6 Cheap Things to Do in New Orleans
New Orleans can get expensive fast. A few fancy dinners, a couple of tours and some late nights on Bourbon Street, and the budget’s gone. But the best parts of this city cost very little.
In this guide
- 1. Spend an afternoon in Jackson Square
- 2. Ride the St. Charles streetcar
- 3. Explore City Park and the Sculpture Garden
- 4. Hear live music on Frenchmen Street
- 5. Take the Algiers ferry
- 6. Walk the Garden District
- How to eat cheap in New Orleans
- More free and cheap ideas
- Where to stay on a budget
- When to go
- Common questions
The music is everywhere, often for free. The architecture is beautiful just to walk past. And some of the best food in town comes in a paper bag. Here are six cheap things to do, plus how to eat well without overspending.
1. Spend an afternoon in Jackson Square
Jackson Square is the heart of the French Quarter, with St. Louis Cathedral on one side and the Mississippi River on the other. All day, it’s full of street performers, brass bands, painters and tarot readers.
It’s free to sit and watch. Walk into the cathedral, which is open to visitors when services aren’t on. Then cross to the riverfront for a stroll along the Moonwalk. If you want a treat, beignets at Café du Monde are cheap and right next door. Expect a line, but it moves fast.
2. Ride the St. Charles streetcar
The St. Charles streetcar line has been running since 1835, which makes it one of the oldest in the world. It costs $1.25 a ride, or $3 for a day pass with the GoMobile app. That’s the cheapest sightseeing tour in town.
Take it from Canal Street out along St. Charles Avenue. You’ll pass huge oak trees, old mansions, Loyola and Tulane universities, and Audubon Park. Sit on the right side on the way out for the best views. The ride to the end of the line takes about 45 minutes.
3. Explore City Park and the Sculpture Garden
City Park is bigger than Central Park in New York, and it’s full of centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Walking around is free, and so is the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden next to the New Orleans Museum of Art.
The garden has more than 90 sculptures set among lagoons, bridges and trees. It’s quiet, shady and one of my favorite places in the city. Take the Canal Street streetcar to get there.
4. Hear live music on Frenchmen Street
Bourbon Street is loud and mostly cover bands. Frenchmen Street, in the Marigny neighborhood just past the French Quarter, is where locals go for real live music.
Many clubs on the street have no cover charge, or a small one, and bands play from early evening until late. The deal is simple: buy a drink and put a few dollars in the tip jar. You can hop between clubs and hear jazz, blues and brass bands all in one night. The Frenchmen Art Market sets up nearby in the evenings, too.
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5. Take the Algiers ferry
The Algiers ferry crosses the Mississippi from the foot of Canal Street to Algiers Point. It costs $2 each way, and the views of the city skyline and the river are great.
Algiers Point itself is a quiet, historic neighborhood with colorful houses and a levee path. Walk along the river, grab a drink at a local bar and catch the ferry back at sunset. It’s an easy half-day away from the crowds.
6. Walk the Garden District
The Garden District is full of grand 19th-century mansions with wraparound porches and big gardens. Guided tours are available, but you can easily do it yourself for free. Take the streetcar to Washington Avenue and wander.
Look for the cornstalk fence on Prytania Street and the houses where famous authors and actors have lived. Then walk down to Magazine Street, which has six miles of shops, cafés and thrift stores.
How to eat cheap in New Orleans
Eating well is easy here without spending much. Po’boys, big sandwiches on crusty French bread, are filling and usually under $15. Red beans and rice is a classic Monday dish, and you’ll find it cheap all over town.
Look for happy hours, too. Many restaurants offer cheap oysters and half-price drinks in the late afternoon. And corner stores often sell some of the best fried chicken and boudin in town. Seriously, don’t skip the gas station food here.
More free and cheap ideas
If you still have time, there’s plenty more. The Historic New Orleans Collection on Royal Street has free exhibits about the city’s history. Crescent Park, along the river in the Bywater, is a quiet, free green space with great views of the skyline. And Louis Armstrong Park, just outside the French Quarter, includes Congo Square, an important site in the history of African American music.
Check the local event calendars, too. New Orleans has a festival almost every weekend, and many are free, especially in the fall and spring. You might stumble into a second line parade on a Sunday afternoon, which is one of the best free experiences in the city.
Where to stay on a budget
Hotels in the French Quarter are pricey. For better value, look in the Marigny, the Lower Garden District or Mid-City, which are all close to the action by streetcar or a short ride. Hostels in the Lower Garden District are a great option for solo travelers.
Avoid big events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest if you’re watching your budget. Prices can double or triple.
When to go
Fall and spring are ideal: warm, not too humid, and full of free festivals. Summer is very hot and humid but much cheaper. Winter is mild and quieter, apart from Mardi Gras season.
Common questions
Is New Orleans expensive to visit?
It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Free music, cheap transport and affordable food make it great for budget trips.
Do I need a car?
No. The streetcars, buses and walking cover most of what you’ll want to see. Parking is a hassle anyway.
How much should I tip musicians?
A few dollars per set is normal. More if you stay a while or request a song.
Is Frenchmen Street safe at night?
It’s busy and generally fine. Stay on well-lit streets and take a ride home late at night.
How many days do I need?
Three or four days is ideal for music, food and a few neighborhoods.
