15 Free and Fun Things to Do in New Orleans

1) Feed your mind at the French Market.
Every Sunday at 2 p.m. at the French Market, chefs, cocktail experts, local farmers and other foodie folks conduct free cooking demonstrations and discussions at the French Market Fare stage, courtesy of The Southern Food and Beverage Museum. You might see a chef from an Essential New Orleans restaurant prepare a famous New Orleans dish, learn how to butcher a redfish, or chat with a Creole tomato farmer. The roster of guests is a who's who of New Orleans eating and drinking, and the discussion is always delicious!

2) Watch ships and barges cruise the Mississippi River.
Grab beignets and a cafe au lait to go from Café du Monde, or take a break from traipsing around the French Quarter and head to the Moon Walk (named for former mayor Moon Landrieu) on the river near Woldenberg Park to see the mighty Mississippi at her finest. The river has inspired everyone from Tennessee Williams to Creedence Clearwater Revival ("But I never saw the good side of the city / ‘Till I hitched a ride on a riverboat queen"). Watch the river roll by, and discover what this magnificent muse has in store for you.

3) Get jazzed up.
Visit the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park (916 N. Peters St., (504) 589-4841) and take the free, self-guided walking tour of the Jazz Walk of Fame and other famous jazz sites in New Orleans. You can download a PDF map or mp3 audio file at www.nps.gov/jazz, or listen to an audio tour by calling (504) 613-4062. NOJHP also hosts free concerts and jazz exhibits at the Old U.S. Mint (400 Esplanade Ave., (504) 568-6968). On any given day you can hear musicians like zydeco favorite Sunpie Barnes (also one of the park's rangers), or piano man Joe Krown.

4) Park it for a free music and food festival.
We'll let you in on a little secret: Jazz Fest is probably the only music festival a local ever pays for in New Orleans. The number of free music and food festivals happening year-round in the Big Easy is, quite frankly, amazing. Sure, you'll have to pay for the shrimp po-boy and the cold beer that goes with it, but it's chump change when you consider the mind-blowing number of legendary musicians you'll see – all for free – in parks and venues across New Orleans. French Quarter Festival is the biggest and offers a three-day music-lovers dream spread across the French Quarter and Woldenberg Park on the riverfront. Free outdoor shows, dance lessons and the famous Jazz Mass at St. Augustine church are just a few of the freebies you'll catch at Satchmo Summerfest, honoring New Orleans native Louis Armstrong. Lafayette Square hosts the New Orleans Seafood Festival and the Crescent City Blues & Barbecue Festival, along with year-round concert nights (Wednesdays at the Square or Harvest the Music) just about every Wednesday on the calendar. Check NewOrleans.com's Live Music Calendar for details. 

5) Light a candle.
 Whatever your faith, there's something awe-inspiring about the sacred space of the oldest cathedral in North America – St. Louis Cathedral. You're welcome to donate some change to light a candle, but the spiritual uplift is free. The cathedral also hosts a free concert series in the three weeks leading up to Christmas.

6) Tailgate at Champions Square.
It's true: the Superdome just isn't big enough to handle the overwhelming amount of love we have for the Superbowl-champion Saints, so we had to build a giant outdoor venue to handle the spillover. Champions Square is 121,000 square feet of pure fan glory – a place to watch pre-game entertainment and get your game-face on with fellow fans. You can't bust out the tailgate grill here, but favorite local restaurants serve food and beer is on tap. Trust us: joining the Who Dat Nation in the buildup to a Saints game – or to celebrate a victory post-game – is a religious experience. Hear live music, meet Saintsations cheerleaders and share in the revelry.

7) Window shop on Royal Street.
Royal Street is one of the oldest, most historic streets in New Orleans, and every afternoon the stretch of Royal between St. Louis and St. Ann is closed to traffic to make way for musicians, performers, and the visitors who stroll the art galleries, antique shops and boutiques that line the street. Some of the best street musicians in the city jam up and down this boulevard, and you'll get an eyeful of the best local artists, from the whimsical creatures in Alex Beard's Studio to the Acadian artist George Rodrigue's Blue Dog Gallery. If the stars are in your favor, Grandpa Elliott Small, who got his start as a Royal Street musician, holds court at Royal and Toulouse on occasion, and for the right tip he takes requests.

8) Cruise the music scene on Frenchmen Street.
The city's hottest new music district is hoppin' every night of the week, and most clubs do not charge cover fees or require more than a 1-drink minimum, so you'll hear some of the best local and touring musicians for…nada. Make a point of stopping by the Spotted Cat when the Jazz Vipers are playing, or swing by d.b.a. to catch singer/songwriters including John Boutte of HBO's famous Treme theme song. Yes, it's all FREE, but be sure to drop a generous tip in the band's bucket on the way out. We're all for being thrifty on a budget, and we also want our great New Orleans musicians to make a living so they can keep on doing what they do.

9) Walk the St. Charles Ave. streetcar line.
Sure, you can ride the streetcar for the bargain price of $1.25, but if you really want to take in the ornate mansions and lush landscape of the Garden District, walk St. Charles Avenue from Napoleon to the Riverbend. Take in architectural sights like the Wedding Cake House (5809 St. Charles Avenue), the Colonial-style Anthemion (4631 St. Charles) and the gorgeous Latter Library (5120 St. Charles). After a long walk, rest your feet on the front porch of The Columns Hotel (3811 St. Charles) and order a Ramos Gin Fizz from the Columns Bar. It's not free, but they won't charge you to poke around the famous home-turned-hotel, which was built by Thomas Sulley, one of New Orleans' great architects.

10) Ferry across the Mississippi.
Historic Algiers is a spectacular – and free! – ferry ride across the river from the French Quarter. The ferry departs from the foot of Canal Street at the Mississippi River, and it's one of the last free rides around. From the West Bank, you'll get a stunning view of the New Orleans skyline. The ferry operates daily from 6:15 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. departing every half hour, and returns from the West Bank on the hour and half hour.

11) Join a Second Line.
To see the real New Orleans, you must witness a Mardi Gras Indian parade or second line; marching in the streets is a vital part of New Orleans' unique culture. New Orleans Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs are a tradition dating back over a century, as are the Mardi Gras Indian tribes who appear in second lines and other street parades wearing elaborate, hand-beaded suits decked with feathers and other finery. (Dr. John's version of "Iko Iko" tells the story of two battling Mardi Gras Indian tribes.) Real-life Mardi Gras Indians from across the city gather for Super Sunday (the Sunday closest to St. Joseph's Day) to compete for the honor of the most dazzling new suit. Most Mardi Gras Indian events, Social Aid and Pleasure Club gatherings and second line parades are grassroots affairs and the parade schedule and routes are not widely publicized. The best way to find out when and where one is happening: ask a local. Or, check WWOZ-FM's Takin' it to the Streets listing online.

12) See a masterpiece.
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is free to the public on Wednesdays. The museum's treasures include Pablo Picasso's "Woman in an Armchair" and the adjoining sculpture garden boasts 57 world-class pieces by famous artists. (A free audio tour of the sculpture garden is accessible through your cell phone.) The Contemporary Arts Center is free to the public after 5 p.m. on Mondays. Galleries on Julia Street and in the Bywater are often bustling on Fridays, and many offer a complimentary glass of wine at the door. If something catches your eye and fits your budget, support the local arts scene by bringing home an artistic memento of New Orleans. You can also get your cultural fill at the Historic New Orleans Collection (533 Royal Street) in the French Quarter. Films of historic significance, rare documents from the city's history and more are offered in the collection. All events at HNOC are free and open to the public – a history lover's dream!

13) Book it.
"Don't you just love those long rainy afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn't just an hour but a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands - and who knows what to do with it?" ― Tennessee Williams, "A Streetcar Named Desire"

New Orleans is a lit-lover's paradise. Enjoy local author readings and book signings at libraries and bookshops throughout the city. Literary events are listed on WWNO-FM 89.9's "The Reading Life." Or, check the websites of locally-owned and operated bookstores, including Maple Street Book Shops (multiple locations); Octavia Books (513 Octavia Street), Faulkner House (624 Pirate's Alley), Arcadian Books (714 Orleans Street); Beckham's Books (228 Decatur Street); Crescent City Books (230 Chartres Street); and Dauphine Street Books (410 Dauphine Street). And don't miss the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, held in late March. Volunteer for the festival and earn free passes to panel discussions, or take in free events like the "Stella" contest, where participants compete for the best version of Stanley's overwrought moment in "A Streetcar Named Desire."

14) "Get your picture made."
That's how we say it in New Orleans. Get snaps of yourself with legendary New Orleans musicians Pete Fountain, Fats Domino, and Al Hirt – all statues in Musical Legends Park located in the heart of Bourbon Street. New Orleans is one of the few spots in the United States where carrying alcohol in open containers is legal and Bourbon Street is the epicenter of New Orleans partying, so if you're visiting the park very early or very late, be prepared for a high level of revelry among the bronze busts.

15) Come for the world's biggest free party: Mardi Gras!
From January 6 to Fat Tuesday, New Orleans is the home of the world's greatest free party. The Carnival season can last anywhere from 28 to 63 days, and parades happen throughout the season, but the party reaches a fever pitch in the six days leading up to Mardi Gras day. Mardi Gras krewes toss millions of strands of beads and other collectible "throws" – all gratis – for the simple joy of sharing this world-famous New Orleans celebration. (And if you happen to be looking for a New Orleans hotel on Mardi Gras parade routes, check rates and book your room today on NewOrleans.com.) 

 --Karen Dalton-Beninato