A few years ago, I found myself on a plane to New Orleans for a two-week housesit. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision — I’d just gotten back from a mountain bike trip in Oaxaca and still had itchy feet. So when I saw this housesit pop up, I jumped. Like most people, I’d always been curious about the infamous city of New Orleans and I figured this was the perfect chance to explore the Big Easy. By bike, of course.
I didn’t bring my own bike, but the couple I was housesitting for graciously offered to let me use one of theirs (plus their car!). I spent the next ten days zooming around the city on two wheels, checking out all the best places to ride from shady neighborhood streets to the iconic Tammany Trace Trail to a surprisingly fun and informative e-bike tour.
I really loved my time in the Big Easy and it’s a great city to explore by bike. If you’re heading to New Orleans and want to explore it on two wheels, here’s how to do it.
Highlights of biking in New Orleans
Guided Bike Tours of New Orleans
I’m really not a guided-tour kind of person, but I do make an exception for bike tours. They’re such a good way to get the lay of the land in a new city and pick up a bit of history along the way. New Orleans has some great options, too. I did a tour with Buzz Nola and really enjoyed it, but the following tour get good reviews as well.
New Orleans Bike Rentals
Want to rent a bike to explore on your own? Here are the top places for New Orleans bike rentals:
- Buzz Nola: Located just west of the French Quarter, Buzz Nola has a fleet of single-speed cruisers and city e-bikes. Each rental comes with a basket, heavy-duty bike lock, bike lane map, and optional helmet. They offer hourly and daily rates.
- French Quarter Go: Rent cruiser bikes, e-bikes, or even a golf cart from this is a small, locally-owned family company with deep roots in New Orleans.
- Blue Bikes: Blue Bikes is a city bike-sharing company that is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. There are hundreds of these blue pedal-assist e-bikes all around the French Quarter and Up Town that can easily be checked out by anyone. You will need to create an account, download the app, and choose a plan (pay-as-you-go or monthly).
- Wheel Fun Rentals at City Park: If you want to explore City Park by bike, you can rent cruiser bikes, swan pedal boats, kids bikes, and their iconic four-wheel Surrey.
- Art District Bike Rentals: Looking to rent one of those light-up Mardi Gras New Orleans cruisers? This is your place! Art District Bike Rentals has a fleet of light-up bikes so you can ride around town in style. They also do escorted night rides with music and a guaranteed good time. One thing to note is that they are not located in the French Quarter, they’re about a 30-minute walk from Jackson Square.
Explore New Orleans on your Own
If you’re looking to explore New Orleans by your own two-wheeled volition, you’re in luck. It’s actually a great city to see by a DIY bike tour. I did all of these rides during my visit and each of them were unique and brought me to a different part of the city.
1. Self-Guided Tour of Esplanade Avenue, City Park, & Lafitte Greenway
- Why ride it: Pedal past beautiful mansions, up oak tree-lined streets, and through New Orleans’ iconic City Park.
- Distance: About 15 miles depending on your route
This is the self-guided bike tour I recommend if it’s your first time visiting New Orleans. Start in the French Quarter and pedal up Esplanade Avenue. You’ll pass by beautiful mansions, old oak trees, and cute cafes. Esplanade Avenue will take you to City Park where you can pedal all the way out to the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain if you want.
To return, pedal down the other side of City Park stopping at Cafe Du Monde for a treat! Or my personal favorite, detour out to Creole Creamery for an ice cream. Then, return to the French Quarter via Bayou St. Jean and the paved Lafitte Greenway bike path. I loved this ride — it’s such a great way to spend the day!
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2. Cruise around Audubon Park
- Why ride it: Great ride for families with kids, explore the beautiful Audubon Park and Garden District
- Distance: 3.5+ miles
Audubon Park is a really pretty park in the Garden District of New Orleans. There’s a paved path that circumnavigates the whole area and it’s about 3.7 miles total. This would be a great option for families with kids, especially if you want to stop by the Audubon Zoo after. Be sure to visit the magical Tree of Life as well!
You can also detour out of Audubon Park and weave your way through the beautiful Garden District Neighborhood, which showcases beautiful houses, gardens, and a quintessential New Orleans feel.
If you do visit Audubon Park, be sure to grab lunch at nearby Tartine. Their quiche and soups are delicious.
3. Cross the Mississippi to Algiers and Pedal the Mississippi River Trail
- Why ride it: Explore outside the French Quarter and see a different side of New Orleans, cross the Mississippi River!
- Distance: about 6 miles round-trip
This Mississippi River Trail is a 60+ mile paved path that parallels the north and south banks of the Mississippi River. I rode a lot of this trail during my visit, but to be honest, not all of it is that great. The best (in my opinion) and the quietest section is across the river from the French Quarter in the Algiers neighborhood. You can take the ferry from downtown ($2 each way) and catch the Mississippi River Trail right from the ferry dock.
As you exit the dock, take a left onto the paved path or head to Congregation Coffee Roasters for a delicious coffee (highly recommend!). Then, join the levee path and cycle along the Mississippi River for about 3 miles. I grabbed lunch at the cute little Saint Clair before turning back. The Mississippi River Trail continues in the other direction as well but isn’t quite as nice or scenic.
4. Ride the Pontchartrain Lakefront Trail From City Park
- Why ride it: Almost 100% on bike path, great views out over Lake Pontchartrain, explore beautiful City Park
- Distance: about 18 miles if you do the whole loop
Lake Pontchartrain is a massive body of water (technically an estuary) that sprawls over 630 square miles just north of New Orleans. Along its southern edge runs a beautifully maintained 12.3-mile paved multi-use path, stretching from the Grandlake Estates neighborhood on the west end to the Bucktown Harbor Marina on the east. With the open water beside you and the breeze coming off the lake, it almost feels like you’re pedaling along a coastal boardwalk.
Riding the entire path can get a little monotonous, but pairing a section of it with a loop through City Park makes for a really lovely ride. You get the wide-open lake views, then a change of scenery with moss-draped oaks, art installations, and shaded paths winding through one of the city’s prettiest green spaces.
5. Lay Down the Miles on The Tammany Trace
- Why ride it: Lay down the miles! Get out of the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, visit the Mystery House
- Distance: 28 miles one-way
The Tammany Trace is Louisiana’s first and longest rail trail. The paved path is 28.2 miles long (one-way) and is located north of New Orleans between the towns of Covington to the west and Slidell to the east. Along the way, it connects the small communities of Abita Springs, Mandeville, and Lacombe as well as Fontainebleau State Park.
The Tammany Trace was one of my favorite New Orleans biking experiences because not only is it beautiful and uncrowded, but it also offers numerous unique and colorful places to stop and explore, like the Mystery House, which is a must!
There are several trailheads that access the Tammany Trace. You could ride the full trail as an out-and-back, which would be 57 miles. I chose to split the trail into two days and started at each ending trailhead: Covington and Slidell. If you only have a few hours to spend on the trail, definitely start from the Covington Trailhead.
>> Read my full guide on how to pedal the Tammany Trace rail trail here.
I really enjoyed my time exploring New Orleans by bike. It’s such a fun city, and riding gives you a totally different perspective than driving or walking. From the Pontchartrain lakefront trail to City Park to the beautiful Garden District and Audubon Park, there’s plenty to keep you pedaling. If you’re planning a visit, definitely carve out a few hours for a two-wheeled adventure!
Which of these New Orleans biking adventures looks the most fun to you? Have you biked in the Big Easy? What questions do you still have? Leave a comment below!