Free Attractions Birthday Offers And Community Free Items In New Orleans

New Orleans, a city celebrated for its vibrant culture, rich history, and unique entertainment, offers numerous options for enjoying its offerings without spending money. From free attractions and activities to birthday promotional offers and community free items, residents and visitors alike can experience the best of the city without opening their wallets. This article explores the various free opportunities available in New Orleans, focusing on free attractions, birthday freebies from local businesses, and items available for free through community postings.

Free Attractions and Activities in New Orleans

New Orleans provides an abundance of free attractions and activities that showcase the city's unique character and culture. These options allow both locals and tourists to experience the city's essence without admission fees.

Outdoor Spaces and Scenic Views

Woldenberg Riverfront Park offers a picturesque setting along the Mississippi River, stretching from Canal Street to the Moon Walk in the French Quarter. Visitors can stroll along the riverfront and observe ships of various kinds navigating the Mighty Mississippi. For those willing to venture further, Crescent Park provides stunning city views and can be accessed just past the French Market at Elysian Fields, extending all the way to Bywater.

Another scenic option is watching the sunrise from Algiers Point, located just across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter in historic Old Algiers. Visitors who wake up early can enjoy peaceful views from the levees of Algiers Point, providing a unique perspective of the city.

Cultural and Historical Sites

The Lower 9th Ward Living Museum offers insights into the history of New Orleans' historic Lower 9th Ward before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. Admission to this important cultural site is always free, allowing visitors to learn about the area's resilience and recovery.

For music enthusiasts, the New Orleans Jazz Museum, located on the edge of the French Quarter, hosts free courtyard concerts on Tuesday evenings. Visitors can bring a blanket and enjoy live jazz performances while learning about the city's musical heritage.

Entertainment and Events

Street music is a quintessential New Orleans experience, particularly in the French Quarter where spontaneous live performances often occur. While these shows are free, tipping performers is encouraged as a way to support local artists.

Halloween in New Orleans is particularly unique, featuring the Krewe of Boo - the official French Quarter Halloween parade. This festive celebration offers free entertainment and captures the city's distinctive approach to holidays.

For those interested in learning about local traditions, the Sazerac House provides a state-of-the-art experience focused on the historic New Orleans cocktail. Admission is free, though visitors must be 21 or older to enjoy samples. The museum offers insights into cocktail culture in the city and the history of the famous Sazerac drink.

Shopping and Markets

Oak Street features an eclectic mix of shops, including comic book stores, guitar repair shops, and used bookstores, providing a leisurely browsing experience without any cost.

The Crescent City Farmers Market hosts multiple markets each week in different parts of the city, offering fresh local produce and products while allowing visitors to experience community gatherings and local commerce.

Annual Free Festivals

New Orleans is home to several annual free festivals that celebrate the city's culture and music:

• French Quarter Fest (April)
• Satchmo Summerfest (August)
• Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest (October)
• Gentilly Fest (October)
• Tremé Creole Gumbo Fest (November)

These events provide opportunities to experience New Orleans' vibrant culture, music, and culinary traditions without admission fees.

Holiday Celebrations

During December, New Orleans hosts Christmas New Orleans Style, featuring free events such as cathedral concerts and bonfires that help visitors get into the holiday spirit.

Birthday Freebies and Promotional Offers

Many businesses in New Orleans offer free items or discounts to customers who celebrate their birthdays. These offers typically require signing up for loyalty programs or email clubs in advance.

Drinks and Beverages

Several establishments provide complimentary beverages to birthday celebrants:

• CC's Coffee House: Loyalty card members receive a free beverage on their birthday. Locations include 650 Poydras St., 941 Royal St., 2800 Esplanade Ave., 2917 Magazine St., and 900 Jefferson Ave. in New Orleans, as well as 701 Metairie Road and 3647 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie.

• Pat O'Brien's: Birthday Club members receive a voucher for a free drink of their choice. The location is 718 Peter St. in New Orleans.

• Smashburger: Smashclub members get a free milkshake on their birthday. Smashburger has locations at 3300 Magazine St. in New Orleans and 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie.

• Velvet Cactus: Offers a free margarita on birthdays, with the option to substitute a beer or dessert. The restaurant is located at 6300 Argonne Blvd. in New Orleans.

Food and Meals

Numerous restaurants provide complimentary food items to birthday celebrants:

• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Members of the e-club receive a free bagel of their choice with schmear when joining, and a free egg sandwich with purchase on their birthday. Locations include 615 City Park Ave. and 1440 Canal St., both in New Orleans.

• Fogo de Chao: Offers a free birthday dessert at their 614 Canal St. location in New Orleans.

• Honeybaked Ham: Provides a free ham sandwich for signing up and offers this benefit all year round. Locations include 901 Terry Parkway in Gretna, 5300 Tchoupitoulas in New Orleans, and 3211 N. Causeway Blvd. in Metairie.

• O'Henry's Food and Spirits: Offers a free steak on birthdays. Customers need to print out a coupon during their birthday month and show their ID. Locations include 632 Carrollton Ave. in New Orleans and 8859 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie.

Desserts and Appetizers

Several establishments offer complimentary desserts or appetizers:

• Godiva: Rewards card members receive a birthday gift and other offers. The location is Lakeside Mall in Metairie.

• P.F. Chang's: Provides a free appetizer or dessert for birthdays at their Lakeside Mall location in Metairie.

• Zoes Kitchen: Members of the email list receive free hummus and pita. Locations include 701 Metairie Road in Old Metairie, 1208 South Clearview Parkway, and 4243 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie.

Shopping Discounts and Free Gifts

Retail stores offer various birthday benefits:

• Magic Box Toys: Sign up to receive $5 off your purchase on your birthday. The store is located at 5508 Magazine St. in New Orleans.

• Sephora: Insider members receive a free beauty gift for their birthdays. Sephora has locations at Lakeside Mall in Metairie and inside JC Penney at Oakwood Center in Terrytown.

• Ulta: Signing up for Ulta Rewards gets you a free beauty gift and additional benefits. Locations include Oakwood Center in Terrytown, 2900 S. Claiborne in New Orleans, and 1126 S. Clearview Parkway in Metairie.

Free Items Available in the Community

In addition to organized free attractions and promotional offers, New Orleans residents and visitors can find various items available for free through community postings and giveaways.

Furniture and Household Items

Many individuals and families offer furniture and household items for free:

• A wicker bar and 4-drawer file cabinet in Harvey
• A long wool rug available curbside
• Kitchen and vanities cabinets
• An old sofa bed and miscellaneous items in Gretna
• A double headboard, footboard, and rails in River Ridge
• A washing machine (not draining correctly) in New Orleans
• A 4-section fabric sectional sofa with chaise in Metairie
• A vintage coffee table with damage to the top in New Orleans
• A leather couch in Uptown
• A twin size bed frame available to the first person who picks it up
• A twin mattress
• A baby playpen in Broadmoor
• A solid door measuring 34" x 82" in Bywater
• Church pews available in Kenner, Orleans, and River Parish
• Wooden shelving available in large quantities in the CBD (Central Business District)

Baby and Children's Items

Parents can find various baby and children's items available for free:

• Infant and baby clothes, toys, and more in New Orleans (Fortin Street, Bayou St. John)
• Booster seats
• A kids table and chairs in Metairie
• A baby playpen in Broadmoor

Electronics and Appliances

Several electronics and appliances are available for free:

• A Phillips 55-inch Roku TV with non-working video in Mandeville
• An Xbox 360 Kinect in Metairie
• An acoustic brand bass practice amp in Old Metairie
• An entertainment center
• Two 10-gallon aquariums (no leaks, like new) in Rio Vista
• A commercial freezer in Eden Isles

Gardening and Outdoor Items

Those interested in gardening or outdoor projects can find:

• Organic mulberry baby plants in Gretna (visitors need to bring a shovel and plastic bucket)
• A 10-foot Chinese tallow tree in a pot by the curb in New Orleans
• Rabbit manure (perfect fertilizer) in Albany
• Free pallets in St. [ unclear location from source ]

Miscellaneous Items

Various other items are available for free:

• 15 binders and a paper tray in New Orleans
• Two cans of Fix-A-Flat in Slidell
• A big stack of free moving/shipping boxes & packing material at 8123 Oak Street
• A tractor trailer for free in Jefferson
• Styrofoam in Slidell
• Ceramic tile spacers in Kenner
• A hookah water pipe in New Orleans
• A grill in New Orleans
• A necklace found on Bourbon St. in Holy Cross
• Rabbit manure in Albany
• Ceramic tile spacers in Kenner
• Free pallets in St. [ unclear location from source ]

Conclusion

New Orleans offers numerous opportunities to enjoy the city's attractions, food, and culture without spending money. From free outdoor spaces and cultural sites to birthday freebies from local businesses and community free items, residents and visitors have many options for experiencing the best of New Orleans without opening their wallets. The free attractions showcase the city's natural beauty and rich history, while birthday promotions provide incentives to explore local businesses. Meanwhile, community free items offer practical resources for those in need. Together, these options make New Orleans an accessible destination for everyone, regardless of budget.

Sources

1. 50 Free Things to Do in New Orleans
2. Oodles of freebies to score on your birthday around New Orleans
3. Free Stuff in New Orleans