New Orleans on a Budget: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Itinerary

This famous New Orleans neighborhood is known for its white tablecloth restaurants, artsy boutiques, and craft cocktail bars. But you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the French Quarter.

Cheap Breakfast in the French Quarter: Beignets and Coffee

Start your day with some chicory-laced coffee and pastry from Croissant D’Or Patisserie. Or treat yourself to a plate of hot beignets and café au lait from Café du Monde.

Free Walking Route: Jackson Square and Royal Street

Take a stroll through the picturesque French Quarter to see some of the most historic architecture in the country, like Jackson Square, which includes St. Louis Cathedral, Presbytère, and Cabildo. Visit the Visitor Center of Jean Lafitte National Park and get free information and maps. Window shop along Royal Street, famous for art galleries galore and soak up New Orleans’ local art culture.

Picnic Lunch: The Original Muffuletta at Central Grocery

Order a traditional Italian muffuletta from the place where it was invented, Central Grocery, and take your sandwich to the river for lunch with a view.

Affordable Dinner: Burgers and Po-Boys

Port of Call is a great choice for a burger and potent Monsoon cocktail, or swing by Killer Po-Boys for some creative takes on the traditional New Orleans sandwich.

Where to Drink Cheap in the French Quarter

Stroll along world-famous Bourbon Street and right into Pat O’Brien’s courtyard for a hurricane. Head to the “quieter” end of Bourbon and belly up to the bar at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for inexpensive libations. Located on Bourbon and St. Phillip St., Lafitte’s is lit mostly by candles and is supposedly haunted. In the mood for artisanal cocktails? Swing over to Bar Tonique across from Armstrong Park on Rampart chose from a menu of reasonably priced classic New Orleans cocktails.

Enjoy a day of gallery hopping, exploring, and eating in the Warehouse District.

Museums with Free Days and Discounted Admission

There are so many museums in this neighborhood - choose one that's right for you! The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is home to the most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world. Louisiana residents may visit for free on Thursdays. The Contemporary Arts Center is the perfect place to take in thought provoking work by local and internationally known artists. Louisiana residents may visit for free on Sundays. The National WWII Museum and Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience are also nearby. Be sure to check museum websites for free days and discounted admission prices.

Picnic in Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square is the second oldest park in New Orleans. Pick up a sandwich from Cafe at the Square or Cochon Butcher and picnic in the square.

Best Happy Hours in the Warehouse District

Happy hour dishes the best bargains and small plates and drinks in the Warehouse Arts District. Check out Meril, Maria's Oyster & Wine Bar, plates, Legacy Kitchen’s Craft Tavern, and Baroness on Baronne for happy hour deals.

Known for stately oaks and historic mansions, shopping on Magazine Street and eclectic restaurants, Uptown delivers a surprising array of well-priced options.

The St. Charles Streetcar: The Best $1.25 in New Orleans

Hop on the streetcar down St. Charles Avenue. Riding the oldest continuously operated streetcar in the country is your best way to soak up views of live oaks and one-of-a-kind mansions and costs just $1.25, exact change please, or buy a one-day, three-day or five-day pass on the Le Pass app.

Diner Breakfast at Camellia Grill

Camellia Grill is a landmark diner Uptown known for its rib-sticking breakfasts and entertaining servers. Grab a seat at the counter and enjoy the show.

Free Things to Do in Audubon Park

Go for a ramble under the leafy canopies of gorgeous oaks in Audubon Park, then relax in one of the covered gazebos and watch the ducks.

Cheap Lunch on Magazine or Prytania streets

Grab a sandwich or salad from St. James Cheese Company, a local cheese shop with a seriously loyal following. Or swing by Pizza Domenica, the casual off-shoot of the James Beard Award-winning Italian restaurant downtown. 

Freret Street Happy Hour and Dinner

Sip on delicious cocktails at Cure, a popular craft cocktail lounge on Freret Street with terrific happy hour deals (4-6 p.m. every day). Freret Street is also up-and-coming for the restaurant and bar scene with eateries like The Company Burger and High Hat Cafe sure to satisfy the hungry on a budget. 

If you really want to experience New Orleans like a local, spend a day in Mid-City and Tremé for some off-the-beaten-path bargains.

Po-Boys and Plate Lunches in Mid-City

Sink your teeth into a famous po-boy sandwich from Parkway Bakery in Mid-City – be sure to order it dressed. Take it to go for a picnic along nearby Bayou St. John. Alternatively, enjoy Creole cuisine at popular lunch spot Lil' Dizzy's Cafe.

City Park: 1,300 Free Acres to Explore

A 1,300-acre outdoor oasis that has enchanted New Orleanians since 1854, City Park is the spot for outdoor family friendly activities. Go for a jog around the lake, or take a stroll and bird watch.

Low-Cost and Free Museums: NOMA, Besthoff, Backstreet

Located in the heart of City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art delivers a world of art for its $15 admission price, with discounts offered to seniors, students and children 12 and under (Louisiana residents get free admission on Wednesdays courtesy of the Helis Foundation). If you prefer your art outdoors, admission to the stunning Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free to visit! 

Down in Tremé, visit Backstreet Cultural Museum to view hand-sewn Mardi Gras Indian suits or the New Orleans African American Museum for Black art. Both museums offer a low admission price, and on the third Saturday of every other month, get into the New Orleans African American Museum for free!

Walking and Biking Bayou St. John

See Bayou St. John up close and personal along the 1.7 mile jogging and bike path in Mid-City. Hop on a Blue Bike and enjoy a pedal assisted ride through the neighborhood.

Affordable Dinner and Dessert in Mid-City

Nosh on Ethiopian Cuisine at Addis NOLA or get fried chicken sandwiches from Bonafried. In the mood for Mexican? Try the Creole-infused fare at Juan’s Flying Burrito. Top off the day with something sweet from Angelo Brocato’s Italian Gelateria, a favorite local dessert spot for over 100 years.

Just downriver of the French Quarter, the Marigny and Bywater are two neighborhoods to visit for great live music, art markets, and tasty food that won’t break the bank.

Bakery Breakfast in the Bywater

Bywater Bakery serves up a hot breakfast with choices like pastries, yogurt, and a variety of breakfast go-cups including bacon and egg, and shrimp and grits. Or you can enjoy sweet and savory pastries from Ayu Bakehouse, including favorites like the muffaletta breadstick or boudin boy.

Free Art Markets and Galleries

Enjoy the art galleries and markets in the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods. Check out Dr. Bob’s quirky art gallery or the Piety Street Market, both in the Bywater.

Cheap Lunch on Frenchmen Street and in the Bywater

Grab lunch at Dat Dog's Frenchmen Street outpost, or a slice of pizza at the seriously addictive Pizza Delicious further down river in Bywater. Or for breakfast or lunch, head to Frady’s One Stop, where cheap eats and plate lunches attract throngs of regulars.

Crescent Park and the Riverfront

Take a bike ride or walk along the Mississippi through Crescent Park, a 20-acre linear park on the riverfront.

No-Cover and Low-Cover Live Music on Frenchmen Street

Many of the music clubs along Frenchmen Street offer low-or-no cover shows–just check the live music calendar to see who is playing and what to expect as far as an entry fee. Just remember that even on a budget, tipping musicians is always a must!

Check out our deals & coupons page for discounts on hotel rooms, tours, restaurants, and attractions. And check out our blog on the best happy hours in New Orleans here.