As a student at Tulane, I have learned that New Orleans offers a variety of outdoor places to exercise. As much as I love going to the gym and workout classes, it’s nice to get outside and take advantage of the beautiful weather and scenery.
For the Runner Who Wants to Leave the TU Bubble: Bayou St. John
The Wisner Trail along the Bayou St. John, also located near City Park, provides a great path for anyone to run or bike on. The trail is about five miles long and will bring you past beautiful landscapes, including the water and unique homes. If you want a healthy post-workout meal, just walk a few blocks to 1000 Figs!
For The Runner Who Wants To Do Multiple Activities: City Park
City Park, one of the country’s oldest urban parks, is located about 20 minutes away from campus. In addition to the 1,300 acres of beautiful scenery, City Park offers a lot of convenient fitness options. Bring a friend on a sunny afternoon to enjoy a competitive workout in one of the park’s twenty-six tennis courts. Want to go for a run? The park contains a 400-meter track for runners that was originally built for the 1992 Olympic Trials! The park consists of four miles of bike paths that stretch from Bayou St. John to Lake Pontchartrain. Don’t feel excluded if you don’t own a bike because you can rent them there!
There are plenty of other scenic paths that can be accessible to anyone running, walking, or biking!
For The Senior Sick of Running In Audobon: Mississippi River Trail
There are a bunch of paths throughout the city that runs along the Mississippi River on the levee tops. If you want to go on a run near campus but also want a change of scenery, there is a path that you can hop on located past Audubon Park, near the zoo. If you want to challenge yourself, you can start running in Audubon Park and continue along the river path and then turn around and run back through Audubon to campus. This trail along the river runs for 60 miles so you can start wherever you want!
For The Runner Who Wants to Stay Close to Campus: Audubon Park
This list would not be complete without mentioning Audubon. The park includes a 1.8-mile jogging path with multiple workout stations throughout. A creative way to take advantage of these stations while you work out is to sprint to one station, do fifty crunches, and then sprint to the next station and do ten pull-ups. From where the end of the park meets Magazine Street, it is only a ten-minute walk to the Fly! If you are looking for a convenient place with a ~good vibe~ this is the place to go.
For The Runner That Needs Distraction: The Streetcar Path on St. Charles
If you are looking to explore Nola while also getting a good workout, St. Charles is a great choice. You can start at the streetcar stop across from Gibson and run down the streetcar line. A lot of people don’t like running because they find it boring, but gawking at all the beautiful mansions will definitely distract you from your workout. Try running from Gibson Hall down St. Charles to Superior Seafood (it’s only 1.5 miles)!
For The Runner That Wants to Get an Errand Done: Magazine St.
Whole Foods…everyone knows it and everyone loves it. One thing that bothers me is that I always find myself Ubering there. Instead of Ubering both ways, you can run there, do your food shopping, and Uber back. You can start off at Gibson and take St. Charles Avenue to Arabella St. which will get you to Magazine St. and right to Whole Foods (about 1.2 miles).
New Orleans offers a variety of different routes that students should take advantage of. Getting off campus to do your workout is a great way to explore the city, while also staying fit!
COVER PHOTO: GONOLA.com
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About Talia Berman
When she’s not writing for The Crescent, Talia Berman plays goalie for Tulane Women’s Soccer. Talia is a fitness guru from New York, and she studies Psychology and Communications.
When she’s not writing for The Crescent, Talia Berman plays goalie for Tulane Women’s Soccer. Talia is a fitness guru from New York, and she studies Psychology and Communications.
