The Fly, River Dr, New Orleans, LA 70118, US

The Riverview, known to locals as "The Fly", is a waterfront park with breathtaking views of the lazy Mississippi River. Located in Uptown New Orleans behind Audubon Zoo and technically a part of Audubon Park , this is the perfect spot to picnic, throw a frisbee or football around or simply relax and breath in the scenery. There's also a playground and lots of green space for the kids to burn off a little steam and recreational fields where you might catch a baseball or soccer game in progress. It's a favorite hangout for the college crowd and a perfect place for a romantic outing with your sweetie. And keep your eye on the river, you're sure to see a boat or two navigating down the mighty Mississippi.Parking and public transportation at The RiverviewThere's ample free off-street parking at The Fly. If you're using public transportation you can take the Magazine Street bus to the end of the line at Audubon Zoo and from there it's a short walk. You can also take the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, get off at Audubon Park and walk through the park to Magazine Street and then continue to The Fly from there.Best and worst time to go to the RiverviewOne of the best times to visit is late afternoon/early evening when it's cool and the sun setting over the Mississippi River is an awesome sight. The crowds are thicker on weekends and around holidays, especially when the weather is nice , so consider this when planning your visit.Admission to the RiverviewAdmission is free. The Fly is open daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.Must see/do at the Riverview The main thing you're going to want to do when you visit The Fly is relax and enjoy the view. If you're driving in, pick up some grub and have a nice picnic. A stroll along the bank of the river is a definite must-do. If you're lucky you may be able to catch a baseball, football or soccer game at one of the recreational fields; always good to watch even if you don't know anyone who's playing.Other places to visit near the RiverviewSince you're already Uptown, why not make it an Audubon Day? Start by visiting Audubon Zoo, then walk across the street and stroll through Audubon Park before ending up at The Fly. If you visit on Tuesday, stop by the Crescent City Farmers Market and grab some great locally grown fruit and other goodies. But make sure you come early, the market is open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Insider tip for visitors to the RiverviewDuring nice weather, the Fly can get really crowded (although the people aren't particularly rowdy) and there's usually quite a bit of drinking going on. So keep that in mind if you have young kids.Author's bio: Myra Faye Turner is a writer who has lived her entire adult life in New Orleans (give or take a few years here and there). One of her favorite past times is sucking the heads of crawfish and playing chess with her son, Tyler, while relaxing at The Fly.