If you’re interested in visiting New Orleans but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this guide can help you plan a great trip without missing out on what makes New Orleans special. It’s a very unique city with a special blend of cultures coming together to create one of the most interesting cities in America. While places like the Audubon Aquarium, the zoo, and the World War II Museum are definitely worth checking out, bringing a family to these places can add up, but there is so much to do in the city that is either free or low cost. Living just 3 hours away from New Orleans, I have been to the city many times and have even led 4 small group tours of the city, so I have experimented with what is worth doing and what can be skipped. While New Orleans is known as a party city, I’ll mostly be focusing on family-friendly attractions because I’m not much of a partier. But if you’re looking for more of that party atmosphere, Bourbon Street is not hard to find. One last recommendation before I get started: download a map of the French Quarter before going. The layout is a grid, making it very easy to find where you are on a map but making it easy to get turned around without one: having a map will make it so much easier to find your way around. I’ll include the map I use at the end of this guide for you to screenshot.
Explore the French Quarter on Foot
If you’re exploring the French Quarter, do it on foot! Parking is very limited, and if you park on the side of the road, expect to get a ticket or even towed. The city is very walkable, especially if you have downloaded a map like I recommend. There is so much to see and do in the French Quarter that it can keep you busy for a full day if you want. I usually recommend starting on Decatur Street where Jackson Square is found. You can even opt to walk along the Mississippi River if you prefer where there is a nice sidewalk with random sculptures and parks to stop at. But walking along the street is definitely more lively. The main attraction in Jackson Square is the St Louis Cathedral which is worth checking out if it’s open. I have gone inside during mass before, and you just have to be respectful and quiet. The only time I’ve ever seen the doors closed was when it was reserved for a wedding. There is no cost to get in, but it’s interesting to see.
The other reason to come to Jackson Square is for the lively atmosphere. There are artists selling paintings all around the square and musicians playing/performers putting on shows. There are palm readers too, but I always avoid them. Continue walking along Decatur Street for a while, visiting the random shops along the way, some dedicated to hot sauce and others famous for crazy soda flavors. If you keep going this direction, you’ll eventually reach the French Market, which is a cool place to walk around. After Decatur Street, I’d recommend making your way to Royal Street. This is where you’ll find the heart and soul of New Orleans. Street musicians love setting up along Royal Street and playing for the tourists passing by.
There will also be magicians putting on shows. It’s a very friendly atmosphere, and feel free to tip them if you enjoy it. From here, you can make your way to Bourbon Street if you’re interested, but if you have a young family, you may want to avoid this street. It’s known for its bars and clubs, and the whole street stinks of the night before. There’s really not much else other than the bars and clubs, and just walking through can be inappropriate. It’s legal to carry an open container in New Orleans, but it’s especially evident here on Bourbon Street. It’s just not the most appropriate place in the city for families, so if you don’t enjoy that kind of lifestyle then I’d recommend skipping it. I usually do drop by quickly because it’s such an iconic site.
The main street of New Orleans is actually Canal Street which is known for its palm tree-lined boulevards and higher-scale hotels and restaurants. This street is not as pedestrian-friendly as the rest of the French Quarter because of all the traffic that comes through, but there are crosswalks, and many people walk it anyway. It was actually originally planned to be a canal separating the French Quarter from the business district, which gives the road its name. Harrah’s Casino is found on Canal Street, and it’s free to enter, but they enforce the strict age limit, so no one under 21 can enter. I actually really like this casino. It’s much better than the ones in Vegas in my opinion because of the no smoking policy. There are designated smoking areas for those that want to smoke, but there is no trace of cigarette smell in the casino, making it a more relaxing environment.
Walking the French Quarter is always exciting, and there are many random places to stop that are interesting to see. If you’re interested in taking a trolley ride, you can find them on Canal Street for only a couple dollars. I’ve never ridden them, but I’ve heard they’re nice. If I were to try it, I’d take the one that goes down to the Garden District because I don’t like driving in that part of town. Overall, walking the French Quarter is a must on any visit to the city.
Sample New Orleans Cuisine
One thing New Orleans is known for is its unique food scene. Cajun food is king here, and trying it is a must. Unfortunately, it’s not always the cheapest. I love Acme Oyster House, but you’re likely to spend $15-20 per person if you eat there. One place I’d recommend is a little outside the French Quarter, so you would need to drive, but there is plenty of parking. This is the Parkway Bakery. They are known for their poboys and claim to have the best in the world. The poboys here have plenty of meat and are very good, and the prices are not bad at all. If you’re looking for dessert, they have a rum cake which is also very good. New Orleans is also known for its sweets, and the most popular are beignets.
New Orleans beignets are amazing, and there are several good places to get them, but I will always recommend visiting the original Cafe du Monde across the street from Jackson Square. You will wait in a long line if you’re planning to dine in, but there’s a to-go line behind the restaurant which moves much quicker if you’re just picking up some beignets to eat on the go. There’s even a short wall you can sit on to enjoy the beignets if you want to stop somewhere. The beignets are very affordable with 3 beignets costing $3, and they are amazing! It’s cash only though, so make sure you have cash on you when you go. The other dessert New Orleans is known for is pralines. This sweet candy is very good when it’s fresh. I would recommend not buying prepackaged pralines and looking for the freshly baked ones instead. They can be expensive if you’re looking to buy some, but if you look around, there are so many praline shops that have free samples. I have filled myself up on free praline samples before, and they’re not too difficult to find. I’d recommend staying in the Decatur area if you’re looking for the samples because those on Canal Street won’t offer samples as willingly. There are some shops that have many different flavors available for sampling, so those are the ones you want to search for. The food in New Orleans is awesome, and almost everywhere you go will be good. Some other great food options are gumbo, red beans and rice, and jambalaya. It’s all good!
Cemetery Tour
Cemetery tours are common in New Orleans because of the voodoo culture and haunted stories surrounding the city. The cemeteries are above ground because the city itself is below sea level, and they can be kinda creepy to explore. The most popular cemetery is the St Louis Cemetery #1, but you have to be on an official tour to visit it due to the historic nature of the cemetery. Unfortunately these tours can get a little expensive, but there are some cemeteries you can explore for free if that’s something you’re interested in. St Louis Cemetery #2 is open to the public and has some really old graves dating back to the 1800s. Another option is the Lafayette Cemetery which is a little creepier in my opinion. Both are a little outside the French Quarter and will require driving, but they are interesting if you want to see them. Both are in somewhat sketchy areas though, so I wouldn’t recommend staying for too long. The St Louis Cemetery is more open and seems safer, so that’s probably the one I’d recommend of the two, but you’ll drive through a homeless city beneath the interstate bridges to get there, so be expecting that if you go.
Swamp Tour
Another popular thing many tourists want to experience is a swamp tour, especially since the release of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Louisiana swamps are full of life and an exciting stop on any visit to the city. If you’re visiting during the summer, you’re almost guaranteed to see alligators and snakes in the swamps, but most swamp tours are expensive. My recommendation is to drive out to Jean Lafitte wetlands, which is about 30 minutes outside the French Quarter. Find the trail that passes through the Barataria Preserve, and you won’t regret it! This is one of my favorite places in the US, and it’s completely free to visit! I didn’t see anything when I visited during the winter, but it was still a beautiful hike.
But then when I returned in the spring, I saw over 10 wild alligators, some right next to the trail, so close I could touch them if I wanted to. [Don’t touch them: it’s illegal and very dangerous]. There were also snakes and bullfrogs sunbathing on the boardwalk. If you leave the wildlife alone, they will leave you alone, so even though you’ll be close to alligators and snakes, it’s a safe hike and much more interactive than an expensive swamp tour. Even if alligators aren’t your thing, the swamp is beautiful, and there are some amazing places to stop and take pictures. There are free walking tours available with an experienced guide, but I always choose to walk through it alone. I was told that the closer to summer you visit, the more alligators you’ll see. While I was there in spring, there were plenty, but they were mostly small. The bigger ones come in a little later. If you’re at all interested in seeing wild alligators, don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
A Few More New Orleans Tips:
1. Bring Cash! There are still many shops that don’t accept credit.
2. Parking is very limited. Find a parking garage or park at your hotel. It will cost money, but don’t try to park in the French Quarter. I usually look for the parking near the Audubon Aquarium. There is a nice parking garage there with cool views of the city, but it is a little more expensive. There’s a large open parking lot right next to it that is cheaper.
3. Bring water. New Orleans is very hot and humid, so you will want to stay hydrated. Most shops do sell water, but it can be a little expensive, so I’d recommend buying it before getting to the French Quarter.
4. New Orleans is very rainy. It rains almost every time I visit New Orleans, and it is actually considered the rainiest city in America. Bring an umbrella, even of there’s a low chance of rain.
5. If someone tells you they know where you got your shoes, they’re trying to “make a bet” with you to get money from you. Always respond with “on my feet” to avoid any problems. Ignoring them will only make them more confrontational.
6. Avoid visiting during Mardi Gras unless that’s what you’re going for.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this guide is helpful in planning a trip to New Orleans! If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask. Below is the map of the French Quarter that I use when I visit New Orleans:
Tyler's Travels 