Bywater Stroll: Explore the Evolving Neighbourhood on a self-guided audio tour

It features the work of artists connected to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, or NOCCA

It's a tuition-free arts conservatory for high school students. Entrance is by audition only, and such luminaries as the Marsalis brothers and Trombone Shorty have emerged from here.

The tour passes through Crescent Park. It stretches for 1.4 miles along the Mississippi River. It's a fairly recent addition to the city and has provided Marigny and Bywater residents new access to the Mississippi River which borders the neighborhood.

The tour briefly walks along the river

By locals, it's called The Rusty Rainbow, but it's actually the Piety Street Arch. While the other two entrances to the park allow for vehicle and handicap access, this one is very stair-heavy. The view from the top is a great way to watch the passing clouds or check out the fireworks on the many occasions New Orleans celebrates with them.

Mickey Markey Park is a destination for families and dog owners in the Bywater. It was renovated a few years ago. From a fenced-off mostly-dirt field, it was turned into a sprawling green space for leashed dogs, soccer games, and lounging with a take-out pizza. A lot of birthday parties are hosted here with bouncy houses, summertime sprinklers and baby pools. And it's a spot for other, more unorthodox gatherings as well. This is the starting point for the annual naked bike ride, for instance. It's great for people-watching too. On weekends and nice-weather evenings, parents often gather with adult beverages while kids monkey around on the playground equipment.