New Orleans FAQs

Find out all you need to know about visiting New Orleans.

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?

New Orleans can be visited year-round thanks to a temperate climate with short, generally mild winters, hot, humid summers, and long periods of pleasant weather in between. Spring is festival season in New Orleans and one of the best times to visit. Flowers are blooming, the city is buzzing and with temperatures reaching the mid-20s the only thing you have to worry about is the occasional shower.

Summer in the South is warm, and New Orleans is no exception. June to August can be hot and humid with temperatures reaching the low 30s. Autumn is a much-loved time of year with a busy event calendar, crisp air and temperatures ranging from the high 20s in September to the mid-teens in October and November. Hurricane season lasts from June to November, but any risk is carefully monitored.

Winter months tend to range between the mid-teens and single digits but lift just in time for Mardi Gras in February.

What is the time difference between the UK and New Orleans?

GMT – 5 hours

What places combine well with New Orleans?

There’s even more to explore in Louisiana beyond New Orleans. Travel west along the Great River Road to see Cajun Country and discover Louisiana’s antebellum heritage by visiting Plantation Country just outside of New Orleans. Or, if you need to relax after your stay in the Big Easy, why not drive along the Gulf Coast to Alabama’s pristine beaches in Orange Beach. Sun and sand are just a three hour drive away.

What are the main cultural events in New Orleans?

February – Mardi Gras (the one and only!)
April – French Quarter Festival
April/May – Jazz & Heritage Festival
August – Satchmo Summerfest