New Orleans
New Orleans is a Mississippi River city in Louisiana known for live music, Creole cooking and the French Quarter.
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New Orleans is a city on the Mississippi River in Louisiana, about 105 miles upriver from the Gulf of Mexico. Its nicknames are NOLA and The Big Easy. The city is known for its music, Creole cooking, local dialects and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras. Creole cuisine is part of its identity, and the French Market is home to Café du Monde, known for café au lait and beignets. The historic heart is the French Quarter, where French and Spanish Creole buildings line the streets with iron balconies and courtyards. Bourbon Street, Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral sit close together there.
A few days covers the French Quarter and one or two other districts, and a week leaves room for the Garden District and Magazine Street. Cooler months from fall through spring are easiest for walking. Summers are hot and humid, and hurricane season runs from June through November, so check the forecast before you book a summer trip.
New Orleans in five
- Book early for Mardi Gras and Jazz FestMardi Gras falls in February or March, and Jazz Fest runs over two weekends in late April and early May. Rooms go months ahead.
- Ride the St. Charles streetcarThe line runs from the edge of the French Quarter through the Garden District under the oaks.
- Hear music on Frenchmen StreetClubs in the Marigny have live bands most nights, and several have no cover charge.
- Drink from plastic, not glassOpen containers are allowed on the street in the French Quarter, but not in glass. Ask for a to-go cup.
- Watch the weather June to NovemberHurricane season runs through November. Check forecasts and your cover before a late-summer trip.Travel insurance
Things to do in New Orleans
See all attractions in New Orleans
Need to know
- Airport
- Louis Armstrong (MSY), about 30 min to the French Quarter
- Getting there
- Amtrak from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles
- Getting around
- Streetcars, buses and walking
- Best base
- French Quarter for a first trip, the Marigny for music
- Time needed
- 3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Carnival beginsJanuaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Carnival begins
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Carnival paradesFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Carnival parades
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Mild, festivalsMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, festivals
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°French Quarter FestAprilRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
French Quarter Fest
- MayRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Warm, Jazz FestMayRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 180 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, Jazz Fest
- JuneRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Hot, storms startJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 255 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms start
- JulyRain23 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low26°Hot, humidJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 258 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low26°Hottest, stormsAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 276 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hottest, storms
- SeptemberRain15 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane peakSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane peak
- OctoberRain9 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Drier, coolerOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, cooler
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Mild, clearNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- DecemberRain11 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Holiday lightsDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Holiday lights
Average daily high and low in New Orleans, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Feb New Orleans Mardi Gras · Mar New Orleans Mardi Gras
Right now in New Orleans
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 8%
New Orleans
05:25 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°21°8%Monday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Tue27°20°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed28°21°24%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Thu29°21°9%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Fri25°21°22%Friday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sat26°21°11%Saturday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sun25°19°15%Sunday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 04:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Feb–MarNew Orleans Mardi GrasNew Orleans
Day trips by train
- River Road plantationsabout 1 hour by carHistoric sites along the Mississippi that tell the story of enslaved people.
- Swamp and bayou toursabout 30–45 min by carBoat trips into the wetlands to see alligators and birds.
Before you go to New Orleans
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Rules for New Orleans, checked
- Check whether you need ESTA or a visa before you fly. The US State Department site (travel.state.gov) sets out the current rules for your passport.Source
- Hurricanes and flooding are real risks here in late summer and autumn. Check the National Weather Service New Orleans office (weather.gov/lix) before and during your trip.Source
- Levees and floodwalls cannot give full protection in extreme storms. Follow local evacuation orders if officials issue them.
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance in any emergency.
Plan around New Orleans
Entry rules, money and getting around
Read the guideMemphisOn the same Amtrak line north from New Orleans
Read the guideChicagoThe other end of the City of New Orleans train
Read the guideTravel insurance for the USAHurricane-season cancellations and medical cover
Read the guideESTA explainedSort entry before booking flights
Read the guideNew Orleans FAQ
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
March to May and October to November, when it is warm but not oppressive. Spring festival season is busy and pricier.
Is it safe to walk around New Orleans at night?
Stick to busy streets in the French Quarter and the Marigny, and take a taxi or ride-hailing car for longer trips after dark.
How do I get from the airport to the French Quarter?
A taxi or ride-hailing car takes about 30 minutes and is the simple choice. Airport shuttles and public buses cost less but take longer; check the airport's ground transportation page.
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
Three days cover the French Quarter, a streetcar ride, Frenchmen Street music and a meal in the Garden District. Add a day for a swamp tour or the River Road.
Can I get to New Orleans by train?
Yes. Amtrak's City of New Orleans runs from Chicago through Memphis, and the Crescent connects the city with the East Coast. Check timetables, as long-distance trains can run late.