Last Updated: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 11:50 AM by Lauren Saizan
New Orleans is rich in flavorful food, colorful music, and unique cultures, but you need not be rich to experience the best of the city. In fact, for just $50 a day you can soak up the magic of New Orleans. Fall is an ideal time to visit, with favorable temperatures and free festivals every weekend. Enjoy the beauty of fall without breaking the bank and follow our itinerary below.
*Editor’s Note: Totals for all food and beverage purchases include tax and gratuity. Please always remember to tip your servers and musicians.
Start your day at Flour Moon Bagels, located in Tremé on the Lafitte Greenway. This NOLA-made, NYC-inspired local bagel shop makes ‘em fresh daily. We opted for an everything bagel with cream cheese, which totaled $5.18 with tax and tip.
Next, catch the streetcar at Canal and N. Broad toward City Park. The fare is $1.25 in cash. We hopped off right at the entrance of City Park at the New Orleans Museum of Art stop.
City Park is a vast 1300-acre park filled with outdoor activities. Take a stroll down the tree-lined Lelong Drive and end at the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Situated on 11 acres, this recently expanded garden features several different types of sculptures, pedestrian paths, and tranquil spots to relax. Admission is free, making this one of the best hidden gems in New Orleans.
After wandering the sculpture garden, get takeout from in-park restaurant Acorn Café for a picnic. Located within the Louisiana Children’s Museum, there are food options for both kids and the young at heart. Enjoy the fried chicken sandwich made with chicken tenders, pickles, and Crystal hot sauce honey on a Hawaiian roll, which totaled $15.62 with tax and tip.
Enjoy your picnic lunch near Big Lake or on one of the surrounding grassy areas. With so much to explore, the park is bustling with opportunities for an al fresco meal.
The fun doesn’t stop there—it’s time to get on the water via kayak rental. The kayaks are located at Wheel Fun Rentals and cost $16 for one hour. Hop in and paddle through the park for scenic views of the turtles, ducks, flora, and of course, people watching! With tax, our total was $17.51.
Within the park, there are plenty of things to do if you’re not interested in kayaking. If you’re a Louisiana resident, enjoy free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art and the New Orleans Botanical Garden on Wednesdays. Consider renting a bike or a swan boat or take your hand at mini golf or tennis. Enjoy a mini train ride through the park accessed through the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. Please note that these activities have varying admission/rental prices, so check ahead and budget accordingly.
End your day with happy hour at Monday | Restaurant + Bar, which is close enough to the park to walk to. You can also opt to take the streetcar for an additional $1.25 (streetcar day passes are $3). October through April are all great months for oysters, and this casual restaurant offers $1 oysters on the half shell during happy hour, which runs 4-7 p.m. on Tuesdays-Fridays and all day on Mondays. We got six oysters and a jalapeño muffin for $10.36.
There’s so much fun to be had in New Orleans during the fall, and this is just a taste of what you can experience. Check out our guide to fall here and pay us a visit.
Flour Moon Bagels: $5.18
Streetcar Fare: $1.25
Acorn Café: $15.62
Kayak Rental: $17.51
Monday | Restaurant + Bar: $10.36
Lauren Saizan is a New Orleans native raised in the Gentilly neighborhood. In addition to being the editorial and online content manager for New Orleans & Company, she is also a member of Mélange Dance Company. Lauren has performed professionally in many venues across the city, including the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the New Orleans Museum of Art, Longue Vue House & Gardens, and Marigny Opera House. When not writing or dancing, she can be spotted sipping the Blue Eyes tea at French Truck, attending a concert downtown, or visiting a local library.
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