Best time to visit New Orleans, Louisiana

• Ride the historic streetcars — hop on the St. Charles Avenue line, the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the U.S., for a scenic tour of Uptown mansions and oaks.
• Take a riverboat cruise — enjoy live jazz, Creole food, and views of the Mississippi River on a short or long cruise; a package combining the Aquarium and Zoo is a great option.
• Join a walking or bicycle tour — explore French Quarter history, voodoo lore, Garden District architecture, or post-Katrina recovery on guided tours led by knowledgeable locals.
• Learn to cook like a local — hands-on Creole and Cajun cooking classes teach the secrets of gumbo, jambalaya, and other staples with plenty of personality.
• Hit a festival — from Jazz Fest and French Quarter Festival to neighborhood gatherings, the city throws a party for almost any occasion with food, music, and parades.
• Try your luck at Harrah's Casino — located next to the French Quarter, it offers slots, table games, and round-the-clock dining including a steakhouse by a famed local chef.

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• The French Quarter — the city's historic heart, packed with ornate Spanish and French colonial architecture, galleries, restaurants, and the lively spectacle of Bourbon Street.
• The National WWII Museum — a world-class institution in the Central Business District telling the story of the American war effort, with an emphasis on the Higgins Boats built locally.
• Historic cemeteries — known as "Cities of the Dead," these above-ground tombs in St. Louis Cemetery #1 and others reflect the city's unique burial traditions and host the tomb of voodoo queen Marie Laveau.
• Audubon Zoo and City Park — the Uptown zoo is a family favorite, while sprawling City Park in Mid-City is home to the New Orleans Museum of Art and the charming Storyland amusement park.
• Mardi Gras World — a working float den where thousands of giant sculpted props are made; a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Carnival magic available year-round.

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• April to late June — a prime window with comfortable temperatures averaging 24.9°C and manageable rain (3.4 mm); coincides with Jazz Fest and French Quarter Festival.
• September to late October — hurricane season is active, but when storms stay away, the weather is pleasant, with averages around 24.3°C and lower cloud cover (41.2%).
• Late November through March — cooler, mild winter weather is ideal for walking and outdoor dining; Mardi Gras falls during this period, so book well ahead if your trip overlaps Carnival.
• Early summer with a strategy — even hot months can work if you sightsee in the morning, retreat to air-conditioning midday, and come out again after sundown when the jasmine-scented air is intoxicating.

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• Book lodging well ahead for Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest — these are the year's two biggest events, and rooms fill up far in advance; expect premium pricing everywhere.
• Ditch the car if staying in the core — parking is scarce and expensive; rely on streetcars, buses, bikes, and your own two feet to explore the French Quarter, CBD, and Marigny.
• Dress for the heat, but pack for cold snaps — lightweight, breathable clothing is a must for summer, but winter visitors should bring a jacket for unpredictable chilly spells.
• Use "go cups" for street-legal drinking — bars provide plastic cups so you can take your drink to go; avoid glass bottles and cans when on public sidewalks.
• Try the local lingo and directions — locals give directions by "upriver," "downriver," "lakeside," and "riverside" rather than compass points; a good map helps with both navigation and those tricky French street names.

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