Why choose this ride
This longer extension takes riders from the shaded Marconi path to Lake Pontchartrain, West End dining, historic landmarks, and some of the city's largest post-Katrina drainage infrastructure. For morning renters, the practical goal is West End for lunch first.
An e-bike is recommended. The distance is longer, the lakefront can be exposed, and wind off the lake can increase the effort required on a pedal bike.
Route sequence
How to ride it
1. Continue north on Marconi
From City Park Avenue, the path begins beneath mature trees and continues past the park's lagoons. North of Harrison Avenue, wildlife sightings become more common in warm weather.
2. Head west to West End for lunch
Morning renters should make West End the first lakefront goal. Several restaurants sit elevated on pilings outside the main hurricane-protection system. Business hours and openings change, so confirm your chosen lunch stop before relying on it.
3. Visit the New Canal Lighthouse
The formal name of the West End landmark is the New Canal Lighthouse. Reconstructed after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it now serves as an educational and historical site.
4. Follow the lakefront east
From the lakefront, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway appears to extend beyond the horizon. Other landmarks include the Mardi Gras Fountain and the red-and-white measured-mile towers associated with timing Higgins PT boat trials.
5. See the post-Katrina pumping complex
Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps were built at the lake ends of the 17th Street, Orleans Avenue, and London Avenue outfall canals. Gates reduce the risk of storm surge entering the canals, while massive pumps move rainwater past the closed barriers into Lake Pontchartrain.
6. Explore Lake Vista
Lake Vista was planned around quiet pedestrian lanes and greenways leading toward a hidden central shopping complex. Plaques commemorate the lanes as bird sanctuaries. The 1946 shopping center is generally described as Art Moderne or Art Deco.
7. Return by Spanish Fort and Bayou St. John
Ride south toward Wisner and Bayou St. John. Watch for a mansion fronted by real cannons shortly before Spanish Fort. The modest fort remnants stand near the former mouth of Bayou St. John because lakefront reclamation moved the shoreline north. A small wrought iron enclosure surrounds a single unmarked grave whose identity remains uncertain.
Before setting out
- Plan a half day or full day, particularly when stopping for lunch.
- Use an e-bike for the distance, heat, and possible lake headwinds.
- Bring water, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
- Check lighthouse, restaurant, and attraction hours before departure.
- Return by Wisner and Bayou St. John to avoid simply retracing Marconi.
Questions about this ride
Where should morning renters eat?
The recommended direction reaches West End first so riders can have lunch before exploring the rest of the lakefront.
Is the West End lighthouse the official name?
The historic landmark is formally called the New Canal Lighthouse.
Why is Spanish Fort no longer on the lake shore?
The Lakefront Project reclaimed land and moved the present shoreline north of the former mouth of Bayou St. John.
Useful official and related resources
Local route guidance reviewed July 2026. Conditions, hours, ferry operations, and businesses can change. Confirm time-sensitive details before departure.