Five
Local (or Nearby) Labor Day Activities
This
upcoming Labor Day weekend will be vastly different from the ones before. In an
effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, social distancing guidelines
limit large group gatherings, which means the postponement of Southern
Decadence, the popular LGBT festival in the French Quarter. It also could mean that
your original plans got cancelled. However, New Orleans and nearby areas still
have many opportunities for Labor Day activities that are safe and socially
distant.
Kayak
in the Swamps
Try
kayaking in the special, swampy part of New Orleans with New Orleans
Swamp Tours.
This adventure will introduce you to the beautiful marshes that New Orleans has
to offer. The recommended tour for beginners is the Manchac Swamp
Kayak Tour,
which lasts approximately two to two and a half hours and costs $59 per person.
Transportation from the French Quarter is provided, but be prepared to meet an
hour and 20 minutes before your tour's start time. Here is a list of precautions being
taken to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. This is an exciting way to
spend your Labor Day, while also appreciating your New Orleans roots.
Do
Something Artsy in the Park
City
Park is not only home to beautiful scenery, but also to the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Sculpture Garden. On
Labor Day, both of these cultural locations are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Spend the day looking at NOMA's carefully curated exhibitions and the Sculpture Garden's
visionary art pieces. Make a day of it! Stop at the nearest Café du Monde, located at 56
Dreyfous Dr., and bring hammocks to relax in the shade of the colossal oak
trees that City Park is known for. 1 Collins Diboll Cir., noma.org.
Go
"Fly"ing
Many
New Orleanians bring their outdoor blankets to Riverview
Park, a part of Audubon Park known to locals as "the Fly," and watch the
vibrant and colorful sunsets. Bring your family here to listen to the rush of
the Mississippi River while enjoying a relaxing picnic. Following social
distancing guidelines should be easy here, as the Fly is open space. If you're
planning a party or family reunion, keep in mind that gathering more than 25 people
together or putting up a tent requires a park permit; ask any questions here. 6500 Magazine St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/explore-audubon-park/riverview
Float
Down the Lazy River
Enjoy
Labor Day tubing, a classic way to spend days of leisurely relaxing. Bogue Chitto Tubing is open Monday through Sunday from
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. On their website, they include directions from New Orleans,
Baton Rouge, Slidell, and Jackson, MS; Bogue Chitto Tubing is approximately one
hour from New Orleans. There are two tubing trips: a two-hour trip and a four-hour
trip. Check out more information, such as pricing and start times, here. It is recommended that you call
before to make sure they are open that day, as they sometimes are closed due to
high water. 10237 South Choctaw Rd., Bogalusa, boguechitto.com
Fire
Up the Grill
For
the people who prefer to celebrate Labor Day at home, BBQs are a great way to
enjoy great food, quality time with family and friends, and the adventure of
trying out new recipes. Feasting At Home,
a website for vegetable-driven, healthy recipes, cultivated a list of 35 grilling
recipes from around the world. Notable recipes include grilled Chilean
beef skewers
and grilled
Peruvian chicken. Check out this great list of unique recipes and enjoy a day
of relaxation with the people you love and some tasty food.
Social
distancing guidelines might limit the number of people you can spend Labor Day
with, but it doesn't have to limit the amount of fun and enjoyment you have on
your special day off. Try one of the activities on this list and have a safe
and happy Labor Day!
