Cool For The Summer Things To Do in NOLA

When the rest of the tourism industry is gearing up for the summer rush of vacation-goers, New Orleans is dialing it back. 100% humidity and high temps (and no big beaches to draw the crowds) slow the city down, but all is not lost! There are still things to do June, July & August and the city (especially service industry workers, musicians, bars and restaurants) need your business! Plus, you get great deals on flights & hotels when they're in low-demand and who doesn't need a cheaper trip alternative right now? To sprinkle in some indoor activities and a little a/c, be sure to read my post about museums & indoor things to do around New Orleans!

JUNE

• Don't forget: June hosts Father's Day and what a great way to spend time with dad- cruising the bayou on a boat tour, booking a fishing excursion, eating tons of good food, joining me for a brewery tour or to learn about your favorite cocktails, a visit to museums like the WW2 museum or Sazerac House, then head out to hear music around town at places like Preservation Hall & Spotted Cat.

• Kicking off this month is Pride. Lots of parties, events, dancing, drag shows, bar nights & a parade in the middle of the month, NOLA is a perfect city to celebrate, one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the U.S.- check out the Pride Guide. Be sure to come back for Southern Decadence in September!

  

• Join me at the Creole Tomato Fest! I've worked for this French Market sponsored event for the past decade and it gets better every year, with food tents, music, cooking demos, tomato eating contests, line dancing and our first Miss Juicy Tomato of 2026, London Manchester, who will emcee. We kick off our 40th year celebrating the special crop of tomatoes grown in Louisiana's river parishes.

  

• The opportunity to dine during Restaurant Week (June 8-14) is reason enough to come down to New Orleans. Restaurants across the city offer great deals on special prix fixe menus showcasing their signature dishes so book reservations & pack your stretchiest pants!

JULY

• Made famous in the movie Girls Trip, July starts off with Essence Fest over July 4th Weekend- a huge celebration of black music & culture, there's also daytime programming and experiences at the Convention Center, intended to motivate and educate- from live cooking demonstrations to workshops with entrepreneurs to panel discussions with community activists and politicians. Here's how to plan your trip.

  

• Two European cultural exchanges happen here in July- the Running of the Bulls is a charitable weekend of activities and an ode to the Encierro de Pamplona. Starting very early morning on the Saturday, roller derby vixens chase down the runners in red & white whiffing waiting butts with whiffle ball bats, a gauntlet followed by a fun day-drinking dance party. The other is Bastille Day, a fete fundraiser hosted by Alliance Française of New Orleans has music, a costume contest and of course excellent French food. What better place in the US to celebrate the French holiday!

  

• And if you are a cocktail aficionado or just a fan, Tales of the Cocktail is the premier cocktail conference- born & raised in New Orleans and open to the public. Seminars, parties, paired dinners, tasting rooms full of new, fun flavors to experience, one-on-one chats with distillers, demos by master bartenders, informative networking with brand reps & other cocktail connoisseurs - I have worked for Tales for over a decade and it's a wonderful experience for anyone interested in learning about the spirits world!

  

AUGUST

And that brings us to August, the hottest of the hot. You've had sno-balls, you've visited the pay-by-the-day pools at the Country Club in Bywater or Chloe Hotel uptown. What's left?

• Start the list off with one of the best parts about visiting New Orleans in August- COOLinary! A whole month of amazing dining deals at some of the most prestigious restaurants in the city. This is your opportunity to have the fine dining experience in New Orleans without breaking the bank! The list is long and the link above let's you peruse menus & prices- most prix fixe menus will offer several options per course & many will have a lunch and a dinner deal.

• August is also Museum Month & a membership to one of the 29 participating museums will get you into all the list for FREE! One to be sure to check out is a membership to the HNOC. One of the best hidden gems in the city for history, artifacts & storytelling, from the past to the modern voices of our city's culture, with rotating collections.

• Satchmo Summerfest honors the life and legacy of native son Louis Armstrong during the first weekend in August. Put on by the French Quarter Fest team, it is an excellent chance to see great music, explore the New Orleans Jazz Museum, eat amazing fest food and learn from “Satchmo Seminars,” led by Armstrong biographers and historians.

  

• And for even MORE culture, also on the first Sat. of Aug., indulge in the visual arts at a great night time block party- White Linen Night! Don your best white clothes for an unstuffy, fun evening of gallery hopping in the CBD Arts District, on & near the Julia St. galleries. Installations, DJs, bites & sips, shopping and unexpected art-making keep it lively, ending with a party at the Contemporary Arts Center warehouse. Missed that weekend? Don't fret, the following Sat. is Dirty Linen Night on Royal Street in the French Quarter. Definitely more subdued than the block party vibes of White Linen Night, it's still a fun way to support local artists & galleries.

  

• And finally, if you see a bunch of red dresses day drinking on a Saturday early in August, they are coming from the Red Dress Run. Raise a glass to them, for they woke early & stumbled in thrift store dresses to raise money for charity. Every year on the second Saturday in August, the New Orleans Hash House Harriers (a local "drinking club with a running problem") host Red Dress Run, a charity "run" in the Crescent City. The run usually begins in the French Quarter or Marigny neighborhoods of New Orleans, although the exact location is only announced to those who registered. The runners, with drinks in hand, continue their route thought the French Quarter and spend the rest of the day celebrating. Expect a sea of red throughout the neighborhood and even if running isn't your thing, head down in red to get in on the fun.