<p>Well, yes of course, but I wonder if you are thinking of specific things. For example, it is not exactly in the middle of a national forest, so that kind of hiking is a few hours away. But biking is popular, and the area is flat as a pancake. There is a lovely road along the river that, if you are into long distance bike rides, will take you past old plantations and the like. On campus of course there is all the usual stuff, and it is very important to point out there is a huge, gorgeous park across the street from Tulane, Audubon Park. AP has a golf course but also is a place to throw frisbees around, walk, and just enjoy the great New Orleans weather many days during the term. Short drives away are many bayous and lakes for water recreation, as well as sailing on Lake Pontchartrain (north edge of city). Also as you get into those parts of the state as well as a bit further north in Louisiana, you do get into camping areas as well as more wooded country the further north you go. Kisatchie National Forest is about 3 hours away, maybe a little less. So if one left after class Friday or early Saturday morning, you could get in as much as a 2 night, almost 2 day camping trip, more for a holiday weekend. There are 2 national parks also, Cane River Creole which is about 2 hours away, past Baton Rouge, and Jean Lafitte, which I think has a few locations (odd as that sounds) but the main one is only about an hour south of New Orleans in the Mississippi Delta region. However you can get information about this park at its main office in the French Quarter.</p>
<p>Anyway, it depends on what you are looking for, not sure what kind of outdoor activities you meant. With the relatively mild winters in New Orleans (there are a few cold days, this is not like southern Florida, just so you know), there is a lot centered on outdoor activities during the school term. In fact, the time to stay indoors is the summer, when the heat and humidity are brutal.</p>