routes for runner

Question

My son is a college athlete and runs anywhere fro 7-14 miles daily. We'll be in Nola in Jan and I wanted to check if city park has good and long trails or if there are other areas he should plan for. We wont have a car

Answer

New Orleans can be a great city for a dedicated runner, even without a car. While the city itself is fairly flat, which is ideal for distance running, you’ll want to focus on areas that are safe, scenic, and offer longer uninterrupted loops. January is usually mild, so weather shouldn’t be a problem for long runs.

City Park – Primary Running Option

City Park is one of the best options for long-distance runners in New Orleans. It is expansive — over 1,300 acres — with multiple trails, roads, and paths that can easily accommodate runs of 7–14 miles without needing to leave the park.

The main loop around Big Lake and across multiple park roads is roughly 5–6 miles, so it can be repeated for longer distances.
Inside the park, there are several smaller trails, paths, and paved roads that can be combined for variety.
Points of interest like the Sculpture Garden, Morning Call Café, and the golf course provide natural landmarks for pacing and route planning.
City Park is pedestrian- and bike-friendly, and because it’s a popular spot, there are usually other runners around which adds a safety factor.

Other Running Options in the City (Accessible Without a Car)

Bayou St. John Trail: A scenic trail along Bayou St. John, roughly 2.5–3 miles one way. It’s a great connector if you want to extend runs by looping back or combining with City Park.
Audubon Park: Located uptown, near the Garden District. The park has a roughly 1.5-mile loop, which can be repeated multiple times. While shorter than City Park, it’s a very safe, shaded, and popular spot for runners.
Mississippi River Levee Paths: Along the riverfront, you can run long straight stretches of 2–4 miles at a time. Connecting multiple levee paths can allow for long runs, and the views of the river are scenic. Accessible via streetcar or ride-share from central areas.

Tips for Running in New Orleans Without a Car

Stay near City Park or a streetcar line for easy access to longer running routes.
Use street lighting and avoid poorly lit streets if running early in the morning or evening.
Consider loops that bring him back to a familiar area like the park entrance, which is helpful for hydration and safety.
Check local running groups or apps like Strava or MapMyRun for popular routes and suggestions from locals.

Overall, City Park will be the primary hub for long runs, and combining it with Bayou St. John or the Mississippi levee paths can provide enough mileage and variety for daily 7–14 mile runs. With no car, prioritizing accommodations near the park or streetcar lines will make running logistics easiest.