United States, North America

New Orleans in August

Brutal heat and rising hurricane risk. Satchmo SummerFest and restaurant deals are the upsides, and many locals leave town.

Think twiceHottest, highs near 92F (33C), very humid, storms

French Quarter New Orleans, United States — New OrleansPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

August is a month to think twice about visiting New Orleans. Brutal heat and rising hurricane risk. Satchmo SummerFest and restaurant deals are the upsides, and many locals leave town.

Weather: Hottest, highs near 92F (33C), very humid, storms
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What August is like in New Orleans

August is the hardest month to visit New Orleans. Highs are near 92F (33C), the humidity is punishing, and afternoon storms are frequent. Hurricane risk rises as the month goes on, and many locals leave town. Prices hit rock bottom and restaurants run summer deals.

Only go if you are chasing a bargain, handle heat well and can book flexible, refundable rates. Satchmo SummerFest is the main reason to come. Everyone else, especially families, should wait until November or come in spring, from February through April. If you do go, book refundable rates and plan every afternoon indoors.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about New Orleans this month.

Satchmo SummerFest

A Louis Armstrong tribute festival at the Old US Mint in early August, and a good excuse for a summer trip.

Summer restaurant deals

Many restaurants offer summer specials to fill tables during the slow season.

The lowest hotel rates of the year

Rooms that are hard to find in spring go for a fraction of the price.

What to pack for August

The lightest clothes you own
A sturdy umbrella for storms
Electrolyte packets and a water bottle
A light layer for cold air conditioning

Our timing tip

Buy travel insurance and choose refundable bookings, and watch the tropical forecast in the week before you go.

Book New Orleans for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New Orleans
Opens a hotel search for New Orleans in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in New Orleans
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in New Orleans
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in New Orleans for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Satchmo SummerFest

Early August

A Louis Armstrong tribute festival at the Old US Mint. A good excuse for a summer trip.

Things to do in New Orleans

Full guide

The National WWII Museum

Plan a full day; it is one of the best museums in the country. Weekday mornings are calmest.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The French Quarter and Jackson Square

Walk it early before the day-trippers arrive. Royal Street by day, Frenchmen Street by night, and Bourbon Street only if you want to.

Tickets and tours →

St. Charles streetcar and the Garden District

Ride the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world past the mansions to Audubon Park. Cheap, slow, perfect.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Frenchmen Street music

The locals' answer to Bourbon Street: three blocks of clubs with live bands from early evening on.

Tickets and tours →

City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art

Giant live oaks, the free sculpture garden, and beignets under the trees. Bigger than Central Park.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park

The French Quarter visitor center runs ranger talks, and the Barataria Preserve boardwalk puts you in a real swamp a short drive away.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For Mardi Gras, the two weekends before the final weekend offer full parades at lower rates and thinner crowds.
Stay in the Marigny, Bywater, or Garden District instead of the Quarter. You get quieter nights and are still a streetcar or short ride from the action.
Do the Quarter, Cafe du Monde, and Jackson Square before 9am. By late morning, cruise-ship and day-trip crowds arrive.
November and early December deliver spring-quality weather at off-season prices. It is the smart-money window.

Know before you go

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from late August through September. A named storm can trigger closures or evacuations; buy refundable rates and insurance for late summer trips.
During the final days of Mardi Gras, parade routes close streets for hours and traffic across Uptown and downtown can gridlock. Many businesses close on Fat Tuesday itself.
Many old-line restaurants and some small museums close one or two days a week, often Monday or Tuesday. Check before you plan a special dinner.
Crawfish season runs roughly January through June, peaking in spring. Come in fall and the boils are mostly off the menu.

New Orleans in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit New Orleans?

August is a month to think twice about visiting New Orleans. Brutal heat and rising hurricane risk. Satchmo SummerFest and restaurant deals are the upsides, and many locals leave town.

What is the weather like in New Orleans in August?

Hottest, highs near 92F (33C), very humid, storms.

Is New Orleans crowded in August?

August is one of the quieter months in New Orleans; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in New Orleans in August?

Satchmo SummerFest (early august).