City guide

New Orleans is a great city, and one that you don’t have to spend big bucks to have a great time in! There are a great number of free things to do in New Orleans, such as people-watching in the French Quarter. Throughout the streets of the French Quarter visitors can see some of the best people-watching opportunities in the world.
Walking through the Historic Districts of New Orleans, including the breathtaking Garden District, doesn’t cost a penny, but will give you memories of a lifetime.


Bourbon, Frenchmen, and Fulton streets are some of the best places in the entire city to listen to jazz music. Just strolling down the streets at night gets you great concerts!

Visiting a festival doesn’t cost anything, and New Orleans has some of the liveliest festivals in the entire world. Mardi Gras is of course world-renowned, but isn’t the only big time happening going on throughout the year. French Quarter Fest, Po Boy Fest, Vieux-to-Do, and Satchmo Summer Fest are just a few more.

Take a tour. The Jean Lafitte National Park visitor’s center, located at 419 Decatur Street, shares the captivating history and distinctive traditions of the city and delta through displays and film.

For jazz lovers, the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park is a must-see. Visitors find out about the history and culture of the jazz specific to New Orleans at the park’s visitor’s center, 916 N. Peters Street. Also enjoy free live performances, walks, talks, and demonstrations. Taking a jazz history walking tour is another great way to live New Orleans jazz during your visit. These tours take visitors through six neighborhoods pivotal to New Orleans jazz, visiting historical venues, businesses, and homes of those involved in New Orleans’s jazz history.
There are tons of other exciting free things to do in New Orleans, too many to mention here!