Free Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples

‍

It’s no secret that New Orleans is one of the most romantic cities in the country, and thankfully you don't need to spend a fortune to experience the magic. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended escape, there are plenty of free things to do in New Orleans for couples that feel anything but cheap. From jazz-filled streets to sun-drenched riverwalks, the city reveals itself to those who are willing to explore it.

The Riverfront Hotel New Orleans puts you right in the middle of all of it, just steps from the French Quarter and the Arts Warehouse District, we offer the perfect home base for a romantic adventure that won't break the bank. To make your visit truly extraordinary, dive deeper into this selection of some of the many New Orleans adventures perfect for visiting couples.

Free Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples Who Like to Get Some Fresh Air

Even though New Orleans is a vibrant urban center, there are still plenty of ways for visiting couples to get their daily dose of fresh air!

Explore Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Mississippi Riverfront

Right along the water, Woldenberg Park is a green stretch that's perfect for a slow afternoon, and with the newly completed expansion in 2026, there’s more space to explore than ever before. Bring coffee, find a bench, watch the river flow as the barges drift slowly past and street performers set the scene at all hours of the day. It costs nothing, feels completely cinematic, and gives you something to talk about over dinner. 

From the Riverfront Hotel, you can reach it in minutes on foot. Free concerts and festivals also pop up here throughout the year, so check local listings before you visit. 

Wander the French Quarter

Few experiences compare to getting happily lost in the French Quarter together. The ironwork balconies, the smell of beignets in the air, the sound of a trumpet bleeding through a doorway; it all adds up to an experience that money just can't manufacture. Walking these streets is one of the best free things to do in New Orleans for couples at any time of day or night.

Spend an Afternoon in City Park

City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and it costs absolutely nothing to walk through it. The sprawling grounds are lined with ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and the whole place has a quiet, unhurried quality that's hard to find anywhere else in the city. Couples can wander the footpaths, sit by the lagoons, or find a shaded spot under a centuries-old tree and just be still for a while. 

The park is also home to the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, where major works by international artists are spread across five landscaped acres—free and open to the public. It's the kind of place that makes you naturally slow down and breathe.

Free Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples Who Love Art and Culture

This city has been making art, music, and culture for centuries, and a good deal of it is yours to experience without spending a dime.

Visit the Arts Warehouse District

The Arts Warehouse District, located just outside the Riverfront Hotel's front door, is home to some of the best free gallery experiences in the South! Many galleries open their doors without admission, especially on weekends. Spend a morning browsing original paintings, sculpture, and photography from local artists.

Catch Live Music on Frenchmen Street

Frenchmen Street is where locals go to hear real New Orleans music, and most of it is free. The stretch of bars and clubs along the street regularly features live jazz, blues, and brass bands without a cover charge. Show up, choose a spot on the sidewalk, and let the music find you; this is the kind of thing couples remember for years. A great resource to find out more about music schedules is WWOZ’s Livewire calendar. 

Explore St. Louis Cemetery No. 3

New Orleans' above-ground cemeteries are unlike anything else in the country. While St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 requires a guided tour to enter, No. 3 is free and open to the public. It's also worth checking out other current free cemeteries as well, and the surrounding streets are fascinating to walk regardless, especially in the fall and spring seasons.

Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, adjacent to the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park, is free and open to the public. Sculptures by major international artists are spread across five acres of live oaks and lagoons. It's beautiful, quiet, and worth the short trip from the hotel.

Free Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples Who Like to Explore

Every neighborhood in New Orleans has its own personality, and the best way to find your favorite is simply to pick a direction and start walking!

Visit Jackson Square

Jackson Square is the social heart of the city, and it never charges admission. Artists set up along the fence, fortune tellers work the corners, and street musicians fill the air with sound. Grab a café au lait from Café Du Monde (a small splurge worth every cent) and take in the whole scene from a bench. Jackson Square is consistently one of the top free things to do in New Orleans for couples visiting on a weekend.

Walk Along Magazine Street

Magazine Street stretches for miles and changes character every few blocks — boutiques give way to coffee shops, then antique dealers, then galleries. Window shopping here is genuinely fun, even if you never open your wallet.

Catch a Second Line Parade

New Orleans' second line parades are a city tradition rooted in jazz funeral culture and neighborhood celebration. They're free to watch and join, and stumbling into one feels like being handed a gift. Check the Social Aid and Pleasure Club Task Force schedule to find upcoming parades during your stay.

Explore the Bywater and Marigny Neighborhoods

Just beyond the French Quarter, the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods are filled with colorful shotgun houses, street art, and small parks. These are walkable, photogenic, and completely free to explore. Take your time and let the details surprise you.

Planning Your Next Couples Adventure with The Riverfront Hotel

‍

The Riverfront Hotel New Orleans sits in the center of exciting, free things to do in New Orleans for couples. The French Quarter is steps away, the Arts Warehouse District wraps around you, and the Convention Center is just across the street. The hotel's location means you can spend your days exploring the city on foot and your evenings back somewhere worth returning to. 

After a full day discovering free experiences, settle in at Fulton St. Bistro & Bar for a classic New Orleans cocktail and a meal worth savoring, and then wake up and do it all over again! You don't need to spend much to fall in love with this city. The music, the architecture, the food, the people; New Orleans has a way of finding its way into your heart. All you need is a good starting point for your adventure! Book your stay with us today. 

‍