New Orleans' anticipated $9.1 million bike path and park Lafitte Greenway, which stretches from Armstrong Park to the City Park area, is totally done/not done (hello, Crescent Park 2.0). But Ian McNulty reports that cyclists are already flocking to the trail and discovering Mid City's many bike-friendly bars and restaurants awaiting them, including Parkway, Bayou Beer Garden, Felipe's, and newly-opened Second Line Brewery—all situated on the path and doing booming bike business. Liberty's Kitchen, Norma's Sweets (the spot for Cubans in NOLA), MoPho, Bevi Seafood Co., and more hotspots are also located in the general vicinity.
While there has been some concern from Mid City residents about the scale of Metairie-like chain-centric shopping centers moving in—and don't forget the massive Sidney Torres-owned Versaille of mixed-used developments on the way, which could include a cafe/eatery— there are also some incredible coming attractions heading to the Lafitte Corridor in 2016: Bayou Wine Garden, Urban South Brewery and Susan Spicer's new restaurant on Rosedale Dr. will all overlook the path.
Only the Warehouse District seems to rival the momentum happening in Mid City right now, in terms of restaurants anyways, but the Lafitte Corridor will offer much more outdoor dining options. Still, the bike path has yet to see its finishing touches and ribbon cutting, which was last slated to happen over the summer. The Friends of Lafitte Greenway will host a fundraiser on November 6 to aid the progress of the park.