Louisiana · United States
Cycling in New Orleans
Best season: October–April
New Orleans is one of America’s most rewarding cities to explore by bike: it’s pancake-flat, compact, and its best neighborhoods — French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater, Tremé, Mid-City — sit within an easy cruiser ride of each other. The connective tissue is the Lafitte Greenway, a 2.6-mile paved, lit path running from the edge of the French Quarter out to Mid-City and City Park, built on an old canal-and-rail corridor.
For river views, roll through Crescent Park, a 1.4-mile riverfront path where the Quarter meets the Marigny. Riders who want real miles head for the Mississippi River Trail, the paved levee-top route that runs roughly 22 miles upriver from the Audubon Zoo area toward the Bonnet Carré Spillway — flat, car-free, and endlessly scenic.
Staying car-free is easy here. Boutique hotels like the Old No. 77 lend Public city bikes to guests, the nonprofit-run Blue Bikes share system scatters pedal-assist e-bikes across town, and French Quarter shops rent everything from cruisers to e-bikes by the day. New Orleans also has a genuinely great guided-tour scene — small-group cruiser tours roll daily through the Creole neighborhoods, Garden District and out to the bayous.
Time your trip for October through April: winters are mild and ideal for riding, while summer brings punishing heat, humidity and afternoon thunderstorms. Whatever the season, carry water and take the lit Greenway or well-traveled streets after dark.
Weather in New Orleans
Live · NWSLoading current conditions…
Typical by month
avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · NEW ORLEANS WSO CITY- Jan 64° 46° 5.0"
- Feb 68° 50° 4.1"
- Mar 74° 56° 4.6"
- Apr 81° 62° 5.0"
- May 88° 69° 5.4"
- Jun 92° 75° 7.4"
- Jul 94° 77° 8.8"
- Aug 94° 77° 6.8"
- Sep 90° 74° 5.7"
- Oct 83° 65° 3.6"
- Nov 73° 55° 3.8"
- Dec 66° 49° 4.5"
Bike-friendly hotels
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Canopy by Hilton New Orleans Downtown
Downtown hotel in Hilton's Canopy brand, which features complimentary Canopy Bikes for guests — a short, flat ride from Canal Street to the French Quarter.
Before you book: Bike amenity is Hilton-corporate/aggregator sourced — confirm Canopy Bikes are stocked at this property, free vs. deposit, fleet, helmets/locks, and waiver.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-11)
The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery
Warehouse District boutique whose amenities page confirms PUBLIC loaner bikes for guests, included in the $19/night amenity fee — six blocks to the French Quarter and a mile to Crescent Park.
Before you book: Bikes come via a mandatory $19 + tax nightly amenity fee — confirm fleet size, helmets/locks, waiver, and whether bikes can be reserved — (504) 302-0017.
Bike program verified via source (2026-07-11)
Where to rent or borrow a bike
Bicycle Michael's
Rates by phone
Marigny institution (since 1983) at 622 Frenchmen St, steps from the French Quarter, offering daily and weekly rentals; closed Wednesdays.
Call ahead: Rental prices behind a booking page — call (504) 945-9505 for rates and waiver.
Verified via source (2026-07-11)
Blue Bikes (New Orleans bike share)
From $1 unlock + $0.35/min
Nonprofit-run pedal-assist e-bike share with hubs across the city — $1 unlock plus $0.35/min, or $25/month for 60 free minutes daily; rent via the Blue Bikes NOLA app. Ideal for French Quarter–Lafitte Greenway–City Park hops. Refer to the Blue Bikes app for real-time bike locations, pricing, and to unlock a bike in the service area.
Verified via source (2026-07-11)
Flambeaux Bicycle Tours & Rentals
Rates by phone
Rentals at 626 N Rampart St on the edge of the French Quarter, confirmed on the operator's own site alongside its guided-tour program.
Call ahead: Rental rates unpublished — call 504-321-1505.
Verified via source (2026-07-11)
FreeWheelin' Bike Tours & Rentals
Rates by phone
French Quarter shop at 317 Burgundy St (est. 2011) renting cruisers, road bikes, and e-bikes with a 24-hour self-return option; also runs guided tours.
Call ahead: Official site wouldn't render for verification — call (504) 522-4368 for rates and hours.
Reported via source (2026-07-11)
RideTHISbike
From $30
The French Quarter's full-service bike shop at 223 Dauphine St — rentals from $30 including e-bikes, open daily 9:30–4:30.
Call ahead: Exact bike lineup per price tier and waiver wording unverified — (504) 533-9688.
Verified via source (2026-07-11)
Cloud of Goods (New Orleans delivery rentals)
From $50/day
Delivery bike-rental marketplace — hybrids and cruisers (~$50/day) and mountain bikes (~$70/day), helmet and lock included, dropped at your New Orleans-area hotel, rental, or the airport. No storefront; you pick the delivery spot.
Call ahead: Confirm the city page link, current fleet, delivery area, and rates for your dates.
Reported via source (2026-07-14)
Guided bike tours
Culinary Bike Tour (biking and eating)
A Street Tour Named Desire · 4h
NOLA's oldest bike-tour company (formerly Confederacy of Cruisers) rides one-speed fat-tire cruisers on eating, Creole-culture, and cocktail tours from Elysian Fields Avenue.
Heart of the City Bike Tour
Flambeaux Bicycle Tours
Flambeaux's flagship ride through the historic core, with sister tours covering the Garden District, an LED-lit nightlife ride, and private/French-language options.
Creole & Crescent Bike Tour
FreeWheelin' Bike Tours · from $50
FreeWheelin's signature pedal tour of Creole neighborhoods, plus an electric 'Breezy Big Easy' option and a Garden District ride; ~$50 plus a processing fee per deal listings.
New Orleans Creole Odyssey Small-Group Bike Tour
Flambeaux Bicycle Tours · 3h · from $49
Three-hour small-group ride out to the Bayou St. John and City Park side of town, including St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 and a Café du Monde stop.
Where these are on the map New Orleans
Hotels Rentals & loaners · 7 of this destination's listings located · © OpenStreetMap contributors