Anyone familiar with good pools, scenic running areas or good gyms to work out at in New Orleans?
I have a convention there next week and want to keep my training up, want to do more than the beat to shit treadmill in the hotel “gym” if you know what I mean.
Thanks,
Karma
(And hated it.)
Still, the locals are colorful and welcoming even if fitness is hardly a norm. For swimming, your best bet is University of New Orleans, located on the Lakefront (suggest a web search). They have an indoor 50m pool and an outdoor 25m. $3 a visit.
Best running is split between the Lakefront and the River Levee. The first can be found by traveling north along Canal (I’m assuming you’re staying in the Quarter or Central Business District) until you come to West End Park at Lake Ponchartrain. Park there and run east along the levee. The latter can be found by travelling west through the Garden District to Audubon Park. Run south towards the Mississippi R until you find the levee. West takes you towards the semi-industrial areas of River Ridge (the “high point” in town–roughly sea level). East takes you towards the Naval Support Activity and past the Quarter. The best bet getting there is to run along the trolley track, through Tulane until you come to the levee at the end of the Garden District.
LBSs. Not a lot of good ones. My favorites were Michael’s Bicycles on Frenchman in the Quarter (Seven, IF, DeKerf, Merlin) and GNO Cyclery in Mid City (ABG and C’Dale).
Running. Phidipiddes in Metairie.
Food. NOLA’s only saving grace. High end= Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Brennan’s Redfish Grill, Emeril’s Delmonico. Local fare= Toujaque’s, Liuzza’s, Felini’s, Reginelli’s, Jaun’s Flying Burrito, Maximillian’s, Veracruz, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro, Acme Oyster House, Foodie’s Kitchen.
Keep your wallet in your front pocket at all times in the Quarter and don’t run after dark. If the muggers don’t get ya, the mosquitoes will…
Scott