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New Orleans has several places throughout the city that make walking delightful. Mario Tama/Getty Images

13 free things to do on Black Friday

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If you can manage to move after Thanksgiving Day, you might not want to spend it shopping. Luckily, in New Orleans there are several free and simple things to do around the city.

If you’re looking for something active, or yearning to learn something new, here’s a list of 13 unique places to visit in New Orleans on Friday. Best of all, everything on this list is free.

If you haven’t had a moment to check out some of NOLA’s most iconic locations, it might be worth tackling this weekend too.

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Big Lake at City Park

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If you don’t want to shop on Black Friday, take a moment to enjoy the serenity in one of New Orleans’s most beautiful parks. From this lake, you’ll be able to see the singing oaks and an outstanding view of the New Orleans Museum of Arts.

A post shared by Lelafrijol (@lelafrijol) on

Algiers Courthouse

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While Algiers Point’s oldest courthouse is under renovation, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy its beauty from the Mississippi River Trail. Not a fan? Turn around and take in a scenic view of the NOLA’s skyline.

A post shared by Sean G (@nola.sean) on

Mardi Gras Fountain

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If you’re looking for something more colorful, spice up your park experience with this amazing fountain by Lake Pontchartrain. Can you name all of the featured Mardi Gras Krewes?

A post shared by Lyn Parker (@lynparker_) on

The Lafitte Greenway’s new art installation

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If you’re a fan of art, check out this three-piece prayer wheel, which is located at the roundabout between the Jefferson Davis Parkway Trail and the Lafitte Greenway. Friends of Lafitte Greenway opened it to the public just last week.

Jackson Square

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While one holiday ends, another one is on the rise. Enjoy the holiday spirit with art, live music, and sights of some of the oldest buildings in New Orleans.

A post shared by Jessica Fineran (@jessafrog) on

Hurricane Katrina Sculpture

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Black Friday can also serve as a time to catch up on New Orleans monuments. Located near the Convention Center sits this House in the Tree sculpture, a tribute to the struggles during the devastating storm.

A post shared by Tara V (@tmobil) on

House of Dance & Feathers

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If you’re in the mood to learn about Carnival in New Orleans, you can visit this Mardi Gras Indian museum in the lower 9th Ward. While admission is free, it’s by appointment only.

A post shared by shira levine (@yamashira) on

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

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If you can’t get enough art, immerse yourself at this free sculpture garden at City Park.

A post shared by (@darlingmadison) on

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

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While you will technically need to step outside of the bounds of New Orleans, there are several hiking trails around the city to make your Black Friday more active. Interested in more hiking locations? We’ve got you covered.

A post shared by Sierra (@siepopo) on

Joe W. Brown Park

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Closing after Hurricane Katrina, the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center reopened earlier this year. Better than ever, it has a revamped walking trail and an exhibition center.

A post shared by TJ Pitre (@tpitre) on

Holiday Lights on Canal Street

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On November 22, Downtown Development District will flip the switch and turn on all of the Holiday-centric lights on Canal Street from Claiborne Avenue to the Riverwalk.

A post shared by Geraldine Bath (@gerbatz) on

The Irish Culture Museum of New Orleans

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Up for a free movie? This museum will showcase Celtic-centered films for the whole family. You can check out more on their movie selection on the Museum’s official page.

The Fly

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Catching an amazing sunset over the Mississippi River would be a great way to end this shopping holiday. And, if you decide to come earlier it makes a great picnic spot, too.

A post shared by Margaret Sche (@theschereport) on

Big Lake at City Park

If you don’t want to shop on Black Friday, take a moment to enjoy the serenity in one of New Orleans’s most beautiful parks. From this lake, you’ll be able to see the singing oaks and an outstanding view of the New Orleans Museum of Arts.

A post shared by Lelafrijol (@lelafrijol) on

Algiers Courthouse

While Algiers Point’s oldest courthouse is under renovation, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy its beauty from the Mississippi River Trail. Not a fan? Turn around and take in a scenic view of the NOLA’s skyline.

A post shared by Sean G (@nola.sean) on

Mardi Gras Fountain

If you’re looking for something more colorful, spice up your park experience with this amazing fountain by Lake Pontchartrain. Can you name all of the featured Mardi Gras Krewes?

A post shared by Lyn Parker (@lynparker_) on

The Lafitte Greenway’s new art installation

If you’re a fan of art, check out this three-piece prayer wheel, which is located at the roundabout between the Jefferson Davis Parkway Trail and the Lafitte Greenway. Friends of Lafitte Greenway opened it to the public just last week.

Jackson Square

While one holiday ends, another one is on the rise. Enjoy the holiday spirit with art, live music, and sights of some of the oldest buildings in New Orleans.

A post shared by Jessica Fineran (@jessafrog) on

Hurricane Katrina Sculpture

Black Friday can also serve as a time to catch up on New Orleans monuments. Located near the Convention Center sits this House in the Tree sculpture, a tribute to the struggles during the devastating storm.

A post shared by Tara V (@tmobil) on

House of Dance & Feathers

If you’re in the mood to learn about Carnival in New Orleans, you can visit this Mardi Gras Indian museum in the lower 9th Ward. While admission is free, it’s by appointment only.

A post shared by shira levine (@yamashira) on

Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

If you can’t get enough art, immerse yourself at this free sculpture garden at City Park.

A post shared by (@darlingmadison) on

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

While you will technically need to step outside of the bounds of New Orleans, there are several hiking trails around the city to make your Black Friday more active. Interested in more hiking locations? We’ve got you covered.

A post shared by Sierra (@siepopo) on

Joe W. Brown Park

Closing after Hurricane Katrina, the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center reopened earlier this year. Better than ever, it has a revamped walking trail and an exhibition center.

A post shared by TJ Pitre (@tpitre) on

Holiday Lights on Canal Street

On November 22, Downtown Development District will flip the switch and turn on all of the Holiday-centric lights on Canal Street from Claiborne Avenue to the Riverwalk.

A post shared by Geraldine Bath (@gerbatz) on

The Irish Culture Museum of New Orleans

Up for a free movie? This museum will showcase Celtic-centered films for the whole family. You can check out more on their movie selection on the Museum’s official page.

The Fly

Catching an amazing sunset over the Mississippi River would be a great way to end this shopping holiday. And, if you decide to come earlier it makes a great picnic spot, too.

A post shared by Margaret Sche (@theschereport) on