50 Free Things to Do in New Orleans

New Orleans offers a wide option of things to do that you can’t miss out on! You’ll find majestic festivals, extravagant celebrations, quirkiest costumes, and booming music around you.

Given the culture and festive spirit, the place remains exciting and colorful, attracting many potential and recurring travelers around every part of the world. Without any doubt, a woman over her 50s should experience New Orleans’s vibrant life offerings from its music, food, and if you’re up for it, the nightlife.

To help you with your future trip, here are fifty free things to do in New Orleans.

50 Free Things to Do in New Orleans

Whether you’re on a budget or just looking for new things to do in New Orleans, you’ll love our list. You don’t really need to spend money to have a good time.

1. Visit the Garden District

The Garden District is loved by tourists and locals alike because of its beautiful and historically significant setting. It was established in the early 19th century. It now flaunts the most impressive residential structures around the area.

2. Check Out Congo Square

Congo Square is another historic site. It used to be a gathering place for enslaved people and played a big role in the development of Jazz. They would dance, sing, worship, buy, and sell merchandise on Sundays. Today, there’s plenty to do here, you can go shopping, eat, listen to music or just relax.

3. Wander off Woldenberg Riverfront Park

Want to go for a walk? The Woldenberg Riverfront Park is a great place to watch boat cruises on the Mighty Mississippi. On the other hand, the nearby Crescent Park offers a spectacular view of New Orleans.

4. Discover the Lower 9th Ward Living Museum 

The Living Museum portrays the history of the Lower Ninth Ward through the perspectives and voices of individuals who live there. More than 60 residents have willingly contributed decades of memories and experiences with the Living Museum since its inception. If history interests you, this place will not disappoint.

5. Listen to Live Street Music

Take a stroll around the French Quarter and listen to live street music. These are very common and free of charge. The performers are talented. If you’re feeling generous, consider leaving a tip. 

6. Join in a Mardi Gras Parade

The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday marks the end of the pre-Lenten season and is celebrated as Mardi Gras. The time leading up to Mardi Gras and the Rex procession is full of grandiose revelry parades, both day and night. 

Parade participants will sit on the ground, perform music, and eat delicious food. You can rent a room with a balcony and watch the entire parade from there.

7. Watch the Sunrise at Algiers Point

Algiers Point is a peaceful enclave on the Mississippi River’s West Bank with homely taverns, modest art galleries, and charming Creole houses. Views of Jackson Square and the French Quarter are available from the New Orleans Ferry or the Crescent City Connection Bridge. It’s one of the best places to watch the sunrise!

8. Experience a Jazz Museum’s Concert

Given that New Orleans is the birthplace of many jazz stars, it’s no wonder the place has a museum dedicated to jazz. You can find artifacts from legendary musicians like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Sidney Bechet, George Lewis, etc.

 Don’t miss the live concert on the museum’s third level every week on Tuesday at 2 PM.

9. Enjoy Lafitte Greenway

The Lafitte Greenway is a pedestrian and cycling route that runs from Louis Armstrong Park to Bayou St. John and beyond New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the most recent redesign of a historic transit route that has been in operation for over two centuries, having opened in 2015. In this park, you may go biking, participate in fitness programs or watch movies with the whole family!

10. Explore Oak Street

The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, a must-try fall event, is here. Thousands of residents and visitors will mix in one of the country’s largest free outdoor street festivals, savoring conventional, old-fashioned, and modern takes on the famous New Orleans po-boy. You can enjoy culinary and seafood delicacies while listening to live music!

11. Learn About Sazerac

Participate in time-honored customs and fascinating history at Sazerac House. Enjoy guided tours, interactive cocktail exhibitions, and unique spirit samples for free.

12. Walk Around the City Park’s Lake

New Orleans’ City Park is more than a green area; it has a week’s worth of places to explore, including an art museum, botanical garden, golf course, dog park, antique carousel, and more.

13. Watch the “Greasing of the Poles” 

The Greasing of the Poles marks the formal start of Mardi Gras weekend in the French Quarter. Greasing the building’s support poles was started by the Royal Sonesta New Orleans as a practical way to keep exuberant revelers from shimmying up to the prized balcony space. You may watch this event for free and learn more about it.

14. Stroll Around Crescent Park

At the French Market District, you’ll find Crescent Park. It’s a 1.4-mile, 20-acre urban linear park that links residents and tourists to the riverside. This unrivaled public area offers stunning views of New Orleans, as well as natural planting, bike trails, a dog run, and multi-use pavilions for everyone to enjoy.

15. Head to Paradigm Gardens

In the center of New Orleans, Paradigm Gardens is an intimate and beautiful wedding and event site. You’ll get to look at plants and enjoy live music. If you want to see more plants for sale, you might also want to check out Botanical Gardens during the weekends.

16. Check Out the Historic New Orleans Collection

The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center, and publishing house committed to studying and preserving the city’s and the Gulf South’s history and culture. The staff is proud of New Orleans ’ history and will want to share it with you. Don’t miss out on this experience, you can find it in the French Quarter.

17. Watch the Running of the Bulls

If you’re looking for some thrill, you can watch the Running of the Bulls from a wooden barrier that runs along the course for the most part. This is a midsummer celebration in which participants run in front of a small herd of bulls, generally six but sometimes ten or more, that have been set loose.

18. Visit Milton H. Latter Memorial Library

The Milton H. Latter Library was originally a majestic estate for a prominent turn-of-the-century family.

It’s an opulent hideaway for a silent film star and a joyous gathering spot for weeklong gatherings. Now, it’s a New Orleans Public Library branch serving the Uptown community.

This library is housed in a historic structure that provides a warm, welcoming environment for community gatherings and regular library services. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, a book sale is held in the carriage house behind the main building.

19. Ogle Art Around Town

Graffiti, murals, and street art are becoming increasingly popular in New Orleans. In fact, graffiti has gone a long way since it was formerly frowned upon. It’s now a plan for local governments and companies worldwide to brighten up the streets and attract art enthusiasts. As you explore the city, you’ll find countless examples of the unique arts that make the streets so vibrant.

20. Head to the Music Legends Park

This small park on Bourbon street is devoted to New Orleans’ rich cultural and musical history. Life-size bronze statues of local musicians such as Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Fats Domino, Chris Owens, Ronnie Cole, Louis Prima, Allen Toussaint, and Irma Thomas can be found throughout the place.

21. Watch the Luna Fete Light Show

Luna Fête is a one-of-a-kind light show hosted in New Orleans’ downtown area. You can watch in awe as video projection mapping transforms buildings while lit sculptures and light activations beautify the surroundings.

22. Tour the St. Louis Cathedral 

The rich history and stunning design of St. Louis Cathedral appeals to tourists of many religions and countries. When there are no masses or other events such as weddings or funerals, the interior is available for self-guided visits.

23. Tour the Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum 

Known for its Mardi Gras Festivities, you can explore Arnaud’s for a free tour of Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum. Expect to see archives, collections, and things that are being well-preserved in the city concerning the festival.

24. Watch the Sunset at Lakeshore Drive

Here’s another chance for you to witness the astounding sunsets in New Orleans. Head to Lakeshore Drive and appreciate the surrounding beauty. This is a must-see attraction in New Orleans. If you’re going, head out to the coolest part of the day. It shouldn’t be too hot or too chilly. Then, go for a bike ride or a stroll.

25. Watch Glass Blowing Demos

Glass blowing workshops in New Orleans also provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn directly from masters of the industry or witness live free demonstrations.

26. Explore the Local Markets

Check out the city’s markets for affordable goods to take home to loved ones after the trip or just to see what it’s like to live as a local.

27. Check Out the Swamps

Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge is a marsh and wetland ecosystem rich in wildlife and leisure options. Generally, fishing, hiking, kayaking, bird viewing, nature photography, youth waterfowl hunting, self-guided tours, and interpretive and educational programs are all popular activities you can experience here.

28. Window Shop

You definitely can’t miss out on window shopping because New Orleans is packed with apparel stores, clothing, and thrift shops. There are a lot of stores to go to and displays to see, just like at Louisiana Loom Works.

29. Visit the Neighborhoods

Gentilly is a residential New Orleans area studded with tiny eateries, parks, and hidden nature worth visiting. The Marigny district, just outside the French Quarter, is packed with late-night attractions, live music, and wonderful restaurants.

30. Try Out the Free Oysters

Every Friday night, Le Bon Temps Roule on Magazine Street serves free oysters and music that you can enjoy free of charge!

31. Discover Musical and Theatrical-Style Performances

Known for its distinctive music, you can expect regularly scheduled musical performances and various shows at Saenger Theater.

32. Visit a Preserved Plantation

Discover well-maintained plantation estates in New Orleans and enjoy a beautiful view of the fields. You can go there for relaxation purposes or gaze at the historical houses.

33. Join a Sporting Event

Of course, in Crescent City, you won’t run out of things to do, it’s filled with scheduled real-time competitions almost every season. Whether you’re a sports lover or not, you’d be amazed at how great every game is!

34. Visit the Cemeteries

There’s no reason to fear New Orleans’ cemeteries. Most of these places are distinct and open to the public. Most travelers even recommend experiencing wandering around their so-called “Cities of the Dead.”

35. Learn The Voodoo Truth

It’s always exciting to learn unique things during your travels. How about uncovering the reality of Voodoo? It’s great to know more about the locals’ legends and heritage in these modern days. If you’re a mystery or magic fan, you might be shocked with what you can learn here!

36. Wander along the Mississippi River

The Mississippi River starts in Park Rapids, Minnesota, in Itasca State Park, the state’s oldest state park. You can see the river’s headwaters and the glacial Lake Itasca from there, as well as stand in the softly flowing water as it starts its long voyage.

37. Chill at The Fly

The Fly is an expanse of green land on the Mississippi River below Audubon Zoo. You can view beautiful sunsets there and unwind after a long day of touring the city.

38. Visit the Longue Vue House & Gardens

This spectacular city estate, which includes a Classical Revival-style mansion, is encircled by eight acres of gorgeously planted gardens created by some of the best outdoor architects of the early twentieth century. 

On the first Sunday of each month, make sure to visit the lovely gardens of Longue Vue. Families are welcome to roam around the grounds for free.

39. Don’t Miss the French Quarter Festival

The French Quarter Festival honors the city’s culture and heritage while also presenting the world’s largest display of Louisiana music and local singers. There are over 20 stages throughout the neighborhood covering a variety of genres, including jazz, funk, gospel, classical cabaret, and more!

40. Experience the Satchmo SummerFest

Go crazy at Satchmo SummerFest. There are a lot of activities to try. Taking place all over Jackson Square, don’t miss this!

41. Stroll at the Royal Street

Stroll around Royal Street to experience zero-charge entertainment with live music. You can even watch sophisticated people get along on the streets. There’s definitely more to love at NOLA’s Royal Street. 

Just a block away from the celebrations on Bourbon Street, Royal Street is a treasure trove of large family-owned antique shops and exquisite art galleries.

42. Check Out the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Enjoy the free entrance at the sculpture garden all year, except for special occasions like holidays. Go check out excellent sculptures made of wood materials by well-known artists worldwide.

43. Zumba at the City Park

If you’re an active early bird, consider participating in a free fitness class held every Saturday at 8 a.m at the City Park.

44. Visit the Barataria Preserve

The Barataria Preserve’s hardwood forest, swamp, bayous, and marsh include more than 26,000 acres of untamed Louisiana wetlands, including trails, picnic spots, fishing, hunting, and animal observation.

Here, you’ll find snakes, turtles, and alligators swimming across rivers or basking on logs and bayou banks.

45. Watch the Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds is a historic horse-racing track in New Orleans that has been attracting sports fans, gamblers, and families for almost 150 years. Enjoy the ambiance, learn history, and go people-watching, even if you’re not a sports fan. Sometimes, they hold unusual events such as Weiner dog and exotic animal racing in addition to normal horse races.

46. Visit the House of Dance & Feathers 

The House of Dance & Feathers depicts a variety of New Orleans groups, including Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs, Bone Gangs, and Parade Krewes. This color-filled book is more than an inventory of the museum’s treasures; it’s a thorough map of these worlds, as seen by Ronald W. Lewis. You can check out all of the preserved cultures of New Orleans here!

47. Explore the Musician’s Village 

This community was established as a by product of Hurricane Katrina. The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music is a community meeting space offering guests a variety of amusement and events. Go on a stroll along the neighborhood and admire the lovely homes.

48. Tour the Cigar Factory

Visit the Cigar Factory and watch workers roll cigarettes for free. This firm includes a gallery with magnificent late nineteenth antiquities.

49. Check Out Madame John’s Legacy

Madame John’s Legacy in the historic French Quarter is a must-see for anybody interested in architecture. It is one of Louisiana’s greatest 18th-century architectural complexes and one of North America’s outstanding examples of French colonial architecture. 

It was built in 1788 in the aftermath of a disastrous fire that destroyed 80% of the city, it was designed in the French colonial style that was popular at the time. If you’re a fan of museums, this place will not disappoint. Plus, it’s free!

50. Partake in Halloween Celebrations

Halloween in New Orleans is one-of-a-kind, and it wouldn’t be complete without the Krewe of Boo, the French Quarter’s Halloween procession. You can enjoy a vibrant and music-filled day with your friends or family. Additionally, many will be wearing costumes for your entertainment!

Conclusion

These are just some of the free things to do in New Orleans. We hope this article has helped you plan out your itinerary. Seize every opportunity and get the most out of your stay. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below!

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