Proof that the best nights out here cost the least
New Orleans offers dozens of cheap and free date ideas, most of them within a streetcar ride of one another. Romance here is not a reservation you fight for three weeks out. It is the ferry easing toward Algiers Point at golden hour. It is a shared order of beignets that leaves powdered sugar on both of you. It is a stranger's trumpet drifting out of a Frenchmen Street doorway while you decide whether to keep walking or stay.
The 25 ideas below run from completely free to under $20 for two. Sculpture gardens and levee sunsets cost nothing at all. Sno-balls, pizza slices, and happy hour cocktails cost less than an hour of downtown parking. Budget a little extra to tip the musicians, servers, and bartenders who make these nights worth remembering.
Cheap Date Ideas in New Orleans at a Glance:
Many of the best date experiences in New Orleans are free, including the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, sunset on the Lake Pontchartrain lakefront, and gallery hopping on Royal Street. Frenchmen Street clubs frequently waive cover charges, though tipping the band is expected. The Algiers Point ferry and the St. Charles streetcar both cross the city for a nominal fare. A full date of beignets, a park picnic, and live music can be done for under $30 for two.
Free Date Ideas in New Orleans
Gallery Hop
Both Julia or Royal streets are great for gallery hopping. The Arts District hosts First Saturdays, where galleries open their doors for an evening art stroll.
Sunset on the Lakefront
The New Orleans Lakefront is a great place to watch the sunset. Watch as sailboats pass by, and enjoy a cool breeze.
Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
The Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a hidden gem in New Orleans City Park. Located next to the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is free to visit.
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(1) French Quarter Fest, (2) Wednesday at the Square, (3) Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest, (4) NOLA Juneteenth Festival , (5) Crawfish Boil, (6) Tremé Fall Fest
(1) Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, (2) Lafitte Greenway, (3) French Quarter Fest, (4) Kayaking on Bayou St. John, (5) Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Outdoor Date Ideas: Parks, Bayous, and the Riverfront
Stroll through this open-air market only open at night. Browse works from local artisans including jewelry, clothing, music, and fine arts at the Frenchmen Art Bazaar.
It's easy to get around New Orleans without renting a car. Most visitors get around by streetcar, RTA bus, ferry, bike, and on foot. The streetcar is not only historic but a practical means of getting around. With fares as low as $1.25 per ride or unlimited rides for $3 a day, both tourists and locals utilize the RTA to the fullest.
No car? No problem. New Orleans is incredibly walkable, and public transportation fills in the gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free date ideas in New Orleans?
The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden in City Park is free to enter and features more than 90 sculptures among 200-year-old live oaks. Other free options include watching the sunset from the Lake Pontchartrain lakefront, gallery hopping along Royal and Julia streets, strolling the Crescent City Farmers Market, and taking a self-guided architecture walk through the Garden District.
How much does a cheap date in New Orleans cost?
A full date of beignets, a park picnic, and live music can be done for under $30 for two people. Many activities cost nothing at all, and public transportation crosses most of the city for a nominal fare.
Where can you hear live music in New Orleans for free?
What are good rainy day date ideas in New Orleans on a budget?
Gallery hopping on Royal Street, browsing bookstores and record shops on Magazine Street, and sharing coffee and beignets at Café du Monde all work well in wet weather. Indoor happy hours and matinee shows are also affordable rainy day options.
Do you need a car for a cheap date in New Orleans?
No. The St. Charles and Canal streetcar lines, the Algiers Point ferry, and Blue Bikes bike share connect most neighborhoods covered in this guide, making a car unnecessary for the majority of these dates.
