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Best Free Things to Do in New Orleans

THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in New Orleans

Best Free Things to Do in New Orleans

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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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247 results sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
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Showing results 1-30 of 247

What travellers are saying

  • Foodange
    Manchester, UK4,751 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our hotel was very central to here, so we hardly left the quartier for our whole stay. Bars, shops, restaurants, music, everything you need and more, even a marker for Solomon Northup 12 Years A Slave.
    Right down to the Mississippi, where the faux steamers go back and forth and the mess that is Moonwalk Riverfront.
    Often seemed like there was music on every corner.
    Written 27 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lesley S
    Los Lunas, NM192 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I am SO glad we found Frenchmen Street - a welcome adventure after the non-appealing Bourbon Street. Wonderful vendors & restaurants in a safer environment.
    Written 3 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JJBlondie
    Denver, CO2,229 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Garden District is very pretty. We got dropped at Cemetery No 1 and then wandered around. My previous visit here I did a tour and I strongly recommend doing that rather then wandering aimlessly.

    The houses are beautiful and there is so much history.
    Written 2 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Travel_Expert
    San Antonio, TX78 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful square and easily accessible. Not too crowded and just like pictures. The views of the Mississippi river across the street are amazing.
    Written 1 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brown_Samantha
    Kennewick, WA1,829 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    First of all, this is a sprawling city park indeed. We only got to visit a small section, adjacent to the Art Museum and its free sculpture garden. From there, we visited the Big Lake. Then onto the oak tree grove (McDonogh Oak), crossing 3 bridges including the beautiful and charming Langles Bridge.

    There is a Cafe du Monde, and nearby the Peristyle. We took the 91 transit bus here from our hotel located in the French Quarter. It took about 30 minutes. There is also the Canal Street streetcar that services this area, so it is pretty easy to reach.

    Only wish we had more time to explore the park.
    Written 18 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Foodange
    Manchester, UK4,751 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Seen from all angles and every day, we saved the visit and even though we knew what to expect, we were stunned by the beauty of this cathedral, inside and out.
    The flags of Louisiana through the years were an interesting addition to what’s usually found in places of worship.
    We lit candles for loved ones.
    Written 4 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Greg2117
    Pace, FL839 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highly recommend a stop here if you are looking for allocations for bourbon along with sazerac beverages. Tour is good but not the same as KY bourbon country. Definitely worth a visit.
    Written 30 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brown_Samantha
    Kennewick, WA1,829 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely street to wander around after our visit to Bourbon Street. Just love the old charm and all the amazing balconies and architecture. It is always busy here with actions. Lots of restaurants, cafes, bars, and various businesses. You can spend hours exploring and enjoying a piece of New Orleans.
    Written 17 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Foodange
    Manchester, UK4,751 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The starting point for so much in town, including cemetery tours and the hop on hop off bus.
    Very friendly people there and a good display on the railway and good gift shop too with different things to the tat shops in town.
    Written 30 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Foodange
    Manchester, UK4,751 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Eclectic mix of tat and upmarket shops. Strolled through here more than once and bought a couple of different things. Not much locally made.
    Written 27 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brown_Samantha
    Kennewick, WA1,829 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This sculpture garden is located next to the NOLA Art Museum. It is like a small park, with many sculptures (all labeled like in a museum). We took the city bus here from the French Quarter, it took about 30 minutes. You can also reach it via the streetcar.

    There are several large bronze pieces, as well as some pretty modern art work. We enjoyed the time here as it was so serene. It has a small lake in the center of the exhibit. After our visit here, we went to the City Park nearby. It made a perfect morning.
    Written 17 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brown_Samantha
    Kennewick, WA1,829 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a hard review to write. Being our first time in New Orleans, we felt we had to visit Bourbon Street. We walked here in the day time, night time, for drinks, for dinner, for desserts.

    First of all, we were not disappointed by all the history and the gorgeous fences, gates, railings, and balconies built with wrought iron going back to the 17th and 18th centuries. It is definitely rich in history. The amount of restaurants, shops, cafes, bars, dessert places is worth the visit. We found so many good places to enjoy. In the evening, we saw a nice parade with a brass band and a lot of people in costumes and some even walking on tall stilts. Very fun. Lots of street performers. They close the street down at night so it is pedestrians only.

    Second, yes, it is urban. You will smell stuff that is not pleasant. You will see homelessness and drunkenness and people doing whatever they are doing that is "not to your liking". It is urban. Most of the people are probably from out of town. Manage your expectations then you will not be disappointed.

    Very glad we visited the area several times. Is it a place we want to visit every year? Probably not.
    Written 23 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Susan C
    Canby, MN36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a hidden gem in the French Quarter. Walk down a bricked alley with historical information on both sides, and you'll come to a quiet oasis complete with fountain, plants and benches. The Visitor Center is full of books and a variety of souvenirs. Be sure to pick up a schedule of weekly events. These include concerts and speakers. A variety of guided walking tours are also available.
    Written 4 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • scrappysquirrel
    Mechanicsville, VA500 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magazine Street was within walking distance of our lodging. We enjoyed browsing some of the shops, but didn’t buy anything. We had lunch & dinner at different restaurants on Magazine Street our first day. I anticipate that we will try some other restaurants there before we end our trip. We felt safe walking the 20 minutes there & back.
    Written 18 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Foodange
    Manchester, UK4,751 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An interesting, informative museum.
    Loved the immersive experience of the French Quarter after dark.
    Disturbed by exhibition on mass incarceration in Louisiana especially the brutality at Angola, where we’d been for a carefree rodeo earlier in our trip.
    Had coffee and croissants on another day sat in the courtyard at the lovely café, along with Swifty friendship bracelet making.
    Written 27 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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