Free Things to Do in New Orleans: From a Local

Whether you live in New Orleans or are visiting, it’s nice to not have to shell out oodles of money all the time. While there are many, many worthy things to pay for, I want to help you save some of that hard-earned money. Hence, I’m giving you my favorite free things to do in New Orleans list, from a local. These are activities I do myself and take visitors to do, or recommend to people coming to New Orleans. All are worthwhile and enjoyable, and are a great way to get to know the city as well. Let’s see what I have in store for you.

One of My Favorite Sculptures Peeking Out

The Sculpture Garden at City Park

By far one of my favorite things to do in New Orleans is meandering around the sculpture garden in City Park. This particular display of beautiful sculptures is free to everyone, and worth every penny you didn’t have to pay to see. It’s a serene, quiet space located next to the New Orleans Museum of Art, and frequented by locals and visitors alike. On a beautiful day, you might find me there taking photographs. A few of my New Orleans Collection notecards are even taken in the garden. For free things to do in New Orleans, put this at the top of your list.

Gorgeous Tombs in Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery

Visit a Cemetery

Many people think you must take a tour to get into our cemeteries. This is true for some, but the vast majority of cemeteries in New Orleans are completely free to the public. The best part is that they are absolutely stunning, and have so much character. Yes, cemeteries have character! As one of my favorite free things to do in New Orleans, a visit to a city of the dead is high on my list of enjoyable activities. Our tombs are like little houses in some cases, and I am always discovering new ones to marvel. I'm partial to Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery. Check them out. You will get peace and quiet. Most of the people there don’t say a peep. You can also pick up a pack of my Cemetery Collection notecard sets here as a memento.

Uptown Stroll

Walk the Neighborhoods

I dedicated a whole blog post to the best walkable neighborhoods in New Orleans. There is nothing more enjoyable than taking a stroll through some of our famous and lesser famous neighborhoods. Make sure you wear comfortable and sturdy shoes. Our sidewalks can be quite wonky and uneven, and I wouldn’t want you turning one of your free things to do in New Orleans to a very expensive hospital visit by twisting an ankle. If you get tired of walking, hop on that streetcar, which is not free, but inexpensive enough to justify paying for and equally as enjoyable of an activity.

The Sazerac House

Drinks on the Sazerac House!

Maybe “drinks” is a stretch, but this free tour with samples at the Sazerac House will whet your tastebuds for something delicious. Visiting the Sazerac House is one of my very favorite free things to do in New Orleans, even as a local. Learning about the history of the drink called the Sazerac, and about many other aspects of the alcohol making and distribution is a huge part of our culture. Don’t blame me if, when they spit you out to the gift shop, you end up spending your weight on alcohol. That’s what happened to me, but hey, the tour was free. It’s a trade-off! I also have a bunch of other ideas in this blog post.

M.S. Rau

Stroll Royal Street

Two notable stops on Royal Street in the French Quarter are The Historic New Orleans Collection and M.S. Rau. The former is a beautifully curated museum about…you guessed it…New Orleans. The latter is a beautifully curated antique shop that looks like a museum but is actually a store where you can buy things. It’s wildly expensive, many of the items, because they are incredibly rare. Both are fabulous on a hot or rainy day in particular, but also if you want to take in some amazing sights and learn a little about our city. This makes my short list of free things to do in New Orleans any day of the week.

Mardi Gras Decor on Royal Street

Small but Mighty List

The best things in life are free, and that goes for some of my best ideas in my hometown of New Orleans. This list is easy and to the point, and it enhances any visit here. While many activities do require paying, this list of free things to do in New Orleans will get you far and keep you busy. Trust me, I love a good deal, and there is no better deal than free. These experiences don’t feel cheap, though. You’ll come away with a good feeling about your time spent, and then you can come back for more. So what are you waiting for? Let’s book that trip!

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