NEW ORLEANS A STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE TOUR – 21K

This tour has very little to do with the play/movie that the name is borrowed from but is still desirable. If you like a little bit of a longer run and want to see some of the historic neighborhoods upriver from Canal Street this is the tour for you. We will follow the historic St. Charles Streetcar line for the majority of the route which is a favorite for most New Orleans runners. Learn a little history behind the streetcar lines in the city and the current RTA services. One of the first points of interest along the route is Lafayette Square, the second oldest public park in New Orleans where a free concert series is held every Wednesday for roughly ten weeks to begin the spring season.

Then we leave the Central Business District (CBD) and enter the Garden District. We will also pass by some of the oldest hotels in the city like the “14 Story Architectural Gem” The Ponchartrain Hotel. As we continue down the line we will encounter Commanders Palace and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, both of these are must see New Orleans spots for very different reasons. St. Charles is part of the main parade route for Mardi Gras so in between some of the stories about the historic houses your running guide will try and show you some of the best places to watch the festivities.

We will disembark from the streetcar line when we reach Audubon Park. This is another go to running spot for New Orleans locals because of its beauty and serenity and options of paved or dirt paths. From there we will wrap around the zoo and up onto the river trail to go through a popular crawfish boil spot known as The Fly. After following the river for a short distance we will rejoin the streetcar line as it turns onto Carrollton. After crossing Claiborne the streetcar line ends and so we will make our way to Norman C. Francis bike and pedestrian way named after a former president of Xavier University of New Orleans which we will pass as we head over the expressway and into Mid City. This part of town is known as a middle-class neighborhood with less tourists and a quirky locals vibe. Though it is a residential neighborhood full of shotgun houses it is still rich with history.

Turning right onto Canal Street we will again be following street car tracks. Finishing off our tour will be Bolivar Place, The Saenger Theatre, and a few final pointers on how to enjoy your stay. All you need to bring is your trainers for your trip down the streetcar line and around some of New Orleans upriver neighborhoods. Your guide knows all the water spots but will also be carrying a few extra liters and some fuel. The tour is a loop and can be started anywhere along or close to the route if it works better for you.