No matter where you go or what you do—from taking a literary house tour to helping rebuild a home, New Orleans will leave you, as they say, spoiled for choice. Here are a few examples of how you can enjoy the Big Easy experience—and they’re [almost all] free!

Get jazzed. Stroll along Bourbon or Frenchmen, where jazz pours out onto the street, or duck into a few clubs for the full experience.

Immerse yourself in New Orleans history. Stop by The Historic New Orleans Collection at 533 Royal St. for a crash course on the city’s history that spans almost 300 years.

Bike along the levee. Rent a bike and go for a ride along the levee while taking in the sights and sounds of the mighty Mississippi River.

Shop for mansions on St. Charles Avenue. Come on! You don’t have to be in the market to appreciate these jewels on the avenue.

View the architecture of the French Quarter. Look for those iconic wrought-iron balconies and hidden courtyards. 

Go see Fulton Street. Stroll through the Fulton Street promenade, home to outdoor cafes.

Hang your business card at the Old Absinthe House. Leave your mark on New Orleans by adding your business card to the wall at one of Bourbon Street’s oldest bars.

Spend Saturday morning at the Farmers Market. Learn a bit about the famous New Orleans cuisine with free cooking demonstrations at the Crescent City Farmers Market.

Haunt the “Cities of the Dead.” Visit the famous above-ground tombs at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District or St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 on Basin Street, believed to be the final resting place of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. Knock three times on her crypt and make a wish.

Take yourself on a Literary Tour. See where William Faulkner (624 Pirate’s Alley), Tennessee Williams (722 Toulouse), Thornton Wilder (623 Bourbon), Walker Percy (1820 Milan), Truman Capote (711 Royal), and Anne Rice (1239 First) lived.

Ride the River. The free Canal Street ferry offers some of the best views of the New Orleans skyline and drops you in historic Algiers.

Discover the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Located amid the beauty of City Park, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden features one of the most impressive collections of contemporary sculpture in America.

Be a “Voluntourist.” Though New Orleans is thriving, some parts of the city could still use some help following Hurricane Katrina. Just a few hours of volunteering can leave a lasting impact on New Orleans.