Where To Go Stargazing in New Orleans
The Big Easy’s famous for its bright lights, wild nights, and general sparkle—but actual stars? That’s a different story, baby.
Even with all that light pollution, there are still some magical spots where you can look up and see more than just the neon glow of Bourbon Street. Y’all just gotta know where to look. So grab your telescope (or just your eyeballs), and let’s explore the best places to catch some celestial magic in the Crescent City.
1. City Park
This ain’t just a place for beignets and morning jogs. City Park’s 1,300 acres offer some of the darkest skies you’ll find without leaving city limits. The Big Lake area specifically gives you enough open space to catch a decent view of the night sky. The park closes at 10pm most nights, but that’s plenty of time to spot some constellations after sunset.
Tip: Park near the Botanical Garden entrance and walk to the more secluded areas away from the streetlights. Bring bug spray—them mosquitoes are no joke.
2. The Fly (Riverview Park)
Tucked behind Audubon Zoo along the Mississippi River, this local hangout spot offers a decent view of the night sky with the added bonus of watching ships pass by on the river. The wide-open space means less light interference from trees, and the riverside location cuts down on city lights from at least one direction.
Tip: This spot is perfect for planet-spotting and catching the occasional meteor shower. Bring a blanket and maybe some daiquiris (it’s New Orleans, after all).
3. Bayou Segnette State Park
Just a quick 30-minute drive from downtown, this state park in Westwego offers significantly darker skies than anything you’ll find in the city proper. The park technically closes at 9pm, but if you’re camping there (which I highly recommend), you’ll have all night to stargaze from your campsite.
Tip: The boat launch area has some of the widest views of the sky. Sometimes the local astronomy clubs host events here, so check their schedules before you go.
4. Fontainebleau State Park
About 45 minutes across Lake Pontchartrain, this gorgeous state park offers some of the best stargazing within easy reach of New Orleans. The light pollution is dramatically reduced once you cross the Causeway, and the park’s beach area provides unobstructed views of the night sky over the lake.
Tip: Make it a mini-getaway and rent one of their cabins. Nothing beats rolling out of bed at 2am to catch the Milky Way without having to drive home afterward.
5. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
Okay, hear me out. This ain’t exactly a “stargazing spot,” but this historic bar on Bourbon Street is lit almost entirely by candlelight. Step out into their courtyard with your eyes already adjusted to the dark, look up, and you might just spot more stars than you’d expect in the French Quarter. Plus, you know, drinks.
Tip: Visit on a weeknight when Bourbon is slightly less chaotic, and your chances of seeing stars (rather than just seeing stars after too many Hurricanes) improves dramatically.
6. Crescent Park
This newer riverfront park stretches along the edge of the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods. While not completely free from light pollution, the elevated sections give you a nice vantage point above some of the city lights, with the Mississippi River blocking light from the West Bank.
Tip: The “Piety Street Bridge” section offers the best elevated views. Go during a crescent moon phase (fitting for the Crescent City) for optimal star visibility.
7. Bonnet Carré Spillway
About 30 minutes west of the city, this flood control structure might seem like a strange recommendation, but local astronomy enthusiasts know it’s one of the darkest accessible spots near New Orleans. The wide-open space gives you a full 360-degree view of the sky.
Tip: This spot ain’t exactly designed for visitors after dark, so go with a group and bring flashlights. It’s worth it for serious stargazers who don’t wanna drive hours away from the city.
8. New Orleans Lakefront
The seawall along Lake Pontchartrain offers a decent compromise between accessibility and star visibility. With the lake blocking light from the north, you can often spot more stars than you’d expect so close to the city.
Tip: The stretch near the old Pontchartrain Beach site or out by the UNO campus tends to be less crowded and darker than areas closer to West End.
9. Audubon Park
While not ideal for deep-sky objects, Audubon Park can be surprisingly decent for spotting brighter celestial bodies like planets, the moon, and major constellations. The large open field near the center of the park (known as the Fly) offers enough sky view to make it worthwhile when you don’t have time to leave the city.
Tip: The park technically closes at 10pm, but the walking path around the golf course is often accessible later and offers some decent viewing spots.
10. Local Star Parties
The Pontchartrain Astronomy Society regularly hosts star parties and public viewing events around the New Orleans area. These organized events often take place at the best possible viewing locations, and you’ll have the added benefit of looking through some serious telescopes operated by folks who know what they’re doing.
Tip: Follow their social media to catch announcements about upcoming events. They sometimes host viewings at the University of New Orleans or out at Stennis Space Center (about an hour away).
Y’all might not think of New Orleans as a stargazing destination, but with a little effort and the right timing, you can definitely catch some celestial magic in and around the Big Easy.
