Step 1 · Timing
When to visit New Orleans
Now in New Orleans—:—Sunrise—:—Sunset—:—
February–May, October–December are popular times to visit New Orleans. For planning the trip, timing matters: Spring brings Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and patio weather; late fall is mild and cheap. June–September is a sauna with hurricane season peaking August–October. Deciding your dates first shapes the rest of the plan — how many days to spend and which area to base yourself in.
Warmest in New Orleans: Aug (32°C / 90°F) · Coolest: Jan (17°C / 63°F) · Wettest: Jul (~24 rain days)
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)
Step 2 · Trip length
How many days in New Orleans?
Pick a length and follow a ready-made New Orleans itinerary — each one sequences the sights so your days flow without backtracking.
Step 3 · Itinerary
Build your New Orleans itinerary
A good New Orleans plan bases you in one central area, groups nearby sights into each day, and leaves room to slow down. Start from a day-by-day itinerary above, then adjust the order to your dates and pace.
Step 4 · Your base
Where to base yourself
A central base cuts travel time between sights.
- French Quarter. An area to consider: The 300-year-old heart — wrought-iron balconies, Bourbon chaos, quiet Royal Street elegance one block over.
- Faubourg Marigny. Base yourself here: Frenchmen Street's live-jazz row — where locals actually go at night.
- Garden District. For your itinerary: Oak-shaded mansions, Lafayette Cemetery, Magazine Street shopping.
- Bywater. An area to consider: Pastel shotgun houses, murals, and the city's indie café-and-gallery scene.
City centerClick the map to enable scroll zoom
Step 5 · Transport
Getting around New Orleans
Walk the Quarter + Marigny; historic streetcars ($1.25) cover St. Charles and Canal. Rideshares fill the gaps; you don't want a car downtown. Moving between sights: The airport is 25-35 minutes by taxi/rideshare (flat-ish rates). Swamp and plantation tours include hotel pickup.
Step 6 · Your trip
Plan by trip style
- Family trips. Travelling as a family: Ride the St. Charles streetcar end to end, beignets at Café du Monde, and the Audubon Aquarium + Insectarium double-header. The French Quarter by day is very kid-doable.
- Couples. Travelling as a pair: A balcony room in the Quarter, jazz pilgrimage down Frenchmen Street, Garden District mansion walks, and a Sazerac where it was invented.
- Solo travel. Going solo: The friendliest big-personality city in America — solo bar stools at Preservation Hall shows, walking food tours, and streetcars that make car-free travel easy.
Step 7 · Before you go
Practical planning
Worth knowing before you go: Stay where the people are — the Quarter, Marigny, Garden District are well-walked; don't wander dark side streets alone late. Watch drinks on Bourbon, mind hurricane season (August–October), and use rideshares after midnight. Moving between sights: The airport is 25-35 minutes by taxi/rideshare (flat-ish rates). Swamp and plantation tours include hotel pickup. Work these into the plan early — they affect which neighborhood to base yourself in and how much to fit into each day.
Step 8 · Where to stay
Hotel or whole home?
Two ways to book your New Orleans stay — pick by trip type.
Hotels & city stays
Best for short city breaks and central locations — compare New Orleans hotels on Expedia.
Related