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Free and cheap things to see and do around Nola.
MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS
Docent-Led Drop-In Tour, Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Your Docent will take you on a tour of the Ogden Museum, home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of American Southern art. Louisiana residents enjoy free admission on Thursdays, courtesy of The Helis Foundation, 2–3 pm.
Free Wednesdays, New Orleans Botanical Garden. Free admission for Louisiana residents, courtesy of the Helis Foundation. 10 am–5 pm.
Free Wednesdays, New Orleans Museum of Art. Free admission for Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. 10 am–6 pm.
Thursdays at Twilight, City Park Pavilion of the Two Sisters. The weekly concert series is back with a fresh lineup for 2020. $10/person. 5–8 pm.
Free Sundays, Contemporary Arts Center. Free admission to all Louisiana residents, courtesy of The Helis Foundation. 11 am–5 pm.
Cultural Pass Program, New Orleans Public Library. The Library has partnered with the Audubon Nature Institute, The National World War II Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, the Ogden Museum, and Southern Food & Beverage Museum to provide free admission for library cardholders who reserve a pass. For more information, visit nolalibrary.org.
Free Admission to the Interpretive Center, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Learn about the native environment of Louisiana. Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–4:30 pm.
Newcomb Art Museum, Woldenberg Art Center, Tulane University. Free and open to the public. Open Tuesday–Friday, 10 am–5 pm, and Saturday, 11 am–4 pm.
New Orleans Jazz Museum, Old U.S. Mint. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–4:30 pm, $6 for senior citizens, 20 percent off with purchase of tickets for two or more museums.
LEARNING AND RESOURCES
E-Resources Help, Mid-City Library. Learn about the many electronic resources, including e-books and audiobooks, available through the Library. Bring your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or e-reader, along with a valid Library card. Repeats on the third Tuesday of each month, 1–2:30 pm.
One-on-One Computer Tutoring, Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center. Designed for those who are just beginning to learn about technology or who would like to grow their digital skills and utilize the many digital resources the library offers. Reservations required. Mondays & Tuesdays, all day.
Krewe de Tech, East Bank Regional Library.Whether you have a smartphone, laptop, tablet, desktop with local or cloud storage, this group can help you figure it out. Just bring it. Tuesdays, 6:30–8 pm.
Ask About Medicare, Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center. Come in for a personalized one-on-one educational drop-in and get answers. Find out what Medicare covers, what it costs, how and when to enroll, and what your options are. Wednesdays, 5–7 pm.
Community Composting with Compost Now, Children’s Resource Center Library. Bring your frozen food scraps to a weekly food waste drop-off and reduce your environmental impact. 4–5:30 pm.
Wetlands Walk, Barataria Preserve. Every Wednesday–Sunday, join a ranger for a guided walk on a boardwalk trail through wild Louisiana swamp and marsh. Stop by the visitor center or call 504.689.3690 ext. 10. 10 am.
Historic Thibodaux Walking Tour, Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. Join a National Park Service ranger for a free one-hour walking tour of historic Thibodaux. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 10:30 am.
FITNESS FUN
Water Aerobics, Locations vary. Join one of NORD’s water aerobics classes for non-weight bearing exercise. No prerequisites. Visit nordc.org/aquatics for more information.
Senior Dance Team, Lyons Rec Center, 624 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans. Dance practice for seniors ages 55+. Tuesdays, 12:30 am–2 pm.
Restore and Relax, Nora Navra Library. Reduce stress, improve concentration, and help manage emotions with this mid-day meditation session. Call 504.596.2596 to register. Thursdays, noon–1 pm.
Pickleball, Gernon Brown Rec Center. Come and join a game of Pickleball – a cross between ping-pong and tennis. No equipment needed. Mondays 4–6 pm, Wednesdays & Fridays 10:30 am–12:30 pm.
Nature Center Walking Trails, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. Visit the restored Nature Center’s new walking trails. Free. Open daily. 8 am–4 pm.
Community Yoga, Algiers Regional Library. Enjoy a yoga class for all skill levels. Mats will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis; bring your own towel and water. Space is limited. Call 504.596.2596 to register. Free. Tuesdays, 6–7 pm.
BOOK CLUBS AND CONVERSATION GROUPS
Book Gumbo, Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center. A neighborhood group for people who love to read and get together to discuss ideas. Free. Repeats every month on the third Thursday. 6–7:30 pm.
World War II Discussion Group, East Bank Regional Library. Join local teacher and historian Brian Altobello in discussion about the events of the 1930s and 1940s. Free. Repeats on the first Thursday of each month unless otherwise noted. 7–8:30 pm.
English Conversation Circle, Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center. A welcoming community looking to strengthen their English speaking skills. Geared towards the English-as-a-second-language community. Free. Repeats every Tuesday. 6–7:45 pm.
La Table Louisianaise, Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center. Join the Louisiana French conversation and discussion group to learn about the history of French in Louisiana, its presence today, and its future. All fluency levels welcome. Free. Repeats every Tuesday. 6–7 pm.
Spanish Conversation Circle, Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center. A comfortable environment to improve Spanish language fluency. Free. Repeats every Wednesday. 6–7 pm.
Crescent City Stamp Club, East Bank Regional Library. Meet to discuss stamp collecting. Free of charge and open to the public. Newcomers welcome. No registration. Repeats on the second Tuesday of each month. 6:30–8:30 pm.
Golden Crescent Toastmasters, East Bank Regional Library. Whether you have a big speech coming up or just want to improve your confidence, come learn public speaking skills to be a more effective communicator. Free. Repeats every other Wednesday. 6–8:30 pm.
French Literature Discussion Group, East New Orleans Regional Library. Read and discuss French literature in English.Free. Repeats every month on the fourth Monday. 7–8:30 pm.
In the Garden Writers’ Workshop, Alvar Library. Writers of all levels of experience are welcome to attend this workshop that alternates between poetry and prose. Free. Repeats every month on the second Saturday. 2–3:45 pm.