To find those free street parking spots, here is what you need: Keep reading to find out where free parking in the city exists and how to find a spot near your destination. Even if you’re a long-time resident of the city, changing parking laws have made free parking spots few and far between, especially in the French Quarter where the competition is fierce. If you’re in New Orleans for Mardi Gras or one of the city’s many festivals, you may not know where to look for free parking.