Not That Moonwalk
Visitors sometimes do a double take at the name, expecting a tribute to Michael Jackson's signature dance move. But the Moonwalk — the brick promenade that runs along the Mississippi River behind the French Quarter — is named for someone equally legendary in New Orleans: former Mayor Moon Landrieu, whose administration in the 1970s transformed the city's relationship with its riverfront.
Before Landrieu, the Mississippi River was largely walled off from the city by wharves, warehouses, and railroad tracks. You could live your whole life in the French Quarter and never touch the river that created the city. Landrieu's vision was to open the riverfront to the public, and the Moonwalk was the first major step — a simple, elegant promenade that gave New Orleanians their river back.
The Best Free View in Town
The Moonwalk runs along the riverside of the French Quarter, stretching from Frenchmen Street in the Marigny to the Aquarium of the Americas at the foot of Canal Street. It's a brick pathway with benches, lamp posts, and a low wall that's just the right height for sitting and watching the river roll by. And what a river it is — massive cargo ships, paddle wheelers, tugboats pushing barges, and the occasional kayaker all share the water in a slow-motion ballet of commerce and recreation.
At any time of day, the Moonwalk rewards a visit. Morning brings joggers and dog walkers and the soft light that makes the river look like hammered pewter. Afternoon draws tourists with cameras and street musicians who set up with the skyline as their backdrop. At night, the promenade takes on a different character entirely — couples sit on benches watching the lights of Algiers Point across the water, buskers play for small crowds, and the river turns black and luminous under the moon that shares its name with the walkway.
A Place for Everyone
What makes the Moonwalk special isn't any single feature — it's the democratic simplicity of the thing. No admission charge, no dress code, no reservations required. Just show up with a pair of shoes and a willingness to stand still for a minute. The river doesn't care whether you're a tourist or a local, a CEO or a busker. It just keeps rolling, and the Moonwalk gives you a front-row seat.
The promenade also connects to the larger riverfront development that Landrieu's vision set in motion — Woldenberg Park, the Aquarium, the riverfront trails that now extend for miles in both directions. But the Moonwalk itself remains the purest expression of the idea: put people next to the river and let the river do the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Moonwalk
Why is it called the Moonwalk?
The Moonwalk is named after former New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu, whose administration in the 1970s championed opening the riverfront to public access.
Where does the Moonwalk run?
The promenade runs along the Mississippi River behind the French Quarter, from Frenchmen Street in the Marigny to the Aquarium of the Americas near Canal Street.
Is the Moonwalk free?
Yes. The Moonwalk is a public promenade open 24 hours a day at no charge.
What can you see from the Moonwalk?
The promenade offers views of the Mississippi River, cargo ships and paddle wheelers, the Algiers Point neighborhood across the river, and the New Orleans skyline. It's one of the best vantage points in the city.
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