Visiting New Orleans, LA on a budget? Here are the best free things to do.
If you’re headed to the Crescent City and are looking for some fun that won’t cost you a penny, check out our list of the best free things to do in New Orleans. You can have a great experience without it breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for more things to do, check out our perfect 2-3 day weekend in New Orleans itinerary and our 101 things to do in New Orleans bucket list.
This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.
Last Updated: January 19, 2025
25 Free Things to Do in New Orleans
Though it does cost $3 per day, we found the streetcar to be a perfect way to bring us to many of the neighborhoods throughout NOLA where you can work your way thru this list. The streetcar itself is a relaxing way to people/city watch, especially as the sun sets and lights inside the mansions on St. Charles Avenue come on.
See More: How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in New Orleans + Free Itinerary
1. Free Live Music at Nola Brewing Co.
3001 Tchoupitoulas St, 70115, map
They used to run free tours every Friday, which no longer happens, but they still have free live music and comedy!
2. Browse Art at the Frenchman Art Market / The Art Garage
619 Frenchmen St., 70119, map
If you enjoy checking out local gifts and art, this is a great place to browse. It’s always amazing to see the local style.
3. Check out the Mansions on St. Charles Avenue
Does anyone else like gawking at amazingly ornate mansions? The homes along St. Charles Avenue are spectacular and worth checking out.
4. Crescent Park
1008 N Peters St, 70117, map
This is a favorite spot amongst photographers. You can see the city skyline. Bring a picnic and enjoy taking in the views.
5. Eat Free Oysters and Listen to Live Music at Le Bon Temps Roule
4801 Magazine Street, 70115, map
Sounds amazing, right? Every Friday, Joe Krown entertains guests on the piano while they chow down on some free oysters.
6. Fairgrounds Race Course & Slots
1751 Gentilly Blvd, 70119, map
Experience a live thoroughbred race at Fairgrounds Race Course & Slots. General admission is free from early November – late March except on Stakes Day, Starlight Racing & Specialty Programming, and Louisiana Derby Day.
7. LaFayette Square
S Maestri St, 70130, map
Hang out in Lafayette Square and listen to a free concert. Young Leadership Council does a 12-concert spring music series every year.
8. Crescent City Farmer’s Market
Head to the Crescent City Farmer’s Market to see what’s being grown that week. Locations and times vary by day. Be sure to check their website for the most up-to-date information.
- Sundays at City Park / Tad Gormley Stadium
- Tuesdays at Uptown Square
- Thursdays at Mid-City / Lafitte Greenway Plaza
9. THe Historic New Orleans Collection
533 Royal Street, 70130, map
Learn about New Orleans history at The Historic New Orleans Collection, which is a museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to preserving the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South.
10. Pack a Picnic on the Levee at the Fly, Uptown
Riverview Dr, Audubon Park, 70118, map
If you’re looking to get away from the noise of town, head out to The Fly. Bring some food so you can sit and watch barges go by on the Mississippi.
11. New Orleans City Park
1701 Wisner Blvd, 70124, map
Read a book (or take a nap) at New Orleans City Park under the Singing Oak. If you’re headed uptown, Audubon Park is also very beautiful, with many oak trees and Spanish moss.
12. Jazz History Walking Tour
Take a self-guided Jazz History Walking Tour provided by the National Park Service at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
13. Mississippi River Trail / Algiers Levee in Algiers
Along Patterson St, 70112, map
Ride your bike on a section of the Mississippi River Trail or Algiers Levee in Algiers.
14. Southern Candymakers
334 Decatur St, 70130, map
Check out Southern Candymakers in the French Quarter for some free samples.
15. See Ships Pass on the Mississippi River from Woldenberg Park
1 Canal St, French Quarter, 70130, map
Woldenberg Riverside Park is another great spot to watch ships pass along the Mississippi River. There are also some great sculptures to check out.
16. See Street Performers in the French Quarter or Live Music on Frenchmen Street
Just a short stroll along the French Quarter, and you’ll quickly realize how much you can listen to and watch just on the streets! There are street performers everywhere.
If you’ve been around, you’ll know that Frenchmen Street is actually where you go for live music. While we visited, some of the clubs had no cover, and we got to see an all-brass band.
17. People Watch at Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street, New Orleans 70112, map
Although it’s more fun with a drink in hand, if you’re on a budget, just take a walk along Bourbon Street to people watch.
18. Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, 70124, map
This free garden is open seven days a week and is full of sculptures to explore and take photos with.
20. The French Market
2 French Market Pl, 70116, map
Although it’s more fun with a drink in hand, if you’re on a budget, just take a walk along Bourbon Street to people watch.
21. Visit Homes of Famous Writers
Here are a few:
- Truman Capote (711 Royal St)
- William Faulkner (624 Pirate’s Alley)
- Walker Percy (1820 Milan St)
- Anne Rice (1239 First St)
- Tennessee Williams (722 Toulouse St)
- Thornton Wilder (623 Bourbon St)
22. Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve
419 Decatur St, 70130, map
Check out this nature reserve that houses the Mississippi Delta Region’s important natural and cultural resources.
23. Walk the French Quarter
Canal St to Esplanade, Mississippi River to N. Rampart St, 70116, map
This iconic area of New Orleans is full of amazing architecture. The oldest family-owned restaurant (160 years) in the country, Antoine’s, is located here. Don’t be shy, ask them for a tour!
24. Cigar Factory New Orleans
206 Bourbon St, 70130, map
Watch an expert roll a cigar at the Cigar Factory New Orleans. It’s an amazing craft and way harder than it looks.
25. Watch Beignets Being Made at Cafe du Monde
800 Decatur St, 70116, map
Watch them make these classic, local desserts at the most famous place to get them. The hard part is resisting getting some for yourself.
Bonus Seasonal Free Things to Do in New Orleans
- French Quarter Fest – The festival usually falls on the second full weekend in April. Sometimes, Easter will fall on that weekend, so be sure to check their website).
- Mardi Gras! – Fat Tuesday is the biggest day, and the date moves around but is always during February or March.
- Po-Boy Preservation Festival – Along the Oak Street business corridor (8100-8800 blocks of Oak Street) and Leonidas Street in the Carrollton Neighborhood. Admission is free but costs extra to access po-boy vendors
New Orleans Map to Help You Get Around
Where to Stay
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on New Orleans hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a New Orleans travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
- Save money on attractions with Go City.
Which of these things have you done? Are we missing anything on the list?
Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later
SEE MORE Free Things to Do
⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡
“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Caroline + Erin
They are entrepreneurs and creatives who are good at finding adventure, both big and small, everywhere they go. The two have made a daily practice of sharing vulnerabilities, truth telling, and side splitting laughter. Both value being able to spend time getting to know a place but understand that life doesn’t always allow one to really settle into a place. So, they’ve honed the art of traveling fast and seeing and doing all of the things that an adventurer can do in a day or two. The couple lives in Asheville, North Carolina and spend as much time as possible in the mountains.