Hotels near City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art

City Park covers 1,300 acres, roughly 50 percent larger than Central Park, and holds the largest surviving stand of mature live oaks in the world. Several of the trees predate the founding of the city, with the McDonogh Oak estimated at close to 800 years old. The Canal Street streetcar runs directly to the southern gate, which makes this one of the easiest escapes from the French Quarter.

The New Orleans Museum of Art anchors that entrance with a collection strong on French, American and West African work. Next to it, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden spreads more than 90 pieces across 11 acres of lagoons and oak groves, and entry is free. Storyland, the Botanical Garden and a working 1906 wooden carousel cover the family end of the park.

Pro Tip: The Besthoff Sculpture Garden opens at 10am and is at its best before noon, when light comes low through the oaks and across the water. Check the streetcar destination sign carefully - the Cemeteries branch of the Canal Street line does not reach the park.