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Budget Friendly Trip: New Orleans
Looking for a budget friendly weekend trip? Add New Orleans to your list--trust us, you will be happy you did! Not only is New Orleans, aka NOLA, fun but it is also packed with history, plenty of good food & festivals. Read on to see how to spend a weekend in the 504 on a budget!
Friday
4 p.m.
After you check into your French Quarter Hotel you snagged off of Groupon (staying in the French Quarters is not only a fun way to see the city, but it is also economically smart) sign up to go on a Haunted Walking Tour of the City. Witches Brew Tours , which has tours at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., offers a variety of haunted excursions! You can also get good deals on haunted tours via groupon! Fun way to explore the city with the saints & the sinners!
Love Seafood?/ Of course you do! You can't come to the Big Easy without having some of the best seafood in the south. There are a plethora of restaurants to chose from in the Quarters that won't break the bank: Deanie's Seafood Restaurant, Acme Oyster House, Cafe Maspero to name a few. Or perhaps you're not into seafood and soul food is more you style--then try some of the best fried chicken in town at Willie Mae's Scotch House.
After dinner have drinks at one of the oldest bars in the city, Tujague's! Make sure to order a New Orleans Classic, the Sazerac. Not tired yet? Head to the infamous Bourbon Street, which is lined with bars that has free entry and plenty of cheap drinks!
Saturday
If you're hungry (sure you are after a long night!) grab an uber to have brunch at Elizabeth's! Make sure to try their Praline Bacon! You'll be in for a treat.
If you were lucky enough to come on a weekend during festival season, catch one of the free festivals throughout the city to take in sites, sounds, and good music! Plan for the Freret Street Festival, NOLA Food Festival, French Quarter Festival, Congo Square Festival or the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo. Free Festivals are the best ways to interact with locals, get a concert and cheap eats! No festivals? Stroll through the French Market or Jackson Square for great photo opps & souvenirs.
Later on that night, head to Frenchmen Street! On Saturdays Frenchmen Street has an art market with local creations that will be sure to have your friends back home talking. Be sure to check out the string of bars on Frenchmen that have live bands usually with Free Covers (or $10 cover charge). Also popular to Frenchmen Street are brass bands that put on a good show! Have your camera and Snapchat ready! Before you head back to your room, have a late night Snack at Dat Dog!
Sunday
After a good night's sleep and brunch at the Ruby Slipper, head to the museums to check out some of the exhibits. Head to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art where you can get entrance for under $15. If you are a member of another museum you may have free entrance. There is also the House of Dance & Feathers where you can get the history of Mardi Gras Indians, New Orleans Museum of Art ($10) and the Contemporary Arts Center ($10). The museums are open until 5pm--enjoy your Sunday afternoon getting lost in history!
Head back to the quarters and treat yourself to the famous beignets at Cafe du Monde! After spending the day being impressed with the art at the different exhibits you deserve a treat!
Rest up for your last night in town! Head to the Howlin' Wolf to catch a $10 Brass Band show hosted by the Hot 8 Brass Band! Dance your last night away with a beer in one hand while the other hand is in the air.
New Orleans has so many things one can do on a budget! The activities listed above are just suggestions. Make sure to come during non-peak seasons (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Festival); bars usually don't charge a cover. Stay in a central area to easily navigate the city. Uber & the Street Cars are good ways to get around the city for less. Also utilize the PediCabs-great way to get video of trip! There are plenty of bars that host live music nightly, so even if you're in town during the week these suggestions can still apply!