From delicious culinary delights to a lively music scene, New Orleans provides the perfect backdrop as we gather our community of exceptional nurses in the Big Easy. Here's a list of many free and low-cost things to do that give you the flavor of NOLA without straining your budget.
Enjoy as many as you can while you're on a break from NTI!
Music & Culture
The French Quarter — or Vieux Carré — is for many people the embodiment of the Crescent City. As you stroll through the French Quarter, you'll encounter numerous street musicians and performers. These impromptu shows add to the vibrant atmosphere of the city and are free to enjoy. Its unmistakable draw is Bourbon Street — New Orleans’ party hub, filled with tourists, street performers, bars and a kaleidoscope of local color. Or head to Jackson Square, an iconic French Quarter hub, to watch street performers, musicians and artists. Grab a beignet and café au lait at Cafe du Monde and people-watch for hours.
For an authentic NOLA experience, distinct from the French Quarter, walk along Frenchmen Street, a four-block stretch of restaurants, nightclubs, bars and galleries. Wander this street for some of the best free live jazz spilling out of bars and clubs. You don’t even need to go inside — just walk the block, and you’ll be vibing.
On Sunday, visit Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park, where locals gather (weather permitting) for African drumming and dancing.
Museums & History
Peruse the exhibits at the National WWII Museum ($25-$35). Located in the Warehouse District, it houses an impressive collection of artifacts and educational films documenting the war, from D-Day to the Holocaust to the war in the Pacific. (Note: Some exhibits may be too intense for children.) For more recent history, The Lower 9th Ward Living Museum (free) provides a powerful look at life in the neighborhood before and after Hurricane Katrina.
Want a unique glimpse into medical care before FDA regulations? Head to The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum ($5) in the French Quarter, which offers guided tours on weekdays at 1 p.m. and is full of interesting 19th-century medical quirks.
Parks & Outdoors
Explore City Park (free), one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. You can visit the New Orleans Museum of Art ($20), which offers public tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. The Besthoff Sculpture Garden (free) provides a serene environment to admire outdoor art.
Spend a leisurely afternoon at Woldenberg Riverfront Park. Located along the Mississippi River, this park offers a pleasant setting to watch ships pass by and enjoy the riverside ambiance.
Need to get your steps in for the day? Take a Garden District Self-Guided Walking Tour (free) and view historic mansions, cast iron fences and above-ground cemeteries including Lafayette Cemetery #1 (currently closed but viewable from the outside).
Scenic Rides
Nothing beats a ride on a New Orleans streetcar ($1.25 one way, $3 for a day pass). The three lines of the historic streetcar system all originate downtown but take you to different parts of the city. Hop on the St. Charles line for a classic New Orleans ride past mansions, oak trees and Tulane University.
Take a short trip across the Mississippi River on the Canal Street Ferry ($2 one way) for stunning views of the city skyline - perfect for capturing that NOLA selfie!
New Orleans is a city full of energy, history and soul – and you don’t have to spend much (or anything) to soak it all in. We hope you enjoy your time exploring this vibrant city!