Free things to do in New Orleans

Free things to do in New Orleans

1. SeeHistory museumFrench Quarter

   Historic New Orleans Collection

   Museum with changing exhibits of local history. Also has a research center nearby on Chartres Street.

   Tue-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sun 10:30AM-4:30PM · Free · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

2. SeeAttractionTremé

   Basin Street Station

   The old Southern Railway train station has been remodeled; the ground floor has a visitors information center with gift shop, informative film and local museum exhibits free of charge.

   9AM-5PM

3. 
   SeeAttractionFrench Quarter

   Madame John's Legacy

   18th-century Creole home.

   Tue-Sun 10AM-4:30PM · Free
4. SeeMuseumFrench Quarter

   Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve

   Headquarters for National Park that includes several historic sites in and near New Orleans. Has a small museum and visitor's center. Show up by 9AM to get a place on the informative free walking tour of the French Quarter.

   Tu-Sa 09:00-16:30 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

5. DoParkFrench Quarter

   New Orleans Jazz Park

   Actually in "Dutch Alley", the French Market pedestrian alley on the river side of Decatur between Dumaine and St. Philip Streets. Often has free live music weekend afternoons and sometimes other times.

   Free, some park programs have a fee

6. SeeFrench Quarter

   Cigar Factory New Orleans & Museum

   History and tradition of one of New Orleans' oldest traditions -- cigar rolling! Watch the masters at work daily in the only operating cigar factory since the 1950s.

   10AM-10PM daily · Free

7. SeeLower 9th Ward

   Jackson Barracks Military Museum

   Jackson Barracks military base has been here since the 1830s. This is an unorthodox choice for most Lower 9th visitors, but the Louisiana National Guard has an interesting military museum, with artifacts, weapons and memorabilia from every major American war.

   Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM · Free

8. SeeFrench Quarter

   St. Louis Cathedral

   A symbol of New Orleans, this is the oldest Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States and has a giant statue of the Virgin Mary with her arms extended gracing the middle of the courtyard.

   The cathedral is open for self-guided tours daily from the end of morning mass until 4PM; see website for mass times · Free

9. SeeTremé

   Saint Louis Cemetery #1

   Local notables entombed here include 19th-century Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Do not visit this cemetery alone, as criminals have been known to target vulnerable individual tourists. It can safely be visited with tour groups; free ones are given by the park service in addition to various pay tours. Almost all tours start early in the morning, although a couple pay tours will start at 1PM during weekdays.

   Mon-Fri 9AM-3PM, Sat Sun 9AM-noon · Free

10. SeeMuseum

    The Sazerac House

    101 Magazine Street

    Tu-Su 11:00-18:00 · Free entry

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to New Orleans (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.