Experiencing New Orleans on a budget is absolutely possible, and honestly, it might be the most fun way to explore the city!
If you’re dreaming of life-changing food, occult aesthetics, and collecting badass travel stories…. but like affordably so, this guide is for you.
Why I’m Qualified to Write This Budget Guide to New Orleans
As a Texan and longtime budget traveler, I’ve made 1–3 trips a year to New Orleans over the last eight years, and many, many of them on a tight budget.
I’ve also worked alongside the incredibly knowledgeable Nola Tour Guy for over five years, creating walking tours and insider guides that highlight how to explore New Orleans affordably.
Free Things To Do in New Orleans
Walk the French Quarter
The French Quarter is a vibe you can’t describe. But I’ll try:
It’s all colorful buildings, shuttered windows, street performers, and the smell of beignets, party, and, yes, sometimes piss, wafting in the air.
Everywhere you look, there are 10 interesting things happening all at once.
You can spend hours exploring The Quarter and not spend a cent.
If you’re visiting New Orleans on a budget, make the French Quarter your first stop. Grab a coffee and just observe.
Read: The Truth About the French Quarter of New Orleans
Visit the Garden District
The Garden District is elegant, quiet, safe, and full of oversized, dreamy homes wrapped in history and draped in Spanish moss.
Take the super affordable streetcar to this gorgeous neighborhood and walk past mansions, peek through ornate gates, and snap endless pics.
You’ll find Lafayette Cemetery nearby, the famous and delicious Commander’s Palace, and the Coven (AHS) house.
Read: 13 Iconic Things To Do in the Garden District
Absorb Jackson Square
Jackson Square has been the center of New Orleans since the 1700s and still buzzes with life.
Artists line the iron fences, fortune tellers set up their tables, and street performers keep the energy high.
Annnnd if you want to shell out a few bucks, you can always get a palm or tarot card reading or buy some authentic NOLA art, right from Jackson Square!
Read: The Streets of New Orleans
Take a Free Walking Tour
Want to learn the real stories behind the city’s haunted corners and historic buildings? Take a free walking tour!
Check out my handwritten with love, self-guided, 100% free walking tours in collaboration with Nola Tour Guy:
St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral stands tall over Jackson Square and is one of the most photographed places in the city.
Visit during the day to admire the inside, but come back for the real magic that happens at night.
Behind the cathedral is a shadowy image, Touchdown Jesus, that lights up when the cathedral is backlit.
It’s called “Touchdown Jesus” because the backlit shadow of the statue behind St. Louis Cathedral at night looks like Jesus is raising both arms, like a football referee signaling a touchdown.
You can experience this dash of NOLA without spending a penny, another win for New Orleans on a budget.
Read: Top 5 Cemeteries in New Orleans for Your Bucket List
Sit by the Mississippi
True, it’s not the cleanest for swimming, but sitting by the Mississippi River is a French Quarter classic. The breeze rolls off the water if you’re lucky, the occasional riverboat will roll by, and you’ll forget you’re steps away from the French Quarter.
Of course, it is New Orleans, so you might also see a random street performance or something else cool.
Grab an iced coffee, find a spot on the steps, and just soak in the view.
How to get to the Mississippi in the French Quarter:
Walk toward the Mississippi Riverbank from Jax Brewery along Decatur Street for just a few blocks, and you’ll reach the riverfront steps beside the levee.
Once you see the wide open river view and benches along the water’s edge, you’ve arrived.
Read: What to Wear in New Orleans by the Month
Budget Things To Do in New Orleans
Visit an Authentic Voodoo Shop
Voodoo is a real part of New Orleans culture, and visiting a shop like Voodoo Authentica will give you a safe, educational look into that world.
They have handmade gris-gris bags, oils, and a ton of educational info. No pressure to purchase, and the staff are super friendly.
While doing New Orleans on a budget, a voodoo shop is a must.
Read: 11 Creepy & Cool Haunted Sites in New Orleans
Shop and Eat at the French Market
The French Market is part flea market, part food court, part history lesson.
Browse through local crafts, sip a frozen lemonade, eat SUPER FRESH oysters, or grab a fresh crêpe for cheap.
You can spend an hour or three wandering through here. The French Market is the perfect mix of souvenir shopping and snacking if you’re exploring New Orleans on a budget.
Ride the Trolley
Riding the New Orleans streetcar feels like stepping into the past.
It’s scenic, charming, and only costs a few dollars. I’ve used it to explore from the French Quarter to the Garden District and even out toward the cemeteries SO many times over the years.
It’s cute, iconic transportation, and a smart choice for anyone visiting New Orleans on a budget.
Carousel Bar & Lounge
Yes, this bar spins slowly while you sip.
The Carousel Bar inside Hotel Monteleone, open since 1949, is the only rotating bar in New Orleans, making one slow and dreamy revolution every 15 minutes (Girl, it’s moving slow, so if you spill your drink, that’s on you!).
You can sip without spending big; just order a Vieux Carré (it was invented here!) and take those pics.
Read: My Review of the Carousel Bar
A Night on Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is wild, chaotic, and honestly so much fun.
I’ve found drinks for under $5 and danced in the street to live music without ever entering a club. It’s loud, it’s bold, and it’s 1 million percent New Orleans. It’s also one of the easiest ways to enjoy New Orleans on a budget and still feel like you’re having that experience.
Read: The Bourbon Street Bucket List
Visit the Voodoo Museum
This tiny museum packs in a lot of history and mysticism/Voodoo. You’ll learn about real voodoo practitioners, spiritual rituals, and the roots of the culture in New Orleans.
For just $10, The Voodoo Museum can easily become one of the most memorable parts of your New Orleans budget itinerary.
Swamp Tour
It’s not free, but it’s worth budgeting for.
Book a swamp tour and spend the afternoon cruising through bayous, spotting gators, and learning about Cajun life. There are lots of affordable options if you book early.
Tip: I’ve taken this exact tour for less than $40 to Honey Island Swamp several times, its always 10/10!
Read: Guide to Swamp Tours Near New Orleans
The Pharmacy Museum
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is weird and wonderful. Old glass bottles, early surgical tools, and medical history that will disgust you. It’s only a few dollars to get in and gives you a totally different take on the city.
Cost is $10 for a self-guided tour and $20 for a guided tour.
Authentic Beignets at Café du Monde
No trip is complete without a stop at Café du Monde, and I will die on that hill. If you’re obsessed with The Vampire Chronicles/Anne Rice like me, you can’t miss it.
Powdered sugar everywhere (it will get everywhere!), live music nearby, and beignets that melt in your mouth. It’s open 24 hours, and Anne Rice herself used to sit here and write.
For under $5, this iconic treat belongs on every New Orleans on a budget list.
Take a Ferry Across the Mississippi
The Canal Street ferry to Algiers Point is only a couple of dollars and gives you beautiful POVs, I’m talking sweeping views of the French Quarter skyline, think pastel rooftops, St. Louis Cathedral, and the riverfront.
On the other side, you’ll find quiet streets, cute houses, and a break from the crowds.
It’s an underrated gem. If you’re into hidden treasures, this is a great addition to your New Orleans on a budget trip.
Read: The Food Guide to New Orleans
Where to Stay in New Orleans on a Budget
Unless you’re flying in from somewhere super far, your hotel will probably be the most expensive part of your NOLA trip.
The good news is that finding a place to stay in New Orleans on a budget is easier than you think. You don’t have to sacrifice cuteness or location.
These two spots give comfort and convenience:
- Dauphine Orleans Hotel (French Quarter): Tucked away on a quiet street but just steps from Bourbon, the historic Dauphine Orleans hotel includes breakfast, a pool, and rooms with balconies. I loved the courtyard and the value. It’s a romantic, central pick for New Orleans on a budget.
- The Quisby (Garden District): A boutique hostel with style. The Quisby is clean, affordable, and near the St. Charles streetcar line.
Read: Best Souvenirs from New Orleans
How to Get Around
Getting around New Orleans is easy and budget-friendly. Whether you’re on foot or hopping on a streetcar, you can see the city without spending much.
- Walking or Biking: The French Quarter and nearby neighborhoods are walkable.
- Streetcar: Just a few bucks, and it connects major areas. It’s scenic and historic.
- Bus: Safe and reliable. Download the RTA app (it’s called Le Pass) for easy planning and mobile payment.
Read: 11 Reasons I Love New Orleans
The New Orleans Go Pass
Girl, the New Orleans Go Pass is your secret weapon.
It covers admission to places like the Audubon Zoo, swamp excursions, Mardi Gras World, and haunted tours. You can choose 1, 2, or 3-day options. It saves you money and helps you skip the lines.
If you’re visiting New Orleans on a budget, the Go Pass helps you do more for less.
Check-in
Suggestions, questions, Voodoo well wishes? Let me know in the comments below!
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