It may be surprising to hear that Travel + Leisure Magazine declared New Orleans as one of the top places in the United States to visit during the month of August. When the New Orleans & Company PR team invited travel journalist Patricia Doherty for a press trip to experience our culture in August 2024, the magazine found multiple reasons to plan a late-summer visit. Doherty’s takeaway?
“Summers are hot and humid in New Orleans, but August is a great time for a family visit with lots to do, hotel room bargain, and restaurant discounts with the annual COOLinary program. The Audubon Zoo features a real swamp in the middle of Uptown New Orleans with elephants, bears, snakes, orangutans and a rare white tiger. In the Audubon Aquarium, there are interactive exhibits, sharks, alligators, penguins and fascinating insects. The Satchmo Summer Fest, at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, celebrates Louis Armstrong with music and food. There’s live music everywhere, and during the annual Red Dress Run, runners and walkers don their best red dresses for the charity event. Another favorite during my visit was the must-see National World War II Museum.
Where to Stay: The Higgins Hotel New Orleans, adjacent to the National World War II Museum, is convenient and comfortable; I enjoyed my stay and the view from Rosie’s on the Roof. The historic Eliza Jane, Kimpton Hotel Fontenot and Ritz-Carlton New Orleans are great places to stay, too.”
This journalist’s experience proves that summer in New Orleans is full of culture, connection and opportunity, especially for our local residents.
With a full calendar of events and fewer peak-season crowds, it is an ideal time to support local businesses, host clients and rediscover the experiences that make New Orleans unique. A few examples:
• Juneteenth brings powerful cultural celebrations, music, art, and community events that reflect the city’s rich Black heritage. The New Orleans Juneteenth Festival is held on June 19 at Louis Armstrong Park. It’s also a great opportunity to support a Black-owned restaurant or shop, visit the New Orleans African American Museum or Congo Square.
• The 2026 Essence Festival of Culture, held from July 3–5, features headliners including Cardi B, Latto, Brandy & Monica, Kehlani, and Patti LaBelle. There are more than 20 curated experiences that celebrate the brilliance of Black culture — from music and art to wellness, style, cuisine and commerce. Tickets are on sale now.
• Beloved local traditions like Creole Tomato Festival (June 6-7) and Satchmo SummerFest (Aug 1-2)offer ways for residents to support neighborhood vendors and musicians.
• Tickets are available for the first-ever X Games Championship event, the final stop of the inaugural MoonPay X Games League (XGL) Summer Season, coming to the Caesars Superdome July 24-26, 2026. The three-day action sports festival features 18 competitions across skateboard, BMX and moto X, with more than 100 of the world’s top action sports athletes competing. New Orleans will serve as the championship finale of the global 2026 season, following stops in Sacramento and Japan. Events like this reinforce the city’s ability to deliver world-class experiences and continue to position New Orleans as a destination that is Built to Host.
• Seasonal promotions further encourage exploration across the city. Restaurant Week New Orleans (June 8-14) and COOLinary New Orleans (Aug. 1-31) invite diners to experience top restaurants at accessible price points.
• New Orleans Museum Month, held annually throughout August, allows anyone with an active membership at any participating local museum to receive free admission for themselves and a guest to more than 25 participating institutions across the city.
• New developments are shaping the summer experience. The recently opened Audubon Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park provides a revitalized connection to the Mississippi River, with expanded public space, walking paths, and areas to gather along the waterfront.
Summer also presents a strategic opportunity for the business community to lean in. Whether companies host clients in a private dining room at an iconic restaurant or organize planning retreats around festivals, the season creates natural touchpoints to do business while supporting our city’s largest industry.
For those of us who are lucky enough to live and work here, the message is simple: Now is the time to rediscover the magic of New Orleans. Visit a museum for the first time, attend a festival or explore a new neighborhood this summer. It’s the perfect time to show up and support the people and places that make New Orleans thrive.
Make your plans today at neworleans.com.
