RideTHISbike Guides > Family Cycling Guides > Best Family Bike Routes in Greater New Orleans
The Best Family Rides Are Not Always the Longest
When families ask where to ride bikes in Greater New Orleans, the best answer is not always the longest route or the most famous bike lane.
The best family bike routes are the ones where children stay engaged, adults stay relaxed, and the ride feels enjoyable instead of stressful.
For families, the most useful routes often have:
- Low interaction with cars
- Low traffic speeds
- Good visibility
- Interesting things for children to see
- Places to stop, rest, eat, or explore
- Enough flexibility to make the ride shorter or longer
- Reasonable access to bathrooms, water, shade, or food when possible
A painted bike lane on a fast road is not the same thing as a family-friendly route. With children, cargo bikes, trikes, trailers, or newer riders, it usually makes more sense to choose parks, levee trails, lakefront paths, greenways, and quiet neighborhood connections.
Before You Choose Any Route
Family rides in South Louisiana require a little planning. Heat, humidity, wind, distance, shade, water, bathrooms, and the attention span of the youngest rider all matter.
These factors come into play on nearly every route discussed below. A route that looks easy on a map can feel very different when carrying children, riding with grandparents, or cycling on a hot summer afternoon.
The goal is not to cover the most miles. The goal is to finish the ride with everyone excited to do it again.
1. City Park: The Real Gem for Family Cycling
If one place in New Orleans deserves special attention for family cycling, it is City Park.
City Park is not just a destination. For families, it functions almost like a bike-friendly world of its own. In many areas, families can ride on bike paths, low-speed park roads, and internal routes with limited interaction with traffic.
One of the biggest advantages is that families can create rides of many different lengths. You can take a short loop with younger children, build a longer ride with older kids, or use a cargo bike or e-bike to move from one activity to another without getting back in the car.
The real strength of City Park is that children have reasons to stay interested. The park includes the Louisiana Children's Museum, Carousel Gardens amusement rides, Storyland, soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, a miniature golf course, Cafe Du Monde, swan boat rentals, playgrounds, open lawns, water views, shade, and plenty of places to stop.
That combination makes City Park one of the best family cycling destinations in the region. A family can ride, stop, play, eat, explore, and ride again.
For young children, City Park may be the best first family bike destination in New Orleans.
2. Lake Pontchartrain Paths on the Southshore
The bike paths along the southshore of Lake Pontchartrain are some of the strongest family riding assets in the region.
In Jefferson Parish, the lakefront path runs from the Bucktown area toward Kenner, giving families long stretches of flat, open riding with very little interaction with cars. There are a few areas where vehicle awareness matters, including around boat launches, but much of the route feels separated from ordinary traffic.
This can be an excellent route for cargo bikes, e-bikes, trikes, and families who want a longer ride without dealing with a constant series of intersections.
The tradeoff is that the lakefront can be exposed. Shade may be limited, and wind can matter. During hot months, families should think about time of day, water, sunscreen, and how far children can comfortably ride before losing interest.
Still, for families asking where they can ride with minimal car interaction, the Lake Pontchartrain paths deserve to be near the top of the list.
3. The Tammany Trace on the Northshore
Further afield on the Northshore, the Tammany Trace is one of the best family cycling resources in Louisiana.
This paved rail trail connects Northshore communities including Covington, Abita Springs, Mandeville, Lacombe, and Slidell. For families in St. Tammany Parish, or families willing to make a day trip from the southshore, the Trace offers long, low-stress riding with towns, stops, shade, and destinations along the way.
The Tammany Trace is especially good for older children who can ride their own bikes, families using e-bikes, and groups that want a ride with food, ice cream, coffee, parks, or small-town stops built into the experience.
It is long enough that families should plan carefully. You do not need to ride the whole thing. Pick a manageable segment, ride out and back, and leave everyone wanting to do it again rather than overdoing it on the first attempt.
4. Lafitte Greenway
The Lafitte Greenway is one of the most useful family cycling connectors in New Orleans.
It connects neighborhoods such as Mid-City and Faubourg St. John with Bayou St. John and City Park, while also putting families near food, coffee, drinks, playgrounds, and neighborhood destinations.
It is not completely free of street crossings, so families still need to pay attention. But compared with many street routes, the Greenway gives families a more comfortable way to move through the city.
The Greenway is especially useful for families who want cycling to become part of real life, not just recreation. It can connect family rides to errands, parks, restaurants, and neighborhood outings.
5. Mississippi River Levee Trail, East Bank
The Mississippi River levee trail on the East Bank is another excellent family option.
In Jefferson Parish, the trail allows families to ride long distances with very little interaction with cars. Riders can see river traffic, neighborhoods below the levee, birds, walkers, runners, dogs, and other cyclists.
For children, the river can make the ride more interesting. Ships, tugboats, barges, wildlife, and changing views help keep the ride from feeling like a repetitive exercise loop.
The levee trail is best when families plan distance carefully. It can be easy to ride farther than expected because the path is flat and open. Remember that children still have attention spans, and every mile out is also a mile back.
6. Mississippi River Levee Trail, West Bank
The West Bank levee trail is often overlooked, but it can be an excellent family riding option.
Like the East Bank levee trail, it offers long stretches of separated riding with broad river views and relatively low traffic stress. For families on the West Bank, or families who use the ferry as part of the adventure, it can be a strong choice.
The West Bank route can feel calmer and less obvious than some East Bank options, which is part of its appeal. It also gives families another way to experience the Mississippi River without riding in traffic.
Like most levee rides, planning your turnaround point ahead of time makes for a much more enjoyable family outing.
7. St. Bernard Parish Back Levee Trail
One of the newest and least-known family cycling gems in the Greater New Orleans area is the St. Bernard Parish Back Levee Trail.
Because it is newer and receives far less attention than destinations such as City Park, the Lake Pontchartrain paths, or the Tammany Trace, many local families have never experienced it. That is unfortunate because it offers many of the qualities that make family cycling enjoyable: low traffic stress, open views, flat terrain, and the opportunity to ride for extended distances without constantly interacting with automobiles.
For parents looking for a route that feels different from the more familiar New Orleans and Jefferson Parish options, the Back Levee Trail can be an excellent choice. It provides a sense of exploration while remaining close enough to the city to be practical for a day trip.
Like other levee-based routes, there is often limited shade. Families should bring water, pay attention to weather conditions, and plan rides around the heat of the day during summer months.
Because the route remains relatively undiscovered, it can also feel less crowded than some of the region's better-known cycling destinations. For families seeking a quieter ride, that can be a significant advantage.
8. Audubon Park and the Riverfront
Audubon Park is another strong family cycling destination.
The park offers shade, scenery, a family atmosphere, and access to the riverfront. It is a good option for shorter rides, relaxed loops, and families who want a lower-stress outing without committing to a long route.
Audubon works especially well for families with younger children, grandparents, or mixed-ability riders because the outing can be as short or as long as needed.
9. Crescent Park and the Ferry
Crescent Park can be a fun family ride, especially for families in the Bywater, Marigny, or nearby neighborhoods.
The park offers river views, interesting scenery, and a different perspective on the city. For children, adding the ferry between the East Bank and Algiers Point can turn a simple ride into an adventure.
The ferry can be especially memorable because children get to combine biking with a boat ride. That kind of experience helps make family cycling feel exciting rather than routine.
Families should still plan carefully around access points, stairs, ramps, crowding, and timing.
10. Lafreniere Park in Jefferson Parish
Lafreniere Park can be an excellent family cycling destination, especially for younger children.
It has paved paths, open space, playground areas, shade, picnic opportunities, and very low interaction with cars once inside the park. It can be a very good first ride destination for families who want a controlled environment.
The main caution is access. Depending on where a family lives in Jefferson Parish, getting to Lafreniere Park by bike may require dealing with major roads or stressful crossings. For some families, it may be better treated as a destination they drive to with bikes, rather than a route they ride to from home.
11. Jean Lafitte Area Paths and Nature Rides
The Jean Lafitte area offers a different kind of family riding experience.
Rather than feeling urban, it gives families a chance to experience nature, wetlands, wildlife, and a quieter environment. For families who want children to see more than streets and buildings, this kind of ride can be meaningful.
Because these rides often feel more remote than urban routes, it helps to plan ahead and keep expectations realistic for the youngest riders.
Family Route Comparison
Every family is different, but this simple comparison can help you think through which route may fit your outing.
| Route or Destination | Traffic Stress | Kid Appeal | Shade | Food or Stops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Park | Very Low | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Lake Pontchartrain Paths | Very Low | Good | Limited | Limited |
| Tammany Trace | Very Low | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Lafitte Greenway | Low | Very Good | Limited | Excellent |
| East Bank Levee Trail | Very Low | Good | Limited | Limited |
| West Bank Levee Trail | Very Low | Good | Limited | Limited |
| St. Bernard Parish Back Levee Trail | Very Low | Good | Limited | Limited |
| Audubon Park | Low | Very Good | Excellent | Good |
| Crescent Park and Ferry | Low | Excellent | Limited | Good |
| Lafreniere Park | Very Low Once Inside | Excellent | Good | Limited |
Matching Routes to Children's Ages
The right ride depends partly on age, attention span, and experience.
Young Children
For younger children, start with destinations where the ride can be short and the payoff is immediate. City Park, Lafreniere Park, Audubon Park, and short Lakefront rides are good examples.
Elementary-Age Children
Children who can handle a little more time on the bike may enjoy the Lafitte Greenway, Crescent Park, the ferry, longer City Park loops, or short levee trail rides.
Older Children and Teens
Older children and teens may be ready for longer rides on the Tammany Trace, Lake Pontchartrain paths, East Bank levee trail, West Bank levee trail, St. Bernard Parish Back Levee Trail, and destination rides that include food stops or longer exploration.
Choosing the Right Route
Age is only one factor when selecting a family ride.
Before heading out, consider:
- Whether children will be riding or being carried
- How much traffic interaction is required
- Availability of shade, water, and bathrooms
- Whether the route can be shortened if needed
- Whether there are interesting stops along the way
- The time of day and expected weather conditions
- How safely you can reach the route from home
A successful family ride is not measured by mileage. It is measured by whether everyone finishes the ride wanting to do it again.
Routes We Generally Avoid With Children
Some roads may be useful for experienced adult riders, but they are poor choices for families with children.
We are especially cautious about fast, multi-lane roads, unprotected bike lanes next to heavy traffic, bridge approaches, highway ramps, and areas where drivers are likely to be distracted or moving quickly.
With children, it is better to take a calmer side street, park path, levee trail, or greenway than to ride next to fast traffic just to save a few minutes.
Why Family E-Bikes Can Make These Routes More Usable
A family does not need an e-bike to enjoy these routes, but electric assist can make family cycling more practical.
New Orleans is mostly flat, but heat, humidity, headwinds, children, cargo, and distance add up. An e-bike can help parents, grandparents, and caregivers ride farther, carry more, and enjoy the outing without being worn out before the fun begins.
Cargo e-bikes and family-capable e-bikes can be especially useful at destinations like City Park, the Lakefront, the levee trails, and the Tammany Trace, where families may want to ride longer distances or carry children, snacks, water, bags, and gear.
Related Family Cycling Guides
If you are still deciding how to carry children or how to ride safely with them, these guides may help:
Carrying Kids on a Bike in New Orleans Family Bike Safety in New Orleans
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best family bike route in New Orleans?
City Park is one of the best family cycling destinations in New Orleans because it combines bike paths, low-speed roads, playgrounds, the Children's Museum, amusement rides, Cafe Du Monde, sports fields, miniature golf, swan boats, and other family attractions.
Where can families ride bikes with very little car traffic near New Orleans?
Good low-traffic options include City Park, the Lake Pontchartrain paths, the Mississippi River levee trails on both banks, the St. Bernard Parish Back Levee Trail, the Lafitte Greenway, the Tammany Trace, Audubon Park, Crescent Park, and Lafreniere Park.
Is the Tammany Trace good for family bike rides?
Yes. The Tammany Trace is one of the best family cycling assets on the Northshore. It is a paved rail trail connecting communities such as Covington, Abita Springs, Mandeville, Lacombe, and Slidell, with many low-stress riding opportunities.
Are levee trails good for riding with children?
Levee trails can be excellent for families because they are generally flat, separated from traffic, and offer long uninterrupted riding. Families should still consider sun, wind, distance, bathrooms, water, and children's attention spans.
Should families choose bike routes based only on bike lanes?
No. A painted bike lane is not always a family-friendly route. Families should consider vehicle speed, traffic volume, separation from cars, crossings, shade, visibility, places to stop, and whether children will stay engaged.
Ask RideTHISbike About Family Riding Routes
The best family route depends on where you live, how old your children are, whether they are riding or being carried, and how comfortable you are with traffic.
Visit RideTHISbike if you want help choosing a family bike, cargo bike, e-bike, trike, trailer, or child-carrying setup that fits your real riding plans.