When is the best time to visit New Orleans?

The most comfortable stretch is February and October to December, when average highs run 65 to 79 degrees F with 9 to 13 rainy days a month. August is the hottest month at 89 degrees F on average, and January the coolest at 63 degrees F.

What is the rainiest month in New Orleans?

July, with roughly 24 days of rain. The driest is October, with about 9. Both are averages from 2019-2024 records.

How warm does it get in New Orleans?

July averages 88 degrees F by day and 77 degrees F at night, and January averages 63 degrees F and 49 degrees F. In the southern hemisphere those two are reversed.

How do I book tours, a hotel or an airport transfer in New Orleans?

Everything on this page books through our travel partners: top-rated tours and tickets, hotels, car rental, airport transfers, an eSIM and travel insurance. Voyaggora earns a commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you, and our AI concierge can put a day-by-day plan together first.

New Orleans: Best Time to Visit & Things to Do

Updated September 23, 2026. Prices and availability come live from the partners when you click; ratings are re-checked on the date shown in the note at the end of the page.

Top-rated tours in New Orleans

New Orleans: Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner★ 4.45,354 reviews→ New Orleans: Daytime Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Lunch★ 4.44,702 reviews→ New Orleans Haunted Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Historic FQ Tour★ 4.53,219 reviews→ New Orleans: Walking Tour Inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1★ 4.61,858 reviews→

See all things to do in New Orleans → More tours on Viator →

Planning your trip to New Orleans

Best time to visit

February to May has festivals, and the carnival season and spring events bring crowds and higher prices. October and November are pleasant, and summers are hot, humid and within the hurricane season.

How many days you need

Three days covers the historic French Quarter, a streetcar ride, a garden district and an evening of live music. Add a day for a swamp or plantation-area tour.

Getting around

The French Quarter is walkable, and the streetcar links other areas. Use a rideshare or taxi at night instead of walking alone in quiet areas.

What to skip

The best-known party street is loud and touristy. Other streets nearby offer more music venues where locals go, often with less crowding.

Where to stay in New Orleans

Hotels and vacation rentals around New Orleans with live prices from the big booking sites. Pick your dates on the map to compare.

Hotel map by our partner Stay22. If you book through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Best time to visit New Orleans

The most comfortable months in New Orleans are February and October to December, with average daytime highs of 65 to 79°F and 9 to 13 rainy days a month. August is the hottest month, averaging 89°F, and January the coolest at 63°F. July sees the most rain, around 24 days, while October is the driest with about 9.

Jan63°49°11 d

Feb67°53°13 d

Mar73°59°13 d

Apr77°63°13 d

May84°71°14 d

Jun88°76°18 d

Jul88°77°24 d

Aug89°78°18 d

Sep85°75°14 d

Oct79°67°9 d

Nov70°58°9 d

Dec65°53°11 d

Average daily high / low and days with rain, from Open-Meteo ERA5 records for 2019-2024. Highlighted months are the pick above.

Plan the rest of your trip to New Orleans

🏨Hotels in New OrleansCompare hotels and apartments through our partner RateHawk. 🚗Car rental in New OrleansCompare car rental prices in New Orleans with Discover Cars. 🎟️What’s on in New OrleansSee upcoming concerts, sports and shows from Ticketmaster. 🎫Go City pass for New OrleansOne pass for many top attractions, so you save on entry to the sights you want. 🔥 10% off through Sept 30. 🎟️Museum and attraction ticketsSkip-the-line tickets for top sights in New Orleans, from Tiqets. 👻Ghost tours in New OrleansHaunted history walks, pub crawls and ghost hunts after dark, from US Ghost Adventures. ✈️Flights to New OrleansCompare airfares on Trip.com and search your route. 🛎️Hotels in New Orleans on Trip.comCompare hotels and homes in New Orleans for your dates. 🏩Hotels in New Orleans on ExpediaCompare hotel prices and reviews on Expedia for your dates. 🎡Things to do in New Orleans on ExpediaTours, tickets and activities you can book on Expedia. 🏡Vacation rentals in New Orleans on VrboWhole homes, villas and apartments with room for everyone. 🚖Airport transfer in New OrleansPre-book a driver who meets you at arrivals, from Welcome Pickups. 🧭Transfer, taxi or rideshare?Our guide to choosing the best ride from the airport into New Orleans. 🧳Luggage storage in New OrleansDrop your bags at a nearby shop or hotel and explore hands-free, with Radical Storage. 🙋Private local guideCustomizable private tours with vetted local guides from GoWithGuide. 📱eSIM data planGet mobile data before you land, with Airalo. 📶eSIM, roaming or local SIM?Our guide to staying connected on a short trip to New Orleans. 🛡️Travel insuranceCompare travel medical and cancellation cover with HelloSafe. ⏱️Flight delayed or cancelled?Check if you are owed compensation, with AirHelp. ✦Ask our AI conciergeTell us how many days you have and what you enjoy, and get a plan for New Orleans. 🏨Hotels in New Orleans on AgodaCompare hotel prices and reviews on Agoda, via our partner Stay22.🔎Compare hotels in New Orleans on KAYAKSearch and compare hundreds of hotel sites at once, via our partner Stay22.🛂Do you need a visa for New Orleans, United States?Check entry requirements and apply online with eVisas.com, a private visa service (service fee applies).

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Planning guides

Cruise or all-inclusive resort?Airport transfer or rental car?What travel insurance actually pays When to book flights and hotels

New Orleans: common questions

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?: The most comfortable stretch is February and October to December, when average highs run 65 to 79°F with 9 to 13 rainy days a month. August is the hottest month at 89°F on average, and January the coolest at 63°F.
What is the rainiest month in New Orleans?: July, with roughly 24 days of rain. The driest is October, with about 9. Both are averages from 2019-2024 records.
How warm does it get in New Orleans?: July averages 88°F by day and 77°F at night, and January averages 63°F and 49°F. In the southern hemisphere those two are reversed.
How do I book tours, a hotel or an airport transfer in New Orleans?: Everything on this page books through our travel partners: top-rated tours and tickets, hotels, car rental, airport transfers, an eSIM and travel insurance. Voyaggora earns a commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you, and our AI concierge can put a day-by-day plan together first.

Some links on this page are sponsored: if you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ratings and review counts come from GetYourGuide and were last checked on September 23, 2026. Prices, availability and rules are set by the providers and change often. See our affiliate disclosure.