What is the best time of year to visit New Orleans? (home, live)

[aaronmidnight]

I'm trying to plan a road trip to New Orleans. What do y'all think is the best time of year (month, season, etc.) to visit your fair city?

[Pook77]

It depends on what you can handle weather-wise. If you want fair weather (low 70's or so), April or October would suit you; however, because of the weather, these are peak seasons and are often crowded. Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest are also in April and they bring crowds. Halloween is also a big draw. Some people like December because of the family-oriented festivities but temps can range from 70's to 30's, it varies widely and it's a gamble. If you can handle a heat index of 105 with 90% humidity, July and August are good. Most people can't handle that and the city is nowhere near crowded.

I always say there are two weather related season in New Orleans: Summer and Winter. There are a few weeks of Fall and a few weeks of Spring and it's seriously a crap shoot for someone from out of town to plan on finding them! i.e. Last week was gorgeous: mid to high 70's. This weekend, my inlaws are in town and we just returned home from the French Quarter. It's 87 and wonderfully low humidity but the Quarter is absolutely packed and that makes it feel worse, I think.

Okay, I've gone on and on. Short version: depends on what you can handle both weather and crowd-wise.

[Innotech]

the weather is fantastic lately but you will not be alone for sure.
Especially not on Saints game days.

[bustaduke]

Between January 1st and December 31st

We always welcome visitors here but if you want to come in the cool months you should come now. Its was only in the 80s today.


busta

[hey teach]

We love being in the city for French Quarter Fest in April. Usually good weather. We are always there for Thanksgiving, but the weather is not always cooperative.

[SacalaitWhisperer]

I'd suggest not visiting in July or August and you can't go too wrong from there.

Watching the hurricane season would be wise, but we seem to have dodged a bullet this season.

[aab7855]

The weather is usually great and the city is totally alive from November through the end of April. That is also raw oyster season. Everyone wants to try gumbo when the come but eating a piping hot bowl with all of its seasonings will only be truly enjoyable in the cool weather. August ain't gumbo weather! Things get a little slower in the summer, but then again better deals can be found during this time as well. The heat and humidity in June, July, August and most of September may be too much for many people. You can always spot tourists during this time without them even looking at you.. just look for the backs of shirts totally drenched in sweat.. gross!

[aaronmidnight]

Wait are you saying that locals don't sweat? ;-)

I'm from Tennessee so I think it's actually just as hot or hotter up here, but you probably have us beat (thank goodness) on the humidity front.

I don't like crowds and would probably prefer walking around town when it's not crazy hot and humid, so it sounds like winter is perhaps the best time.

Is the city decked out in lights for Christmas? What is 'bad' winter weather for New Orleans if we cam down in January or February? Here in Middle TN it can get surprisingly cold with ice and temps in the teens and 20s at night.

[aab7855]

Yeah I went to Kentucky this summer and it was hot as hell also, the biggest difference was that humidity fell off at night. New Orleans humidity just sits on you day and night throughout the summer. Nah, us locals sweat too, but we either stay in more or wear sweat-resistant clothes like golf shirts. Or I do anyway. What's really strange are all these tourists saying how hot it is now.. I'm thinking, "Man, I'm REALLY glad you weren't here in August if you think this is hot!!"

[litedave]

Come now while the weather is fantastic.