-town Americana ambiance. Let your group hop out of the party bus and meander down the scenic streets lined with historic bungalows, oaks dripping with Spanish moss, and local artisan shops. You’ll get sweeping views of Downtown New Orleans as the ship trafficnavagate along the mighty Mississippi from the riverfront walking paths. Stop for fresh seafood or a legendary local po’boy sandwich at haunts like Dry Dock Cafe & Lebatree Books or the Old Point Bar. On the weekends, Algiers Point hosts a bustling farmers market and free Wednesday evening concerts on the levee. While the rest of NOLA parties into the wee hours, this picturesque enclave offers an idyllic taste of southern tranquility just a short drive or ferry ride across the river.
Studio Be
For a decidedly funkier side of New Orleans’ thriving arts scene, make your way to Studio Be over in the Treme neighborhood. This massive converted warehouse and art collective has been a creative incubator for over two decades. You’ll find everything from an outdoor sculpture garden to wildly colorful mural exhibits covering the interior spaces. Studio Be features rotating multidisciplinary shows and installations from hundreds of local and international artists in mediums spanning painting, photography, and live music. The industrial-chic indoor/outdoor compound encompasses offbeat event spaces for parties, film screenings and receptions set among the endless array of eclectic artwork. You can also shop small galleries and working artist studios on-site selling one-of-a-kind crafts and pieces. During the monthly Art Wander evenings, Studio Be hosts outdoor movie screenings, pop-up vendors, food trucks, and live art demos with the sounds of bands and DJs echoing into the balmy night. It’s a technicolor immersive art experience you’ll only find in the extraordinarily unique creative spirit of NOLA.
Address: 2094 Bayou Rd, New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 784-8349
New Orleans Museum of Art
If expansive sculptural installations and avant-garde exhibitions aren’t your vibe, get your fix of classic fine art at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Opened in 1911 and nestled within the lush landscapes of City Park, NOMA houses an impressive permanent collection of over 40,000 pieces. You’ll find artwork spanning from French Impressionist masters to indigenous sculptures and photography from the American South. The grandiose main building was constructed in 1911 with an architectural Renaissance Revival style that will instantly transport you to a historic European villa. Wander the galleries admiring the art before emerging to stroll through the immaculate sculpture garden surrounded by tranquil fountains and footbridges. NOMA often hosts rotating international exhibitions and is especially renowned for its collection of photography from Clarence John Laughlin, who captured iconic scenes of NOLA in the 20th century.
Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone: (504) 658-4100
Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
This stunning contemporary sculpture garden might be one of the most unexpected and delightful surprises in a city filled with whimsical flourishes. Located on the grounds of the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden contains nearly 100 modern artworks nestled within a serene 11-acre landscape designed specifically for the individual pieces. Sculptures from renowned artists like Claes Oldenburg, Auguste Rodin, and Rene Magritte are strategically situated throughout a lush setting of pine groves, footbridges, Spanish moss-laden oaks, and tranquil lagoons. You’ll encounter abstract figures, spherical forms, and postmodern statements seamlessly incorporated into the natural surroundings. It’s a unique open-air art gallery that highlights the creative dialogue between man-made masterpieces and Mother Nature. Your party bus can easily drop you off at the sculpture garden entrance within NOMA to wander this artistic Eden at your leisure.
Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone: (504) 658-4100
New Orleans City Park
While you’re exploring the natural space and sculpture gardens of the New Orleans Museum of Art, you might as well dedicate a few hours to experiencing the verdant splendor of City Park itself! This massive 1,300-acre urban oasis is one of the nation’s oldest and grandest public parks, with origins dating back to 1854. Spend a glorious day under the towering oaks as you stroll through botanical gardens, sample local eats from park cafes and food trucks, or rent paddleboats and cruise along serene bayous and waterways. The sprawling acreage leaves plenty to see with lush gardens, tranquil walking trails, and avenues lined with stately moss-draped trees that epitomize the dreamy splendor of the Deep South. Little ones will have a blast at the carnival rides and games of Storyland, while older kids can try out paddleboarding or the park’s acclaimed Disc Golf course. City Park is also host to annual festivals and cultural events like the Voodoo Music Experience. From regal formal gardens to placid bayous and wild reproductions of Louisiana wetlands, this emerald paradise showcases the diverse natural wonders of New Orleans in one compact haven.
Address: 1 Palm Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone: (504) 483-9402
Plan Your Trip With New Orleans Party Bus
They say New Orleans is a city with a million stories, and only by taking the time to veer off the beaten path will you truly unlock its authentic spirit and colorful chapters. Whether you crave tranquility in leafy urban escapes or hidden enclaves of vibrant local culture, there’s an abundance of undiscovered gems awaiting around every corner of the Big Easy. Let New Orleans Party Bus be your guide to these one-of-a-kind experiences and transport your group from hotspot to hotspot in style and comfort. Call 504-758-3591 today and our team will craft the perfect party bus rental plan for your NOLA adventures.