Best Time to Visit New Orleans

So you want to visit New Orleans and you’re wondering when is a good time. Better yet, when is the best time to visit? If I’m being honest, which I always am, it’s not super debatable when the best time(s) to visit are. As a born-and-raised New Orleanian, we are very outspoken about our likes and dislikes about the seasons, the weather, and anything to do with food. The good news is that the window is very wide for you when it comes to deciding when you can visit and be comfortable and enjoy your stay.

As someone who loves to see people coming here to enjoy our city completely, I’m going to give you some booking tips and other advice about visiting New Orleans. I’ve written plenty of blogs on this, and I know New Orleans like the back of my hand. So without further fuss, let’s get into it so you can get your tush here.

I’ll tell you an interesting observation. I travel to Europe a lot, and I frequently like to gauge whether Europeans know about and where New Orleans is. Generally they have no idea. The United States as a whole is not on their radar, save for New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Our other cities and states are chopped liver. When I tell them where I am from (and I always say New Orleans and not Louisiana) they stare at me waiting for more explanation. It’s amusing, and I like to be amused.

Even my French friends have no idea about the strong connection we have with them, as we were discovered by their people. We have an entire neighborhood named after them (the French Quarter), but hey, c’est la vie. I’m saying this to say, despite our European friends’ lack of interest in New Orleans, it’s an awesome place to visit. And our return visitors are huge. Once you come here, you’ll surely fall in love with it. And we will be happy to welcome you as locals.

One of Our Unique Cemeteries

Let’s be irreverent and answer this question with a question: what do you think?! Of course New Orleans is worth visiting. In fact, in my not so humble opinion, New Orleans should be right up there with the New Yorks of the United States. We have a je ne sais quoi that people end up not being able to let go of, which is why people end up selling everything and moving here without looking back. While there are some ways to enjoy New Orleans more than others, it is a special city that we can’t shake out of our system.

A joke (and also somewhat of a fact) is that if you marry a New Orleanian, you will end up living here no matter what. Our culture and people are intoxicating in all the best ways. And if you’re lucky enough to experience it, you’re having a good life. As a native, I absolutely love showing our city off, and she’s got a lot to offer. So yes, please do put New Orleans at the top of your list. And let’s get you a plan so you can enjoy this place to the fullest.

Now in this section, I’m going to be very opinionated but also practical about when and why there are better times to visit New Orleans. The summer gets excruciatingly hot. And we locals are not quite as jolly as we typically are. Trust me on this, with hurricane season and the heat, it’s just a lot to take in. My most favorite times are spring and fall, as the mild weather is very comfortable for much of that timeframe. The festivities, festivals, and activities during this time are also spectacular. And you quickly forget the fact that you were ready to flee the city for good during the summer.

As you can see, and as I write this in the month of August, I am very excited to tell you why our upcoming seasons are the best. Our city is shining much of the year for many reasons, so I’ll give you all the information and opinions I’ve got so you can book your trip confidently and as informed as possible. Here are some common questions around when to visit.

Least Expensive Time to Visit New Orleans

New Orleans is not a super expensive place to visit, so no matter when you come, you’re not going to (or don’t have to) break the bank. However, summertime is definitely a time where accommodation prices are less, the crowds are fewer, and the hospitality industry is happy for some business. There are a few big events during the summer that boost the tourism, like world-famous Tales of the Cocktail and local-famous Coolinary menus, but otherwise it’s a bit quiet.

My list of what to do in the summer in New Orleans blog is a great resource if you do decide to come here during that time, and you will be saving a fair amount of money if you choose to sweat it out. It’s definitely considered our off-season, but not much is closed so you’re not at risk of having nothing to do with yourself while here. If you’re looking to save some coins and don’t mind the heat, summer is your best bet.

Best Time to Visit New Orleans Weather-Wise

By far, our fall is the most magical season. Mind you, fall for us does not start until October, so please don’t come in September thinking you’ll don a sweater, unless you’re in one of the freezing cold venues that don’t get the memo that we are still in short sleeves and shorts and skirts. My guide on what to wear in New Orleans might serve you well in this case. Additionally, October is nearing the end of our hurricane season, so the chances of you having that to contend with are much lower. Not 0%, but lower. It’s not very rainy in general, the people are out in droves enjoying life and celebrating spooky festivities. There’s not much like it.

And that goes for November and December as well, which starts to get into our winter. Those three months can be quite magical here, and it shows in everything we do. April is another month that I have very few complaints about as well. There are a bunch of festivals that month, including one of my favorites (French Quarter Fest), plus Jazz Fest (not one of my personal favorites), and we are all excited and feeling good about life before the heat of summer takes us over.

Best Time to Visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras

Since Mardi Gras is a moving target and completely dependent on the liturgical calendar (as in Easter), I can only give you a range of when the best time to visit for Mardi Gras is. Carnival season kicks off in a big way on January 6th for king’s day, or Epiphany, and that’s when we all go full force into eating king cake and indulging on anything Mardi Gras related. We often, as locals, refer to it as “the most wonderful time of the year” because it truly is. My advice is to come the weekend before or two weekends before Mardi Gras Day. For some clarity, Mardi Gras is Fat Tuesday, which is just one day. We do interchangeably use Mardi Gras with carnival season, so I just want to clear that up.

Here is my write up on how to experience Mardi Gras like a local, which will come in handy if you’re looking for some authenticity around your visit. The season can be a bit overwhelming if you haven’t done it before, but I’m here to help. It’s a fantastic time of year and no matter how many I’ve been to, it’s never enough.

Best Time to Visit New Orleans to Avoid Crowds

If crowds are not your thing, there are shoulder seasons that you can hit here, and that’s my kind of travel, if I do say so myself. I’m all about not being trapped in endless lines or paying a premium because things are just so expensive at that time. Some of these particular times are generally late fall and winter, when you are experiencing the holiday seas and before Mardi Gras. The months would be November, December, and January. As I also mentioned, summer is even a less crowded season, but you have to be able to tolerate the heat.

If it were me, which in this case it is not because I am here all the time, I would travel to New Orleans in the late fall and into the winter to avoid crowds. It’s a beautiful time of year, and the winter festivities are not so cold that they are intolerable to most. Ask a New Orleanian and he/she may disagree because as a whole we love to complain about weather, regardless of the season. It’s just a thing here and something we do. To conclude about avoiding crowds, late fall and early winter and summer are your best bets.

Best Time to Enjoy New Orleans Like a Local

If you want to really get into loving New Orleans, there are a few times of year that I would recommend coming here. One is in the month of April. We have all kinds of festivals, the weather is usually perfection, and we are out of our shells and enjoying the city. You won’t hear many complaints about anything, and life is good in the city. Another month is October. The summer funk has left by then, and Halloween is just around the corner. Our spooky city is shining like a bright gemstone and the energy is high.

Most everyone in New Orleans loves October. Mardi Gras is another timeframe where we are loving life. No matter how many we’ve attended, we love it just the same the next year. It’s in our blood and it’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. So if you are looking for a time to come when you want to feel more local, these are my favorites.

Eating My Crawfish Roll at French Quarter Fest

I’ve given you my local’s perspective on when is the best time to come to New Orleans, and as you can see there are many options. The best time is what’s best for you, so don’t feel pressure to come during some particular date (unless you do want to see Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest or the like). It’s a dynamic city, and one that can be enjoyed most times of the year. You can see the city very easily, and here I’ll tell you where to stay in New Orleans so you experience it to the fullest. No matter when you come, I know you’ll love it. I also know you’ll be back for more as soon as possible. We love welcoming you and can’t wait to see you in our oh so special city. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

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