We recently went on an epic road trip through the Southeast United States. On this trip we were able to visit some really great places – many that we had never been to together before. New Orleans was one of those places. We were really excited to check this place out, we heard a ton of great things about the city. One of the things we did come to understand through our conversations and other research was the high price tag that came with visiting the city. We were determined to get as much done on this trip while spending as little as possible (but making sure we really experienced the different places we went to). Overall we did a good job of that during our stay in the Crescent City. We wanted to share with you 9 free or cheap things to do in New Orleans.

Compare Beignets

You can’t go to New Orleans without trying out some fresh beignets. This is an absolute must. There is a debate going around about where you can get the best beignets in the city. The competition comes down to two competitors – Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet. Obviously, we had to try them both.

Cafe Du Monde

We went to the original Cafe Du Monde in the French Market right by Jackson Square. This place has been around since 1862 and it is quite the experience. We went on a Friday night and the place was jumping. We almost didn’t go because the line to get in was over 100 people long. After we waited about 5 minutes we realized it would move pretty quickly. All together we stood in line for about 20 minutes to get in.

We got two orders of beignets (6 total), Megan got a Cafe Au Lait, and Justin got a black coffee with chicory. In total we spent $16 (we got the take home mug). These things were ridiculously good. We were impressed that with such a big operation they came out cooked to perfection, not greasy at all. They piled a ton of sugar on these, so yummy. What made this so good was the combination of the bitter chicory and the sweet beignets. So good.

Cafe Beignet

We went to the Cafe Beignet located on Royal Street in the French Quarter for breakfast on Saturday morning. We beat the crowds there and had a nice breakfast in their outdoor seating area. The shop is located in a converted 1800s carriage house. It is super cool in there, plenty of character. We had the same thing there as at Cafe Du Monde – wanted to be fair – but Megan also got a breakfast plate. It was a good experience and the food was good. However, when it comes to beignets, there was a clear cut winner.

Cafe Du Monde definitely won the competition. Don’t miss out on going there. It is worth the wait and worth the money.

Visit Jackson Square

Maybe the most famous landmark in New Orleans outside of the Superdome is the iconic St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. The square is surrounded by awesome restaurants, shops, and artists. Every time we went by there the place was completely packed. It is a great spot to really get a feel for the city and to take a quick break on a bench.

Check Out Some National Parks

We try and plan our travel around visiting National Parks. We do this because we are on a quest to visit all 360 located in the continental United States before Silas graduates. This actually makes for a great way to plan trips. Fortunately for us, there are two National Parks located in New Orleans – both of which are free.

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve is one of the most unique National Park units in the country. One reason it is so unique is because it is split up among six different locations. These locations are not really even close to each other. The six locations are spread out throughout southern Louisiana. The reason these locations are one National Park unit is because together they collectively tell the story of New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole.

On this trip we visited the French Quarter site and the Barataria Preserve. The French Quarter focuses on the history of New Orleans and the different cultures that influenced it. The visitor center is located on Decatur Street and is a great place to stop in while checking out the neighborhood.

The highlight for us though was the Barataria Preserve. This is located about a 20-minute drive outside the city center and is just a beautiful site. We had one of our most memorable hikes ever at this park. It is simply beautiful. Everywhere you look there is a picturesque view. So many different shades of green and there is wildlife everywhere.

What really made it memorable was the incredible boardwalks through the swamp. It is a really weird feeling walking a couple of miles along boardwalks (with out rails) not knowing if a gator is going to be around the corner staring you down. On our walk we saw a couple of them, including a mama with her babies. Super cool and super freaky. It makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

If you are in New Orleans, get out to this park. You can do the swamp boat tour here, but this post is cheap or free – those tours are neither.

New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park

This park is located right in the French Quarter by the French Market. This park celebrates the history and influence of jazz on the city of New Orleans and all over the world. What makes this park unique is all of the Park Rangers are actually musicians who play throughout the day. Unfortunately when we were there, we just missed the show for the day. If you don’t go during one of those, it is pretty pointless to go at all. Not much else to it. We checked out the stage and the few exhibits they had, got the stamp and headed out. So, make sure you check the daily schedule of events and show up for one of those.

If you want to check out some of our other National Park adventure check out our post on Tuskegee National Parks, Gettysburg, Canaveral Seashore, Yosemite, and Mammoth Cave.

Ride The Streetcar

One thing that is really awesome about New Orleans are the streetcars that take you around the major points of interest in the city. You can get a one-way ticket for $1.25 or you can get a day long pass for just $3. It is a steal.

The streetcars themselves are something fun to do. We loved riding around, giving our feet a rest, and getting a different perspective on the city. The streetcars run throughout the day and night and take you into different sections of the city. Definitely take advantage of this system.

Listen To Some Music

You cannot go to New Orleans and without listening to some good music. Really it is impossible to do. The reason for this is because on every street corner there are people playing and singing for the crowds walking by. We heard a lady with one of the most beautiful voices ever singing. It drew us in and kept us listening. She was amazing. In addition, there are a ton of great places around the city with live music while you are eating. Music is everywhere. Remember, if you are listening to music and enjoying, even if you are on a street corner, throw a couple of dollars in the cup. Don’t be the people who film and take pictures and then walk away after you were entertained. Support a struggling artist.

Eat Some Good Food

Alright, so one of the main things New Orleans is known for is the food. People come from all over to eat the unique culinary offerings of the city. We weren’t able to try a ton of different places to eat. The main reason is because we were only there for 24 hours. We only had time for a breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and the Cafe Du Monde afternoon snack). For dinner we ate at the hotel because we were totally exhausted. At breakfast we had the previously mentioned meal at Cafe Beignet. For lunch, we feel like we had a pretty good New Orleans experience.

We went to Napoleon House on Chartres St. The restaurant is in a historic building that is over 200 years old. The mayor of New Orleans was the first resident of the building and offered the house to Napoleon as a place for him to live during his exile. Napoleon never made it but the name stuck. The inside is full of fun things to look at and there is a beautiful little courtyard like you find in a lot of places in New Orleans. Napoleon House Restaurant has been there since 1914 and the food there was bomb.

I (Justin) had a muffuletta and was definitely impressed. I wasn’t really sure about the olive spread, but it ended up being the key to the whole thing. The bread was incredible and it was just some salty goodness. Megan went with the shrimp po boy with red beans and rice – she was happy with it as well (though I think I liked mine more than she liked hers). We were out of there in an hour and spent less than $40 for all three of us. A great deal for a pretty expensive city.

Shop At The French Market

The French Market is a really cool six-block area that includes an open air market and various commercial buildings in the French Quarter. There is so much to do and see in this area. You can get pretty much anything you want there. Chocolate, jewelry, wood carvings, hot sauce, fresh fruit, coffee, and just about anything else – all for sale.

If you really looked around, you could find some pretty great items. Megan’s favorite purchase was a pair of earrings made in the ghetto – that is what the shop owner called them, not me. They cost $5 bucks and they are super cool. Grab a coffee with chicory and head down here for some great shopping.

Compare The Neighborhoods

What makes New Orleans so unique are the various neighborhoods that make up the city. All of them have their own identity, style, and culture. The architecture changes so much from one spot to the next you begin to think that you are in a different city all together.

On our trip we stayed in the Warehouse District. It is an old industrial area that has been renovated into an awesome area full of dining, shopping, and hotels. We were a three minute walk to the French Quarter which is simply stunning. The architecture and history down there are incredible. We took a trip through the Garden District and checked out the antebellum style mansions and checked out the super creepy (and historic) graveyards. If you have a car, take some time going through the various neighborhoods to get a good overview of the city (though stay out of some of them!).

Check Out The Mississippi

The Mississippi flows right through the middle of New Orleans. Now, it is just river but what a river it is. We just got done reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer with Silas so we loved going down and checking out the river. We spent some time sitting and walking along the banks of the river. There were a ton of boats going up and down the river, including some really cool riverboats. There are a ton of river boat cruises you can go on – we didn’t do it because of time – but they take you up and down on tours. A couple even take you to some of the other areas of Jean Lafitte National Historic Park. Either way, if you are on it or beside it – make sure you spend some time learning about the Mighty Mississippi.

Takeaways From Our Time In New Orleans

Ok, we really wanted to love New Orleans – we always want to love everywhere we go. However, we are not big loud, crowded, party people so we were a little apprehensive. Here is what we are taking away from our time there.

• If you want to check out the city when it isn’t crowded, go in the morning. It really is a beautiful place but that gets lost on you with the crowds. We went to breakfast on Saturday morning and had so much fun checking out the different areas.
• If you are going with your kid(s) like we did, don’t go on a Friday night over Christmas break (like we did) or any other major party time (Mardi Gras). There is plenty to do with kids, but we had to do plenty of shielding of eyes and avoiding of areas.
• New Orleans is a pretty dirty city. After walking around for five hours my light green shoes were almost black. When we were walking around Saturday morning some of the stuff we saw from the night before was pretty gross.
• The Warehouse District is a really great place to stay, especially for families. You are close enough to walk everywhere (or get on the streetcar) and is a lot more quiet than the French Quarter.
• If you are only eating beignets at one place, make it Cafe Du Monde. The lines might look long but it will go fast.
• Plan to go to Barataria Preserve at Jean Lafitte. It was our favorite thing we did around New Orleans and is worth the Uber or time spent. Take the boardwalk trails as far as you can. We went in the colder months and bugs were not an issue.
• It is expensive in the city, so make sure you plan accordingly.

We were really glad we were able to experience New Orleans. Ultimately, we had a good time but we aren’t necessarily chomping at the bit to get back. We are glad we went and can say we have been there. If you haven’t been, we would absolutely recommend you going and checking it out. That is what going the adventure way is all about. Sometimes you love it and sometimes you just really like it. It is always an experience and always and adventure.

If you want to check out some other cities we have visited, take a look at Baltimore and Greensboro.

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