The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA
The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA
The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA
5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Lakeview
Lakeview extends inland from the shores of Lake Pontchartrain with much of the area reserved for family-friendly City Park. Home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and the city’s own lush Botanical Gardens, City Park is a New Orleans gem and the perfect spot for outdoor fun with as much of a mix of culture and/or amusement as you would like. Beyond City Park more great excuses to stay outside beckon, whether on land or by boat. Developed a good deal later than most other New Orleans neighborhoods, Lakeview has a distinctively different look and feel compared to other parts of the city. Fans of mid century modern design and contemporary architecture particularly enjoy leisurely drives around the residential streets of Lake Vista, Park Island and along Lakeshore Drive.
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See what travellers are saying
- Judith S4 contributionsBeautiful garden and interesting sculpturesWow! What a beautiful garden! It was such a peaceful and interesting walk through this incredible garden, walking among the live oaks, around the water features and sculptures. Some of the art was fun- like the blue, red, and yellow Rodrigue dog or the Mardi Gras beads in the tree- and some was thought-provoking. This is worth a visit!Visited November 2023Written 13 November 2023
- EricaSurry, Maine336 contributionsNice strollThis sculpture garden is set up very much like a museum with each piece lined up along a path. This has the potential to be so much better if the art is incorporated more into the art of the landscape. I give it a generous 4 stars.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 December 2023
- lafamiliagafufaNashville, Tennessee63 contributionsBeautiful sculpturesWe had a lovely walk around the Sculpture Gardens. Lots of very beautiful sculptures of different styles to explore. It was an interesting experience to go through the tunnel to get from one side of the gardens to the other as one was walking "below" the adjoining water surface. To get to the Gardens we took the streetcar which was another interesting experience.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 15 March 2024
- old-man-orangeOrange, Connecticut347 contributionsUnexpected Treat !!We were in NOLA for a long weekend and decided last minute to take an Uber uptown for a Po'Boy at Parkway and walk a short distance to NOMA - great idea !! First off - since Parkway is a short walk along the Bayou (really a stream) through a neighbor with cool shotgun houses to the Gardens and NOMA .... what a great way to spend part of a day We have been to lots of great Botanical Gardens and Parks all over the world - and this place is right up there. Better yet it is free. The museum looked great, but we didn't have enough time Enjoy !!Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 March 2024
- Ginger B ROswego, New York534 contributionsGreat park, and freeIt's free to walk around the sculpture garden. There are a good number of statues, each unique. Most are of the modern variety. The park itself is lovely, so it's a nice thing to do if you need a break from the city and also need a break from spending. Great place if you like taking pics too.Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 15 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
1,404 reviews
Excellent
1,111
Very good
257
Average
30
Poor
3
Terrible
3
aghorn
Plano, TX34 contributions
Mar 2020
Incredible setting for sculpture. My daughter and I had a very nice time wandering the trails of the extensive garden and seeing all the interesting sculptures. Even though it's a little aways away from the French Quarter, it's worth an Uber trip or streetcar ride. And it's FREE! Unfortunately, Canal St was blocked due to road work. So couldn't get there from where we were by streetcar. Also very much enjoyed wandering close by in City Park, to the Cafe du Monde there, and even to a very cool miniature golf park within the overall park.
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fromthisworld
virginia151 contributions
Dec 2019
Yes Yes Yes get out of French Quarter to see unique masterpieces in this garden. Just a beautiful setting nestled in centuries old oak trees. Also you can visit the NOLA Art museum. There is also Cafe Du Monde on this site so you can skip the lines at French Quarter. Absolutely a breath of fresh air!
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travellingmomNyc
New York City, NY555 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
We visited on a beautiful day after a great meal at blue oak BBQ. We were truly astounded that this sculpture garden is not more widely known and acclaimed.
Great collection of 20-21 st century work, set in a very large, beautifully landscaped park. The only disturbing aspect was the lack of security, lots of kids touching and climbing on the art was disrespectful and
Potentially hazardous to the works.
While literature said no touching, there were absolutely no signs and the guards did nothing.
Great collection of 20-21 st century work, set in a very large, beautifully landscaped park. The only disturbing aspect was the lack of security, lots of kids touching and climbing on the art was disrespectful and
Potentially hazardous to the works.
While literature said no touching, there were absolutely no signs and the guards did nothing.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Loup_Garou
Phoenix, AZ165,246 contributions
Dec 2019
Lovely Even in December
We had first visited the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden in New Orleans’ City Park, in June, a few years before, and enjoyed it. In December, we were back in New Orleans, and once more spent a couple of hours in the Sculpture Garden.
The weather was nice, and we had nothing else on our schedule, so took our time to explore. From our previous visit, there appeared to be many additions - or maybe we had just not noticed them? The layout of the Sculpture Garden is very loose, and the various exhibits are not grouped, and a few almost seem to be hidden, or partially so, as part of their installation - something to look closely for, and you will be rewarded.
Because of the size of the Sculpture Garden, and the scope of the installations, I would allow at least two full hours, just to explore, and admire the pieces.
We had first visited the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden in New Orleans’ City Park, in June, a few years before, and enjoyed it. In December, we were back in New Orleans, and once more spent a couple of hours in the Sculpture Garden.
The weather was nice, and we had nothing else on our schedule, so took our time to explore. From our previous visit, there appeared to be many additions - or maybe we had just not noticed them? The layout of the Sculpture Garden is very loose, and the various exhibits are not grouped, and a few almost seem to be hidden, or partially so, as part of their installation - something to look closely for, and you will be rewarded.
Because of the size of the Sculpture Garden, and the scope of the installations, I would allow at least two full hours, just to explore, and admire the pieces.
Written 12 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ngjpc
Sleepy Hollow, NY49 contributions
Feb 2020
For a break from the music and bedlam of the French Quarter, plan on spending a few hours at the Sculpture Garden at NOMA. There is an impressive collection of sculptures artfully placed throughout an thoughtfully mapped landscape. And you can complement your trip with a stop at Cafe du Monde either before or after.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Packers9
185 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This place is super easy to get to if taking public transportation (we came from the French Quarter). The sculpture garden had a few different sections but they all connected so you were sure not to miss anything. Sculptures were all very different in regards to idea and also materials. If you have time to visit, definitely worth checking out. We were here for about an hour and then afterwards, stop at Cafe du Monde- right across the street :)
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebekajean
The Woodlands, TX1,022 contributions
Feb 2020
We strolled through the gardens in light drizzle enjoying the peace and tranquility of the paths and the impressive art pieces. Ask for a map at the entrance. Such a variety of pieces, statues, kinetic art, a few thought provoking pieces. Entrance is free and the landscape compliments each piece. We were surprised at the quantity of pieces that were donated by the Besthoff's. Hubby and I spent about an hour and plan to return another day in better weather.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JennyMarie82
Harrisburg, PA339 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
A friend was running the rock ‘n’ roll 10 K and the ending point was City Park where the Sculpture Garden is located. We decided to explore the sculpture garden after her run which was an enjoyable experience. The art ranges from literal to abstract using many different materials. Thankfully to the couples generous donations it is free for the public to explore and experience this beautiful outdoor oasis in which I need to turn your not sure what type of art you will come upon.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Casa2
Morocco13 contributions
Feb 2020
Having left immediately after Katrina, we had not come back to visit often. This was recommended by a friend and we took their advice and glad we did. A leisurely stroll through the park was met with several wonderful sculptures from various artists. One of my favorites was the bridge that had overlaid the various paths of the Mississippi River over thousands of years.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard W
Dublin, Ireland195 contributions
Jun 2023
This Sculpture Garden is deservedly rated at #7 of 462 things to do in New Orleans. Actually, it could go higher. My wife and I took the Red Canal Streetcar out to New Orleans City Park where a ten minute leisurely walk brings you to a beautiful sculpture garden nestled in the oaks and lagoons next to NOMA. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free to access and is set in eleven acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. It is an ideal location to take a break away from the activity and commotion of the French Quarter. We spent easily three hours here enjoying the world class collection of modern and contemporary sculpture. Highly recommended.
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the sculpture garden separate from the museum? Does the Garden have an entrance fee or can you just go in? if so is there a specific entrance?
Written 1 May 2019
It is separate from the museum. There is no fee. It is definitely worth the time.
Written 1 May 2019
is the museum open on New year's day?
Written 19 October 2016
Not sure, but my guess would be yes. Check the website for New Orleans Museum of Art.
Written 23 October 2016
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