United States, North America
New Orleans in November
The best-kept secret: dry, comfortable, great food festivals, and hurricane season ending November 30.
The straight answer
November is one of the best months of the year to visit New Orleans. The best-kept secret: dry, comfortable, great food festivals, and hurricane season ending November 30.
- Weather
- Pleasant, highs near 71F (22C)
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What November is like in New Orleans
November may be New Orleans' best-kept secret. Highs are near 71F (22C), the air is dry and comfortable, and the city's food and music calendar is in full swing. Crowds are moderate and prices sit well below spring. Hurricane season ends on November 30, and late-season storms are uncommon.
It suits almost everyone: couples, families, food lovers and first-time visitors who want spring-quality weather at a lower price. The only thing you miss is crawfish, which is mostly off the menu in fall. Thanksgiving week, the fourth Thursday of November, can bring higher rates.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about New Orleans this month.
Perfect walking weather
Cool mornings and mild afternoons make it the ideal time to ride the St. Charles streetcar and walk the Garden District.
Spring weather at fall prices
You get comfortable days and full restaurant calendars for far less than an April trip.
Barataria Preserve
The swamp boardwalk at Jean Lafitte's Barataria Preserve is pleasant in the cooler air, a short drive from the city.
What to pack for November
- A light jacket for cool evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Layers for mornings that start cool
- A nice outfit for a special dinner
Our timing tip
Book early November or the week after Thanksgiving for the best mix of weather and rates.
Book New Orleans for November.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New OrleansOpens a hotel search for New Orleans in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in New OrleansWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in New OrleansTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in New Orleans for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in New Orleans
The National WWII Museum
Plan a full day; it is one of the best museums in the country. Weekday mornings are calmest.
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.
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.
Frenchmen Street music
The locals' answer to Bourbon Street: three blocks of clubs with live bands from early evening on.
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.
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.
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 November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit New Orleans?
November is one of the best months of the year to visit New Orleans. The best-kept secret: dry, comfortable, great food festivals, and hurricane season ending November 30.
What is the weather like in New Orleans in November?
Pleasant, highs near 71F (22C).
Is New Orleans crowded in November?
Crowds in New Orleans are moderate in November; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
Keep planning New Orleans.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
Sponsored links. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Visit Faye
Travel insurance.
FayeA missed connection, a bag that never turns up, a hospital abroad: far cheaper to cover before departure than to argue about after.
- Visit Saily
eSIM data.
SailySet up an eSIM before you fly so your phone has data the moment you land, without roaming charges.
Our top-rated travel gear
Whatever you decide, this is the gear we actually travel with: verified, priced, and ranked. Live price check on each.
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.