Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in New Orleans

"What looks like a castle in the French Quarter is actually the oldest cathedral in North America. This alone makes it one of the best things to do in New Orleans, especially when you head inside. You see, St. Louis Cathedral was founded as a Catholic Parish in 1720 and includes both Renaissance and Spanish Colonial architecture that is totally gorgeous."

"– Every day from 830 am to 4 pm, you can tour the St Louis Cathedral for free. Self-guided brochures are available for a $1 donation, and Mass is at 12:05 pm daily."

"From here, you’ve got Jackson Square literally across the street, or if you walk out and to the right you can go to the French Market. Do both in whatever order you like then head into the center of the French Quarter. Some key points to check out in this small zone are: the artists along the street at Jackson Square, St Lous Cathedral (you can’t miss it), New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, and shopping for antiques on Royal Street. Of course, Bourbon street is here too and always popping even in the daytime."

"Jackson Square is the main square in the heart of the French Quarter, originally known as Place d'Armes. In the center of the square, surrounded by trees and greenery, is an equestrian statue (1856) of General Andrew Jackson. Standing prominently at one end of the square is the landmark St. Louis Cathedral, with its white façade and cone shaped spires."

"Surrounded by historic buildings and atmospheric street life, this beautifully landscaped park is the heart of the French Quarter. St."

"Through the iron gate on St. Peters Street lies one of the world’s most respected music venues and the spiritual home of New Orleans jazz, Preservation Hall. The band “preserves” the traditions of New Orleans jazz as it was in its heyday a hundred years ago, and plays five white-hot, hour-long sets each night in front of a packed room, where benches are kicked back so people of all ages can dance. No reservations, no booze—just stand in line with everyone else and you’ll be rewarded with a little local magic."

"The most famous music venue in the French Quarter, Preservation Hall was the center of the New Orleans jazz revival of the 1950’s. Today the Preservation Jazz Hall Band plays three or four limited seating jazz sets every night in the hall that remains virtually unchanged for the last 50 years. Definitely get your tickets in advance!"

"After dinner is sure to check out live jazz at Preservation Hall. This ended up being our favorite thing we did in New Orleans and strongly suggest you don’t miss out on this during your 3 days in New Orleans."

"Napoleon House has been a staple of the French Quarter food scene since 1914; nowadays, famed NOLA restaurateur Ralph Brennan is at the helm of it, guiding the ship that shows no sign of sinking. That's because Napoleon House has the best muffaletta sandwich in town, layers of ham, Genoa salami, Swiss and provolone cheeses and a house-made olive salad, served warm. Pair that with the famous Pimm's Cup cocktail and you don't need anything else."

"Though it was named after him and offered to him as a place of refuge after his exile from France, Napoleon never made it here. Still, this 200-plus-year-old landmark carries on with his name, serving thousands of Pimm’s Cups and muffulettas to locals and tourists alike. Grab a seat in the courtyard and keep an eye out for the ghosts that are said to haunt the place."

"Though Napoleon House never actually housed Napoleon Bonaparte, that was the idea. The owner at the time offered up the building to Napoleon as refuge during his exile. Now an historic landmark and beloved local restaurant, this 1797 building has been family-owned since 1914."

"In a bold move to reclaim New Orleans’ Riverfront, the development plan for this park began in 2007 as a public space project for both locals and tourists. Now anyone can enjoy a view of the city skyline that was previously reserved for those that worked on the river or in the wharves. The award-winning park can be accessed via elevator or by walking across one of several bridges that step over the city’s flood protection and rail tracks and connect the riverfront with the adjacent neighborhoods."

"In the French Market District, Crescent Park is a linear park, 1.4 miles long beside the Mississippi. You can get there by crossing the levee and railway via the “rusty bridge”. On the water there’s a supreme view west to the French District and Central Business District, accompanied by lots of public art, a series of mixed-use pavilions, native landscaping and paths for cyclists and pedestrians."

"This park was created in 2014, when a formerly derelict area of the city near the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods was targeted for redevelopment. The park runs along the river; it is 1.4 miles long and is spread out over 20 acres. The main attraction in the park, apart from the pleasant green spaces, is the Piety Street Bridge."

"The Beauregard-Keyes House is significant and worth a tour for its Greek Revival architecture, lovely quaint garden, and for once having been the residence of Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, a New Orleans native who ordered the first shots of the Civil War and remained a hero in the South long after the war was lost. Ursuline nuns used the property from the early 1700s until the 1820s when the new house was designed to combine elements of a Creole cottage with Greek Revival features, including a Palladian facade, curved twin staircases, Tuscan portico, and generous dining room. In 1945, author Frances Parkinson Keyes was looking for a place to write and live in New Orleans."

"The Beauregard -Keyes House museum includes past residents such as Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and American author Frances Parkinson Keyes. The house has elements of a Creole cottage with Greek Revival features, including a Palladian façade. It also has twin curved staircases leading to a Tuscan portico."

"You may very well hear this tree before you see it: a massive live oak in the middle of City Park. The Singing Oak is an art installation by artist Jim Hart that features wind chimes measuring as long as 14 feet. Part of the charm of The Singing Oak is just finding it."

"The Mississippi River is a very prominent part of New Orleans, so you have to get a picture along its banks. My favorite spot is just south of Jackson Square where you can get a nice shot of the Crescent City Connection Bridge in the background. This shot below was late in the day we arrived after a long flight."

"At the very heart of the French Quarter on Bourbon Street there’s a paved courtyard park celebrating New Orleans’ musical giants with plaques, artwork and other commemorative displays. Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Chris Owens, Al Hirt and Louis Prima are all honoured here, among others. A constant stream of musicians put on free performances in this laid-back environment with lots of shade, and you can grab coffee and a Cajun speciality like crawfish omelette at Cafe Beignet."

"What is particularly noteworthy on Bourbon Street is New Orleans Musical Legends, a cozy park with live jazz music flowing daily. There’s outdoor seating available for you to enjoy the music and it’s connected to Café Beignet (the BEST beignets), if you’d like a snack along with your musical enjoyment."

"If you want a place that is surrounded by musical history, then the Musical Legends Park should be on your list. Sit and sip on a drink and eat some beignets while you listen to live music. Artists display their artwork around the park."

"Of all the cemeteries in New Orleans, Lafayette exudes the strongest sense of subtropical Southern Gothic. The stark contrast of moldering crypts and gentle decay with the forceful fertility of the fecund greenery is incredibly jarring. It’s a place filled with stories – of German and Irish immigrants, deaths by yellow fever, social societies doing right by their dead – that pulls the living into New Orleans’ long, troubled past."

"The first planned cemetery in New Orleans is in the Garden District and takes up just a single city block. When Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 was founded in 1833 it was in the City of Lafayette, which was incorporated into New Orleans in 1852. The cemetery holds around 7,000 people and 1,100 tombs, many of which are stunning, all the more so for their patina and the slight air of dilapidation."

"New Orleans found itself amid a large influx of Italian, German, Irish, and American immigrants from the North when this magnolia-shaded…"

"A post shared by Razzoo Patio & Bar (@razzoonola) on Oct 28, 2017 at 11:06pm PDT. The rich and the mighty flock to this bubbly nightclub in the heart of New Orleans because of their top-notch staff, the variety of drinks, the breathtaking ambiance and non-stop entertainment. Razzoo Bar & Patio is the go-to spot for everything fun and diverse music from every corner of the world."

"Dining poolside feels like being on vacation and that’s exactly the vibe radiating from the Country Club in Bywater every day of the week. Enjoy chef Chris Barbato’s global menu - don’t miss the silky sweet corn and blue crab bisque and the panko-crusted fried cauliflower swabbed with an Asian sweet and savory sauce. Tables are social distanced so you and your honey can whisper sweet nothings and really get away with it."

"Beat the Louisiana heat and lounge at one of New Orleans’ best kept secrets. During the daytime, if the temperature is warm and you are feeling up for a dip, The Country Club has a beautiful swimming pool bar. They also offer a delicious brunch!"

"634 Louisa St., (504) 945-0742; www.thecountryclubneworleans.com. Fried Gulf oysters are served with pickled mustard seed and fontina cream. Reservations accepted."

"Set in New Orleans and with Bourbon Street reachable within 1.8 km, Royal Frenchmen Hotel and Bar offers express check-in and check-out, allergy-free rooms, a bar, free WiFi throughout the property and a garden. This 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and ticket service. The accommodation features evening entertainment and a 24-hour front desk."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Algiers Plaza (@algiersplaza) on Feb 19, 2020 at 7:47am PST"

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Are you looking for a mall with fewer crowds?. Cypress Plaza Shopping Center is relatively smaller and only houses a few shops, making the shopping experience here more relaxed."

"Riverwalk Marketplace is the premier retail attraction in New Orleans and is home to the city's unique sights, tastes and sounds. With the best selection of nationally-known and locally-loved shops like Brookstone, Clarks, Gap, The Body Shop , ...[Learn more]"