When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Now in New Orleans—:—Sunrise—:—Sunset—:—
February–May, October–December. Spring brings Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and patio weather; late fall is mild and cheap. June–September is a sauna with hurricane season peaking August–October.
Warmest in New Orleans: Aug (32°C / 90°F) · Coolest: Jan (17°C / 63°F) · Wettest: Jul (~24 rain days)
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)
Daily Spend in USD
Budget
Budget
$70/day
Mid-range
$150/day
Luxury
$380/day
- Budget $70/day ≈ €61 · £52 · ₹6,650 · A$100 · C$99
- Mid-range $150/day ≈ €130 · £110 · ₹14,500 · A$215 · C$210
- Luxury $380/day ≈ €330 · £285 · ₹36,000 · A$545 · C$540
Converted at ECB reference rates, refreshed daily.
Eat like royalty for less than any comparable US food city — po'boys under $15, legendary dinners under $60. Hotels spike 3× during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
With Kids
Family Travel
Ride the St. Charles streetcar end to end, beignets at Café du Monde, and the Audubon Aquarium + Insectarium double-header. The French Quarter by day is very kid-doable.
Together
Couples Travel
A balcony room in the Quarter, jazz pilgrimage down Frenchmen Street, Garden District mansion walks, and a Sazerac where it was invented.
On Your Own
Solo Travel
The friendliest big-personality city in America — solo bar stools at Preservation Hall shows, walking food tours, and streetcars that make car-free travel easy.
Food
What to Eat
- Gumbo. The city's soul in a bowl — dark roux, andouille, and debate over every family recipe.
- Beignets. Fried dough under a snowdrift of powdered sugar — Café du Monde at 3am is a rite of passage.
- Po'boys. Fried shrimp or roast beef "dressed" on Leidenheimer bread.
- Jambalaya & red beans. Monday red beans and rice is a living tradition.
- Sazerac. Rye, Peychaud's bitters, absinthe rinse — America's first cocktail.
Transportation
Getting Around
Walk the Quarter + Marigny; historic streetcars ($1.25) cover St. Charles and Canal. Rideshares fill the gaps; you don't want a car downtown.
The airport is 25-35 minutes by taxi/rideshare (flat-ish rates). Swamp and plantation tours include hotel pickup.
Where to Base Yourself
Neighborhoods
- French Quarter. The 300-year-old heart — wrought-iron balconies, Bourbon chaos, quiet Royal Street elegance one block over.
- Faubourg Marigny. Frenchmen Street's live-jazz row — where locals actually go at night.
- Garden District. Oak-shaded mansions, Lafayette Cemetery, Magazine Street shopping.
- Bywater. Pastel shotgun houses, murals, and the city's indie café-and-gallery scene.
Get Your Bearings
New Orleans Map & Walking Distances
City centerClick the map to enable scroll zoom
What to Know
Safety
Stay where the people are — the Quarter, Marigny, Garden District are well-walked; don't wander dark side streets alone late. Watch drinks on Bourbon, mind hurricane season (August–October), and use rideshares after midnight.