New Orleans The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA

admin September 8, 2025

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA

Located in City Park

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), located in City Park, New Orleans, is a breathtaking 12-acre outdoor oasis that seamlessly blends art and nature. Opened in 2003 and expanded in 2019, this free, public garden features over 90 sculptures by world-renowned artists like Henry Moore, Louise Bourgeois, and Frank Gehry, set among winding paths, serene lagoons, and 200-year-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Highlights include Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s Diana (1886), a graceful bronze goddess, and Wangechi Mutu’s Crocodylus (2020), a striking contemporary piece. The 2019 expansion added 26 modern works, a sculpture pavilion, an amphitheater, and a canal link bridge, enhancing its lush landscape of pines, magnolias, and native plants. Free to all, the garden offers wheelchair accessibility, a mobile audio guide, and vibrant events like festivals and live music.

New Orleans’ hop-on hop-off bus tour, bookable at hoponhopofftickets.com, is a lively way to explore the Crescent City with City Sightseeing. Covering 19 stops, including the French Quarter, Garden District, and Jackson Square, buses run every 30-45 minutes with a 90-minute loop. Popular with over 17 million annual visitors, it offers live or audio-guided commentary in English, with wheelchair-accessible buses (lower deck only). A free self-guided walking tour of the French Quarter is included. Pets (except service dogs) are not allowed. Book at hoponhopofftickets.com for a vibrant Big Easy adventure.

New Orleans- Must Know & Facts

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA

Opened in 2003 and expanded in 2019, this free, public garden showcases over 90 stunning modern and contemporary sculptures.

The Country Club

The Country Club is a hidden gem that delivers the perfect trio: delicious drinks, hearty meals, and a refreshing swim. This charming spot serves up mouthwatering New Orleans classics, like creamy gumbo and spicy jambalaya,