What is the Mississippi Riverfront known for?

The riverfront is known for riverboat cruising, dockside dining, and scenic waterfront promenades. It is also home to the French Market, considered America's oldest public market, and the Moon Walk promenade.

What activities can I do at the Mississippi Riverfront?

Visitors can take riverboat tours (some with meals and music), stroll along the Moon Walk and Woldenberg Park, bike, jog, or visit the French Market. You can also watch freighters float upriver and listen to local street performers.

Are there any museums or parks in the area?

Yes, the New Orleans Jazz Museum is located near the riverfront at 400 Esplanade Street. Woldenberg Park is also located there, featuring an outdoor amphitheatre, lush landscapes, and brick walkways.

What is the Moon Walk?

Constructed in 1975, the Moon Walk is a riverfront promenade named after former New Orleans Mayor Maurice 'Moon' Landrieu. It served as a catalyst for future riverfront development and offers wide, open views of the river.

Are there any special events at the riverfront?

The Downriver Festival takes place every September to celebrate the Mississippi River through food, live music, tours, and educational activities. Additionally, holiday bonfires are held on the levee during the holiday season.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Mississippi Riverfront in New Orleans

Mississippi Riverfront

Experience the heart of New Orleans along the banks of the Mississippi River, featuring historic steamboats, the scenic Moon Walk promenade, and the oldest public market in America.

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What to know

The Mississippi Riverfront serves as the life force of New Orleans, defining the city's famous Crescent outline and establishing it as a major port city. The river itself is a massive waterway stretching 2,348 miles from Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Southern Louisiana. This waterfront presence spans multiple neighborhoods, including the Bywater, French Quarter, Uptown, and Old Algiers. Visitors can explore the Moon Walk, a riverside promenade constructed in 1975 and named after former Mayor Maurice 'Moon' Landrieu. This walkway acted as a catalyst for later development and now offers wide, open views of the river. Nearby, Spanish Plaza stands as a symbolic gift from Spain to the city, presented in 1976. For those seeking culture, the riverfront is home to the French Market, which is considered America's oldest public market and consists of six historic blocks of shops, farmers markets, and flea markets. Recreation is central to the experience here. Woldenberg Park provides lush landscapes, brick walkways, and an outdoor amphitheatre for festivals. From the area adjacent to Woldenberg Park, riverboat tours depart regularly, echoing a time when the riverfront was lined with steamboats. These cruises often feature narration, cocktails, and meals, allowing guests to experience the 'Mississippi River Magic' that continues to attract visitors today. The area also honors the city's musical legacy. Following a 1987 Congressional designation of jazz as an American treasure, a jazz-related park was established to preserve the origins of the genre. The New Orleans Jazz Museum, located at 400 Esplanade Street, further anchors the riverfront's commitment to preserving what locals call America's only original artform.

Visitor tips

Visit the French Market to explore six blocks of unique shops and local flea market finds.
Walk the Moon Walk promenade for some of the best open river views in the city.
Check for riverboat tour departures near Woldenberg Park if you want a narrated cruise with cocktails.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for the brick paths and lush landscapes of Woldenberg Park.

Nearby context

The riverfront acts as the western boundary of the French Quarter, seamlessly connecting the historic district to the water via Woldenberg Park and the French Market.