Why New Orleans Should Be on Your Travel List This Summer
Beachy destinations like Florida and California tend to draw the most attention during the summer. Their beachy escapes and access to large-scale entertainment like theme parks prove most popular for the seasonal break, but they’re not the only states that do summer right. Down in the Southeastern tip of Louisiana, where swampy marshes spill out into the Gulf, New Orleans is catering to the summertime crowd in its signature unique way.
Though it may not have the traditional Gulf or oceanic beaches of other summery destinations,
New Orleans offers a host of reasons why it should be the site of your next summer getaway. For travelers looking to try somewhere new for the next mid-year break, the Big Easy may be the unsung summer vacation destination that offers memorable experiences, sometimes with a spooky twist.
Crowds Die Down for Easier Sightseeing
New Orleans is hot during the summer. It can get muggy, and the swamps may bring mosquitoes, but you can duck into stores and eateries to avoid both. The invaluable side effect of that is that the city is generally quieter.
Barring any festivals, you can expect to move through the city a little more freely. With bare streets, take your time to soak in the historic beauty of the Big Easy. Plan to stop every so often for a drink or to cool down in a shop, but you’ll take photos and admire the city’s allure without having to dodge through foot traffic.
As a result of the fewer visitors, tours and experiences are also less crowded. Even if you’re not an introvert and don’t mind crowds, it’s nice to be part of a smaller tour group to better ensure you’re getting the most out of your excursion.
Swamp Tours Get More Sightings in the Summer
Louisiana’s marshes may initially sound unappealing as a vacation go-to, but these stillwater wetlands can punch up the thrills with an airboat adventure tour. Picture gliding along the swamps just off New Orleans, taking in the almost extraterrestrial landscape that hides the wonders of Mother Nature.
Summer may be hot, but it’s also the best time to spot the resident alligators of locations like Honey Island Swamp or the Barataria Basin. More likely to hibernate during transitional seasons like winter, gators pop up more frequently to enjoy the very sun you may be hoping to get a little relief from. Worry not, airboats can keep things a little cooler with a steady breeze blowing on you, so you can be mostly comfortable while keeping an eye out for these magnificent beasts.
Dress light, pack your camera, bring water, and you’ll be more than prepared to tackle the swamps of New Orleans and take advantage of the perks of a summer day.
Ghost Tours Take Advantage of Tempered Nights
New Orleans is often in contention with locations like Salem, Savannah, and Gettysburg as one of the nation’s most haunted cities. Its extensive history of mystery, murder, and the wrath of Mother Nature has left behind a heavy energy that’s permeated its soul. You can almost feel the eyes of the dead peering down at you from the balconies that overlook the French Quarter as you embark on an evening New Orleans ghost tour.
Summer is an ideal time of year for a tour of the Big Easy’s ghost-ridden buildings for a few reasons. During the hotter months, the city’s claustrophobic sidewalks aren’t as inundated with street performers and tourists. There’s more room to move freely between spooky locations, and it’s even a bit quieter as the music scene tends to hide away indoors.
A New Orleans ghost tour is a trip through time, with stops that showcase villains such as Madame Delphine LaLaurie or her stark opposite, the beloved Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau. From tragic to magic, this excursion should headline any summer getaway to New Orleans.
Soak in the Cultural Wonder of Essence Festival of Culture
While an evening stroll listening to tales of the otherworldly is a great way to get to know the history behind the Big Easy, the city’s culture takes center stage in the light of a summer day. Festivals held throughout June, July, and August celebrate the people, customs, and traditions that make New Orleans such a unique city. Prime among them is ESSENCE Festival of Culture, an annual, multi-day party that puts African American culture in the spotlight.
The weather may be hot, but that doesn’t stop the city’s lively locals from gathering to experience the food, music, and overall brilliance of Louisiana’s capital. During the summer, the city’s streets fill with people attending the Juneteenth festival, the French Bastille Day Fête, the French Market Creole Tomato Festival, and the jazzy Satchmo SummerFest.
The internet may warn about visiting New Orleans in the summer. Message boards cite high temperatures and moist air, but they’re leaving out the very real reasons a New Orleans vacation may thrive in the middle of the year. From fruitful outdoor excursions to more accessible ghost tours, there’s plenty waiting for the summer traveler.
*This is a collaborative post
