New Orleans Holidays

Learn about New Orleans’ fascinating history with a city tour, taking you to St Louis Cathedral, the French Quarter, open gardens and plantations. A ghost tour is a must-do if you want to learn about the lives of those who once lived here. The grand cemeteries are also worth a visit. To avoid burying the dead below sea level, the city’s earliest residents created elaborate marble chambers which still stand today.

To experience the artsy side of New Orleans, head to the sophisticated Warehouse District – it’s full of galleries and quirky places to eat. You’ll also find The National WWII Museum here. If you want to escape from it all, hop on the street car over to Garden District where you can wander streets lined with elegant houses and gardens.

When the sun goes down, Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is the place to be. Neon lights and the sounds of jazz will guide you to the best balcony bars.

New Orleans isn’t just about fun for the adults. Kids will love riding on the street cars and seeing unusual animals at the aquarium, insectarium and Audubon zoo. When little legs get tired, let a horse-drawn carriage take you around the city to spot street performers. There are also kids’ versions of ghost tours and some live jazz is played earlier in the day, so everyone can get a taste of the city’s unique past.

City Park is a lovely way to spend a more relaxed day. There’s a lot to do for kids – they can wander round the Botanical Gardens and Sculpture Garden, play a game of mini-golf, spot their favourite characters at Storyland, or go boating on Big Lake.

When it's time to eat, head to Camellia Grill, Johnny's Po-Boys, or Acorn Cafe in The Louisiana Children's Museum. Little ones will also love for stopping for a refreshing snowball – a shaved ice-cream dessert.

New Orleans is particularly special when there’s a festival in town. During Mardi Gras – which falls around Shrove Tuesday – carnivals line the streets with some fantastic costumes, dancing and music. There will be plenty of food, drink and parties to enjoy as you watch the colourful parades go past.

Music festivities take place throughout the year, with the likes of Jazz Fest, French Quarter Festival and Essence Festival just a few of the events in the calendar. And, from March to May, you can hear live music from up-and-coming bands every Wednesday in Lafayette Square.

That’s not all – there are festivities to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, the arts, craft food and drink, and good causes. You’ll also find celebrations for Halloween and the festive period, with special events to make the most of the holidays. The party never stops in New Orleans.

Located right along the Gulf of Mexico, it's no surprise that New Orleans experiences warm summers. With cooler weather and many more mega festivals, spring and fall in New Orleans have become the most popular seasons to visit. However, exploring New Orleans at any time throughout the year is sure to give you memories to last a lifetime with various incredible attractions both outdoors and indoors. Temperatures are usually around the late teens and early twenties, but can dip into the thirties towards May.

To see the city at its liveliest, plan your New Orleans holiday during the Mardi Gras season in February and March, or coincide it with the French Quarter Festival or Jazz Fest in April or early May. But if you want cheaper prices and a more laidback experience, it’s best to avoid visiting when these are events are on.

October and November are lovely months to visit, when the summer heat is dying out and the crowds have gone. December and January are chillier, but if you’re happy to wrap up, you could see the festive lights and get a great deal.