It is a well-known fact that New Orleans in July is notorious for being extremely hot, wet, and humid. For many locals and visitors, this makes venturing outside the comfort of our air-conditioned homes uncomfortable, and overall simply not worth it. Despite the inevitable July heat, there are loads of events and opportunities you won’t want to miss out on this summer. Follow along as we guide you through the best thing to do in New Orleans in July (and yes, we will be going outside)!
Calling all spirit lovers! This July 20th-25th, join the global cocktail community in an annual celebration of the evolution of the cocktail industry. “Tales of the Cocktail,” hosted at the historic Ritz-Carlton, offers ticket packages starting as low as 10$ a person for daily entry. Attendees can engage in over 300 events, including educational seminars, curated tastings, networking opportunities, and wellness programming. Book your tickets today from talesofthecocktail.org and experience your favorite beverages like never before!
Locking in your plans for this holiday season? Though many families travel to beaches and lakes to celebrate July 4th, there is plenty of fun to be had right here in New Orleans! Start your afternoon off right at one of the city’s many hotel outdoor pool bars. Hotels like the Garden District Hotel, The Blackbird Hotel, and The Chloe Hotel, are a few of the many hotels local to New Orleans that offer day pool passes for public purchase! As the sun sets, pack your folding chairs and your camera and head over to the Mississippi riverfront for the “Go Fourth on the River” fireworks display. This annual event, which kicks off at 9pm, can be viewed from various locations along the riverfront, including the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Crescent Park in the Bywater, and Algiers Point on the West Bank. From 5:30-9:30pm, Crescent Park will host a series of mouth-watering Food Trucks, guaranteed to excite your taste buds as you await the fireworks show. Because parking and traffic can be a bit of a nightmare, we still suggest coming at least an hour before the show begins. This ensures that you have enough time to park and get comfortable before the show begins.
Looking for an activity this holiday season that is distinct and unique to the city of New Orleans? Skip the BBQs and Cookouts this 4th of July weekend and attend ESSENCE’s 31st annual Festival of Culture. Kicking off on July 3rd, and concluding on the 6th, ESSENCE Festival of Culture is a celebration honoring over three decades of Black culture, music, and empowerment. Festival of Culture is hosted at Caesar’s Superdome, and features mid-day public speakers and performers free of charge. However, if you’d like to see live performances from legends such as Boyz II Men, Nas, Summer Walker, GloRilla, and more, you’ll have to purchase a ticket from their website.
Kayaking on Bayou St. John is the perfect way to experience the natural beauty of the Big Easy. Bayou St. John, a nearly 5 mile long waterway tucked into the heart of New Orleans, offers a perspective of the city you may have never seen before. Due to its calm and slow moving waters, Bayou St. John is a great option for both beginner and experienced kayakers. As you paddle past colorful homes and historic landmarks, you’ll also pass the gorgeous City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
If you do not own your own kayak, don’t worry! There are several kayak outfitters surrounding Bayou St. John offers kayaks for hourly and daily rentals! Kayak rentals are also available for purchase at City Park. Although this option does not give you access to Bayou St. John, it does give you full access to City Park’s fascinating Sculpture Garden from the water. This option is ideal for sightseeing, and those who are looking for a lowkey and easy kayaking experience. The New Orleans heat and humidity is nothing to play around with, so we strongly recommend doing either of these trips in the morning before the heat sets in.
As a New Orleans local, escaping the July heat is a top priority to maintain my sanity. If you’re like me, someone who loves the outdoors, but finds themselves miserable beneath the southern sun, it’s time to plan a refreshing float trip down the Bogue Chitto River! The Bogue Chitto is a fast moving river about one hour north of New Orleans, making it a popular destination for float excursions. Bogue Chitto Tubing, located in Bogalusa, Louisiana, offers daily tubing rentals for 25$ a person, and cooler rentals for 10$. Grab your closest friends and enjoy an afternoon floating down the river with a drink in hand! Bogue Chitto Tubing offers two hour and four hour tubing routes, but will not allow you on the river after 1:30pm. Be sure to arrive before the cut-off time to ensure access to the river!
Now that we have exhausted all of our outdoor activities in New Orleans, it’s time to head back inside for some air-conditioned adventures! The Audubon Aquarium, located just off of Canal street and along the Mississippi River, is the ideal place to experience the outdoors without actually being OUTDOORS. Great for kids and adults alike, The Audubon Aquarium offers over 10,000 animals representing 530 species, and showcases the rich biodiversity found in the waters of North and South America. This extraordinary aquarium immerses its visitors in the beauty of the American water-ecosystem, and educates visitors on increasingly relevant issues like coastal landloss, saltwater intrusion, and environmental degradation. Tickets for the Audubon Aquarium are available for purchase on site, or at their website. Be sure to check out their website for exhibit updates, deals, and pricing for children and adults.
Despite the summer being considered New Orleans’ “slow season,” there are still countless ways to get outside of the house and experience the beauty and excitement of the city. From world-class events like the ESSENCE Festival of Culture and the Tales of the Cocktail, to outdoor excursions on New Orleans’ bayous and rivers, the Crescent City is constantly buzzing with adventure. It’s time to embrace the heat and get outside this July!
Events You Won’t Want to Miss It is a well-known fact that New Orleans in July is notorious for being extremely hot, wet, and humid. For many locals and visitors, this makes venturing outside the comfort of our air-conditioned homes uncomfortable, and overall simply not worth it. Despite the inevitable July heat, there are loads […]
read more
