As college student, we’re all too aware of how easy it is to spend money. One moment you’re carefully budgeting how much you can afford to spend each month, and the next, you’ve somehow bought way too much at Target, splurged on that Halloween costume you just had to have, and couldn’t help but purchase that over-priced sweatshirt from the bookstore. As fun as concerts, movies and other expensive adventures seem to be, you can also have an amazing time in a city as great as New Orleans without spending a single penny!
Here’s my list of four free things to do when you feel the urge to spend:
New Orleans Museum of Art
noma.org
This great museum is free on Wednesdays and the beautiful sculpture garden is completely free no matter what day of the week it is. A fun fact about the museum: it opened in 1911, making it New Orleans’ oldest fine arts institution!
The Fly
Grab your friends and some snacks and head out to the Fly to watch the sun set over the river. This is a great chance to get away from campus and experience a little bit of nature. I first went here a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t believe it had taken me that long to finally experience this beautiful piece of New Orleans! Click here for directions.
Go for a run
It’s easy to let exercise fall by the wayside in the hustle and bustle of college. Going for a run is a great study break and a perfect pick me up (endorphins!) if you’re having a not-so-great day. Try Audubon Park and St. Charles–if you hurry, you’ll get to see all of the super-spooky decorations that some houses have out for Halloween!
Volunteer
Volunteering is a rewarding, not to mention completely free, way to give back to your community. There’s something for anyone to be passionate about no matter what your interests. From tutoring kids to building houses, there are a million meaningful ways to get involved, especially in New Orleans. Check out Tulane’s Center for Public Service link for more info.
Finally–do your research! The internet is of course a great resource, but also be sure to ask around as well! I’ve gotten great food and activity recommendations just by chatting with people–this also makes for much more interesting small talk as opposed to just asking people where they”re from and what they’re majoring in.
It may take a little more planning, but a city as cultured and fun as New Orleans has a lot to offer, even if you’re not looking to spend a lot while you’ here!