We ranked New Orleans as one of our favorite cheap places to travel in the U.S. for a reason. It has a rich history, vibrant culture, and plenty of free attractions, which means you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a good time in the Big Easy.
Start saving money before you even arrive by skipping the airport and traveling by bus or train. Wanderu makes booking cheap bus tickets and cheap train tickets easy by comparing prices from multiple carriers side-by-side. That way you can spend less on transportation and more on beignets (priorities, right?).
Once you get to New Orleans, you’ll find plenty of affordable things to do that highlight the city’s lively atmosphere. Here’s our guide to 15 free things to do in New Orleans when you want to explore on a budget.
1. French Quarter
| Bounded by Canal, Decatur, Esplanade Avenue and Rampart Streets (see map) | |
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9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Open Daily |
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| Official site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: No visit to NOLA is complete without exploring the French Quarter, the city’s oldest and most famous neighborhood. Stroll through Royal Street, where you can catch street performers, check out stunning Creole townhouses, and window-shop at quirky boutiques. Don’t miss Jackson Square, where local artists display their work.
2. Garden District
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Take a self-guided walking tour through this picturesque neighborhood and take in some of the best-preserved homes in the South. The Garden District is known for its historic mansions, oak-lined streets, and celebrity homes. If you love architecture and history, this is the perfect budget-friendly activity.
3. St. Louis Cathedral
| 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116 | |
| Daily, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | |
| Official site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Standing tall in Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest continually active Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S. While guided tours require a donation, you can admire the church’s stunning architecture and peaceful ambiance for free. Whether you’re religious or not, this landmark is worth a visit.
4. Historic New Orleans Collection
| 533 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | |
| Tue-Sat, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Sun, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM | |
| Official site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: The Historic New Orleans Collection is a must-see and one of the best free things to do in New Orleans. Located in the French Quarter, this free museum and research center offers a deep dive into the city’s 300+ years of history. With both permanent and rotating exhibits, visitors can learn about everything from Creole culture to jazz, the Louisiana Purchase, and Hurricane Katrina.
Admission is free, but you need a ticket to enter – which you can get online or at the front desk.
5. Visit a Cemetery
| Multiple locations | |
| Varies | |
| Recommended cemeteries |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Exploring a New Orleans cemetery is a one-of-a-kind experience with intricately designed above-ground tombs, centuries-old mausoleums, and towering statues. These “Cities of the Dead” reflect the city’s blended French, Spanish, and Creole heritage, offering a glimpse into the city’s sometimes mysterious past.
Iconic cemeteries like St. Louis No. 1 and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 serve as the final resting places for voodoo legends and Civil War soldiers, making them both historically significant and fascinating to explore.
6. Woldenberg Riverfront Park
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Don’t miss this scenic riverside park that was ranked the second best riverwalk in the country in 2024. It offers breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, complete with walking paths, green spaces, and public art. It’s the perfect spot to watch the steamboats roll by or catch a stunning sunset.
7. City Park
| 1 Palm Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124 | |
| Daily, 5 am - 10 pm | |
| Official Site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Even bigger than Central Park in NYC, City Park is home to century-old oak trees, sculptures, and scenic walking trails. The park also features free botanical gardens on Wednesdays for Louisiana residents and free art displays year-round.
8. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
| 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, New Orleans, LA 70124 | |
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April - October, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
October - March 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
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| Official Site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Located in City Park, this free sculpture garden has over 90 pieces of world-class art set among beautiful greenery. It’s an outdoor museum experience that blends nature and art—without the admission fee.
9. Sazerac House
| 101 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | |
| Daily, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Last tour starts at 4:20 PM | |
| Official Site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: If you’re looking for free things to do in New Orleans, you can’t go wrong with a tour at the Sazerac House.
This no-cost self-guided experience takes you through the history of New Orleans’ cocktail scene and the origins of the famous Sazerac cocktail. Plus, visitors 21 and older can enjoy complimentary samples of classic New Orleans spirits, making it a great spot for both history buffs and cocktail lovers. Reservations are recommended.
10. Crescent City Farmers Market
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Multiple locations: Uptown on Tuesdays, Mid-city on Thursdays, City Park on Sundays. See website for exact details |
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Tuesdays and Sundays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Thursdays, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
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| Official Site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: There are multiple locations for the Crescent City Farmers Market, so you should have easy access to one no matter where you are in the city.
Whether you end up buying something or not, it’s fun to wander through this local farmers market and see fresh Louisiana produce, artisanal goods, and live cooking demonstrations. It’s also a great place to chat with friendly local vendors, learn about regional ingredients, and soak in the community atmosphere that makes New Orleans so unique.
11. Odgen Museum of Southern Art
| 925 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | |
| Daily, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | |
| Official Site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Located in the vibrant Warehouse Arts District, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is home to the largest collection of Southern art in the world. The museum highlights traditional folk art, contemporary works, photography, and sculpture, all celebrating the unique and diverse artistic voices of the American South.
Although a ticket typically costs $11, the Odgen Museum offers free admission to certain groups daily. SNAP benefit recipients, museum members, employees of other art institutes, North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) members, and University of New Orleans students, faculty, and staff all have free museum access.
The museum also offers free Thursdays for Louisiana residents and free access for college students on the first Friday of the month.
12. TEP Center
| 5909 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans, Louisiana 70117 | |
| Mon-Fri, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (call ahead for a tour) | |
| Official Site |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: The TEP (Tate, Etienne, and Prevost) (TEP) Center is housed in the historic McDonogh 19 Elementary School, one of the first schools desegregated in New Orleans during the 1960s. Once abandoned, the building has been transformed into a mixed-use facility dedicated to education, social justice, and community empowerment. The center features interactive exhibits on school desegregation, civil rights, and restorative justice.
13. Live Music on Frenchmen Street
| Frenchman Street | |
| Varies by venue; music typically starts around 5:30 pm | |
| Official Site |
While Bourbon Street is the tourist hotspot, locals know that the best live music is on Frenchmen Street. Many bars have no cover charge, and you can often catch incredible jazz, blues, and brass bands just by walking down the street. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, and on Frenchmen Street, you’ll hear some of the city’s most talented musicians—free of charge!
14. Free Festivals
New Orleans is famous for free festivals year-round, from French Quarter Festival (April) to Essence Festival (July) and Satchmo SummerFest (August). You can even enjoy parades and music at Mardi Gras without spending a dime! No matter when you visit, chances are you’ll stumble upon a street party or cultural celebration happening somewhere in the city.
15. Walking Tours
If you enjoy exploring at your own pace, a self-guided walking tour is a great way to discover New Orleans’ most iconic neighborhoods while taking in the city’s charm.
But if you’d rather have an expert lead the way—or can’t get enough of historical facts—consider joining one of the many free walking tours available. Companies like NOLA Tour Guy and Free Tours by Foot offer engaging tours covering everything from the French Quarter to the Garden District. While the tours are completely free, guides rely on tips, so be sure to show your appreciation if you enjoy the experience!
As you can see, there are plenty of free things to do in New Orleans to keep you busy! Book your bus or train ticket at Wanderu or using the Wanderu app and start planning your budget-friendly New Orleans adventure!
