The Best Time to Visit New Orleans (2026)

The Quick Answer

• Peak season in New Orleans falls between January and mid-March, when the biggest annual festivals are held. Travel in April, May or October for sunshine without the party crowds. 

New Orleans is amongst the world's most iconic party destinations. Synonymous with marvellous Mardi Gras parades, late-night jazz and a real sense of fun, the city has long thrilled visitors. Famed for its cracking Creole cuisine, turbulent history, rich culture and proud identity, New Orleans makes a dazzling destination for a solo trip, group getaway, family adventure or romantic holiday. This Louisiana city also boasts beautiful hotels; you'll find our Gurus' favourites in our guide to the best times to visit New Orleans.

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When is the best time to visit New Orleans for good weather?

The best time to visit New Orleans for sunshine and pleasant temperatures is in April, May, October and November. Peak season falls between January and mid-March, when most of the city's biggest parties are held. Though the weather will likely be lovely, hotel and flight prices are higher at these times, so we wouldn't suggest travelling before late March unless you're keen to experience Mardi Gras and the extended New Orleans Carnival season.

The heat rises throughout June and into the humid summer months, when temperatures average around 32°C but can also be much warmer. This is also hurricane season, with a higher chance of storms, particularly in August and September. Come October, temperatures begin to cool slightly, and the city is great fun in the months leading up to Christmas. Whatever time of year you choose to visit, the city is filled with hip, design-led hotels, perfect for discerning travellers. 

Hip Hotels in New Orleans

• Hotel Saint Vincent is a beautifully restored red-brick building in the Lower Garden District. Elegant yet playful rooms feature funky design twists. There's a pool, a signature Italian eatery and a cool lobby bar. For well-heeled romantics. 
• Loft 523 has 18 minimalist, light-filled guest rooms. Housed in a converted dry goods warehouse, this is a sleek, understated hotel for design aficionados seeking a hip bar, airy shared spaces and a brilliant location for hitting the city's food and music scene. 
• The Barnett, a trendy favourite in the Warehouse District, has moody interiors with leather sofas, green and charcoal details and plenty of polished wood. Expect jazz evenings, a rooftop pool and mid-century style in an impressive Art Deco building. 

When is the best time to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras and festivals?

Celebrated across Louisiana, Mardi Gras is the culmination of a fabulous Carnival season which begins on 6th January each year. Expect masquerade balls, live music events, and dazzling parades (organised by social clubs known as 'krewes') in the lead-up to Mardi Gras itself. The most famous event in New Orleans' annual calendar, Mardi Gras ('Fat Tuesday') takes place on Shrove Tuesday, usually in February or early March. 

New Orleans' festival season attracts more than a million visitors each year. Hotels and restaurants fill up fast, flight prices peak, and it's essential to book all aspects of your trip well in advance. This is a particularly popular time to travel to New Orleans with friends; the city boasts a whole host of brilliant hotels for memorable group holidays.

New Orleans Hotels for Groups

• The Drifter offers stylish guest rooms (doubles and dorms) centred around a courtyard pool. Food trucks, live music, craft beers and frozen cocktails kickstart fun evenings. Popular with a hip, party-going crowd, this Mid-City hotel has rapidly become a New Orleans favourite with groups of friends. 
• Inn at The Old Jail, formerly a jailhouse, has been transformed into a fun nine-bedroom guesthouse in Treme. Book the whole place for the ultimate trip with friends, complete with a shared kitchen, courtyard, roof deck and cosy sitting room. 
• Royal Street Inn is known for its buzzing bar. The guest rooms are funky and atmospheric, with modernist furnishings and monochromatic photography. Bohemian Faubourg Marigny is full of bars and music venues, and the inn is a hotspot for fun-loving groups of friends.  

When can you visit New Orleans without the crowds?

New Orleans is at its busiest between January and mid-March each year. To avoid the Carnival crowds, travel in April or May, or in the run-up to Christmas; also popular, these months offer beautiful weather for exploring.

If you're committed to making the most of potential off-season deals, consider travelling in July, August or September. However, this is the hottest time of year, when the humidity ramps up, and it's seriously sticky. Rainstorms are expected, and hurricanes are a rare but real possibility. But this can be a special opportunity to discover New Orleans; when cafés, restaurants, shops and hotels are quiet, staff are particularly friendly, and there's a more laid-back atmosphere. 

Couples willing to brave the heat in an effort to avoid the crowds could consider travelling in June or early October, just outside of the school holiday dates. New Orleans boasts some famously fabulous boutique hotels, perfect for a relaxed weekend together. Our Gurus have compiled a list of 15 Romantic Hotels in New Orleans to get you started.

Romantic Luxury in New Orleans

• Hotel Peter and Paul oozes heritage charm. Set across a collection of restored heritage buildings including a former schoolhouse and convent, individually designed rooms feature antiques, four-poster beds, soft gingham textiles and lovely clawfoot tubs. One for old-school romance.
• Maison Métier, just south of the French Quarter, promises glamorous indulgence. Expect sumptuous interiors with velvet upholstery, soft lighting and quirky artwork. Exceptionally romantic. 
• The Celestine, a 10-bedroom gem with a courtyard in which Tennessee Williams reputedly penned 'A Streetcar Named Desire', is another couples' favourite. Individually decorated rooms fuse French, Spanish and Afro-Caribbean influences, with four-poster beds, antique furnishings and private balconies. 

When is the best time to visit New Orleans for sightseeing?

Travel to New Orleans in spring or autumn for the best sightseeing. Slightly outside the peak festival season and before the summer heat intensifies, April and early May are wonderful in New Orleans. Similarly, October and November, after the humid hurricane season, promise plenty of sunshine. Expect fewer crowds and good weather for strolling around the historic city centre as well as venturing into the fascinating, wildlife-filled Louisiana bayous. 

New Orleans is crammed with beautifully preserved heritage buildings. Keen sightseers will delight in staying in characterful hotels. Our Gurus' list of 14 Historic New Orleans Hotels is a great starting point. We're also big fans of intimate B&Bs, many of which are tucked within the picturesque Garden District. Think tree-lined streets, painted balconies and cosy shared spaces with fireplaces. Where better to kick back after a day of sightseeing?

Charming B&Bs in New Orleans

• Maison Perrier, built in 1892, promises stacks of Victorian charm. In an attractive Uptown/Garden District setting, this nine-bedroom B&B boasts convivial shared indoor spaces and a pretty porch. Historic, characterful and popular with guests of all ages. 
• Henry Howard Hotel has 17 sophisticated rooms with polished wood furniture, contemporary four-posters and local artwork. Built by acclaimed architect Henry Howard in 1867, this exquisite B&B has a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. Sip evening drinks in the parlour before exploring the Garden District. 

When is the best time to visit New Orleans with kids?

If you have school-aged children, travel to New Orleans during the Easter holidays, October half-term or the Christmas holidays for great weather and fewer crowds than in peak Carnival season. July and August are very hot and stormy; best avoided for family holidays unless everyone's happy in the heat and flexible with adjusting plans if it rains. Time your trip right, however, and New Orleans is a fantastic destination for active families. 

Amble around the French Quarter on foot, catch live music in Jackson Square, and tour the Louisiana Children's Museum. The Audubon Zoo and Aquarium will delight little ones; as will river boat tours of the swamps, where you'll spot birds and alligators aplenty. Carousel Gardens, a family-focused amusement park, is also great fun. Kickstart your holiday planning with our guide to Kid-Friendly New Orleans Hotels. This really is an exceptional family holiday spot!

Family-Friendly Hotels in New Orleans

• The Chloe, a retro-chic boutique spot in Uptown, is great for couples as well as families. Book the Avenue Double Queen Suite for two queen beds and a private sunroom, and spend your afternoon lounging by the pool after mornings of adventuring. Fun and friendly, with a great restaurant in a cool neighbourhood.
• Audubon Cottages is made up of seven suites, five of which have two bedrooms. Guests of all ages are welcome, making this a great choice for families. The cottages share a saltwater pool (the oldest in the area), and there's a fitness centre, spa and kitchenettes. 
• Royal Sonesta New Orleans will delight families with its generous rooms and suites, central swimming pool and five dining options. Set right in the heart of the action on Bourbon Street, the resort-style hotel is ideal for active explorers eager to make the most of New Orleans' lively bustle. 

What are the best places to visit in New Orleans?

New Orleans is packed with intriguing places to visit. Begin with Jackson Square and the St Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. Pop into the Cabildo Museum, admire the colourful French-era homes which line the surrounding streets, and step into the city’s past with a guided walking tour. The Historic New Orleans Collection is fascinating, and there are galleries, antique shops and boutiques aplenty for keen shoppers.

The New Orleans Museum of Art, the Ogden Museum of Art, the Lafayette Cemetery No 1 and the National WWII Museum are all brilliant. Catch live jazz in Faubourg Marigny and Tremé, stroll through the verdant Garden District, marvel at the botanic gardens, and take a boat tour in the mysterious Louisiana bayous. New Orleans reveals itself to those who take the time to immerse themselves in the city’s proud traditions — and its landmark hotels are a great place to begin.

Landmark New Orleans Hotels

• The Roosevelt is a grand five-star hotel with glittering chandeliers, luxurious guest rooms, an excellent spa and a refreshing rooftop pool. Originally opened in 1893, the hotel is a New Orleans landmark with a long-standing reputation for sensational hospitality. 
• Hotel Monteleone, owned by four generations of the Monteleone family since 1886, is another city icon. The only high-rise building in the interior French Quarter, the hotel promises classic interiors, with impressive lounges, comfortable suites and a real sense of tradition. The rotating Carousel Bar is worth a visit in itself. 

Still not sure?

• Browse through our full list of New Orleans.
• Expand your search to include the best places to stay in Louisiana.
• Or, contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.