History in the street grid
French Quarter: An Immigrant City
Ride a curated French Quarter history loop or make an approximately ten-mile project of riding its full street grid.
View this rideCurrent Weather Conditions in New Orleans
Loading current weather...
Choose your New Orleans ride
Five routes, five very different days
Our team starts by asking what you have already seen. If you have not visited the river or City Park, one of these rides is usually the best place to begin. If these rides are one part of a larger visit, GoWhys shows how to organize a New Orleans itinerary by area so you spend less time crossing the city unnecessarily.
- Routes begin near the French Quarter
- E-bike and pedal-bike options
- Stops chosen by local riders
East Bank riverfront
Mississippi River and Bywater
Ride through Woldenberg and Crescent parks, explore Bywater, and return through the Marigny and Frenchmen Street.
View this ride
West Bank levee
Algiers Point and Gretna
Take the ferry, turn upriver, and follow one unobstructed levee trail beneath the Crescent City Connection to Old Gretna.
View this ride
Greenway and oak shade
City Park and Bayou St. John
Choose the Lafitte Greenway or Esplanade Avenue, then ride beneath mature live oaks and beside Bayou St. John.
View this ride
Longer e-bike day
City Park to Lake Pontchartrain
Continue on Marconi to West End for lunch, then return by Wisner and Bayou St. John after seeing lakefront landmarks.
View this rideFast comparison
Pick for the weather and your interests
| Ride | Best for | Shade | Typical time | Bike choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Quarter | Immigration, architecture, food, and music | Limited | 3 to 5 hours | Either |
| River and Bywater | Views, food, architecture, music | Some | 3 to 5 hours | Either |
| Algiers and Gretna | Simple navigation and skyline views | None on the levee | 3 to 4 hours | E-bike in hot weather |
| City Park and Bayou | Shade, live oaks, lagoons, history | Most | 3 to 4 hours | Either |
| City Park and Lakefront | Lunch, lake views, engineering | Mixed | Half or full day | E-bike recommended |
Going farther?
Explore the regional trail network
RideTHISbike maintains a broader overview of paved trails extending beyond these visitor itineraries, including longer Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain routes.
View New Orleans regional cycling trailsPrefer a local guide?
Let someone else handle the navigation
BuZz NOLA offers guided pedal-bike and e-bike tours for visitors who would rather concentrate on the stories and scenery.
Compare guided toursStart at 223 Dauphine Street
Choose the bike that fits your day
Helmets, suitable locks, and local route advice are included. E-bikes are especially helpful for longer rides and hot weather.