4 Free Things to Do in New Orleans, Louisiana

Frenchmen Street, New Orleans. Photo by Morgan Petroski on Unsplash

New Orleans, Louisiana is a city that should be visited at least once during your lifetime. Known for its European-style architecture, Creole cuisine, and Mardi Gras, the city is super affordable and they even offer tons of free attractions. Here are four that shouldn’t be missed.

Frenchmen Street

To get a true New Orleans experience without visiting the touristy areas of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, visit Frenchmen Street. The street is four blocks of live music, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and art galleries.

French Quarter

The heart and soul of the city and a National Historic Landmark, the French Quarter, was the site of the original New Orleans colony and it still has street names in French. You’ll find attractions including Jackson Square, Faulkner House Books, the Cabildo, and St. Louis Cathedral. But the main attraction is Bourbon Street, which is where visitors and locals go to party.

Garden District

This historical residential neighborhood is full of trees, ivy, and gardens with some of the most gorgeous houses and architecture. It’s great if you want a break from the liveliness of the city.

Mardi Gras

You can’t mention New Orleans without speaking about Mardi Gras. The holiday is between February and March, and it’s full of costumes and tons of color. Carnival takes place two-and-a-half weeks before Mardi Gras and it features tons of parades and street performers.