Free things to do · New Orleans · United States
8 free things to do in New Orleans
New Orleans without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in New Orleans without paying an entry fee: Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street are all free. Live music on Frenchmen Street and street performers on Royal Street cost only what you tip.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- August–September
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · French Quarter
1.Jackson Square
Climb up to the Moonwalk riverfront promenade opposite the square for a view of the Mississippi and the cathedral together.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · French Quarter
2.St. Louis Cathedral
Walk round to St. Anthony's Garden behind the cathedral on Royal Street after dark, when the floodlit statue of Christ casts a giant shadow on the back wall.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Iconic
- After dark
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Street · French Quarter
3.Bourbon Street
See it once early in the evening, then head to Frenchmen Street for better live music.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Free
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Street · Faubourg Marigny
4.Frenchmen Street
Carry small bills for the band's tip bucket and a one-drink minimum, wander between clubs and stay where the music grabs you.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Free
- Iconic
Neighbourhood · Garden District
5.Garden District walk
Start from the Washington Avenue streetcar stop and finish with lunch or shopping on Magazine Street.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Couples
- Photo spot
Park · Mid-City
6.City Park and NOMA Sculpture Garden
Take the Canal streetcar's City Park/Museum branch to the end of the line, which stops at the museum steps.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Art
- Nature
Museum · French Quarter
7.The Historic New Orleans Collection
Step into the courtyards between galleries for a rare peaceful pause in the Quarter.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Tremé
8.Congo Square and Louis Armstrong Park
Pair it with a walk through Tremé and a meal at Dooky Chase's on Orleans Avenue.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| French Quarter | Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Bourbon Street and The Historic New Orleans Collection | 45 minutes + 30 minutes + 1–2 hours + 1 hour |
| Faubourg Marigny | Frenchmen Street | An evening |
| Garden District | Garden District walk | 2 hours |
| Mid-City | City Park and NOMA Sculpture Garden | Half a day |
| Tremé | Congo Square and Louis Armstrong Park | 45 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Market · French Quarter
Café du Monde and the French Market
Table queues build by mid-morning; the takeaway window round the side usually moves faster. Avoid wearing black.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Iconic
- Kids
- Shopping
Experience · St. Charles Avenue
St. Charles streetcar
Ride out to Audubon Park, walk through to the zoo or the river, and come back at dusk; have exact change or a pass in the Le Pass app.
- Time needed
- About 45 minutes each way
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Views
Museum · French Quarter
The Cabildo
Pair it with the Presbytère on the other side of the cathedral, which has exhibitions on Mardi Gras and on Hurricane Katrina.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · French Quarter
New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint
Check the museum's calendar for concerts and talks, then walk across Esplanade Avenue to Frenchmen Street.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
More ways to save
- Live music on Frenchmen Street and street performers on Royal Street cost only what you tip.
- French Quarter Festival in April is free, with dozens of stages across the Quarter.
- A streetcar ride along St. Charles Avenue is the best-value sightseeing tour in the city.
- Hotel rates fall sharply in summer; avoid Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and big convention weeks if price matters.
- Many restaurants offer weekday lunch specials far cheaper than dinner.
- The Historic New Orleans Collection, Congo Square, City Park's sculpture garden and Jackson Square are free.
Questions travellers ask
+Is New Orleans expensive to visit?
New Orleans is moderately priced for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in New Orleans?
Jackson Square: Climb up to the Moonwalk riverfront promenade opposite the square for a view of the Mississippi and the cathedral together.