Winter – December, January, February
Winters in New Orleans are chilly but not cold. Jeans, a sweater, and a light jacket will have you covered. You’ll want to dress in layers that you can easily put on and take off as the temperature changes between morning and night.
The winter provides a pleasant break from the heat and humidity of the summer, but the amount of rain is pretty even year round so be sure to pack rain gear and closed-toed shoes. Temperatures vary between 40 and 70 degrees fahrenheit.
Spring – March, April, May
Spring is a beautiful time to visit New Orleans. The flowers are in bloom, it’s warmer, but not so hot and muggy yet. Expect spring showers and occasional overcast days. Temperatures during the spring can be all over the place so it’s important to have a mix of cold and warm weather clothes.
Most days you’ll be comfortable in a short-sleeve shirt and jeans but some days, especially later in spring, will be hotter so you’ll want to wear shorts and sandals. Temperatures average between 60 and 80 degrees fahrenheit during the spring months.
Summer – June, July, August
Be prepared for hot, humid days if you plan on visiting New Orleans in the summer. There is also quite a bit of rainfall so be ready in case there is a good summer rainstorm while you’re in town. Shorts, tank-tops, skirts, dresses, and sandals are the most popular attire during the summer months. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.Temperatures range from 70 degrees fahrenheit to the upper 90’s.
Fall – September, October, November
The fall in New Orleans is a pleasant time of year to visit. It’s still warm from the summer, but the humidity has subsided quite a bit. You’ll still be comfortable wearing most of your summer clothes, but bring a light jacket for mornings and evenings when it can be chillier. Be sure to bring a travel umbrella, as New Orleans gets rain year-round. The temperatures from the beginning of fall to the end vary quite drastically and can be between 50 and 80 degrees fahrenheit.
How to dress for activities in New Orleans? – (Click to expand)
Mardi Gras – People come from all over to party in the streets of New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Some people love to get dressed up in colorful costumes for the parade, but most people tend to use accessories like bead necklaces and fun masks along with their normal clothes. The festival takes place in the spring so it can be chilly, but most people are comfortable in shorts or jeans, a t-shirt, and a light jacket.
New Orleans Nightlife – New Orleans is well-known for its nightlife in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street. There is a wide variety of places from dive bars to upscale restaurants so it’s important to dress accordingly. Most places are pretty casual so jeans and a t-shirt would suffice but women may also like to wear dresses or skirts. For more upscale bars, slacks, dress-shirts, and dresses would be more appropriate as well as a nice pair of dress shoes, sandals, or high-heels.
City Tours – New Orleans is a city filled with history. A great way to learn about its past is by going on a city tour. They can often be an all day affair so it’s important to dress comfortably and for the weather since much of what to see on the tours is outside. It’s important to wear comfortable shoes, and to dress in layers. Bring along a travel umbrella just in case you run into some rain. If it’s a sunny day, then a hat and sunglasses will help keep the sun away.
