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1st Lake Blog

Free and Affordable Healthy Activities

Ready to get moving? The Greater New Orleans area offers so many ways to stay fit and have fun while you’re at it. Whether you take advantage of an outdoor space like Lafreniere Park or go straight for a fitness class, we’ve compiled a list of free and cheap fitness activities to keep you healthy and happy.

Parks

Lafreniere Park — This 155-acre park features so many things to do, from a 2-mile jogging trail to an on-site, 20-acre lagoon ideal for birdwatching and immersing yourself in nature. The park features 2 distinct playgrounds, a carousel, and a splash pad for the kids, plus sports fields and a disc golf course. It’s the perfect place to stay active in the heart of Jefferson Parish!

City Park — City Park in New Orleans is one of the largest public parks in the country. Kids will love Storyland, the on-site amusement park, while adults can partake in healthy activities like canoeing, jogging, or golfing (mini golf, disc golf, and regular golf are all available for nominal fees). There’s also an on-site dog park – just remember to review dog park etiquette first!

Audubon Park — This park is free to enter, although you can pay a small fee for activities like tennis or horseback riding. A playground for kids makes it family-friendly, as does the Audubon Zoo on the premises.

Bike Trails

Tammany Trace — A “hike and bike trail,” Tammany Trace touts a whopping 31 miles of gorgeous scenery. The trail used to be a railway, but now it’s perfect for a leisurely stroll, upbeat jog, or bicycle ride to get some fresh air.

Lafitte Greenway — Recently restored, the Lafitte Greenway is a pedestrian and cyclist path that winds through the heart of New Orleans. A gorgeous respite from the urban landscape of the city, Lafitte Greenway features 2.6 miles of trail connecting downtown New Orleans to City Park.

Fitness Classes

Romney Pilates Community Class — Head to Uptown New Orleans every Saturday at 8 a.m. for a $5 community class at Romney Pilates (5619 Magazine St.). The space is absolutely gorgeous, and is directly across the street from a Whole Foods, so you can get your grocery shopping done, too! Plan to arrive early as this class tends to fill up quickly.

Free Zumba in City Park — At the Peristyle in City Park, you can partake in a free zumba class every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. It’s a great way to get your heart rate up and enjoy nature. We won’t say anything if you go to the City Park Morning Call afterward… you deserve it!

Yoga at the Cabildo — Enjoy a most beautiful view of the French Quarter for $12 at the Yoga at the Cabildo class offered Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Friends of the Cabildo members pay just $8 per class.

Salvation Studio Charity Spin — Donate to charity, and get a free workout! Every Friday at Salvation Studio, donate $5 or more to the weekly charity or cause of choice, and you’ll be enrolled in their spin class for free. Think of how good you’ll feel after you help the community and complete a heart-pumping workout!