20 Of The Best Free Things To Do In Louisiana

Traveling and sightseeing can hit the wallet pretty hard. You'll be happy to know some places in Louisiana where you don’t have to fork out money to have a good time. There are several locations where you can immerse yourself in the state's rich traditions and cultural history for free.

From free self-guided tours, parks, and nature trails to free family movie nights under the stars and farmer’s markets. There are plenty of family-friendly, fun-filled things to do for free in the Bayou State. So, let the good times roll! Check out a few cool locations in Calcasieu Parish and other parts of the state.

1.) LAKE AREA SPLASH PADS
5 am To 11 pm Daily
Bord Du Lac Park & Marina (1111 Bord du Lac Drive), Prien Lake Park (3700 West Prien Lake Rd.,) River Bluff Park in Moss Bluff (543 Theriot Rd.)
For more info, contact the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. Visit calcasieu.gov/parks.

2.) JEAN LAFITTE ACADIAN CULTURAL CENTER                                                  Tells stories of the origins, migration, settlement, and contemporary culture of the Acadians (Cajuns) and other area groups.
501 Fisher Rd, Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 232-0789

3.) LOUIS ARMSTRONG PARK/ CONGO SQUARE
701 N Rampart St
New Orleans, LA 70116

4.) LOUISIANA HISTORY MUSEUM
Washington Street 503
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 487-8556

5.) BLACK HERITAGE GALLERY
1001 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 488-0567

6.) JEAN LAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK AND PRESERVE
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130-1035

7.)  DEQUINCY RAILROAD MUSEUM
400 Lake Charles Ave.
DeQuincy, LA 70633
(337) 786-2823

8.)  E.D. WHITE HISTORIC SITE
2295 St Mary St
Thibodaux, LA 70301
1-800-568-6968

9.) THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT JOHN, THE EVANGELIST                                   Dutch Romanesque landmark completed in 1916 and is on the National Registry of Historic Properties.
515 Cathedral St, Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 232-1322

10.) LOUISIANA BOARDWALK
11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
540 Boardwalk Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71111-4370
(318) 752-1455

11.) CAJUN MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM                                                      Mon-Fri 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Summer: Tue-Sat 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Winter: Tue-Sat 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
240 S C C Duson St, Eunice, LA 70535
(337) 457-6534

12.) CREOLE NATURE TRAIL ADVENTURE POINT
2740 Ruth Street
Sulphur, LA 70665

13.) LIUZZA PRODUCE FARM
56188 Holden Cir Independence, LA 70443
(985) 981-5788

14.) FRENCH MARKET
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
518 Saint Peter Street, New Orleans, LA 70116-3406

15.) LOUISIANA OLD STATE CAPITOL
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
100 North Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70801
(225) 342-0500

16.) RED, WHITE, BLUE & YOU 2024 CONCERT AND FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA
JULY 3 - 5 pm - until
July 4 - 5:30 pm
Lake Charles Event Center
Bord du Lac Drive
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 491-9147

17.) JACKSON SQUARE
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
701 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

18.) ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL 
Built in 1794, St. Louis Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans. It is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States, alongside the Royal Presidio Chapel in Monterey, California.
615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116

19.) CITY PARKS / TUTEN PARK/ RIVERSIDE PARK / MILLENNIUM PARK & SPLASH PARK
April - October 7 am - 7 pm
Mondays 1 pm - 7 pm
November - March 7 am - 5 pm
Mondays 1 pm - 5 pm
Lake Charles, LA 70601

20.) WARD 3 PARKS / SPLASH PADS / FACILITIES
3210 Power Centre Parkway (Main)
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 990-0112