Call it people watching. You can relive history and travel at your own pace. Listen to what makes New Orleans famous. From Jazz to Zydeco, New Orleans has it all. Simply walk down the streets.
Many places have seating or a pole to lean on.
Find a band that you like, hang out for awhile, then relocate. Most have either a briefcase or a cardboard box for donations. It's not necessary to give them money, but if it's a jazz musician, you might be offered a song request. Many of them let you watch as they paint. In the daytime, there is always a lively show in action.