Best time to visit NOLA

[mbcdefg]

Any recommendations for the best time of year to visit New Orleans for the first time? We're throwing this idea around for our annual "big" trip. We'd be flying out of EWR.

I don't like being outdoors when it's really hot outside. Is there any kind of off-season, or is everything open year-round? What is the climate like in non-summer months?

I don't think I would like the huge crowds or the pain of finding a hotel around Mardi Gras, but is it stupid to NOT go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras?

[v]

We went over MLK Day last year and we were happy with that! The weather wasn't tropical, certainly, but we were comfortable outside in light jackets and the sun set much later than at home, so I was very happy with the change from the blahs of a northern winter. It was probably in the 60s when we were there? Everything seemed to be open and we didn't get an off-season feeling, but we weren't overwhelmed by crowds or heat.

The city was just starting to get ready for Mardi Gras so some decorations were out. I don't think I'd want to be there during Mardi Gras, at all!!! Too crowded. Also, I've heard to avoid summer because of how sweltering it can be.

[sparty04]

I've been at the beginning of May and middle of December. It was chilly in December (some days 50s, other days closer to 70). I liked May better. It was warmish (low 70s) and we were there during Jazz Fest which could be fun if you're into that.

[wineenthusiast]

I went at the end of April and the weather was great. We left the day before Jazz Fest started (didnt realize it was happening) and I was bummed. The days leading up to Jazz Fest were pretty slow and they day we left, it was a lot busier. I imagine it got fairly crowded during the weekends of the fest but nothing compared to Mardi Gras. I'd recommend going that time of year!

[osumelissa]

I went a few years ago in mid-November and really enjoyed the weather. Also it didn't seem so crazy busy.

For a first trip to NOLA, I would not go around Mardi Gras. Too many drunk assholes.

[Dusky]

We went in January and I was satisfied with the timing. The weather was a bit on the chilly side but was tolerable with jackets, everything we wanted to do was open, and crowds were very mild.

Unless you're really in to that sort of thing you're not missing much by skipping Mardi Gras.

[Deleted]

I've been in November and December and it was great both times.

[riverpestie]

I have also been in December and I also did the a 10K there in March or April and it was nice.

[Mushe]

We went in March, shortly after Mardi Gras, and had great weather and not too much crowding.

[Deleted]

I also would avoid the summer months but would go any other time of year. I lived in Southern Louisiana for a few years until 2007 (about an hour from NOLA), and while locals get used to it, it's absolutely mind-boggling hot in the summer. You can't breath :-)

In non-summer, you're going to have weather that will seem relatively pleasant to you - being from the North - almost year round. I would consider NOLA more of a year-round kind of visit place so I don't think that you're going to find "closed for the season" type scenarios.

I also would not go for the Fat Tuesday parades or really plan my visit around this, but if you're interested in going to a parade, the parades occur for a period leading up to Fat Tuesday (the Tuesday parades are the parades that end up on TV!). The earlier ones are less of the "drunk assholes" that you'd get on Fat Tuesday on Bourbon Street.

www.mardigrasneworleans.com/schedule.html

[sicilygirl]

We're going in December! I read about lots of fun Christmas things that happen in the city in Southern Living last year and decided I really wanted to go during that time of year. It'll be my first time there. We're just going for a long weekend since it's a relatively close drive for us.

[moreace01]

I've been in February - and they had a crazy cold spell so it was in the upper 30's the whole time I was there. Which really stank.
January for Super Bowl - and the weather was great. T-shirt weather. So I guess you never know what you are going to get in winter.
Spring Break (so guessing...April?) - if you are not in college, I'd maybe think about not being there during Spring Break. But the weather was really warm.

[spedrunner]

I went mid June, it was HOT but not terrible.  

I have a review in my blog and tons of info


coffeechalk.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/nola-trip/

[dorothyinAus]

My best bet would be April or October. The weather tends to be best then.
I would not make the visit during Mardi Gras if you have never been before -- it's crazy, even for locals.
MLK Day is a nice time, but it can be a bit chilly.
If you're planning to go around Mardi Gras, I would suggest finalizing plans as soon as possible, hotels book up fast for that time of year.
If you're planning the last weekend in April or the first weekend in May, I'd start finalizing plans now. Those are Jazz Fest weekends and hotels are sometimes hard to get.
If you don't like hot weather, I'd skip the months of May-September, summer heat and humidity have a bad habit of coming early and staying too long.