Sightseeing on a Budget in New Orleans
New Orleans offers plenty for budget travelers, since much of the city’s appeal involves historic atmosphere rather than big-ticket activities. Many top attractions can be seen on foot, by bike, or on a low-cost guided tour. Whether you want Creole cuisine and cocktails or haunted history and swamp adventures, here’s how to explore the Big Easy on the cheap.
Explore on Foot
Walking is one of the best ways to soak up New Orleans’ unique Southern ambience. Must-see neighborhoods such as the French Quarter, Marigny, and Frenchmen Street are compact enough to cover in a short amount of time and filled with hidden courtyards, specialty shops, and curious details best seen on foot. If aimless wandering isn't your style, stroll with a purpose on a walking tour focused on food, history, art, or paranormal activity.
Find Discount Dishes
Happily for foodies on a budget, New Orleans is filled with casual options to indulge in the city’s famous cuisine. Food and cocktail tours can help you find the best places in town that serve up Creole specialties such as po’ boy sandwiches, gumbo, piping hot beignets, and Sazeracs that won't take a bite out of your wallet.
Skip the Car Rental
Avoid the expense of a rental car, and use New Orleans’ extensive network of public buses and historic streetcars to get around. For an even easier ride with added narration, join a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour with stops at all the city's most popular landmarks. Segway and bike tours are also great, low-cost ways to expand your sightseeing and venture beyond the French Quarter.
Book a Combo Tour
Although they may come with a higher price tag, combo tours can actually save money when you book two or more popular tours together. For example, a package with both a walking tour and steamboat cruise or a swamp-and-plantation bundle lets you pack multiple adventures into one day, usually at a discount.
14 Tours and Activities
Sort by: Featured
New Orleans #1 Haunted Ghost, Voodoo, & Vampire Tour
4345
Exploring New Orleans in the evening can seem like an intimidating quest on your own, but this ghost, voodoo, and vampire walking tour takes you to the city’s most eerie sites at night in the safety of a group with a knowledgeable guide. Stop by top attractions such as the LaLaurie Mansion and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, all while listening to your guide’s detailed stories of the paranormal and beyond.
…More
From
$24.50
From
$24.50
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour in New Orleans
594
Explore New Orleans’ "Cities of the Dead: on the only ghost tour offering cemetery access after dark. While most haunted history tours stay in the bustling French Quarter, this one takes you into the silent, shadowy realms of some of the city’s oldest and most haunted graveyards. Hear chilling tales of paranormal activity while exploring the curious above-ground burial practices of these famous final resting places.
…More
From
$30.00
From
$30.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
Three Hour City Tour of New Orleans
1129
Although not your typical tour of New Orleans, this expedition through the Big Easy takes in some of the major points of interest, including the French Quarter, Treme, the Esplanade, the Garden District and the Metairie Cemetery. Relax in air-conditioned minibus comfort, and listen as a guide leads you through one of America's most historic cities.
…More
From
$34.00
From
$34.00
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
2197
Discover historic New Orleans in an open‐top double‐decker bus on this hop‐on hop‐off sightseeing tour. With either your 1‐or 3-day ticket, design a personal itinerary with several stops, including the French Market, Jackson Square, and the Garden District, plus available walking tours, depending on the option you buy. Enjoy unobstructed views and fun onboard commentary as you soak up ‘The Big Easy’.
…More
From
$39.00
From
$39.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More
New Orleans Mardi Gras World Behind-the-Scenes Tour
362
Peek behind the curtain at the marvel of Mardi Gras with this tour of Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. See the behind-the-scenes work and incredible artistry that goes into preparing for the annual celebration. With a guide, learn the history of the event, and see fantastic floats and props. Get a picture in front of your favorite float, dress up in costumes, and sample some classic King Cake.
…More
From
$22.00
From
$22.00
French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour
783
Delve into the stories behind the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans during a French Quarter walking tour. Take in famous landmarks including Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Mississippi River, along with lesser-known places of interest. Hear from your guide about the architecture and heritage of the district, and get the inside scoop on recommended places for shopping and dining as well.
…More
From
$26.67
From
$26.67
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
90-Minute Jean Lafitte Swamp and Bayou Tour
163
Experience the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve on this pontoon excursion led by a local guide. After a convenient, optional pickup from your accommodation, learn about Southern Louisiana’s distinctive ecology while cruising past magnificent cypress trees and watch for native wildlife like gators and egrets. Enjoy flexible timing and opt for a delicious lunch at Restaurant Des Familes with the 10 a.m. tour.
…More
From
$29.00
From
$29.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More
Honey Island Swamp Tour
282
Cruise through the wild wetlands of Honey Island Swamp on a 2-hour boat tour. Located on the marshy shores of Lake Ponchartrain just north of New Orleans, this protected nature reserve is home to an array of southern wildlife, from egrets and herons soaring above to otters and alligators lurking below the water’s surface. Hear tales of swamp pirates, fishermen’s lore and mysterious creatures from your captain as you glide past hanging moss and swooning cypress trees.
…More
From
$25.00
From
$25.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
One Hour Saint Louis Cemetery Number One Walking Tour
623
Discover the historic crypts and monuments at New Orleans’ Saint Louis Cemetery #1 on a guided walking tour. While guests aren't allowed inside the cemetery at this time, you'll still hear stories about the city’s most colorful characters and luminaries from outside the gates and have options for photo shoots. Pay your respects to Marie Laveau, known as New Orleans’ ‘Voodoo Queen,’ see the tombs of the city’s greatest families and visit sections devoted to Louisiana’s different Christian denominations. Learn about New Orleans’ history and culture as you explore the city’s oldest cemetery.
…More
From
$10.00
From
$10.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More
New Orleans Treme' Walking Tour
60
Adjacent to the French Quarter district in New Orleans is Treme' (pronounced Tre-May), the oldest African-American neighborhood in the USA. The New Orleans Treme' Walking Tour takes in the major landmarks and locales of this cultural watershed, stopping at Storyville and Congo Square, while discussing jazz greats such as Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews and Alphonse Picou.
…More
From
$20.50
From
$20.50
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Learn More
New Orleans Super Saver: City Tour and Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise
370
See the best of New Orleans by land and water on this combo city tour and riverboat cruise on the mighty Mississippi! The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi, enjoying traditional live jazz, craft cocktails and all the beautiful New Orleans sites. On your city tour, enjoy a guided coach trip through the French Quarter, Garden District, and Jackson Square, where you’ll witness the city’s cultural history and diverse colonial heritage.
…More
From
$78.00
From
$78.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Houmas House Plantation Guided Tour
234
Discover the grandeur and complex history of New Orleans’ antebellum south on this guided tour of Houmas House Plantation. Experience the authenticity of place as costumed guides narrate the history of this landmark sugar plantation, leading through the mansion’s elegant rooms before you head off for a private stroll through the estate’s stunning gardens.
Houmas House is located one hour from New Orleans and 30 minutes from Baton Rouge. Please allow adequate time for travel.
Should you miss your scheduled tour, do not worry. Your ticket is good all day and can be used for any of the remaining tour times on the same day.
…More
From
$28.03
From
$28.03
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Seven Three Distilling Tour and Tasting
32
Our North Claiborne Avenue distillery reflects our love of New Orleans and commitment to making spirits with a sense of place. We have a lot of fun here and we’d love to welcome you for a tour and spirits tasting. The distillery is also available to host one-of-a-kind private events.
…More
From
$16.00
From
$16.00
New Orleans Restaurant Discount Card
1
Savor the best of New Orleans’ famous Creole cuisine for less with the Nawlins VIP Card. Simply present the card when you order at participating restaurants across the city and enjoy discounts of up to 50% with deals like buy-one-get-one-free meals and other perks. The card pays for itself with just one use and offers more savings the more you eat out.
…More
From
$19.99
per group
From
$19.99
per group