How to Handle the Summer Heat in New Orleans: A Survival Guide for Sizzling Days in the Crescent City
Ah, summer in New Orleans. It’s sultry, steamy, and sweltering….. and that’s just before noon.
If you’re visiting between June and September, you’re entering the season of sweat. But don’t let the heat chase you away. With a little planning and some local know-how, you can still have an unforgettable time in the Big Easy, even when it feels like you’re walking through gumbo.
Here’s your guide to staying cool, staying safe, and soaking up the best of New Orleans when the temperature is trying to knock you flat.
1. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
Before you grab that frozen daiquiri, grab a bottle of water, and drink it. The humidity can sneak up on you, and dehydration is real down here. Electrolyte drinks or even coconut water are smart choices. If your pee looks like sweet tea, you’re doing it wrong.
Tip: Many bars and cafes will gladly fill your reusable bottle with ice water. Just ask kindly.
2. Dress for the Forecast (and Then Some)
Light, breathable fabrics are your best friend. Think linen, cotton, or anything that won’t trap heat. Wide brimmed hats, sunglasses, and a serious sunscreen game are non-negotiable. You’ll thank yourself later.
Bonus Tip: Bring a handheld fan or one of those misting fans. Locals do. No shame in the fan game.
3. Time Your Outdoor Adventures
Mornings and evenings are the golden hours, literally. If you’re doing a walking tour (like one of mine), aim for the earliest or latest slot. Midday is better spent indoors unless you’re trying to slow cook yourself.
4. Embrace the Indoors: Museums That’ll Blow You Away (with AC, too!)
New Orleans is blessedly full of cool, curious, and often downright quirky museums. When the streets start sizzling, duck into one of these fascinating, and air-conditioned, spaces:
National WWII Museum – This world-renowned museum tells the story of the American experience in World War II. Massive exhibits, immersive storytelling, and powerful visuals make it a must-see (and it’s ranked among the best in the world).
The Historic New Orleans Collection – A deep dive into the city’s past through beautiful exhibits and historic artifacts. The French Quarter Galleries are free and constantly evolving. Perfect for an afternoon escape.
The Pharmacy Museum – Housed in the former apothecary shop of Louis Dufilho, the first licensed pharmacist in the U.S., this place is delightfully creepy and wildly interesting. Leaches, mercury, and 1800s-era skull drills, oh my!
The Cabildo – Once the seat of Spanish colonial government, this building now holds Louisiana’s story from Native Americans through Reconstruction. It’s historic and beautifully air-conditioned.
Hermann-Grima & Gallier Houses – Two stunning examples of domestic life in 19th-century New Orleans. Federal-style charm and high-society design meet local legend and architectural splendor.
Old Ursuline Convent – Built in 1753, it’s the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley. French Colonial architecture, religious artifacts, and a staircase that’s been standing since the 1730s.
Pitot House – Located on Bayou St. John, this home (from 1799) reflects life during the Spanish colonial era and once housed New Orleans mayor James Pitot.
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) – Over 40,000 objects in a lush, tree-lined setting in City Park. French, African, and Japanese collections steal the show—and the AC is divine.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art – Dedicated to the art of the American South, this museum offers powerful exhibitions that blend history, culture, and identity.
Backstreet Cultural Museum – A hidden gem in Treme, this museum preserves and celebrates African American and Mardi Gras Indian culture, second lines, jazz funerals, and more. It’s a cultural treasure trove.
Irish Cultural Museum – Learn about the 25% of New Orleans’ antebellum population that came from Ireland. Their story is deeply interwoven with the city’s growth and grit.
Storyville Museum – A tribute to New Orleans’ infamous red-light district. Sensual, historical, and surprisingly informative. You’ll walk out with stories and questions.
Vue Orleans – A high-tech, interactive museum with a jaw-dropping 360-degree view of the city from the 34th floor. Great for families and anyone who wants to literally see how New Orleans curves with the river.
Aquarium & Insectarium – Recently reopened in one sleek, sparkling space, this combo attraction is perfect for all ages. Wander through aquatic tunnels, marvel at butterflies, and explore bug exhibits in blissful air conditioning.
5. Listen to Your Body
If you feel lightheaded, nauseous, or like the pavement might melt under your feet—get inside. Heat exhaustion can sneak up fast.
Watch for signs of heat stress:
Dizziness or confusion
Rapid heartbeat
Nausea
Heavy sweating followed by chills
If this happens, find shade or AC, drink fluids, and rest. Don’t try to “push through it”. New Orleans isn’t going anywhere.
6. Evening Activities Are Your Friend
When the sun dips low, the city comes alive again. Take a sunset stroll along the riverfront, enjoy live music in the Marigny, or hop on a nighttime ghost tour (spooky and cooler).
7. Ride the Streetcar, Not the Sauna
The iconic St. Charles streetcar is a scenic and breezy way to explore. The newer red cars on Canal Street and the Riverfront line are even air-conditioned.
8. Stay Somewhere with a Pool (or at Least a Good Shower)
If your hotel or rental has a pool, you’ve struck gold. No pool? A cold shower after every outing might just be your salvation.
9. Sip, Snack, and Cool Off
If you need a caffeine break, iced drink, or just a cozy place to sit and recharge, New Orleans cafés deliver big on charm and chill:
Spitfire Coffee – Tiny but mighty, with excellent espresso and cold brew just off Jackson Square.
The Vintage – Beignets and bubbly? Yes, please. Great for groups or solo snackers.
Petite Amelie – A charming French-style café near the Quarter with fresh juices, light bites, and AC.
Backatown Coffee Parlour – Cozy, local, and artsy—perfect for cooling down and people-watching.
Pirate Coffee – Right in the heart of the Quarter, this spot is moody, mysterious, and perfect for an iced pick-me-up before or after a haunted stroll.
10. Embrace the (Vampire) Nightlife
If the heat’s got you down but you’re still craving a little mystery, slip into one of our hidden vampire-themed speakeasies. It’s all shadows, velvet, and candlelight. Cool air, cooler vibes. Ask around or check your favorite dark corner of the French Quarter—you didn’t hear it from me.
11. Shop Without Breaking a Sweat
New Orleans has no shortage of boutiques, galleries, and curiosity shops to duck into while you avoid the midday blaze:
Royal Street – Lined with art galleries, antique shops, and glittering windows full of local flair.
Forever New Orleans – Great for gifts, home décor, and NOLA-inspired treasures.
Moss Antiques, M.S. Rau, and Frank Relle Photography – Perfect stops for lovers of art, history, or beautiful oddities.
Trashy Diva – For vintage-inspired fashion with flair.
French Market – Covered, shaded, and full of local vendors offering everything from hot sauce to handmade jewelry.
Last Word of Advice: Slow Down
This isn’t a city you rush through. New Orleans was built for porch-sitting, long lunches, and strolling, not sprinting. Embrace the local pace, take breaks often, and treat yourself to that sno-ball. (We recommend Hansen’s or Plum Street. Yes, even for adults.)
Come for the culture, stay even with the humidity….but do it wisely.
You’ll still leave sweaty. But with the right prep, you’ll also leave smiling.
Want more local tips and tricks? Book a tour with Dupont & Company where the stories are hot, but the vibes are chill.