The Good Old Summertime! It’s hot in New Orleans, which might lead you to believe that you shouldn’t visit just now – well, nothing could be further from the truth! The weather may be less-than-delightful, but it’s still a great time to come to NOLA! The crowds are much lower than at festival time, and the hotels and restaurants and other attractions are offering deals, with lower prices and/or freebies (or as we call them, lagnaippe). You might consider purchasing a opens in a new windowNew Orleans Pass, for admission into over 25 attractions.
In August, enjoy opens in a new windowCoolinary New Orleans, in which dozens of restaurants all around the city present special prix-fixe menus for Brunch, Lunch and Dinner. You could spend an entire week doing nothing but eating! All different kinds of cuisine are included, from seafood to Louisiana specialties and more. Have you wanted to try Antoine’s or Commander’s Palace but were leery of the cost? Now is the time to opens in a new windowcheck them out! Many of the participating restaurants require reservations, make sure you check before you head out.
August is opens in a new windowNew Orleans Museum Month – if you’re a member of any participating museum, you can get into any of the other six all month long at no additional charge – a great deal! The list includes all of the must-see museums, and will get you out of the heat. You can purchase memberships online at the museums’ websites, some of which include lagnaippe, and all of which provide special benefits to members only. For example, a membership to the Contenporary Arts Center will also include free entry into the opens in a new windowWhitney White Linen Night after-party and discounts for the Cool-Down Lounge.
Another fun thing to do is buy tickets for a opens in a new windowHop-on, Hop-off tour bus. With this kind of tour, you can get off the bus at any of the stops to do a little exploring, then get back on every 30 minutes. Buses run 9:30am -5:30pm, so you can even start in the morning, then take a nice siesta in your room at opens in a new window1896 O’Malley House, then back in the afternoon. The buses stop at multiple locations, in all the well-known neighborhoods, so you will get your fill of the city!
Lastly, visit the opens in a new windowAudubon Aquarium of the Americas to immerse yourself in the life aquatic. The aquarium traffic thins out after 3pm, which still gives you two hours before they close to experience all of the many exhibits. Always wanted to stroke a Stingray? See Sea Otters and Sea Horses? Pet a Parakeet? You can do all of that and more at this amazing aquarium!
So you see, summer is still a great time to come and see us in New Orleans! Wear light, cool clothing, bring a hat and drink a lot of water while you’re enjoying our city’s more hot weather-friendly attractions!