United States, North America
New Orleans in September
The heart of hurricane season. Cheapest month of the year, and a real risk of evacuation or disruption. Buy travel insurance if you go.
The straight answer
September is a month to think twice about visiting New Orleans. The heart of hurricane season. Cheapest month of the year, and a real risk of evacuation or disruption. Buy travel insurance if you go.
- Weather
- Still hot, highs near 88F (31C), peak hurricane season
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What September is like in New Orleans
September is the heart of hurricane season, and it is the riskiest month to visit. Highs are still near 88F (31C) with heavy humidity. It is the cheapest month of the year, and the city is quiet, but a named storm can bring closures, disruption or an evacuation order with only a few days' notice.
Go only if you want the lowest prices, can travel on short notice and have insurance plus refundable bookings. Families and first-time visitors should not plan a September trip. Wait a few weeks for late October, or come in November for dry, comfortable weather.
Make the most of September
What is especially good about New Orleans this month.
The year's lowest prices
Hotels discount heavily, and nice rooms in the Garden District or Marigny cost far less than in any other month.
Quiet museums
The WWII Museum, the Cabildo and the aquarium are at their calmest, a good plan for hot afternoons.
Locals' city
With few visitors around, neighborhood bars and Frenchmen Street clubs feel especially local.
What to pack for September
- Lightweight, breathable clothes
- A sturdy umbrella
- Printed copies of your insurance and booking details
- A phone charger or power bank in case of storm outages
Our timing tip
Book refundable rates and check the National Hurricane Center outlook a week before you leave.
Book New Orleans for September.
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- Hotels for September
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New OrleansOpens a hotel search for New Orleans in September, 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 September. 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 September, quick answers
Is September a good time to visit New Orleans?
September is a month to think twice about visiting New Orleans. The heart of hurricane season. Cheapest month of the year, and a real risk of evacuation or disruption. Buy travel insurance if you go.
What is the weather like in New Orleans in September?
Still hot, highs near 88F (31C), peak hurricane season.
Is New Orleans crowded in September?
September is one of the quieter months in New Orleans; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning New Orleans.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in September
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