Free Things to Do in New Orleans

There are so many things to experience in New Orleans; its rich history and unique culture, including its music and food. It is difficult to decide what part of New Orleans to take in. So if you are short on time and money, here is a guide of must see things to do that are absolutely free.

Stroll through the French Quarter

The French Quarter is the oldest part of the city, settled by the French in 1718; it sits on the banks of the Mississippi River, on some of the highest ground in the city. This was the reason why the French Quarter was mostly spared from the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. Known by locals as "The Quarter", it is famous today for the revelry and debacle that occurs in and around Bourbon Street. But straying away from Bourbon Street, The Quarter is so much more than that. The architecture, the cuisine, and the music are an amalgam of French, Spanish, German, Creole, Caribbean and American influences. This unique culture of the city is evident throughout the French Quarter.

The best way to take all of this in is by foot. Mingling with tourists and locals alike, you will experience the variety of cultures that define this city. Start on Decatur Street, which is the first street running basically parallel to the river, you will pass the French Market, The Pontalba Apartments, Jackson Square, the Jackson Brewery, as well as many unique shops, cafes and restaurants. There is always a festival like atmosphere around the French Market and along Decatur Street, making it a great place to people watch. You will see street musicians and performers, view the works of local artists, catch cooking demonstrations, and mingle with local vendors sharing their unique products along with their stories of the city.

The Musee Conti, the wax museum on Conti Street offers a different way to look at the history of New Orleans. There is a small fee for touring the museum, or you can just download the education package from their website, which has a map along with detailed instructions on making your way through much of the history of the French Quarter. It is called the Legends of Louisiana self guided tour, and takes you to such places as Maspero's Exchange, where Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte met to plan the battle of New Orleans, the Old Spanish House, an example of Spanish colonial architecture, as well as Jean Baptiste Thierry House, the oldest example of Greek revival architecture in The Quarter. Don't miss Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, where legend has it that the Lafitte brothers used it as a cover for their smuggling operations. It is now the oldest operating bar in New Orleans, and one of the few remaining examples of French architecture in The Quarter having survived the fires of 1788 and 1794.

Take a ride on the Free Ferry across the Mississippi River and Tour Historic Old Algiers

Just a short walk from the French Quarter is the Canal Street Ferry. It is free for passengers or one dollar if you want to take your car. It is a great way to experience the Mississippi River, where the Ferry Captain is usually navigating not only the River but the barges, tugboats and ships that frequent the River. You will land at Algiers Point, the second oldest neighborhood in the city, dating back to 1719 when it was acquired by Bienville as part of his land grant.

Algiers has been home to many great Jazz Legends and now features the Jazz Walk of Fame Tour located along the Levee, just to the right of the Ferry Landing, where you will first pass a statue of Louis Armstrong. A description and audio tour in MP3 format of the Walk of Fame can be downloaded from the National Park Service website, nps.gov/jazz. Before heading back to the Ferry, you should take a walking tour of the Algiers Point neighborhood. The Jazz musicians in the 1920s called Algiers "Over da River", referring to where they live. The Algiers Historical Society publishes a Jazz walking tour of Algiers on their website, where you will visit the historic homes of many prominent figures from the New Orleans music scene. Being an historic district, many of the homes, churches, and businesses date back to the 1840's. Along your route you will also pass restaurants and bars offering local cuisine.

Enter the Cities of the Dead

New Orleans has 42 cemeteries featuring above the ground tombs. These tombs represent the architecture and culture of the city spanning the 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th centuries. The oldest being St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, established in 1789, and located just off the French Quarter at the corner of St. Louis and Basin Streets. This cemetery is home to many famous residents of the city, including supposedly Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Having recently been renovated you will see some fabulous tombs from the elite societies of New Orleans representing the French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian cultures. You can view the description, location, and hours of all of the cemeteries at the Save Our Cemeteries website.

Annual Festivals and Events

Music and Food Festivals as well as other events are held year round in New Orleans, most of which offer free music and entertainment. French Quarter Festival Inc. sponsors three events throughout the year; the French Quarter Festival in April, the Satchmo Summerfest in early August, and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. All of these are held in the French Quarter, are free to the public, and feature local music, culture, and cuisine.

The biggest free event of the year is Mardi Gras, of course. Two weeks of Street Parades and partying precede the beginning of the Catholic Church's Lenten season.

If you are planning a trip to New Orleans, you should first check the local events calendar to see if your trip coincides with one of these events, it likely will.