9 Best Free Things to Do in New Orleans

Jackson Square is a good place to start your day or rest your legs after exploring the French Quarter of New Orleans. This attractive park was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and takes its name from the iconic statue of Battle of New Orleans hero, Andrew Jackson, which is worth photographing.

The square is littered with greenery in the summer and gives off a perfectly coiffed aesthetic, as if out of a fairy tale. It’s home to an open-air artist colony, where local artists paint, draw, and display their artwork along the fencing. It’s also a prime spot for community festivals and events, so you may get to enjoy live jazz and other performances.

Bourbon Street brings you right through the middle of the French Quarter and is a perfect way to get a feel of the area’s vibrant atmosphere. By day, there is a constant hum of music and chatter, the distant crashing of plates and cutlery, and the frequent clatter of horses' hooves as they draw their carriages around the old roads. By night, the street is filled with jazz and is illuminated with fairy lights and lanterns. 

The 13-block-long street features many restaurants, cafés, and shops. All buildings are smooth-cornered and wrapped in French-style balconies, which is quintessentially New Orleanian, so make sure you take a few photos between soaking up the party feeling.

The “Cities of the Dead” are cemetaries rooted in New Orleans’ affiliation with voodoo magic. Because the city is built on a swamp, the deceased cannot be buried underground. As a result, these “cities” feature elaborate, above-ground stone crypts and mausoleums, which add to the eeriness of the cemeteries. 

Visitors can easily take a self-guided tour, with a daytime visit being preferable. The most frequently visited graveyards include St. Patrick No.2, Lafayette Cemetery, and St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. Some cemeteries, like St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, require a guide to visit, but you’re able to wander through most others on a self-guided tour. 

The Woldenberg Riverfront Park sits right along the Mississippi River and is a popular place for locals and tourists to relax. Art and statues adorn its 16 acres of green space, one of the most notable being the Monument to the Immigrant. 

The many benches along the river are an excellent place to watch the boats and catch a breeze to relieve the Louisiana heat. The linear water feature is popular come summer, especially with little ones looking to cool off. The riverfront also often hosts festivals, such as the June Oyster Festival, and plenty of live music so be sure to look out for any events.

What sounds better than escaping the heat and lying in the cool shadow of a great old oak tree? The verdant Audubon Park in Uptown is home to ancient, towering oaks that make wonderful picnic spots. Don’t miss the awe-inspiring sight of the Tree of Life, one of the park’s oldest live oaks.

Why not jog or cycle down the 1.8-mile paved path past the lagoon, where you can spot egrets and herons on Bird Island, or burn some calories on the 5 outdoor fitness stations? If you’re bringing the kids with you, let them burn off some energy climbing ropes, flying down slides, and zooming across zip lines at any of the park’s 3 playgrounds. 

Lakeshore Drive is visited by many wanting to catch the last few rays of the day. Found along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, the road is lined with skinny palm trees and benches, making it a relaxing place to people-watch. 

It can get particularly hot here during the day, so it’s best to go around sunset, both for the view and the cooler atmosphere. If the weather isn’t on your side, watching a storm roll in is equally spectacular, but be careful not to get caught in it.

New Orleans is largely known as the birthplace of jazz music, and the Musical Legends Park honors that label. This tiny but charming park is a good way to take in the musical history of the city. It’s decorated with commemorative displays, plaques, and artworks of multiple jazz legends so take your time admiring them and taking photos. 

Located on Bourbon Street, you can rest up while enjoying performances by local bands who come daily. Don’t forget to make a wish and toss a coin into Pete’s Wishing Well Fountain. Your wish might come true, and you’ll be donating to help provide McDonogh Elementary School with band equipment.

Described as “The Jewel of America’s Grand Avenues,” St. Charles Avenue stretches right from Uptown to Downtown. It offers one of the most impressive selections of historic mansions in the South and is a great example of the architecture of 19th century New Orleans. As you stroll down the Avenue, the grandeur of the mansions is awe-inspiring. 

The stately buildings once housed the most prestigious families in the city, which is reflected in their ostentatious style. Self-guided and guided tours are available to tell you of the unique history of each building. These typically New Orleanian mansions, coupled with the St. Charles streetcar, create a postcard-worthy snap.