Honestly? My first trip to New Orleans nearly wrecked my budget until I discovered how much magic hides behind the free things to do in New Orleans scene. You don't need deep pockets to fall hard for this city. Whether you're a solo traveler, a family, or here for Mardi Gras madness, these freebies will make your trip unforgettable.
Pro Tip from a Local: Skip the paid ghost tours. The real haunting happens when you walk Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 at golden hour. Those tombs glow orange and the silence? Chilling.
Music & Culture Without Opening Your Wallet
Music here leaks out of windows and spills onto sidewalks. I once accidentally joined a second line parade just by following a tuba sound down Frenchmen Street.
Always-Free Music Spots
- Frenchmen Art Market (7pm-1am daily, 619 Frenchmen St): Live jazz pours from every corner while artists sell handmade treasures.
- Café du Monde (24/7 except Christmas, 800 Decatur St): Yes, beignets cost money but sitting under those green awnings listening to street musicians? Free magic.
- Royal Street Artists (11am-4pm daily): Violinists playing between antique shops – tip if moved but no pressure.
Wednesday nights? Head to Buffa's Back Room (1001 Esplanade Ave) for free jazz after 10pm. Packed with locals – tourist radar hasn't caught this yet.
Historic Neighborhoods Made for Wandering
I got gloriously lost in the Garden District last spring. Iron-lace balconies dripping with flowers? Yes. But the real gems are the hidden alleyways.
| Neighborhood | Best Free Activity | Hidden Find | Transport Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marigny/Bywater | Murals along Royal Street | Music Box Village fence listening (free peek) | Streetcar to Elysian Fields |
| Garden District | Architecture walk (Lafayette Cemetery gates) | Coliseum Square Fountain | St. Charles Streetcar |
| Treme | St. Augustine Church grounds | Backstreet Cultural Museum exterior photos | Walk from French Quarter |
The St. Charles streetcar costs $1.25 but riding it counts as a free tour. Sit by the window and watch mansions glide by.
Free Museums & Cultural Sites
Don't believe anyone who says all museums cost money. These spots deliver culture without cash:
- Louisiana State Museum Free Days: First Sunday monthly at Cabildo & Presbytère (701 Chartres St, 10am-4:30pm)
- New Orleans Jazz National Park Visitor Center (419 Decatur St, 9am-4pm): Free exhibits + ranger talks
- Historic New Orleans Collection (520 Royal St, Tue-Sat 9:30am-4pm): Always free galleries
The Faulkner House Books courtyard (624 Pirate's Alley) is technically a bookstore but they welcome browsers admiring the architecture where Faulkner wrote his first novel.
Parks & Outdoor Escapes
When Bourbon Street exhausts you (it will), escape to these green spaces:
City Park Adventures
- Sculpture Garden: 64 acres of art among live oaks (open sunrise to sunset)
- Morning Yoga: Free sessions Saturdays at 8am near Big Lake
- Birdwatching: Herons nest by the old casino building ruins
Mississippi Riverfront
Walk from Crescent Park (Piety Street entrance) to Spanish Plaza. Sunset views looking back at the skyline? Unreal. Bring snacks - benches are plentiful.
Festivals & Events That Cost Zero
New Orleans throws 130+ festivals annually. Most have free components:
| Festival | Month | Best Free Feature | Local Hack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz Fest | Late April/Early May | Congo Square Stage | Listen from outside fence near Gentilly entrance |
| French Quarter Fest | April | 23 stages throughout FQ | BYO water bottle - filling stations everywhere |
| Wednesday at the Square | March-May | Free concert series | Arrive early for food truck lines |
Small confession: I prefer the free street scenes during festivals over paid venues. The spontaneous dancing erupting on Royal Street during French Quarter Fest? Pure joy.
Cemetery Culture on a Budget
Skip the $25 tours. Most cemeteries allow self-guided visits during opening hours. Key rules:
- St. Louis Cemetery No.1: Requires $5 guided tour (only exception)
- Lafayette Cemetery No.1: Open Tue-Sat 9am-2:30pm (free entry)
- Gates Close: Always check hours - they lock promptly
Bring water and wear hats – no shade in these "cities of the dead."
Free Things to Do in New Orleans with Kids
Traveling with little ones? These work every time:
- Crescent Park Playground: Modern equipment with river views
- Streetcar Joyrides: Kids under 4 ride free always
- French Market Browsing: Free samples at spice shops!
The Lafitte Greenway has free fitness classes Saturday mornings that turn into dance parties. My niece still talks about the hula hoop instructor.
Practical Survival Tips
Do this to maximize your free things to do in New Orleans experience:
- Water Bottle: Fill stations in Armstrong Park & Crescent Park
- Comfortable Shoes: I averaged 9 miles/day last visit
- Offline Maps: Cell service dies in some courtyards
- Rain Plan: Hide in St. Louis Cathedral (free admission)
FAQs About Free Things to Do in New Orleans
Can you really enjoy free things to do in New Orleans without missing out?
Absolutely. My best memories? Watching brass bands in Jackson Square at sunset - not a dime spent. The soul of New Orleans lives in its streets.
What free things to do in New Orleans exist for rainy days?
Three escapes: 1) French Market covered sections (watch praline makers work), 2) Riverwalk outlets seating areas, 3) Historic New Orleans Collection galleries.
Are there free activities beyond the French Quarter?
Definitely. Ride the ferry to Algiers Point (pedestrians free), stroll the Garden District, or explore street art in Bywater. The Quarter is just the beginning.
Can I experience Mardi Gras without spending?
100%. Stand on St. Charles Avenue Uptown - families have camped same spots for generations. Bring a ladder for kids (seriously, locals do).
What's the most underrated free thing?
Listening to evening practice sessions at the Mahalia Jackson Theater back doors. Heard a tenor sax player working on "Summertime" last June that gave me chills.
Final thought? After seven visits, I've learned this: New Orleans gives its best treasures freely to those who wander curiously. Those seeking free things to do in New Orleans aren't cheap - they're smart. The music floating from shotgun houses, the scent of jasmine in hidden courtyards, the laughter echoing off century-old walls... that's the real luxury.
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