Seventeen, twenty-eight thousand, and ten million. What do these numbers represent? The Census Bureau tells us that these numbers respectively represent the number of nicknames New Orleans has, the number of hotel rooms you can find in the Big Easy, and the number of people that visit New Orleans Annually. Since the terror that struck New Orleans in 2005 in the form of Hurricane Katrina, these numbers have not wavered. While the city itself still today struggles to rebuild itself to pre-Katrina status, visitors still flock to the Big Easy. In fact, New Orleans probably sees more tourists today because of the disaster that shook the city and the world simultaneously.
It is no secret when you are visiting anywhere that visiting in the off-season will bring you lower rates, more selections for accommodation, and notably, some peace and quiet when you are visiting the attractions. New Orleans is iconic of the Deep South, and their climates reflect as much. Given this, their high season typically falls in the winter months when people are seeking warmer weather than their own snowy and blustery hometowns. November through February for example will typically bring New Orleaneans climates in the comfortable 70’s range. Their high season peaks around Mardi Gras, in fact, that is the epitome of their high season. This starts on Fat Tuesday, which generally falls around the middle to the end of February. In 2007, Fat Tuesday fell on February 20. But New Orleaneans celebrate Mardi Gras for weeks on end, and their low or off season does not start until April.
April is when the temperatures start to climb in New Orleans, and it is not uncommon to see temperatures in the high 70’s and low ’80s. If you are a traveler on a budget, coming down to the Deep South during this off-season will save you a lot of money. In New Orleans, the off-season continues through to October. Of course this off-season coincides with hurricane season which starts in June and ends in October.
This year the New Orleans area and surrounding Gulf neighbors are expected to have another bad hurricane season, however, this need not prevent you from traveling. Forecasts and weather expectations will help you guide your planning that much easier.
The Lower Ninth Ward is the most acclaimed disaster area of New Orleans and today the scars of Katrina are still gaping. However if you are visiting New Orleans, the more heavily visited areas actually escaped most of the hurricane damage. Neighborhoods such as Magazine Street, the famous French Quarter, and the Garden District still offer the allure and spirit that embodies New Orleans. If you are looking for specific things to do while you are here, be sure to read this activity guide that has been written by a New Orleans native and offers activities that are both adult and child friendly. Yes, New Orleans is not just a party town, there is plenty to do for children as well.
The French Quarter is a popular place to stay when you are looking for accommodations. Here you can witness the devotion and spirit of “The City that Care Forgot” as residents celebrate love and life in a way that only New Orleans can. With as many as twenty-eight thousand hotel rooms available, you should not have a problem finding a place to rest your weary head in New Orleans. If you find yourself getting stuck, even in the off-season, another New Orleans native has provided an excellent guide to accommodations in The Big Easy.
New Orleans does not just offer great weather, lots to do, and beautiful accommodations however. If you adore eating and drinking this town promises everything from beignets to down home good Cajun eats. Indulge while you can, stop in at the famous Pat O’Brien’s for a legendary Hurricane (that’s a drink, by the way). And if you need a few more ideas on how to enjoy your New Orleans Dining, a handy restaurant guide has already been prepared for you.
The many subtle and intrinsic qualities that make the Crescent City unforgettable are too numerous to mention. You will find them early in the morning on Bourbon Street as you wash the shop owners wash yesterday away and wait for today. You will find them in the Quarter with the quaint balconies of cast-iron festooned with flowers and baskets. You will find them at dusk when the sun begins to settle over the vast Mississippi River. Uh huh….timeless class exudes into everything that the Big Easy offers. Come visit in the off-season. Even in its most horrific or routine moments, New Orleans is extraordinary.
