Budget Itinerary DayNewinOrleans $35

ONE THING I DEARLY LOVE about New Orleans is that you never need to spend a fortune to immerse yourself in the rich culture. Of course, I also believe sometimes you should spend big bucks on an unforgettable dinner or experience, and New Orleans offers plenty of those, too. But while we’re all trying to figure out how to turn shrinking dollars into groceries and gas, I thought it would be a fun challenge to develop an ultra-budget itinerary for a great day or two in my favorite place.

If you hope to enjoy the Big Easy on a budget, this itinerary will give you a true experience of authentic New Orleans culture combined with some of her most iconic sights.

• Get morning coffee from French Truck on Magazine; my favorite is the Le Grande Coq Rouge roast - $3.50

• Stroll Magazine Street for an hour or five (It’s six miles long!) - FREE

• Ride the streetcar through the stunning Garden District past block after block of beautiful, historic estates canopied by sprawling, centuries-old live oaks; depart at Canal Street and walk into the French Quarter - $1.25

• Pray in Immaculate Conception Church (Jesuit Church, as we call it) and enjoy its soaring interior, an ode to Our Lady’s purity and beauty. FREE

• Walk and wind through the French Quarter, taking moody photos you can print and frame later as a perfect souvenir. FREE

• Pray in St Louis Cathedral, one of the oldest Catholic places of worship in the United States. The stunning cathedral has strong historical significance for the American Catholic Church; there’s also a striking 120-yearold statue of St Jeanne d’Arc at the rear of the nave. FREE

• Visit the Maid of Orleans statue in the Place de France near the French Market, a gift from the people of France to the city of New Orleans (Nouvelle Orléans); it’s located in a small park featuring plaques with coats of arms from towns and cities connected to Jeanne, including Orléans, Rouen, and Reims (also: This statue looks like a twin of another located across from the Louvre in Paris). FREE

• Tour the Historic New Orleans Collection museum: an interesting collection of artwork and artifacts, plus free air conditioning. FREE

• Stroll the Mississippi River Levee toward the ferry dock: Street performers often put on their shows near the steps; at the top, you’ll get excellent scenic views of the cathedral and the river with its steamboats and bridges. FREE

• Ride the Algiers Ferry across the Mighty Mississippi.a $4 round-trip

• Ride the streetcar back up St Charles Avenue - $1.25

• Drive to City Park (bigger than NYC’s Central Park!); you’ll now be in the Mid-City/Bayou St John neighborhoods, so you can either make a marathon day or save the rest for tomorrow!

• Stroll City Park’s alley of oaks, featuring live oaks as old as 800 years, and along its fairytale canal where you can feed friendly ducks; there’s also a wonderful playground here. FREE

• Enjoy beignets at Café du Monde in City Park; so much less crowded than the French Quarter location. - $3.85 for three large beignets (easily sharable!)

• Tour the New Orleans Museum of Art sculpture garden: This garden is right near City Park’s Café du Monde, so it’s easy to walk over to see the incredible collection of diverse sculptures. FREE

• Pray in Holy Rosary Church, one of the most beautiful domed churches in the nation.

• Tour the St Louis Catholic Cemetery No, 3 on Esplanade Avenue; this will give you a glimpse of the iconic New Orleans cemeteries, but you won’t need to book a pricey tour. FREE

• Pick up beer or wine at Canseco’s Market; sit, drink, and talk along the banks of Bayou St John - $10

• And that brings us to $23.85. You have about $12 left for lunch.

• Cheap eats (not an exclusive list, but some starter ideas):

• Empanola - $4.50 for a delicious, piping-hot empanada filled with gumbo, chorizo, crawfish, and more

• Shawarma on the Go (Jet Gas Station) - $12 platters of surprisingly great Mediterranean food

• Pagoda Café - $4 for the world’s best egg burrito with a side of beans

• Also, check the several mini-marts around town; many of them offer tasty and cheap burgers, hot dogs, and other hot dishes.