Big Lake at City Park

Activity Overview

Big Lake is one of the most popular outdoor recreation attractions in the city of New Orleans. It is located within City Park, one of the largest public parks in the entire country. There are plenty of ways to explore the beautiful natural area surrounding Big Lake with your family, whether you prefer boating, cycling, walking or running. You'll also find plenty of other fascinating attractions to view near the lake, including the famous Singing Oak and an impressive aluminum sculpture.

Things to Do

• Rent a boat from the City Park Boat House - they're available for rental year-round! Choices include kayaks, pedal boats, fishing boats, and stand-up paddle boards, which all cost about $20 per hour.
• Enjoy the scenic views of the Zemurray Trail, a .75-mile path around Big Lake that is great for a leisurely stroll, a run, or cycling.
• Take your children to see the Singing Oak, a large oak tree located next to the lake. It is named for the set of wind chimes strung from it that fill the air with beautiful music. One of the chimes in this musical art installation is an impressive 14 feet long!

Big Lake at City Park Insider Tips

• If you don't have a bike, you can rent one from the City Park Boat House. They offer a wide variety of rental bikes, including tandem bikes, mountain bikes, kids bikes, and kids trailers.
• Don't miss Grateful Labors, the beautiful green and red painted aluminum sculpture near Big Lake! This beautiful work of art is dedicated to the many volunteers who helped to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
• Bring along a camera so you can snap some photos of the wildlife that lives in and around Big Lake, including ducks, swans, and brown pelicans, as well as the impressive fountain in the lake.