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Highest-rated free things to do in Louisiana by visitors

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Zoran Zeremski // Shutterstock
Zoran Zeremski // Shutterstock
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Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were cost-burdened, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Louisiana.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Louisiana using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

#27. Immaculate Conception Church

Tripadvisor

4 / 30

#27. Immaculate Conception Church

- Rating: 4.8/5 (526 reviews)
- City: New Orleans
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. New Orleans Musical Legends Park

Tripadvisor

6 / 30

#25. New Orleans Musical Legends Park

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,128 reviews)
- City: New Orleans
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Louisiana's Old State Capitol

Tripadvisor

8 / 30

#23. Louisiana's Old State Capitol

- Rating: 4.6/5 (738 reviews)
- City: Baton Rouge
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino

Tripadvisor

10 / 30

#21. Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino

- Rating: 4.1/5 (1,315 reviews)
- City: Lake Charles
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. The Historic New Orleans Collection

Tripadvisor

11 / 30

#20. The Historic New Orleans Collection

- Rating: 4.7/5 (709 reviews)
- City: New Orleans
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Margaritaville Resort Casino

Tripadvisor

13 / 30

#18. Margaritaville Resort Casino

- Rating: 4.4/5 (4,815 reviews)
- City: Bossier City
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Lafayette Cemetery No.1

Tripadvisor

14 / 30

#17. Lafayette Cemetery No.1

- Rating: 4.4/5 (2,855 reviews)
- City: New Orleans
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Harrah's Casino New Orleans

Tripadvisor

15 / 30

#16. Harrah's Casino New Orleans

- Rating: 3.9/5 (4,763 reviews)
- City: New Orleans
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Tripadvisor

16 / 30

#15. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,006 reviews)
- City: New Orleans
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA

Tripadvisor

20 / 30

#11. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,411 reviews)
- City: New Orleans
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. French Quarter

Tripadvisor

30 / 30

#1. French Quarter

- Rating: 4.4/5 (22,897 reviews)
- City: New Orleans
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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