You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy an American summer in New Orleans. Check out these 34 free things to do, from live music to museums and tours, and explore the city like never before.
1. Gallery Tour in the Arts and Warehouse District – Explore Gallery Row (Julia Street) and the unique artwork, sculptures, and photography that adorn the walls. You can also enjoy a mini block party or check out new gallery openings on the first Saturday of every month.
2. Enjoy Live Music at Musical Legends Park – Take a selfie with Fats Domino, Pete Fountain or Al Hirt at Musical Legends Park on Bourbon Street while enjoying some of the free daily concerts. Music starts at 8 a.m. and the park is open Thursday through Monday.
3. Enjoy a Sazerac House Tour – Learn about one of New Orleans' most iconic cocktails, the Sazerac, at Sazerac House. Admission is free, but advance reservations are recommended to secure your spot on a tour.
4. Dance on Frenchmen Street. Music fills the air from the many clubs and bands that line this street. While many bars are covered, you can also find plenty without, or enjoy the music on the streets. 5. Listen to street music. If you walk around the French Quarter, you are bound to come across spontaneous live music on the street.
6. Watch the sunrise from Algiers Point. Just across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter is historic Old Town Algiers. Wake up early to watch the sunrise from Algiers Point.
7. Learn to Saber Champagne – Head to Brennan's Courtyard to learn the art of sabering champagne every Friday at 5pm.
8. Free Jazz Museum Courtyard Concert Series – The New Orleans Jazz Museum in the French Quarter tells the story of jazz in the city. Grab a blanket and head to the museum courtyard on Tuesday nights at 5 p.m. for a free jazz concert.
9. Take a bike ride on the Lafitte Greenway – Enjoy a scenic bike ride on the greenway that passes through several neighborhoods with cafes, breweries and hangouts along the way.
10. Celebrate the 4th of July – Enjoy an outdoor picnic at one of the many parks on the 4th of July.
11. Browse the shops of Oak Street – Stop into the eclectic mix of shops on Oak Street, including a comic book store, a guitar repair shop and a used bookstore.
12. Visit the New Orleans African American Museum on Saturdays @ NOAAM – The New Orleans African American Museum hosts a free monthly event called Saturdays @ NOAAM.
13. Fun along Jackson Square – Jackson Square is full of tarot card readers, artists selling their creations, live music and street performers.
14. Window shop on Royal and Magazine Streets – Stroll along Royal and Chartres Streets for art, antiques and curiosities and along Magazine Street for its eclectic boutiques and cozy restaurants.
15. Explore the Mardi Gras Collection at Arnaud's – Head upstairs to Arnaud's for a tour of Germaine Cazenave Wells' Mardi Gras Museum.
16. Relax on the banks of Bayou St. John – Watch canoes and other non-motorized watercraft float along the bayou.
17. Watch the sunset from Lake Shore Drive – Benches overlook beautiful Lake Pontchartrain in the Lakeview neighborhood.
18. Enjoy a Free Summer Movie Series – Enjoy the Family Movie Series in the Park this summer, offered by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD).
19. Stroll through the Garden District – Admire the magnificent mansions, wrought iron fences and balconies throughout the Garden District.
20. Explore the New Orleans Historical Collection – The New Orleans Historical Collection offers free tours of its Royal Street and Chartres Street campuses.
21. Visit Congo Square on Sunday afternoon. Congo Square is a historic site in New Orleans where slaves and free people of color came to celebrate music, dance, and culture over the centuries. Visit the square on Sunday afternoon to take part in the weekly celebrations.
22. Enjoy Free Music on Fridays at Tipitina's – Every Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day, enjoy local bands at Tipitina's Fridays free concert series.
23. Browse the French Market – Browse the souvenir and trinket stalls at the French Market.
Top 10 ideal destinations for summer 2024 according to Google
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24. Take a tour of St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square – The historic church is open to the public and is beautiful.
25. Get free admission to various museums – Visit the Contemporary Arts Center on Sundays, the New Orleans Museum of Art and Botanical Gardens on Wednesdays, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art on Thursdays.
26. Take a Free Walking Tour – Choose from several types of tours and learn about the city’s ghosts, architecture, and history.
27. Stroll through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden – The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a beautiful and relaxing space to unwind located in the City Park.
28. Go skating or walking in Crescent Park – Take advantage of the afternoon sun and head to Crescent Park for a skate, jog or walk.
29. Visit the Lower 9th Ward Living Museum – Explore the history of New Orleans, the historic Lower 9th Ward before, during and after Hurricane Katrina.
30. Head to the City Park for a Plant Sale – Visit the City Park Botanical Gardens on select weekend mornings for the Pelican Greenhouse Plant Sale.
31. Visit Longue Vue House Gardens on the Free Family Day – Discover the beautiful Longue Vue Gardens on the first Sunday of every month.
32. Cool off with a trip to a NORTH pool – Take a dip in a New Orleans Recreation Development pool, free of charge.
33. Visit the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library – The New Orleans Public Library is housed in a stately mansion on St. Charles Avenue that once belonged to silent film star Marguerite Clark.
34. Visit a city farmers market – The Crescent City Farmers Market hosts weekly markets in different neighborhoods around the city.
