Top 5 Green Ways To Get Around New Orleans

Posted by Abby Sanders

Jan. 05, 2017

There are so many things to see and do in Nola: whether you’re roaming through the French Quarter, meandering around the Garden District, or strolling down Magazine Street, you can’t waste any of your precious time figuring out how to get to your next destination. Before you hail an Uber, try a transit option that’s both more memorable and easier on the environment.

1. Walk

You can’t take a wrong turn in New Orleans – in many neighborhoods, there’s a beautiful home or historic site on just about every block. So it’s no surprise that there are so many fantastic walking tour options: check out the Garden District, the French Quarter and historic cemeteries, or even try a ghost tour for a more eerie view of America’s most haunted city. Any of these tour options will get you to the top must-see sights of the city in two hours, with 0 fuel emissions (and you can even say you got a little exercise).

Prefer to explore solo? If a guided tour isn’t your style, visit Lafitte Greenway, a 2.6-mile green corridor connecting a series of neighborhoods, specifically designed for walkers and bikers. Stroll to your heart’s content, at your leisure.

New Orleans offers a number of great biking options, including affordable bike rentals that allow you to see and do everything on your list, on your own time. Rent a bike for a few hours, the whole day, or your entire trip, and you have an energy-efficient mode of transportation at your fingertips.

Once you have your bike rented, check out Nola Social Ride to get in on the next big social biking excursion – it’s a great way to see the city and meet tons of local bike enthusiasts!

3. Streetcar

Nothing says New Orleans vacation like a selfie on a streetcar. For only $1.25, you can get across town in classic New Orleans style on a breezy, open-air streetcar: cheap, energy-conserving mass transit that also offers endless Insta-worthy photo ops. And now, paying is easier than ever with the RTA gomobile app, which allows you to pay your fare from your phone, or purchase “Jazzy Passes” that give you unlimited rides for one, three, or 31 days. In one fell swoop, you have your transit needs covered for the rest of your trip.

4. Pedicab

Pedicabs or “bike taxies” are a fun, eco-friendly option for one or two people (and it’s a safe bet you don’t have them sailing around your own hometown). Hail one of the many pedicabs zipping around the Quarter, or arrange a pickup through nolapedicabs.com, and let somebody else get the workout while you enjoy the view.

5. Scooter

After a long day in the sun, you might want to catch a breeze en route to your next destination. Rent a scooter for the day and enjoy the ride! You’ll have access to many parts of the city and surrounding area that you won’t be able to reach by streetcar. Visit the locally-owned Avenue Scooters for a safe rental and insider tips on where to find the best oysters.