When to go to NOLA?

[Deleted]

H and I are planning on going to New Orleans next year. H wants to avoid the whole super bowl/mardi gras hoopla. I understand that it can get miserably hot/humid (correct me on this is incorrect, this is just what I have heard) in the summer.

I was thinking March in order to avoid Mardi Gras (though I wouldn't actually mind experiencing it) and summer humidity. Is this a good time to go? Best time to visit IYO?

[dorothyinAus]

If you have never been to NOLA, I recommend that Mardi Gras not be your first visit. March is generally good weather, but I would suggest early April is a better time. Usually the best weather is in early to mid April and mid to late October.

It does get horribly hot and humid in the summer months, which can start as early as April and last through Christmas.

Late March/early April is the best time to go in the beginning of the year. Otherwise, I'd wait until October/November.

[Deleted]

We went in Nov, and the weather was perfect....it was abojut 70-75

[bqbride]

The jazz and blues fest is end of April/beginning of May every year. It would be an awesome time if you're into live music. We are thinking of going next year for our 10th anniversary. If you're not into music so much, you probably want to avoid those weekends.

We were there in October one year, and it was hot and so humid. We still laugh at the pictures and the crazy things all that humidity did to my hair. I looked like Sideshow Bob! We had a blast, though, and love NO.

[daringmiss]

A second vote for Jazz Fest (last weekend of April, first weekend in May). The weather is unpredictable (can be warm with sudden rain showers) but everyone is in town, the food is great and there is music everywhere. Every music venue will run three shows a night (early, midnight and 2:00am) and you will be able to see some incredible acts with people dropping in on other people's sets. It is my favorite time of year.

My recommendation -- book hotels NOW for both weekends, then look at the cubes and dump your reservation for the weekend you don't want to go. Stay for a couple of non-Fest days to see everything else and complete your restaurant to-do list.

If you aren't a music fan, think November or early April.

[daringmiss]

And if you are interested in Mardi Gras, you should understand that the locals don't bother with the Quarter. The parades start Uptown, so you can have all the fun of MG without the tackiness and drunkenness if you camp out on Napoleon (before St. Charles). That is where all the families are and the atmosphere is more festive and less bawdy.

Understand one important thing: the parade routes form a box...and once a parade starts, you are trapped in the box until it is done. Some days two or three parades will run in a row (google Arthur Hardy for old parade schedules) so you could end up stuck for a while. Also, the weather can be unpredictable, so look at the MG date. And if you want good swag, go to the parades in the rain -- you will get tons!

When I lived in NOLA, I would ride my bike everywhere and could get wherever I wanted, but that might not be an option for you.

[PandaPear]

We went in early April and it was perfect -- warm but not too hot low 80s during the day.

[dorothyinAus]

The best thing about going on April over March is snoballs. Snoball stands don't usually open until April. And on a hot day, there is almost nothing better than a snoball.

[Deleted]

May 28, 2012 3:32:04 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

The best thing about going on April over March is snoballs. Snoball stands don't usually open until April. And on a hot day, there is almost nothing better than a snoball.

snoballs? Is this like a snow cone?

[dorothyinAus]

Similar but much better than any snowcones I've ever had. This is my favourite snoball stand (and it's just off the Street Car Line) www.plumstreetsnoball.com/

[Deleted]

I hate any heat with humidity.

I like going to New Orleans in the winter!

[Deleted]

Thanks for all the advice ladies! Is there anything that you consider must do/see in the area?

[Deleted]

You must eat well.

I just go to New Orleans to eat.

No exaggeration.

[PandaPear]

I second the pp re: eating -- so much delicious food! I've been to NOLA several times, and besides eating, have done the following:

-See jazz/live music
-Streetcar ride to Garden district/cemeteries
-Ferry ride across the river to Algiers
-Bayou tour
-Night out on Bourbon Street (once is certainly enough)
-Shopping on Magazine Street
-Parades
-Saints game or other sporting events
-EAT - I particularly loved Jacques Imos and Muriel's.

[KC18]

Just got back from New Orleans. Weather was hot, for sure, but the evenings were nice.

Here were the food/drink highlights:

-Acme Oyster House (best oysters ever - get them chargrilled)
-Napoleon's House (nice outdoor courtyard area - get a Pimms Cup and enjoy)
- Eat Restaurant brunch - so good, worth a wait
- Mother's - another good brunch / lunch spot
-Abita Brewery (a ton of free beer - purple haze, strawberry, etc)