25 Free Things to do in New Orleans

1. Get jazzed - Many clubs don't charge so stroll along Bourbon, Frenchmen and Fulton, where jazz pours out onto the street, or duck into a club for the full experience.

2. Dive deeper into our musical heritage - Take a ferry to the Jazz Walk of Fame, a collection of commemorative lampposts located at the Algiers Point.

3. Browse art throughout the city - It seems like you can find art on every corner of New Orleans. Check out the galleries on Julia and Royal, Jackson Square vendors and the Mid-City and Bywater art markets.

4. Experience the parks - Walk among the centuries-old oaks of City Park, picnic in picturesque Audubon Park or enjoy views of the Mississippi River at Woldenberg Park.

5. Attend a free festival - There’s almost always a festival going on in New Orleans, and many of them are free — French Quarter Fest, Satchmo SummerFest, Po-Boy Preservation Festival, Wednesdays at the Square and of course....Mardi Gras!

6. Immerse yourself in New Orleans history - Stop by the Historic New Orleans Collection at 533 Royal Street for a crash course on the city’s history, which spans almost 300 years.

7. Spend a day at the track - Experience the thrill of live thoroughbred racing at the New Orleans Fair Grounds from early November to late March. Grand stand admission is free.

8. Bike along the levee - Rent a bike and go for a ride along the levee while taking in the sights and sounds of the mighty Mississippi River.

9. Eat for free - Oysters, gumbo, crawfish boils — many of these feasts are free at local music clubs for those who are there buying a few drinks.

10. Shop for mansions on St. Charles Avenue - Come on! You don’t have to be in the market to appreciate these jewels on the Avenue.

11. View the architecture of the French Quarter - I spy wrought-iron balconies, a cornstalk fence and a hidden courtyard...

12. Tour the oldest restaurant in the French Quarter - Ask for a tour of the historic Antoine’s that has hosted dignitaries, presidents and notable historic figures in its 160 years. Make sure to peek into the endless wine cellar.

13. Catch a free summer show at Tipitina’s - This uptown venue pays homage to the jazz legend Professor Longhair with free shows on Fridays during the summer months.

14. Eat some pralines - This gooey, nutty treat is a New Orleans snack staple. Sweet shops throughout the city offer enough free samples to fill you up and tempt you to bring some home.

15. See haute art - The fashionable Warehouse District also doubles as the art district. The first Saturday of every month you can walk down Julia Street and peruse local artwork in the diverse galleries.

16. Look for ghosts - Experience paranormal activity and visit haunted sites such as the Hotel Monteleone, one of the most spirited locations in the French Quarter.

17. Spend Saturday morning at the farmers’ market - Learn a bit about the famous New Orleans cuisine with free cooking demonstrations at the Crescent City Farmers Market.

18. Roll up a cigar - The New Orleans Cigar Factory is one of just a handful of US based cigar rolling outfits. Located right in the French Quarter, the store is a walk-in factory with a half-dozen experts rolling tobacco at any given time.

19. Haunt our “Cities of the Dead”- Visit our famous above ground tombs at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District or St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 on Basin Street, believed to be the final resting place of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Knock three times on her crypt and make a wish.

20. Take a self-guided literary tour - See where Tennessee Williams (722 Toulouse), William Faulkner (624 Pirate’s Alley), Truman Capote (711 Royal), Thornton Wilder (623 Bourbon), Walker Percy (1820 Milan) and Anne Rice (1239 First) lived.

21. Jam at the Square - During the spring, the Young Leadership Council sponsors free concerts Wednesdays in Lafayette Square. During the autumn, Second Harvest hosts the party.

22. Ride the river - The free Canal Street ferry offers some of the best views of the New Orleans skyline and drops you in historic Algiers.

23. Be moved by the spectacular churches - The large Catholic population of New Orleans gave rise to breathtaking churches such as St. Louis Cathedral, St. Augustine and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

24. Discover the Besthoff Sculpture Garden - Located amid the beauty of City Park, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden features one of the most impressive collections of contemporary sculpture in America.

25. Be a “voluntourist” - Though New Orleans is thriving, there are parts of the city that could still use some help following Hurricane Katrina. Just a few hours of volunteering can make a lasting impact on New Orleans.