Season guide · New Orleans · United States
New Orleans in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ( t / c / bio / en:WP:CHICAGO / en:WP:LOTM ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Hurricane risk and heat linger in September, then October and November turn dry and pleasant, with Halloween parades and a busy convention season. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 24 rainy days across September–November. October–November are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 11°C (52°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 24
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 31°C (88°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 | 12.3 h | 2/5 |
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 7 | 11.4 h | 4/5 |
| November | 22°C (72°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 7 | 10.6 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 27°C (81°F) against a yearly 26°C (79°F), and 24 of the year's roughly 115 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Southern Decadence, an LGBTQ+ festival (usually Labor Day weekend)
- October: Krewe of Boo Halloween parade (usually mid-to-late October)
- October: Halloween in the French Quarter and Marigny (31 October)
- November: Oak Street Po-Boy Festival (usually November)
- November: Celebration in the Oaks lights in City Park (usually late November to early January)
Make the most of the weather
Experience · Riverfront
Steamboat Natchez river cruise
The Natchez is a steam-powered sternwheeler that sails from the Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jackson Brewery, with a calliope concert on deck before departure and a jazz band on board.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- Iconic
Experience · St. Charles Avenue
St. Charles streetcar
Ride out to Audubon Park, walk through to the zoo or the river, and come back at dusk; have exact change or a pass in the Le Pass app.
- Time needed
- About 45 minutes each way
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Views
Park · Mid-City
City Park and NOMA Sculpture Garden
At about 1,300 acres, City Park is larger than New York's Central Park and holds one of the world's largest stands of mature live oaks.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Art
- Nature
Zoo · Uptown
Audubon Zoo
Ride the St. Charles streetcar to Audubon Park and walk through the park to the zoo; it takes about 20 minutes on foot.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
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Aquarium · Riverfront
Audubon Aquarium
At the foot of Canal Street by the river, the aquarium has a walk-through tunnel under a Caribbean reef, a large tank of Gulf sea life, a rainforest gallery and a penguin colony.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Day trips in autumn
- Barataria Preserve (About 30 minutes by car) — Part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Barataria has boardwalk trails through cypress swamp, bayou and marsh where you can see alligators, turtles and wading birds without joining a boat tour.
- Honey Island Swamp tours (About 45 minutes by car) — Boat tours near Slidell take you through one of the least-altered river swamps in the US, among cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, with alligators, herons and turtles; many operators offer pick-up from central hotels.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit New Orleans?
Yes: October–November are among the best months. Hurricane risk and heat linger in September, then October and November turn dry and pleasant, with Halloween parades and a busy convention season.
+What is the weather like in New Orleans in autumn?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F), with about 24 rainy days over the season.