Bayou St John

Really nice city park on Lake Pontchartrain. There is lots to see if you are the explorer type.

Dirty canal nice parks close by

This was a great venue for the Bayou Boogaloo.

Water way along the Lakeside boulevard

It's so nice to drive along Bayou Saint John! It's pleasant and also the houses around there are nice. You can bring your crawfish & beer, your grill, or even a nice wine and cheese board and have a little picnic. If you're into water activities, there's always lots of people on their kayaks. There's also Bayou Boogaloo once year and so many restaurants close to it - Parkway Bakery, Bayou Beer Garden, Bayou Wine Garden.

Bayou St. John is hard to review. It's great for paddling or enjoying by sitting on the side. It's nice to walk along and it's even better to stroll along Moss and look at the houses on the way to City Park. I reallllly need to be there for Bayou Bugaloo.

Walk, run, or heck swim, your way to City Park from here. It helps you see the neighborhood better than if you took bigger roads. Don't ignore the houses, some of them are really nice and all of them have a lot of NOLA character to them.

This area has a rich history in the life of New Orleans. I am not even sure where to begin with this area. I can't begin to fill in the details properly for the history, the impact on the life and culture of the area, so I will be throwing in some links to fill you in and I won't have to come up with some creative way to reword what others have written so prolifically on. This area of the city, between Mid-City, City Park, parts of the Quarter, is filled with restaurants and things to do, sprinkled in with fun festivals. In my imagination, this is where I live. So many things. It is serene and peaceful. I would love to be proposed to by the Magnolia Bridge, or have a small wedding there. The sunsets are beautiful here. The neighborhood surrounding is a prime location to be close to everything important. A history of how New Orleans life has been influenced by this area is detailed here: http://www.pontchartrain.net/491204 A detailed history about this area is listed here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayou_St._John A less detailed history is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayou_St._John,_New_Orleans The Magnolia Bridge crosses over the Bayou and is listed here for YELP: https://www.yelp.com/biz/magnolia-bridge-new-orleans and is detailed even further in this article: http://gonola.com/things-to-do-in-new-orleans/things-to-do/gonola-find-magnolia-bridge-at-bayou-st-john The Bayou Boogaloo is held every year in the spring here. It is quite fun with several sound stages, food, drinks and trinkets to buy. http://www.thebayouboogaloo.com/ and https://www.yelp.com/biz/mid-city-bayou-boogaloo-new-orleans-2 give all of the necessary details. Come down and take a look for yourself. Don't take my word for it.

Bayou St. John is a lovely waterway that curls through Mid-City and provides so many lovely areas to walk, bike, exercise (you or your dog), sit and watch the world go by, picnic, play volleyball, float your raft or kayak, catch a festival (see: Bayou Boogaloo), watch ducks and other water fowl & an occasional alligator, and so much more. Throughout the year a number of celebrations occur on and around Bayou St. John. Bayou Boogaloo, a funny and weird water 'parade' on the 4th of July (see: Krewe of Kolossos), birthday parties, weddings, memorial celebration, voodoo celebrations, & family gatherings. One of my favorite things to do with visitors is grab a po-boy from Parkway bakery and sit on the banks of the bayou and enjoy a beautiful day in the best neighborhood around.

Where shall I begin talking about Bayou St John? Serene. Breath-taking. Peaceful. This place is like a hidden treasure. There are festivals held here, row training, jazz fest is right around the corner... just a plethora of things to do and going on "on the Bayou". While I've seen a person or two swimming out in the water, I personally wouldn't suggest it, it's more of a picture-perfect place. The Bayou runs from mid city to just before the lakefront area. Truly a jewel in the city.

Fall 1985, Bayou St. John Triathlon! Canoe, bike run! Fifi and Be! Every Fall & Spring! They need to bring this back!

This truly is one of the gems in New Orleans! I've grown up in New Orleans East, lived briefly on the Westbank in Algiers, enjoyed living in the Riverbend in Uptown but LOVE living in Mid-City! Even when Iived in Uptown I spent half my time in Mid-City because my of my friends lived down here. Something about living near water relaxes me (in Chicago near the lake in Wrigleyville, Long Beach downtown in the Arts district). I may wax endlessly about how Mid-City is where New Orleaneans actually live! Unlike the Uptown snobbery (yes, I was one of them) filled with Tulane and Loyola students, Mid-City truly feels like a community with friendly people. There have been many a night gathering on the historic and enchantingly lit up bridge (lovely white lights) with friends for parties or just to hang out. It would be an amazing place to propose to (just saying!). It's fun just walking with friends along the bayou and of course it helps that a friend of mine has a canoe that he's willing to lend me. My kayaking friends love to kayak here and I've even seen people with longboards (which btw long boards are crazy expensive-went pricing with a friend who wants to buy one!). It's a great place to bike as well with bike paths in city park and along the bayou to the lakefront! I also enjoy that it's so convenient because my church is only minuyed away. I can hear the bells toll, jump in my car (yes I'm green but always on Filipino time hence late!) and be in a pew sneaking through the side door before everyone sits down!). There are also local grocery stores like Rouse's on N. Carrollton and Canseco's (he original Whole Foods was located here). Plus there are fun neighborhood bars like Pal's, Parkway etc. and amazing restaurants! Lola's is my favorite for authentic paella, Nonna Mia's is great for their outdoor patio (love their artichoke panini, eggplant panini, portabello mushroom panini, pizza, Tuesday is half bottle wine night), Cafe Degas (which I have yet to try with my Groupon), Santa Fe with outdoor patio and live music on some nights etc. There is even an adorable street where Canseco's is located with Swirl Wine Bar (spent a great New Years there for a private party), Maple Street bookstore, and the lovely coffee shop which name totally escapes me with banker's lights like Rue de la Course. Ahh...can you tell I'm in love with my new neighborhood? Once I win the lottery I'm buying a condo or a tiny house with a big porch out here ya'll!

Ah, Bayou St. John. One of those little things that makes you feel as if you are in a different world. I love the Bayou for a few reasons. The neighborhoods that surround it are within walking distance, so if you live around there, a nice body of water is just a stroll away. You can bring small boats or kayaks on the water. A few years ago, I dated a guy who lived a few blocks from the Bayou and we would kayak along the Bayou on nice days. Ok, he would kayak and I would sit there, in the kayak, like a diva, but you get what I'm saying. It's just really nice and idyllic and really makes me want to live in Mid City someday.

Once upon a time this was the portage from the Lake to the Mississippi. Now it's a great place to kayak, walk your dog, play some volleyball, etc. Definitely a neighborhood and area to take visiting tourists to give them a different view of the city. It's a great neighborhood waterway...sort of like all of our neighborhood graveyards.

A beautiful outdoor recreation area in this awesome city. You will find people sitting out in the grass having picnics, kayaking, riding bikes, walking on the trail or napping in the grass. There are many option here for the outdoor enthusiasts. The neighborhood itself is also very quaint and safe overall. If you are visiting from out of town and don't have your own kayak or outdoor equipment there is at least one place that I saw to rent them. Personally I would grab a poboy and eat in the grass while watching the sunset. The park spaces are beautiful in this city and this is no exception to that rule.

What an amazing neighborhood biking/hiking/watersport/relaxing spot. It extends from Lafitte Street and Jefferson Davis in Mid-City all the way out to Lake Ponchartrain; hence the history as a shipping channel for the city of New Orleans. If you drive toward the lake down Carrollton/Wisner until it turns into Beauregard, you can actually walk around what remains of Fort St. John, which was built in 1701 to protect the bayou. As activites go, I love to walk here, though the only real spots with trails/sidewalk are on the Wisner section past City Park. If you enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or stand up paddle-boarding then this is definitely your spot. You can even rent a kayak at certain spots on the bayou. There are also a few clubs that meet to enjoy sports like running, volleyball, and bicycling all along the bayou. And then, of course, you can just party on the banks of the water. Bring a grill, drinks and friends and sit under a tree anytime you want--who doesn't love that? Did I mention that there is a festival that basically just celebrates partying on the bayou? It is called Bayou Boogaloo and it is wonderful. In a nutshell, this place is awesome and I'm so glad to live close enough to enjoy it!

What a strange little place. As someone who doesn't live in nola, this was a great little get away. I was there for the 4th of july flotilla/parade/race that didn't really happen but I had a great time anyways. It was cool to see local folks just hanging out and doing their thing when I'd mostly been subject to the madness of the french quarter. And the ideal gas station nearby sells great fried chicken.

Every city needs its own Bayou St. John! Beautiful, quiet and oh-so-scenic, it is definitely a hidden gem for our great city. On any given day, you'll see joggers, picnickers, fishermen and tons of dog walkers. On select few dates, it would even be jammed-packed with festival goers. I actually didn't "discover" Bayou St. John until I started working for City Park before the Storm. But once I did, my love affair with the city hasn't been the same. For one thing, I chose my current apartment based on its close proximity to this beautiful body of water. And some days, that one city block isn't close enough. Why? Because it's eye candy in so many ways and soul- enriching in many more. For another, there's no other place that feels like home than sitting on its bank, gazing into the sunset or walking my dogs pass another guitarist serenading the turtles and ducks going by. THE bayou make me realize there's so much to be grateful for. So thank you Bayou St. John for being part of my city.

It's nice to be able to do one's evening perambulations along one of the most historic waterways in the country. As Ryan pointed out, it's the reason New Orleans exists in the first place, and for that, it should be honored. I've been walking along the bayou almost every evening for over a year and I never tire of it. There's the rare summer breeze that materializes after dark, making those July and August evenings a bit more tolerable. Earlier in the day there are families out, and always runners, walkers, and dog walkers out on the banks. Springtime sees clusters of our growing Mid City young professional (I won't say hipster) population picnicking on crawfish along the banks. It's hard to imagine what it was like as a busy working port for so much of its history. Now it's just an idyllic spot to enjoy.

One end of the Bayou is Parkway Bakery. The other end is Lake Ponchartrain. -In between- -Several large live oaks that make for idyllic crawfish boil locales -The Bayou Boogaloo festival grounds (blow up your raft and drop anchor for free music fun) -The only place within the city limits to canoe, kayak, raft, float and drink legally -The Cabrini bridge (wedding ceremonies, evening cocktails, sunsets) -The Pitot House--drink wine once a month on the porch overlooking the bayou for $10.00 donation -City Park biking trail runs along the bayou and takes you all the way to the lake -The future home of the Deutches Haus -Jog, walk the dog, sit on a tree swing -Watch nutria slither and dither through the water at night -Go fishing--don't eat the fish -Throw your Christmas tree in when nobody is looking -Watch people paddle standing up on those oversized surfboards---wonder why that is considered fun -Surrounded by mostly safe neighborhoods, can usually walk at any time of night with little worry -Volleyball on the weekends If you live by this waterway, your life is better.

Bayou St. John includes beautiful scenery from Lake Pontchartrain down to the "secret swing" to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (that is home to Greek Fest) going past City Park and the Fairgrounds way down to the current endpoint at Parkway Bakery. There are festivals, kayaking, fishing, volleyball and all sorts of other activities constantly going on next to this body of water. The biggest gem of the area are the many vibrant neighborhoods that flank the Bayou extending from Lakeview into Mid-City and give this area its uniquely New Orleans character.

I'm not sure if I would want to live here, but I do enjoy the neighborhood. A few festivals through the year keep it from being boring. I really like the boating and kayaking ability there. Plus, Parkway and their amazing poboys are a big draw as well.

Bayou St. John is my private heaven. So great is my affection for this little stretch of semi-stagnant water near my house that I hesitate to mention it publicly here. You won't tell anybody, will you, friend? Whether it's running down the bayou in the morning, walking your dog, kayaking down it, for a picnic beneath a shady tree . . . Someday, when I die, I hope a second line will swing me down the bayou, and sprinkle my ashes off Magnolia Bridge, which, when lit up with Christmas lights, looks just like magic to me. Bottle of wine, my baby, and the sun setting over this little bend of water is as close to paradise as I've ever been.

Happened to stumble across this area, and I really enjoyed the neighborhood! It was absolutely beautiful and serene to walk along the bayou. Being by the water by sunset was awesome. Lots of other folks around as well, so it seemed pretty safe. My favorite part was a tree swing that I discovered by the water--so fun! And I got to watch a dad and son kayak along it!

I love the evenings on da bayou when the weather is nice. Great place to chill with friends!

Relaxing and lovely, I wish I could just stay out here all day during the spring and fall. The scenery is beautiful and calming; everyone visits here to relax especially around October-November

It's really hard not to like Bayou St. John, when it is the whole reason our city is even here. Had the Bayou not existed, the Indians wouldn't have had a portage here, and Europeans wouldn't have noticed the short hiking trail that is the esplanade Ridge (essentially connecting the Lake (and thus the Gulf) to the Mississippi River. Plus Bayou St. John is a nice scenic place for a picnic or a jog. It's also and interesting link to the past as it is the only remaining Bayou left in the city to limits. (the rest were filled in in the name of "progress").

Great place to take a walk. There is usually a breeze floating across the water, everyone is out with their dogs, someone is playing frisbee, a group sets up a popup volleyball net, a couple is riding a kayak, and a group is having some cold beers under one of the many large oak trees. Oh, yeah. This is a great place to be.

Bayou St. John is a natural waterway that was used by Native Americans and at one point provided a connection from Lake Pontchatrain to the Miss River. Marie Laveau held voodoo rituals there in the 1800s. Then it became home to a shipyard that built battleships for WW2. So there is a lot of history there. You won't, however, see many signs of that history nowadays. You will just find a beautiful urban recreational waterway. Saturdays you can find kayak rentals by the dental school or by contacting Kayak-iti-yak or Massey's Sporting Goods. You can rent paddleboards from NOLA Paddleboards. Fishing includes catfish and bass, as well as speckled trout and redfish. Annual festivals to check out are Bayou Boogaloo and Greek Fest. If you are lucky you might catch a Sunday second-line with mardi gras indians lining up at Orleans Ave. Bayou St. John is my probably my favorite feature of the city.

I live here as my family has for 5 generations now and it is the most wonderful neighborhood and TRUE community in New Orleans....in MY opinion. With that said, there was some numb skull who referred to it as "boring", beware: that guy must be a meth head b/c this hood is anything but boring. Full of culture and art. Most residents are somehow affiliated with music and art or are lovers of the afore mentioned. We welcome you with our boring open arms!!

If this is your first time to visit New Orleans, don't rush you schedule to visit the "Bayou" because it isn't anything fancy. On the other hand, having lived on the bayou, it is a piece of Heaven in New Orleans. Its green space among some of the oldest housing in the city mixed in with newer housing. Its not really a bayou but a former shipping canal that has been closed. People stay out there all times of the day, some throwing BBQs, kayaking, jogging, painting, picnicking, etc. Its a great place to bring a first date and watch the flying fish, or maybe depending on how close to city park you go, you might see an alligator. Then there is the bridge- decorated with Christmas lights, rusted, but beautiful. Its across from the Pitot House. People will fish off the bridge, dangle their legs off, little boys jump off. Every once and a while, Indians or a wedding party will do a second line around the bayou. Its just a magical place.