10 Free Things to do in New Orleans That You Shouldn't Miss

December 31, 2021 Leonarda Pillsbury

Laissez les bons temps rouler! In New Orleans the good times are perpetually rolling down Bourbon Street, which, thanks to the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, has quite a party animal reputation. Once you’ve soaked up the scenery of the historic French Quarter, tour the elegant Garden District and meet the colorful characters of Frenchmen Street. Experience the city's supernatural vibe at the Voodoo Museum or by taking a guided ghost or vampire tour through taverns, alleyways, and cemeteries.
Restaurants in New Orleans

1. Immaculate Conception Church

130 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70112-2304 +1 504-529-1477 http://jesuitchurch.net/
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 515 reviews

Immaculate Conception Church

Reviewed By PatC703 - Baton Rouge, United States

As group of us visited the church for the 3:15 tour offered on Saturday. An excellent docent told us of the history of the church, pointing out the beautiful stained glass windows, mosaics, statues, wrought iron pews and altar. This church is of the old European style, much nicer than the Cathedral!

2. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA

1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, New Orleans, LA 70124 +1 504-658-4100 http://noma.org/sculpture-garden/
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,343 reviews

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA

Reviewed By aghorn - Plano, United States

Incredible setting for sculpture. My daughter and I had a very nice time wandering the trails of the extensive garden and seeing all the interesting sculptures. Even though it's a little aways away from the French Quarter, it's worth an Uber trip or streetcar ride. And it's FREE! Unfortunately, Canal St was blocked due to road work. So couldn't get there from where we were by streetcar. Also very much enjoyed wandering close by in City Park, to the Cafe du Monde there, and even to a very cool miniature golf park within the overall park.

3. NOLA Tropical Winery

Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, 500 Port of New Orleans, Suite 144, New Orleans, LA 70130 +1 504-561-6010 [email protected] http://www.nolatropicalwinery.com
Excellent
83%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 184 reviews

NOLA Tropical Winery

NOLA Tropical Winery offers a wide variety of tropical fruit wines, fruit infused wines and wine smoothies. We offer complimentary tasting of all our wines. Write a review on TripAdvisor and receive 10% off your purchase (excludes half and whole case deals).

Reviewed By 795joannec - Clearwater, United States

We stopped in this mall after our paddleboat cruise on the Creole Queen because it was literally right there and who can pass up a mall? We were the only ones in there and then others showed up and we had a mini party. We tried every wine. The lady working was terrific. Unfortunately, I don't remember her name, maybe Phyllis. We bottle several bottles of wine. They aren't cheap, but we felt better for boosting the economy. Highly recommend the Roman Candy chocolate rum. We drank that on the way back to our house.

4. French Quarter

New Orleans, LA 800-672-6124 http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/fq/
Excellent
58%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22,334 reviews

French Quarter

The heart and cultural center of New Orleans is the French Quarter, a must-see for its high energy, rich history, diverse architecture, music, street performers, renowned jazz clubs, lively nightlife and the finest art galleries and restaurants in the city.

Reviewed By clarissajg1 - East Haven, United States

the music the people the history the mystery the atmosphere the lore the legends the smell the eclectic air its all the French quarter. you either love it or hate it. I love it it is a part of me. there are great restaurants fun shops wonderful music amazing architecture people watching shopping walking cocktails - its truly amazing -- wear your walking shoes and come experience life

5. Jackson Square

615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116-3234 +1 800-800-0550 http://www.experienceneworleans.com/jackson-square.html
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16,042 reviews

Jackson Square

Fun area with street painters, musicians and jugglers.

Reviewed By debbiesE2403PL

Jackson Square is a beautiful little area filled with local artists, music, gorgeous flowering plants (these are inside the gated area), horse-drawn carriages, and tons of opportunities to people watch. A definite must-see when visiting New Orleans.

6. St. Louis Cathedral

615 Pere Antoine Aly, New Orleans, LA 70116-3291 +1 504-525-9585 [email protected] http://stlouiscathedral.org
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,299 reviews

St. Louis Cathedral

The major landmark of the French Quarter is the oldest continuously active cathedral in the U.S.

Reviewed By Michellereneelove - Chaska, United States

Good opportunity to see beautiful art and architecture even if you aren’t Catholic... gorgeous old church that is meticulously maintained.

7. Garden District

St Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130-5968
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,808 reviews

Garden District

An area of the city that features numerous historic homes.

Reviewed By bron1962 - Dural, Australia

Beautiful area and we just took streetcar and walked around ourselves - lovely houses, beautiful mansions and easy just to wander through the streets. We got off at washington street and walked down various streets and got back on streetcar at Louisanna Street

8. New Orleans City Park

1 Palm Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124-4608 +1 504-482-4888 [email protected] http://neworleanscitypark.com/
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,252 reviews

New Orleans City Park

One of the largest urban parks in the country, City Park has golf, tennis and horseback riding.

Reviewed By marion542017 - Manchester, United Kingdom

New Orleans City Park has plenty of art and nature attractions: wonderful Oak trees dripping in Spanish Moss and a beautiful lake; New Orleans Botanical Garden; Storyland; Carousel Gardens Amusement Park; City Putt; Louisiana Children’s Museum; New Orleans Museum of Art and The Sydney and Walda Besthoff; Sculpture Garden; Train Garden; City Park Birding Corridor. The park has plenty of scope for recreational activities too: Bayou Oaks Golf; City Park / Pepsi Tennis Center: 2019 Outstanding Facility Award recipient; Big Lake; NOLA City Bark Dog Park; City Park Snoballs; Boating & Biking; Couturie Forest; Playgrounds; Festival Grounds; Fishing; Birding; Equest Farm; Disc Golf; Sports Fields; Walk, Bike or Run. There are regular featured events: Thursdays at Twilight; Garden Concert Series and Celebration in The Oaks. If you are in need of refreshment, I can recommend the Cafe Du Monde, located in the Park's Casino Building, for traditional New Orleans beignets and coffee. The Casino Building also has a Park gift shop and public restrooms.

9. Royal Street

Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 800-672-6124 https://www.neworleans.com/plan/streets/royal-street/
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,734 reviews

Royal Street

This unusual shopping area is one of the city's most historic streets.

Reviewed By Todd45_12 - Newington, United States

A great shopping street with unique French Quarter architecture, impromptu performing musical groups, amazing antique shops and art stores as well as souvenir shops and many excellent restaurants.

10. The Historic New Orleans Collection

533 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130-2179 +1 504-523-4662 [email protected] http://www.hnoc.org
Excellent
73%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 663 reviews

The Historic New Orleans Collection

The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center, and publisher with three locations in the French Quarter: * the original location at 533 Royal St. (featuring a a house museum and a self-guided exhibition chronicling the history of Louisiana) * the Williams Research Center at 410 Chartres St. (where materials relating to the history and culture of the area are made available for further study) * the new exhibition center at 520 Royal St., which opened in 2019 and features educational galleries, a French Quarter exhibition, and changing exhibitions. Admission is free. Guided tours are $5 per person. Royal Street properties are open Tues-Sun, and the research center on Chartres Street is open Tues-Sat. In addition to being closed on Monday, THNOC is closed New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Mardi Gras weekend (Sat-Tues), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

Reviewed By phvi2617 - Anaheim, United States

This is a collection of several original buildings which house a number of different exhibits on the history of Louisiana and New Orleans. Their collections are extensive and include a number of really interesting artifacts. Additionally, the buildings are a great showcase of New Orleans architecture. Be sure to chat with the wonderful volunteer docents, who are happy to share their vast knowledge about local history. Best of all, it's completely free!

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