Stay in New Orleans in August
49 hotels in the Trip.com pool for New Orleans, from US$25 a night.
Opens Trip.com on Fri 6 Aug to Sun 8 Aug 2027; change the dates there.
August in New Orleans is, to put it plainly, punishing. Daytime temperatures average 32°C (90°F), but that number understates what the air does to you. Humidity around 76% pushes the heat index toward 37°C (99°F) most afternoons, and it never truly cools off at night. The city receives more rain this month than any other, 211mm of it, usually delivered as sudden afternoon storms that can flood low-lying streets in the Marigny and Mid-City within 20 minutes. This is the deep end of Atlantic hurricane season, and the possibility of a named storm is something to plan around, not dismiss.
The compensations are real, though. Hotel rates drop to their lowest point of the year. COOLinary New Orleans runs all month, a promotion where roughly 100 restaurants offer prix-fixe lunches and dinners, turning high-end dining rooms into accessible meals. Satchmo SummerFest opens the first weekend with free brass-band performances, and White Linen Night draws thousands to an evening gallery walk along Julia Street. The cultural life of New Orleans doesn't pause for the heat. It moves indoors to air-conditioned museums and clubs.
Be honest with yourself about heat tolerance before booking. Locals structure their August days around air conditioning. They stay indoors from late morning through mid-afternoon, and many families leave town entirely for a week or two. If you handle tropical humidity well, or if thin crowds at Jackson Square and restaurant tables that would be booked solid in April sound appealing, August delivers on both. If temperatures above 30°C wear you down, October is a better bet by a wide margin.
Why visit in August
- Hotel rates reach their annual floor across the French Quarter and Garden District, making neighborhoods that command peak-season premiums during Mardi Gras accessible at a fraction of that price.
- COOLinary New Orleans gives visitors access to top-tier restaurant menus at fixed promotional prices all month, with participating kitchens spanning Uptown, the Warehouse District, and the French Quarter.
- Crowds at major sites thin to a fraction of spring and fall levels, meaning shorter lines at places like The Cabildo and more breathing room at Preservation Hall's nightly sets.
- Satchmo SummerFest and White Linen Night offer strong, locally oriented cultural programming in the first half of the month, events that feel like neighborhood gatherings rather than tourist productions.
Worth knowing
- The heat index regularly pushes past 37°C (99°F) by midday, confining comfortable outdoor time to roughly 6-9am and after 7pm.
- August receives the heaviest monthly rainfall in New Orleans, with afternoon thunderstorms capable of flooding streets in low-lying neighborhoods like Gentilly and parts of the Marigny within half an hour.
- Atlantic hurricane season peaks from August through October, and a named storm can disrupt flights, shutter attractions, and trigger evacuation orders with fewer than 48 hours of warning.
- Several locally owned restaurants and shops close for 1-2 weeks of annual vacation during August, sometimes without advance notice.
Best for
Think twice if
The hottest and wettest month on the New Orleans calendar. Afternoon thunderstorms arrive on roughly 17 of the 31 days, typically between 2pm and 5pm, dropping heavy rain for 20-45 minutes before clearing. Mornings start partly cloudy and already warm by 8am. The heat builds steadily through midday and tends to peak around 3pm. Nights offer little relief, as temperatures rarely dip far enough to dry the air. UV index readings reach 10-11 on clear mornings, even when cloud cover rolls in ahead of the afternoon storms.
Seasonal caution
- Heat index regularly exceeds 38°C (100°F) between noon and 4pm. Heat exhaustion is a genuine risk during extended outdoor activity in that window. Drink water constantly and seek shade or air conditioning every 20-30 minutes if walking.
- Atlantic hurricane season peaks from mid-August through mid-October. Monitor the National Hurricane Center forecasts before and during your trip. A hurricane watch means conditions are possible within 48 hours. Book refundable flights and hotels, and carry travel insurance that covers weather disruptions.
- Flash flooding occurs in low-lying neighborhoods like Mid-City, Gentilly, and parts of the Tremé after heavy downpours. Water can rise above curb level in under 30 minutes. Avoid underpasses and standing water on foot or by car.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16 | 8 | 112 |
| Feb | 19 | 11 | 102 |
| Mar | 22 | 14 | 152 |
| Apr | 25 | 18 | 112 |
| May | 29 | 22 | 167 |
| Jun | 31 | 25 | 182 |
| Jul | 31 | 26 | 193 |
| Aug | 32 | 26 | 211 |
| Sep | 30 | 24 | 165 |
| Oct | 26 | 19 | 78 |
| Nov | 21 | 14 | 85 |
| Dec | 19 | 12 | 129 |
Best things to do in August
COOLinary prix-fixe dining
food and drinkOver 100 restaurants participate in the month-long COOLinary promotion, offering two-course lunches and three-course dinners at fixed prices. This is the rare window to eat at places that normally require reservations weeks out during peak season, with menus built to showcase each kitchen's strengths at accessible price points.
COOLinary runs exclusively in August, timed to low tourist season to fill seats and reward visitors who brave the heat.Booking tipMake reservations even during COOLinary. Popular restaurants fill up for Friday and Saturday dinner, so book by Wednesday.
Morning walk through the Garden District
sightseeingThe oak-canopied streets between 1st Street and Washington Avenue offer the best natural shade in the city. Antebellum homes from the 1840s and 1850s line the residential blocks. The mature live-oak canopy drops temperatures noticeably compared to the exposed sidewalks of the French Quarter.
August's heat makes the hours before 9am the only comfortable window for outdoor walking. The Garden District's tree cover provides natural cooling most neighborhoods lack.Booking tipTake the St. Charles streetcar to the Washington Avenue stop and walk from there. The streetcar runs air-conditioned cars on a regular schedule.
Afternoon at the New Orleans Museum of Art and Besthoff Sculpture Garden
cultureNOMA, founded in 1911, houses over 40,000 works spanning French Impressionism, Japanese Edo-period painting, and contemporary Louisiana artists. The adjacent Besthoff Sculpture Garden covers 11 acres with 90+ works set among live oaks and lagoons in City Park. The museum's climate-controlled galleries feel especially welcome after noon.
Lower summer attendance means you can linger in the galleries without the crowds that pack the museum during cooler months. The sculpture garden is best explored early morning before the heat peaks.Booking tipThe Sculpture Garden is free and open daily. Visit the outdoor works before 9am, then move inside to the galleries as temperatures climb.
Evening jazz on Frenchmen Street
nightlifeFrenchmen Street in the Marigny is where locals go for live music. On any given night, 5-8 clubs along a 3-block stretch host jazz, funk, brass bands, and R&B acts. Most venues charge no cover or a nominal cover charge. The music typically starts around 9-10pm, when the day's heat finally breaks.
Summer evenings on Frenchmen are less packed than October through April, meaning you can walk into clubs that usually have lines. The later start times align with August's pattern of avoiding the outdoors until dark.Kayaking on Bayou St. John
outdoorBayou St. John winds through Mid-City and borders City Park, offering a calm waterway for paddling within city limits. Several outfitters rent kayaks and canoes by the hour. On the water, the breeze off the bayou and the shade from overhanging trees make the temperature more tolerable than on the sidewalks.
Water levels tend to be higher in August from the heavy rainfall, making the bayou easier to navigate. The early-morning window before 10am is genuinely pleasant on the water, even in peak summer.Booking tipArrive by 7am on weekends. Morning rental slots are first-come, first-served and fill quickly in summer.
The Cabildo and Presbytère on Jackson Square
cultureThe Cabildo, built in 1795, houses exhibits on Louisiana's colonial history, the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, and the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. The adjacent Presbytère covers Mardi Gras history and Hurricane Katrina's aftermath. Both are fully climate-controlled and sit directly on Jackson Square.
These museums see a fraction of their spring foot traffic in August, and the air conditioning makes them a practical refuge during the noon-to-4pm heat window when outdoor sightseeing is impractical.Dawn swamp tour
outdoorSeveral operators run airboat and pontoon tours through the swamps and bayous outside the city, departing from launches in Lafitte or Slidell, both 30-45 minutes from downtown. August mornings are prime time to spot alligators basking in the early sun. Great blue herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills are active during the morning feeding hours.
Alligator activity peaks in the warm months, and the August breeding season tends to produce more sightings than cooler-weather tours. The first departure of the day offers bearable temperatures on the water.Booking tipBook the earliest departure, typically 8am or before. Afternoon swamp tours in August are genuinely miserable, with sun reflecting off the water and no shade.
Saints preseason game at the Caesars Superdome
sportsThe New Orleans Saints play NFL preseason home games at the Caesars Superdome, the 73,000-seat domed stadium built in 1975. Preseason games offer a chance to experience the Superdome atmosphere, the crowd noise, and the tailgating culture on Poydras Street at lower ticket prices than the regular season.
NFL preseason runs through August, with 2-3 home games typically scheduled before the regular season opens in September. Tickets are easier to find and cheaper than regular-season contests.Booking tipCheck the Saints schedule for exact August home dates. Preseason tickets are available closer to game day than regular-season games, but popular matchups still sell out the lower bowl.
What to eat in August
In season: fruit
Creole tomatoes
Louisiana-grown Creole tomatoes peak in summer and appear on menus citywide in salads, sandwiches, and as a standalone dish with lump crabmeat. They tend to be sweeter and less acidic than standard grocery varieties. The Crescent City Farmers Market on Saturday mornings carries them directly from local growers.
On menus now
Soft-shell crab
Louisiana blue crabs molt through the warm months, and soft-shell season still runs strong in August. You'll find them fried and served on po'boys or as plated entrées at seafood restaurants across the city. The shells are tender and edible when the crabs are freshly caught.
Street food peaks
Sno-balls
Not a snow cone. New Orleans sno-balls use finely shaved ice drenched in flavored syrups, and August is peak season at the neighborhood stands scattered through Uptown and Mid-City. Popular flavors include wedding cake, nectar cream, and tiger's blood. Hansen's Sno-Bliz on Tchoupitoulas Street has been serving them since 1939.
What to drink
Frozen Irish coffee
Several French Quarter bars serve frozen Irish coffee year-round, but August is when the cold cocktail earns its reputation. The drink blends cold-brewed coffee, Irish whiskey, and a frozen cream layer. Erin Rose on Conti Street has been pouring a well-known version for years.
In markets
Okra
Peak okra harvest in Louisiana runs June through September, and the hot, humid August growing conditions produce excellent pods. It shows up in gumbo, fried as a side dish, and pickled at farmers market stalls throughout the city.
Louisiana white shrimp
The inshore white shrimp season typically opens in mid-August across Louisiana's coastal waters. Fresh-off-the-boat shrimp start appearing on restaurant menus and at seafood counters within days of the opening, with a sweeter, cleaner flavor than frozen imports.
Regular events in August
Satchmo SummerFestFree
A 3-day festival celebrating the life and music of Louis Armstrong, held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint and surrounding blocks in the French Quarter. The program includes brass-band performances, jazz seminars, second-line parades, and local food vendors. Attendance runs in the low thousands, giving it an intimate neighborhood feel compared to Jazz Fest's 400,000+ visitors.
First weekend of August (Friday through Sunday)White Linen NightFree
An evening block party on Julia Street in the Warehouse District where galleries open their doors for a free art walk. Live music, food stalls, and cocktail bars line the sidewalks. The event typically draws 30,000-40,000 people, making it one of the best-attended summer events in the city. The dress code is simple: wear white linen.
First Saturday of August, 6pm-10pmDirty Linen NightFree
Royal Street's irreverent answer to the Julia Street event, held one week later. Galleries and shops between Canal Street and St. Ann Street stay open late, and the dress code flips to creative, colorful, or intentionally messy outfits. The atmosphere tends to feel more local and less polished than its predecessor.
Second Saturday of August, 6pm-10pmRed Dress Run
A charity hash-house run organized by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, where thousands of participants run or walk a route through the French Quarter wearing red dresses. Registration fees go to local charities. The event ends at a block party near the start line, with costumes ranging from simple red sundresses to elaborate themed getups.
Mid-August, typically the second SaturdayCOOLinary New Orleans
A month-long dining promotion organized by New Orleans & Company, the city's convention and visitors bureau. Participating restaurants offer two-course lunch menus and three-course dinner menus at fixed promotional prices throughout August, designed to draw diners during the slow summer season.
All of AugustBest places this August
Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square
parkLouis Armstrong Park in Tremé contains Congo Square, the historic gathering place where enslaved Africans were permitted to congregate on Sundays in the 18th and 19th centuries, preserving musical traditions that fed directly into the birth of jazz. The park's mature trees provide shade for an early-morning visit. Satchmo SummerFest programming spills into this area during the first weekend.
TreméSaint Louis Cemetery No. 1
historic siteThe city's oldest cemetery, dating to 1789, holds the above-ground tombs characteristic of New Orleans burial traditions, including the reputed resting place of Marie Laveau. Visits require a licensed tour guide. In August, book a morning slot. The stone and concrete tombs radiate stored heat by early afternoon, making later tours significantly less comfortable.
TreméJackson Square
landmarkThe open plaza in front of St. Louis Cathedral, laid out in 1721, serves as the civic heart of the French Quarter. Street performers, portrait artists, and fortune tellers line the iron fence year-round. In August, the square empties enough that you can take your time browsing the artists and musicians along the perimeter without competing for space.
French QuarterAudubon Park
parkA 350-acre green space in Uptown with a 1.8-mile jogging loop under live oaks, a golf course, and lagoons where egrets and herons fish in the shallows. The tree canopy here provides better shade than most of the city's open spaces. In August, the park is functional before 9am and again after 6pm, when joggers and dog-walkers reclaim the paths.
UptownMagazine Street
shopping districtA 6-mile commercial corridor running from the Warehouse District through the Garden District and into Uptown, lined with vintage stores, bookshops, galleries, and local boutiques. In August, the eclectic mix of shops operates at a slower pace. The best strategy is to pick a 10-block stretch, walk it early, and duck into air-conditioned stores as the heat builds.
Garden District to UptownCity Park
parkAt 1,300 acres, City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It holds NOMA, Storyland (a children's playground shaped around fairy-tale sculptures), and Couturie Forest, a small urban woodland with walking trails that run 3-5°C cooler than the exposed sidewalks downtown. Morning Call café near the sculpture garden serves beignets and chicory coffee.
Mid-CityPreservation Hall
music venueA bare-bones music venue on St. Peter Street that has hosted traditional New Orleans jazz nightly since 1961. The room seats about 100 people on wooden benches with no air conditioning, so August shows are sweaty and intimate in equal measure. Sets run 3 times nightly starting at 5pm, each lasting about 45 minutes.
French Quarter
Your packing checklist
Tick items off as you pack. Your progress saves in this browser.
All packed — have a great trip.
Insider tips
The St. Charles streetcar runs air-conditioned cars on the oldest continuously operating streetcar route in the world. A day pass lets you ride from Canal Street through the Garden District and Uptown without walking a single block in the heat. Sit on the left side heading uptown for the best views of the historic homes.
If a restaurant you planned to visit is closed for its annual August vacation, check their social media before crossing it off. Many New Orleans restaurants post exact closure dates in late July, and some close for only one of the four weeks.
The Crescent City Farmers Market on Saturday mornings in the Warehouse District is where local chefs shop before their shifts. Vendors will tell you how to prepare what they're selling, and the August selection reflects what ends up on restaurant menus that same evening.
Frenchmen Street's live music doesn't get going until 9-10pm most nights. Spend the early evening hours on dinner in the Bywater or Marigny, then walk to Frenchmen when the sets start. The later you arrive, the better the musicians tend to be, and the temperature will have dropped closer to tolerable.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking a 2-hour outdoor walking tour that starts at 11am or later. By midday, the heat index reaches dangerous levels, and even well-hydrated visitors risk heat exhaustion. Schedule outdoor tours for the 8-9am slot, or switch to an air-conditioned bus option.
- Assuming afternoon rain cancels evening plans. August storms in New Orleans are typically fast-moving cells that clear in 30-45 minutes. Streets drain within an hour in most areas. A 3pm downpour rarely affects a 7pm dinner reservation.
- Skipping the French Quarter entirely because of its tourist-trap reputation. In August, the Quarter empties out enough that its real assets become accessible. St. Louis Cathedral, built in 1794, the street artists on Jackson Square, and the 18th-century architecture reward a morning visit when the crowds are thin.
- Packing only flip-flops for footwear. Post-storm street flooding can bring up debris, and standing water in the French Quarter and Tremé is not something you want to wade through with exposed toes. Waterproof sandals with a closed toe or a sturdy heel strap are safer for navigating wet streets.
Practical tips for August
Book morning time slots for any outdoor activity, and plan to be indoors or under deep shade between 11am and 4pm. COOLinary restaurants still fill on weekends, so make those reservations by Wednesday of the same week. The St. Charles and Canal streetcar lines run on regular schedules year-round, though wait times at open-air stops feel longer in the heat. Carry cash for sno-ball stands and smaller music venues on Frenchmen Street, as not all accept cards. Check the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov before your trip and consider travel insurance that covers weather-related cancellations. Many museums close on Mondays, NOMA included, so plan your indoor-culture day accordingly. If you rent a car, never park on a neutral ground (the local term for a median) during a storm watch. Standing water in these low-lying strips can rise above door level during heavy rain.
FAQ
Is August a good time to visit New Orleans?
Honestly, no. August is one of the two worst months for visiting, alongside September. The combination of extreme heat, high humidity, heavy rainfall, and hurricane risk makes it a difficult month for most travelers. That said, if you handle tropical conditions well and want the lowest prices of the year, August offers genuine value. Expect to plan your days around air conditioning and limit outdoor activity to early morning and late evening.
What is the weather like in New Orleans in August?
Hot, humid, and rainy. The humidity makes the already-warm temperatures feel several degrees higher than the thermometer reads, and afternoon storms bring the city's heaviest monthly rainfall. Nights offer minimal relief, with overnight lows staying in the upper 20s Celsius (upper 70s Fahrenheit). A rain jacket and water bottle are essential every time you leave the hotel.
Is New Orleans crowded in August?
No. August has the lowest tourist volume of any month in New Orleans. Major sites like Jackson Square and the French Quarter feel noticeably emptier than during Mardi Gras in February, Jazz Fest in late April, or the pleasant fall months of October and November. You'll share the city primarily with locals and a small number of summer visitors. Restaurants that normally need reservations 2 weeks out can often seat walk-ins.
Are there any festivals in New Orleans in August?
Several. Satchmo SummerFest fills the first weekend with free jazz at the Old U.S. Mint. White Linen Night on the first Saturday turns Julia Street into a gallery-walk block party. Dirty Linen Night follows on the second Saturday along Royal Street. The Red Dress Run, a charity event where thousands run through the French Quarter in red dresses, also falls mid-month. And the COOLinary dining promotion runs all 31 days.
Is it safe to visit New Orleans during hurricane season?
August falls in the middle of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. The statistical peak of storm activity runs from mid-August through mid-October. Most August visits proceed without incident, but you should monitor the National Hurricane Center forecasts, book refundable flights and hotels, and carry travel insurance. The city's evacuation procedures are well-practiced since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. If a hurricane watch is issued for your travel dates, seriously consider postponing.
Things to Do in New Orleans in August
Free cancellation New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation
Day trip: 5 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option
City tour: 3 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Day trip: 1 day, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans
Day trip: 7.8 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation New Orleans Sightseeing City Tour
City tour: free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal
Cooking class: 2 hours, free cancellation.
via ViatorLast verified by automated review (v1.7.2) on . What is automated review?