The Moonwalk Riverfront Park
4.7(192)google
4.2(60)yelp
HikingOutdoor
Overview
The Moonwalk Riverfront Park is a scenic pedestrian promenade named after former New Orleans Mayor Maurice 'Moon' Landrieu, stretching gracefully along the Mississippi River adjacent to Jackson Square. This beautifully paved linear park features wide viewing wooden platforms, brick walkways, and terraced seating right down to the water's edge. It provides travelers an ideal vantage point to marvel at massive passing cargo ships, listen to traveling street saxophonists, and enjoy the cooling, refreshing breezes rolling off the great river.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 45-60 minutes
Best TimeGreat all year, with the absolute best time being late afternoon through evening (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM). Sitting on the wide wooden and stone steps facing the Mississippi River allows you to catch the river breeze and see the glowing Crescent City Connection bridge while local street jazz musicians play.
Getting TherePositioned directly along the riverbank behind Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Ride the Riverfront Streetcar straight to the Jackson Square station; upon exiting, cross the pedestrian bridge over the levee and train tracks, and you will step onto the promenade in under 1 minute.
Travel Tips
- Exposed to sun, so visit in the evening to beat summer heat and enjoy new misting features.
- No guardrails along the edge; wading is prohibited. Be mindful of belongings at night.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Now connected to Goldring Woldenberg Park, creating a 2.25-mile riverfront path. Riverside steps offer prime views for sunset and ship watching.
Reviews
Positive
- This iconic riverfront boardwalk right by the Quarter offers gorgeous 270-degree vistas of the Mississippi River and the grand crescent bridges.
- Connecting Jackson Square to Cafe Du Monde, the wide paved steps and park benches offer an ideal waterfront resting platform after a long walk.
- Completely free to enter, it is continuously animated by world-class street brass bands, making the river-breeze musical atmosphere wonderful.
- The concrete promenades are wide and smooth, fitted with sturdy ADA ramps that ensure effortless transit for strollers and joggers alike.
Heads up
- Being a globally accessible open hotspot, daytime hours swarm with dense tourist traffic and shouting vendors, sacrificing pure natural quiet.
- The walkway features zero substantive overhead shade trees or canopies, turning into a blistering heat trap during intense summer afternoons.
- At night, certain corners suffer from dim lighting and attract loitering rowdy crowds, requiring extra safety awareness from late-night walkers.
- Positioned right next to active steamboat docks, passing heavy boat motor emissions and engine roars can occasionally disrupt the clean river air.