Is New Orleans worth visiting?
Yes, New Orleans is absolutely a city that any traveler should visit. During our time here, we had so much fun. During our first trip to New Orleans in the winter of 2008, we fell in love with its historic and fun atmosphere with great music festivals and groundbreaking restaurants. We've been back several times since then to experience it even more.
Whether you're a a couple or on a weekend getaway, this city has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the terrific food and great nightlife.
New Orleans is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including Reader's Digest's Best Places to Travel in 2023.
New Orleans is at the heart of the southern party scene. It has many music roots and plays host to many festivals that feature music, food, and fun. The city has an all night nightlife scene that is concentrated in the French Quarter and it's at its peak during Mardi Gras season. The local food scene has also grown rapidly and there are now a combination of celebrity and local chefs that create incredible dishes.
New Orleans, Louisiana
4 Reasons to Visit New Orleans
1. Food
It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.
2. Nightlife
The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.
3. Music
The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.
4. Historical Sights
The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.
Is New Orleans worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in New Orleans is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat. Summer in New Orleans is hot, but a lively time to visit.
The weather in New Orleans is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 28°C (82°F). But it can get as warm as 33°C (91°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
During this season it's fun to experience the big city activities, the historic old town, and the nightlife.
Summer Weather in New Orleans
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| September | 26°C (78°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
Is New Orleans worth visiting in the Autumn?
The warm weather in autumn is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 21°C (69°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 26°C (80°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in New Orleans, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to admire the historic sights, appreciate the quaint setting, and enjoy the city's energy. Also, you'll be able to listen to some live music.
Autumn Weather in New Orleans
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 21°C (69°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| November | 16°C (61°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| December | 13°C (55°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
Is New Orleans worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the high season for travel in New Orleans, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat. Temperatures are pleasant and warm during the winter and there are some Christmas festivities. Mardi Gras also kicks off in late winter.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during winter, and temperatures hover around 11°C (51°F).
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, browse around the old town, and enjoy an evening out. Also, you can experience the live music and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in New Orleans
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| February | 12°C (54°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| March | 16°C (62°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
Is New Orleans worth visiting in the Spring?
The high season for travel in New Orleans is the spring, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too. Festival season kicks off during the spring season.
The weather in New Orleans is fairly warm during spring, and stays around 20°C (68°F). But it can get as warm as 26°C (78°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the quaint atmosphere, the historic old town, and plenty of live music. Also, you can grab some drinks at a bar.
Spring Weather in New Orleans
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 20°C (68°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| May | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| June | 27°C (80°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting New Orleans
Shopping: New Orleans isn't exactly a shopper's destination. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.
Lots of Tourists
New Orleans sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, New Orleans might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for New Orleans here or see if New Orleans is expensive here.
Related
What is New Orleans most famous for?
New Orleans is most famous for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. People visit this impressive city for its great food, nightlife, and music. It is also known for its great historical sights. It is often described as vibrant, energetic, fun-filled, and festive.
What is the most famous sight in New Orleans?
The most popular sight in New Orleans is The French Quarter. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in New Orleans on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The French Quarter and other attractions here.
How touristy is New Orleans? Is it a popular city to visit?
New Orleans is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- French Quarter Ghost Tour: $39
- More Than Mardi Gras: French Quarter Tour (Small Group): $39
- Nola Party Bus Tour: $25
- New Orleans Taste of Gumbo Food Walking Tour: $81
- Adults Only True Crime Dark History New Orleans Walking Tour: $37
- Whitney Plantation Half Day Tour: $87
- Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans: $15
- Beyond the French Quarter Bike Tour: $60
How long should I spend in New Orleans?
The ideal length of time for a trip to New Orleans is two to three days. Since New Orleans has a variety of activities such as dining, nightlife, and music, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in New Orleans?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in New Orleans?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in New Orleans?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about New Orleans.
What makes New Orleans a budget-friendly destination? Or not?
We were able to find very cheap accommodation just outside of the more touristy area.