Looking for some advice …
I’m currently staying at the Windsor Court Hotel and need to get a run in TONIGHT.
Thinking about taking a shuttle over to Algiers Point and running the Mississippi River Trail.
I have only been here (NOLA) for less than 24 hrs and never been before.
Is this a good place to run?
Thanks in advance!
Not sure about that area but you could take the ST Charles Street Car to Audubon Park. The Park has a 2 mile paved path and also a dirt path from runners around the perimeter. If you go across the street behind the zoo you can get onto the Mississippi River Trail on top of the levee. There is construction on the levee upriver so I am not sure how far you can go today but normally it is about 23 miles to the end. St. Charles Ave is a pretty popular run route also. People run in the grass median where the street cars travel and it is about 6 miles to the Park from your location.
Hmmm… so sounds like I can get on the Mississippi River Trail on the side I am currently staying (French Quarter side) instead of going across river.
So is the trail marked in any way (behind the zoo)? Which way would I run?
Thx for any tips. I’ll be short on time as I hope to start later this evening (after a meeting).
Cheers!
Avoid the hassle of going over to the Westbank (but if you do, take a ferry over there).
I’m going to second what PaintIt said about running St. Charles to Audubon Park. It’s a beautiful run and safer than other routes. Plus, you will see a lot of other people running it. From your hotel it’s about 5 miles to Tulane, then run into the park (on your left) and there is a loop around the golf course. Come out of the park where you entered & head on home. You can easily get in a 10-11+ mile run.
OK- cool.
Thanks. So sounds like I could actually run to the park from hotel.
You say run St. Charles Street to the park?
I was only thinking the “Trail” to avoid traffic but sounds like most run the route you are referring to.
I’ll ask hotel how to get to St. Charles St. ??? and then run that to the park loop.
Sound about right?
Thanks again to both of you!
There is a wide grassy neutral Ground that runs down St. Charles where the streetcars run. You will see most runners there. just keep your head on a swivel for the streetcars, but they aren’t going 100 MPH, so you are safe. Stay off the sidewalks as NOLA sidewalks are NOT your friend. They are the one surface in the city worse than the streets. Tree roots & sinkholes destroy sidewalks & you will end up with a twisted ankle or worse.
From your hotel, just go over to Poydras. Then up three blocks to St. Charles. You will run through the CBD/Warehouse District for several blocks to Lee Circle. Go around the circle & under the overpass & you will be at the start of where the grassy neutral ground (and the streetcar tracks) are on St. Charles. From there, just go on cruise control & enjoy the scenery all the way to Tulane.
Watch out for gators! The trail is covered with them! Just kidding…lol.
Watch out for gators! The trail is covered with them! Just kidding…lol.
In all seriousness though, there are gators, but you don’t need to be scared of them for the reasons you think…
Funny … I hadn’t even thought of that.
Thanks a lot !!! Lol …
Head on a swivel, head on a swivel …
Hoping these thunderstorms stop by the time I get a chance to get out there!
x2 on all the comments about Audubon Park over Algiers. You can run up St. Charles from your fancy hotel, as someone suggested – about 4 miles. You can also catch the streetcar at St. Charles between Canal and Poydras and ride the streetcar toward the park if you’re looking for a shorter run, or alternatively ride it back downtown when you’re done.
The river levee is open from behind Audubon Park to a point about 7 miles upriver (west-ish), but is not as nice a run as Audubon Park.
Don’t run in Algiers at night. Algiers Point is nice, but it’s an outpost.
And watch out for drunk runners, because the Barathon is tonight! 6 miles, 6 bars, 6 beers, starting at Bon Temps at 6 p.m. There will be shockingly fast drunk guys running through Audubon Park around 6:25-6:45, followed by slower drunks. It’s a fun time. Go to the Bon Temps afterwards for a raucous after-party. It’s too late to register, but you can still go to the bar:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-34th-tchoupitoulas-social-aid-athletic-club-bar-a-thon-registration-11749014619
Hilarious! That’s great.
Thanks again all. Looks like I’ll head to Audubon tonight via St. Charles. I’ll keep an eye out for the drunk runners! Too funny.
Great run this evening.
Thanks for the tips.
Those bar-a-thon folks were a trip!
Looked like a blast (I would have puked my arse off though).
Some looked downright serious!
Good stuff.
Thx all!