30 Free Things to Do in New Orleans

Watching jazz parades is one of the many free things you can do in New Orleans while attending the AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo in September 2012. — Lee Celano/Reuters/Corbis

Thomas Jefferson paid $15 million for the entire Louisiana Territory, or about four cents an acre. That means New Orleans went for about seven bucks. More than 200 years later, New Orleans is still a great deal.

See also: 10 things under $10 to do in New Orleans.

1. Get jazzed: Stroll along Bourbon or Frenchmen, where jazz pours out onto the street or duck into a few clubs for the full experience.

2. Dive deeper into our musical heritage: After you’ve heard your fair share of jazz, learn about its roots at the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park (916 N. Peters Street).

3. Browse art throughout the city: It seems like you can find art in every corner of New Orleans — the galleries on Julia and Royal Streets, the Mid- City and Bywater art markets, Jackson Square vendors and so much more.

4. Experience Our 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. Take in a free festival: Through free summer festivals such as Vieux-To-Do and Satchmo Summerfest, explore the history of New Orleans and understand the culture of this unique city.

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 that spans almost 300 years.

7. Enjoy the neighborhood: Spend an hour people-watching at a coffee shop in the Faubourg Marigny, voted one of America's 10 Great Neighborhoods.

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. Oysters at Le Bon Temps Roule: Head Uptown to this Magazine Street club on Fridays for free oysters as you listen to the funk sounds of Joe Krown.

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.

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