Unique (& Cheap) Things To Do In New Orleans
Skip Bourbon Street — four offbeat, wallet-friendly New Orleans activities our reviewer actually tried, from a $2 ferry ride to free jazz on Frenchman Street.
Psst. You'll see Nicholas Cage's tomb (which he obviously isn't in yet)!
Our reviewer, on the cemetery tourFour Ways to Skip Bourbon Street Without Spending a Fortune
If you're in New Orleans for a few days and want to skip the Bourbon Street shenanigans, there's a quieter, cheaper city waiting just a few blocks away. We rounded up four activities that won't break the bank.
For a calm afternoon, the Canal Street Ferry crosses to Algiers Point in about five minutes for just $2. The Point itself is light on attractions, but a stroll through its quiet streets turns up quaint cafes and bars — our favorite was the Crown and Anchor English Pub, full of charming locals and Dr. Who references.
History fans should book the free St. Louis Cemetery #1 tour with Free Tours by Foot — the guides work for tips alone, so they're consistently knowledgeable and engaging, and the route passes Nicolas Cage's still-empty tomb.
Four Cheap (and Unique) Things to Do
Skip Bourbon Street — here's what these four stops actually cost.
01
Ferry to Algiers Point
A calm, quiet way to spend an afternoon: take the 5-minute ferry from the Canal Street terminal to Algiers Point, then stroll the idyllic streets for a few quaint cafes and bars, including the Crown and Anchor English Pub.
02
Cemetery Tour
Free Tours by Foot runs a roughly 1.5-hour, tips-based tour of St. Louis Cemetery #1. The guides work for tips alone, so they're consistently knowledgeable and engaging, and the route passes Nicolas Cage's still-empty tomb.
03
Carousel Bar
A rotating bar inside the Hotel Monteleone — seats around the edge slowly spin, completing a full rotation every 15 minutes, though scoring a seat can mean a 10-minute wait. Order something fizzy if you're prone to seasickness.
04
Frenchman Street
Live jazz most nights, often spilling into the street, with plenty of music bars worth ducking into — a handmade street festival turned up on our reviewer's visit too.
What Each Stop Costs
None of these four stops requires a big budget — here's what our reviewer actually paid.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Canal Street Ferry to Algiers Point | $2 |
| St. Louis Cemetery #1 Tour | $2 booking fee + tip |
| Carousel Bar (one drink) | $12–$15 |
| Frenchman Street | Free (+ tips for bands) |
Good to Know
Closing Thought
These five stops proved that New Orleans doesn't have to mean an expensive Bourbon Street night — quiet, characterful and easy on the wallet, they're worth building a day around.
