Eerily silent in the forsaken amusement park, the Cool Zone is creepy; it’s like an ominous omen of what is to come in the forlorn and forgotten abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans. Photo #1 by © lostlosangeles / facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Hurricane Katrina killed this clown. According to the photographer, “An abandoned Six Flags amusement park, someone spray painted ‘Six Flags 2012 coming soon’ on the wall above the downed head. But they were clownin.’ Six Flags will never rebuild here.” That’s sad, but much of New Orleans has not been restored to her former glory. This defunct amusement park on the city’s eastern edge must surely serve as a constant reminder that Katrina tried to wash them off the map. To some of the people of New Orleans, the stark silhouette of Six Flags seems like an unhealed wound. Photo #2 by Keo 101
Welcome to Zombie Land kids! aka abandoned Six Flags New Orleans. After sea water submerged the park for over a month, it’s been left to fall to decay . . . a possible breeding ground for brain-eating zombies? Photo #3 by © Christopher Dame
Chained dreams of fun at Six Flags New Orleans, abandoned Jazzland – that’s what Six Flags opened as “Jazzland” in 2000. In 2002, Six Flags bought this amusement park. It closed in 2005 for the oncoming storm of Hurricane Katrina and never reopened. Before Jazzland, the area was swamps. Will the swamps reclaim the abandoned amusement park? Photo #4 by © FLLETCHER
Some photographers can see past the lifeless amusement park’s decay and desolation, showing us that there is still a chance the place could be cheery and not cheerless. This is Zydeco Scream in 2011. According to Wikipedia, this park once operated these roller coasters: Zydeco Scream, The Jester, Mega Zeph, Muskrat Scrambler and The Road Runner Express which has since been moved to Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. Photo #5 by © FLLETCHER
V is for Vendetta – against Katrina. Photo #6 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Twisted dreams and scattered screams. Photo #7 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Souvenir dreams. Photo #8 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Big Ball at New Orleans’ Six Flags. Photo #9 by © Ron Fuchs, Photographers Mate Third Class, USN (Vet)
Grounded roller coaster – please exit. Photo #10 by © Richard Thompson III
Like a Bad Dream. This is what the photographer had to say, “I spotted the haunted lines of its empty roller coaster from the Ninth Ward off Interstate 510 while playing tourist in 2009 and begged a friend to pull over to investigate. We found an open gate, infiltrated it, and proceeded to sneak around the eerie, ‘end of world’ Zombie like setting. An adrenaline enhanced experience I’ll never forget. It was like exploring a haunted, adult junkyard theme park on ecstasy, the sick criminal cousin of Disney World. In a good way….I could have spent days, if not weeks taking pictures on the lonely grounds.” Photo #11 by Keo 101
Just in case you don’t know the scoop on what Hurricane Katrina did to New Orleans and Six Flags, this photo is of New Orleans, LA, on Sept. 14, 2005. This was Six Flags Over Louisiana still submerged two weeks after Hurricane Katrina caused levees to fail in New Orleans. Photo #12 by Bob McMillan/FEMA
2011 – this is abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans now. Photo #13 by johnvoncurd
Unlike the bleak amusement-less park above, some photographers can still see and share with us the echo of magic in the abandoned theme park Six Flags – even 6 years later in 2011. Photo #14 by © FLLETCHER
The photographer wrote, “This sponge-like floor prevented many abrasions (and lawsuits). Now it serves as a sanctuary for a future meadow. What is it about us now?” Photo #15 by © lostlosangeles – facebook.com/lostlosangeles
True state of Six Flags New Orleans – 6 years after Katrina washed all amusement from the park. Photo #16 by © Christopher Dame
Graffiti – signs of life after the amusement park suffered fatal damage. Photo #17 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Fixing up New Orleans’ Six Flags was the road not taken. . . . Not yet at least. Photo #18 by © FLLETCHER
“Infrequent diversion.” Photo #19 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
HUrricane Katrina called on this amusement park, abandoned now for 6 years. Photo #20 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Once upon a time, Six Flags was filled with children’s laughter – but now it’s sad, silent, and surreal. Photo #21 by © FLLETCHER
Weeds and rusting out rides, but it’s a long way still until nature reclaims abandoned Six Flags. Photo #22 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Abandoned Six Flags amusement park in New Orleans wrecked by Hurricane Katrina in 2005; submerged at one point under 6-8 feet of water. Photo #23 by Keo 101
No lines for dead rides. So-called “flat rides” at Six Flags New Orleans that are still standing but not operating include: Catwoman’s Whip, Dizzy Lizzy, Krazy Krewe, Gator Bait, Lex Luthor’s Invertatron, Mad Rex, Zydeco Zinger, Joker’s Jukebox, Lafitte’s Pirate Ship, The Big Easy, Jocco’s Mardi Gras Madness, and Mardi Gras Menagerie. Photo #24 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
I scream, you scream, but now no one screams for ice cream at Barbe’s Ice Cream Shop. Photo #25 by © Ron Foxx [Ron Fuchs, Photographers Mate Third Class, USN (Vet)]
Arcade & ferris wheel – The Big Easy is eerie at abandoned Six Flags New Orleans. Photo #26 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
This creepy Jester over the abandoned and spooky haunted house is holding out “prized” Mardi Gras beads as if trying to tempt urban explorers to come closer. Photo #27 by © Cree Garrard
Watch out for that tree! This ruined green wreck is the Jester. Signs of purple paint underneath are hints to the Jester’s former life as the Joker’s Revenge. Nature is working hard to push a tree up through the tracks and to have the last laugh and revenge. Photo #28 by © Christopher Dame
“Urbex.” Photo #29 by Brain farts Joschua
Katrina washed out the color and the fun at abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans. Now it’s creepy. Photo #30 by © FLLETCHER
Deserted, desolate, defunct amusement park Six Flags. Zydeco Scream roller coaster in the background is a “boomerang” steel coaster, meant to take riders forward and then fling them backwards for the thrills of upside-down loops and drops. But for six years, it’s been scream-free. All the rides are left to rust, the attractions rot, and the buildings crumble. Photo #31 by © Ron Foxx [Ron Fuchs, Photographers Mate Third Class, USN (Vet)]
Katrina killed the bumper cars. Photo #32 by © FLLETCHER
No one wants a ride? Granted, the Krewe of Kreeps ride was probably never supposed to be this creepy. Yet the trains sit parked, waiting for phantom riders to test out tracks that are now nothing more than a rusted wreck. Photo #33 by © Richard Thompson III
Nightmare amusement park. Photo #34 by © Cree Garrard
Six Flags New Orleans has been left to the roaches. Photo #35 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
“Under The Sea” probably never was envisioned to literally be submerged by the sea like when Hurricane Katrina attacked. Now the merman is headless as if he couldn’t bear to watch abandoned Six Flags be further ravaged by the elements and be unmaintained. Photo #36 by John Morrison
Sponge Bob’s shattered dreams at defunct Six Flags. Photo #37 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Six years after Katrina, you can no longer see the scummy waterline where 4–7 feet of rainwater and sea water soaked into Six Flags for a couple months. Photo #38 by © FLLETCHER
I left my heart in New Orleans after Katrina killed Six Flags. Photo #39 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Nightmare at Gotham City – Calling Batman, New Orleans needs you. Photo #40 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Smashed glass and control panel. Photo #42 by © Christopher Dame
Imagine bumping into you? Photo #43 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Six Flags officials claimed the park was 70-80% damaged or destroyed. The defunct amusement(less) park is too expensive to rebuild and too expensive to abandon, so it sits in New Orleans and waits for decay to claim it. Photo #44 by Keri Nash Watson
Zone of Cool no more. Photo #45 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
No jazz left in Jazzland aka abandoned Six Flags New Orleans. Photo #46 by © FLLETCHER
Looney Tunes Playgrounds Apparently Suck. Photo #47 by © Christopher Dame
NOLA rising – abandoned Six Flags – New Orleans. According to the photographer, “Something that I’ve only seen is New Orleans so far is the hopeful graffiti. A lot of the graffiti throughout the park spoke of love and renewal…and cockroaches.” Photo #48 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Rusted roller coaster tracks – view from the top of the tallest hill on the tallest roller coaster. The “Mega Zeph” – this wooden hybrid roller coaster, first opened as Jazzland’s signature ride. It has been decaying, the wood rotting and the steel rusting. Riders would climb a 110-foot lift hill before plunging into the first drop. Photo #49 by © Christopher Dame
Haunted Roller Coaster? Doubtful, but you never know what ghosts or zombies roam in the desolate park after dark. The delightful and magical sound of riders’ excited screams has not echoed through the abandoned park for 6 years now. Photo #50 by © Cree Garrards
2011 Main Entrance of abandoned Six Flags New Orleans. Photo #51 by © FLLETCHER
Muhahahaha still waiting for brave souls, or urban explorers, to enter at abandoned amusement park Six Flags. Photo #52 by © Cree Garrards
Graffiti and broken windows Photo #53 by © Ron Foxx [Ron Fuchs, Photographers Mate Third Class, USN (Vet)]
No more fun and games at defunct Six Flags. Photo #54 by © FLLETCHER
Skycoaster – fly no more. Photo #55 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Signs of urban explorer life after Katrina killed New Orleans Six Flags. Photo #56 by © FLLETCHER
Signs of rusty and crusty creeping in. Photo #57 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Yet for the surreal beauty that does exist, there are that many more rides that are rotting in New Orleans Six Flags. Photo #58 by © FLLETCHER
Plenty of graffiti artists have tagged the defunct amusement park. Photo #59 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Katrina Killed the Coaster in New Orleans. Photo #60 by Keo 101
Melting fans and a painted heart – “Because I’m too cheap for roses.” Photo #61 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Streets of Six Flags New Orleans are trashed. Photo #62 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Still hauntingly beautiful – “Jazzland” – abandoned New Orleans Six Flags. Photo #63 by © FLLETCHER
Abandoned Carriage House Mercantile. Photo #65 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Merry-Go-Round in now merry-less. Photo #66 by John Morrison – subism
No more happy kids at defunct swings. Photo #67 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Distorted dreams of Six Flags New Orleans. Photo #68 by © FLLETCHER
Headless merman close to overgrown roller coaster. Photo #69 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
No more games or gifts – arcade area at Abandoned Six Flags ‘Jazzland’ Park, 2011. Photo #70 by © Richard Thompson III
No happy times left in Looney Tunes area. Crumbled and decayed Six Flags New Orleans is now dark, desolate, and dejected damage. Photo #71 by Keo 101
Closed forever and not just for the storm – Six Flags New Orleans. A gloomy reminder that Six Flags will probably never regain the glory and good times of its hey-day. Photo #72 by Dr. Warner
Exit Abandoned Six Flags ‘Jazzland’ Park, 2011. The place is as deserted as a ghost town . . . except for brave urban explorers. Photo #73 by © Richard Thompson III
The exit sign in the New Orleans Six Flags. This photo was not taken in 2011, but in November 2010. Most of the photos are an up close and personal snapshot of how abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans looks today in 2011. Have a great day! We hope you enjoyed this extensive coverage by many terrific photographers, a virtual urban exploration. Photo #74 by Kelci C
Darkness falls, fade to black. The Big Easy Ferris Wheel at abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans still paints a pretty picture against the sunset. But the curtains closed six years ago on the final show at this abandoned amusement park. Photo #75 by Keri Nash Watson
lovethesepicture.com 
Wow! So much criticism! I think these are most interesting and a good interpretation of the subject.
To folks wanting to go in person – DON’T. Snakes, snakes, and more snakes. Plus the occasional poisonous caterpiller, and you will be miles from the nearest medical care. Cutting yourself in the wildly unsanitary conditions out there could get you MRSA (New Orleans is much more humid than the rest of the U.S. so germs stay viable for a LOOOOOONG time.
I have not been there, but I have been traipsing around New Orleans East. It is one hopping place, at least for microbial life.
ive always wanted to go on a date at an abandoned amusement park 🙂
HAHA!!! me too man! me toooo!!!!!
This breaks my heart on some other kind of level. I love all things dark and scary horror oriented things . . . but this hit’s home and it’s too sad
I grew up going there. it’s so strange to see it like this, however, i don’t look at is as a scary thing. when my friends and i drive by, even today, we just look at it and remember our first roller coaster rides and never remembering to wear sunscreen. It’s never freaky, just something positive to think back on pre-katrina havoc.
i dont know what you guys are talking about i think this is the most beautiful thing ive seen in a while
Geri bildirim: An Illegal Picture Tour of Abandoned Six Flags New Orleans | LimeWedge.net
I Loved all the pictures as they were displayed. HDR was awesome.
I love most of the photos. I love how many of them are edited to look “old timey” and sepia toned-ish. i felt that the artists taking the photos did a wonderful job capturing the destruction still left in New Orleans. I do agree with some comments saying that the HDR was a bit overdone. The tonemapping should have been adjusted differently so the colors weren’t so saturated and contrasting. But this is only about 3 photos, in general, i feel these are wonderful shots! my favorite is the one viewing the ferris wheel through the chains! The symbolism is great and i love the way it shows the ferris wheel almost bound by the chains the way the city was bound by the hurricane. also, i love the use of something so confining ,chains, and something so free and innocent, ferris wheel, in the same frame. Wonderful shot!
Geri bildirim: 6 Flags in New Orleans - DCSportbikes.net
I think the Photos are great. but What is going to become of the forgotten theme park? If there was a way to restore new orlens (sorry my spelling sucks), I thimk maybe a way to get the money to do so could be to auction off the stuff to whom ever would bye , you never know what people like to collect. or even buy property as is with every thing that is there part of the deal and sell tours of it you know like a historical thing. It would be the coolest haunted house atraction ever and i bet people would pay to check it out . and if it was a community investment by the people who live ther and they had rights to it then they could use proceeds to rebuild neew orlens . this just sounds like babble im sure , but there is lots of potential
i think the pics are very well done. However, it really is a sad topic in that they portray a sad time in America. They are haunting images; yet one wants to see them all.
true..I’m sure more to come from recent tornado’s too
The tornadoes didn’t hot New Orleans.
yeah def abandoned and creepy at that! too bad it’s not open anymore 😦
This collection is awesome. Given the flooding, is there a major mold problem there in addition to the rusting, etc? One featured photographer wrote, “This sponge-like floor prevented many abrasions (and lawsuits). Now it serves as a sanctuary for a future meadow” but it’s not clear what kind of meadow s/he was talking about…
I went through so many of these comments and all I can say is different strokes for different folks. What some think is art, others don’t Some like HDR, some don’t. So many semantics here, aesthetic vs art form, blah blah blah. One client may like more natural photos, while others want that “other touch”. That is why no one photographer or style is sufficient for the masses. That is what makes each of us unique. Have an appreciation for the difference in each photographer’s eye. I say the photographs were beautiful. I could see the HDR, and it did not detract from the photographs themselves. Where there was a greater amount of HDR or oversaturation, I tried to put myself inside the photographer’s mind to see what they wanted to convey. Free your mind. Sometimes there is more than what is initially visible.
Wonderful story that can be seen through these pictures. This brings back so many memories… 😥 Beautiful work, I feel like the few over-done HDR images help to give the photos a more impressionistic and surreal feeling to the story line. It’s a reminder of the joy and happiness that was felt throughout the park for many years, but is also a reminder of the devastation and ruin left behind for us to “enjoy” now.
I like it. It fits the subject,although I agree that it isn’t appropriate in every situation
eerie, haunting, memories of a past… hardly something you can call out the racist card for. the manmade disaster (katrina) that caused this, and building on a swamp? are what caused this. Many friends have gone out there to photograph. These photo’s are wonderful. I enjoyed each photographer, and could care less about you critics…could care less about the racist rant, the political rant, and all you trolls. Especially could care less about those spewing wrongful information. I love my THIRD WORLD NOLA, and as I watch us RISE above all these negative energies, I can still find beauty in something like this. My all time favorite comment regarding New Orleans, “She is like a Phoenix, rising from the swamp”… “Watch New Orleans, for what happens there? could happen anywhere”. The only thing I see? are people who are resilient, and rebuilding… out of their own pockets. Oh Beautiful Storm… I wouldn’t trade you for anything, what you taught me? Has opened my eyes… and all I see now? is beauty. thank you all, for these photo’s…
Amazing photos, thanks for sharing them.
You’d think this place would be a hobo city by 2011…
Well ok everyone has different preferences, but I like several of the images for dramatic effect whether they have been digitally enhanced or not. To me, artistic photographic images are not there just to replicate reality – if so, what would be the point? Good stuff and well worth a look.
Its just very scary to watch those pictures, how so fun place became a night mare WOW.
Geri bildirim: Pictures of Six Flags in New Orleans (Abandoned after Katrina)
I pass this ghost every day, visible from the I-10 interstate. Creepy, creepy, creepy……..thanks for the shots – they are amazing.
Monochrome, kodachrome, even your basic b/w could have done justice to many of these shots. HDR can be very useful and make an image interesting when used correctly but over saturation can also be the outcome. I think many of these images are o.k. but some have had just a little bit too much “artistic” enhancement added.
A lot of that tagging is way too hipstery. Banksy would have blast in this place.
Absolutely beautiful pictures. You have found peace and beauty where tragedy has monopolized livelihood and childlike enjoyment of what life should be.
Thanks for creating this online photo exhibition! I like some of the pictures, and others not so much. Reading this discussion thread has been almost as interesting as the photographs. If any of the photographers or commenters want to compare contemporary HDR and Photoshop technique with classic, pre-digital color photography, please check out pictures by William Eggleston (who also shot the decaying American South,) Joel Meyerowitz (who did an amzing book of pictures of Cape Cod beaches)and Nan Goldin (who did very gorgeous and harsh pictures of New York club kids and personalities in the late seventies/early eighties.)Enjoy!
me and the band i used to be in went here sometime last year towards sep or so. its amazing to find this and see some of the same pics we took for promos haha. check them out on facebook. From Shore to Shore.
Geri bildirim: “Got Sockets?”
Typical. “I’m better than you, and your oversaturation.” The dude took some cool pics. Shut it.
Honestly, I’m tired of photo-elitists telling a guy his photos aren’t good enough. Drag your fat butt out there and snap some pics then.
The Enchanted Forest down in Baltimore where I am would be another great one. All of your childhood fairy tales destroyed in a fire years ago.
I think the HDR is perfect for some of these images, it adds to the surreal quality and grunge. Amazing place!
These pictures remind me of how much fun I had and how much I miss this place.
Amateur HDR usage.
Geri bildirim: Parques fantasma… | . . D e f e c t o s – P e r s o n a l e s . .
You can thank the Army Corps of Engineers for this travesty.
Creepy as fuck! I want to visit! and this pictures are sick from a non-photographer’s eyes! legit dude.
Uh. This was posted on my facebook by a friend who “thought it was cool.” I agree that it is cool. But it’s sort of blowing my mind that everyone is freaking out about the effects and editing applied to the shots, especially since they were taken by different photographers. So, a couple photographers decided to apply the same effect. Obviously they liked it. So what’s the problem? If you don’t like it, fine. But is it such an issue to call for tearing apart these shots? Why can’t we all just take them for the “cool” things that they are and enjoy them? It kind of makes me sad
Adore the photos – I want to explore it myself. It reminds of me of an amusement park near Boone, NC with a Wizard of Oz theme that only opens once a year and remains empty the rest.
I’m stunned at the racist comments, however, and even more shocked that people are agreeing with it. Gooks? Negroes? SERIOUSLY?!? Grow up and join the real, diverse world full of individuals.
I Love the HDR. I’m an old traveler who never squatted there for some reason. I’m going back in October for halloween and fucking staying there.
How the hell you gone say it’s ‘WRONG’ to edit a picture? it’s not ‘wrong’ if you want a regular picture go to new orleans yo’self’s & take yo own damn picta’s .
Thanks NONE YOU BIZZ, lol!
The editing was great. Chill out.
I don’t think that word (editing) means what you think it means.
I’ll never forget when Jazzland opened in the summer of 2000. My family made a trip down there a few days after it opened, we didn’t have the money to go to a MAJOR theme park. Every night they had this amazing Mardi Gras-themed Parade and they selected a family to be the Royal Mardi Gras Family. We had costumes, beads, candy and all that. We were one of the first, and I was 10. Thank you so much for posting these pictures, it means so much to me.
WOW!! I’m speechless… just stunning!
After looking at these photos and reading this comments I felt I had to comment.
In april, my family and I took a week-long trip to New Orleans. My mom, who is now 50, grew up in New Orleans with her mother (technically, she lived in Algiers then moved to New Orleans.) My little brother and I had never been there, (we’re 19 and 16) and It was very important to her to take her children there to see where she grew up. We went by her old houses, and all of the places she remembered as a child. It was very emotional for her, and really, all of us. I can honestly say that this city is NOT a pool of vandalism, crime, and a place you should be fearful in. It’s beautiful and rich in history. I loved walking around and exploring by myself (during the day). Sure, every city was areas where I wouldn’t walk around by myself n broad daylight- that isn’t unique to NOLA. I would go back and visit in a heartbeat. I think back to when the footage of Hurricane Katrina was all over the news, and she was glued to the television- I can’t imagine how helpless she felt all the way in California while her childhood stomping grounds were being destroyed. These pictures make me really teary eyed. I think it’s really inspiring, though, how much optimism is had in this city. NOLA Rising 🙂
NOLA Rising, amen!
The City of New Orleans is so screwed up. My city would have saved and rebuilt
this park.They actually turned an attraction into an eyesore. How sad is that. Only in the “chocolate city” (as the former mayor would call it.. I don’t know why anyone would invest in that hole of a city
I am inclined to say that someone didn’t “invest” enough love in you as a child. With thousands of people dead, and many thousands more displaced from their livelihood and homes, Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters our country has seen. Yes, the government does not have the time to force the Six Flags company to do something with the park. They are too busy trying to help people, and trying to restore the city and its inhabitants to their former selves. If you hate the city or the park so much, then do something to change it. But don’t sit there and complain, because the only thing that does is make things worse. If you had a shred of decency, you would either do something to help the city or you would shut up, either way is fine, though both would be better.
That being said, the pictures are hauntingly beautiful. A lot of time and thought went in to many of the shots, and I am not a professional and cannot say whether the editing was “right” or “wrong”, all I know is that I like the photographs. And besides, perhaps an over saturated effect is what the photographers were going for? There’s a lot to be said for constructive criticism, but telling someone they’re just wrong is a little rude.
Well said and thanks for the props!
Geri bildirim: Fototour: SixFlags abandonado en Nueva Orleans | Gravedad Blog
Wow. I had to look at them all twice. What beautiful captures. These are what real photos are made of. It seems as though each photo tells a story.
Thanks
fu the haters, i liked the images too many HDR snobs
Thanks John Smith!
Oh, so you liked it… well, then. That renders all the arguments about quality, art and communication through a visual medium invalid.
You are truly the new Susan Sontag.
And Mog would have nothing to do if these photos were not posted. Oh wait, Mog would be “critiquing” someone else’s work. Where’s your work Mog? Let’s all trip on over to Mog’s spot and see how it’s really done!
My mistake, Mok. Go ahead and critique me.
BURN!!!
Not sure you understand how critique works.
By your standards, no one can judge a book before they have written one, defend or criticize religion before they lead their own church, etc.
Most critics (including the much respected and mentioned Sontag)are not producers.
If you would like to join the grown ups in discussing and refuting their criticism, feel free. However, don’t feel obligated to contribute to something you don’t understand.