How hot is New Orleans in August
Aug 9th, 2008, 01:51 PM
#21
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NeoPatrick,
Sorry, I must have confused you with another poster. I did remember seeing you post about Europe sometime.
You're right, off season travel is not about comfort. It's about bargains. It's great for some but not for others.
All I was pointing out was that there were some benefits to going in August, like staying at 5 star hotels for 1 star prices, and eating at 5 star restaurants for $30.
Obviously, there are some detriments, and that's the heat and humidity.
Now, my question to you is: What if someone wanted to visit Bangkok, Thailand or Singapore? They are hot year round. Would you just say "Oh, don't bother going - it's always hot there?" Or if someone wanted to visit Iceland, would you say "Don't go - it's always cold there."???
If that was the case, large parts of the world would never get visited.
Sorry, I must have confused you with another poster. I did remember seeing you post about Europe sometime.
You're right, off season travel is not about comfort. It's about bargains. It's great for some but not for others.
All I was pointing out was that there were some benefits to going in August, like staying at 5 star hotels for 1 star prices, and eating at 5 star restaurants for $30.
Obviously, there are some detriments, and that's the heat and humidity.
Now, my question to you is: What if someone wanted to visit Bangkok, Thailand or Singapore? They are hot year round. Would you just say "Oh, don't bother going - it's always hot there?" Or if someone wanted to visit Iceland, would you say "Don't go - it's always cold there."???
If that was the case, large parts of the world would never get visited.
Aug 9th, 2008, 01:58 PM
#22
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NOLA in August is truly Hell. It is hot, humid and almost unbearable.
BUT, it's a great city and though it was blistering hot we had a great time.
Though it's been years since we were there (Atlanta Bombing happened while there) we stayed at the Omni and they had a steak room there that was fantastic. They had this huge custom made flame broiler. They skewered the meat and hung it in the broiler and it just rotated around the flames. You could smell it cooking for a mile. We just loved it. I was licking the plate. We ate there 3 times too.
The hotel had a pool on the roof. And forget about just laying around the pool during the day. You'd burn like a sunnyside up egg.
Everyone we talked to were really friendly. We hired a cab to give us a tour of the city and cemeteries. We also did the garden district as well. The cab driver that picked us up from the airport asked my DH to sit up front. They talked and talked I couldn't understand one word the man was saying. When my DH burst in gales of laughter that were real laughs, I asked him what was so funny? The cabbie told him "we should stop by K-Marts so you can buy your wife a bed sheet. That will be the only thing she'll fit in after eating in NOLA". We got the biggest kick out of that line.
Go and enjoy yourself. And if it all possible stop by the Red Cross and make a donation to the locals.
BUT, it's a great city and though it was blistering hot we had a great time.
Though it's been years since we were there (Atlanta Bombing happened while there) we stayed at the Omni and they had a steak room there that was fantastic. They had this huge custom made flame broiler. They skewered the meat and hung it in the broiler and it just rotated around the flames. You could smell it cooking for a mile. We just loved it. I was licking the plate. We ate there 3 times too.
The hotel had a pool on the roof. And forget about just laying around the pool during the day. You'd burn like a sunnyside up egg.
Everyone we talked to were really friendly. We hired a cab to give us a tour of the city and cemeteries. We also did the garden district as well. The cab driver that picked us up from the airport asked my DH to sit up front. They talked and talked I couldn't understand one word the man was saying. When my DH burst in gales of laughter that were real laughs, I asked him what was so funny? The cabbie told him "we should stop by K-Marts so you can buy your wife a bed sheet. That will be the only thing she'll fit in after eating in NOLA". We got the biggest kick out of that line.
Go and enjoy yourself. And if it all possible stop by the Red Cross and make a donation to the locals.
Aug 9th, 2008, 02:08 PM
#23
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Mamaw,
That's pretty funny
Your comments was exactly what I was getting at earlier in my posts. People are more relaxed in the summer and happy to have your business.
If you had visited during Mardi Gras, I can guarantee you that the same cab driver would have not let your husband sit up front with him.
That's pretty funny
Your comments was exactly what I was getting at earlier in my posts. People are more relaxed in the summer and happy to have your business.
If you had visited during Mardi Gras, I can guarantee you that the same cab driver would have not let your husband sit up front with him.
Aug 9th, 2008, 03:23 PM
#24
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Yeah, I could tell you stories of the sweet people we encountered in NOLA. And the FOOD! We ate more shrimp than BUBBA mentioned on Forrest Gump. My DH is so picky too. We hit every dive bar too. We used the bus system and trolley.
The only bad service we had in NOLA was at that benige (I'm likely spelling it wrong)pastry coffee shop. I was so excited to try them and we sat down and were totally ignored by the staff. After 10 minutes or so we walked out. Truly, I was bummed. That night our server at the steak house in the Omni asked me had I got my beniges? I told him what had happened. After dinner our waiter comes out with a big plate of beniges and cups of coffee. I could have kissed his grits. Just another example of the beautiful people of NOLA.
Versailles, Go to NOLA, you'll love it.
The only bad service we had in NOLA was at that benige (I'm likely spelling it wrong)pastry coffee shop. I was so excited to try them and we sat down and were totally ignored by the staff. After 10 minutes or so we walked out. Truly, I was bummed. That night our server at the steak house in the Omni asked me had I got my beniges? I told him what had happened. After dinner our waiter comes out with a big plate of beniges and cups of coffee. I could have kissed his grits. Just another example of the beautiful people of NOLA.
Versailles, Go to NOLA, you'll love it.
Aug 9th, 2008, 04:05 PM
#25
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Mamaw, do you mean Cafe du Monde? The "doughnuts" made in heaven are beignets. But has that changed? I was thinking that it was self service at Cafe du Monde. No? Clearly it's been too long for us. A visit is in order (but not till it cools off).
But you should be careful. Kissing a waiter's grits is forbidden by law in New Orleans!
But you should be careful. Kissing a waiter's grits is forbidden by law in New Orleans!
Aug 9th, 2008, 04:16 PM
#26
bkluvsNola is doing a great job promoting NO in august (I hope the chamber of Commerce appreciates the good words)
But please listen to the others. There is a reason you get bargains in New Orleans in August. Same reason you can stay in Palm Springs in Aug for a fraction of Feb's rates. No one but mad dogs and Englishmen - well you get the idea.
(And in Palm Springs, it is at least a dry heat)
NO is fabulous - but it is dreadfully, horribly, unimaginably hot and uncomfortable in August.
Visit NO at a time of year when you can enjoy it to it's amazing fullest - not when you must endure the heat/humidity/vile conditions . . . . .
But please listen to the others. There is a reason you get bargains in New Orleans in August. Same reason you can stay in Palm Springs in Aug for a fraction of Feb's rates. No one but mad dogs and Englishmen - well you get the idea.
(And in Palm Springs, it is at least a dry heat)
NO is fabulous - but it is dreadfully, horribly, unimaginably hot and uncomfortable in August.
Visit NO at a time of year when you can enjoy it to it's amazing fullest - not when you must endure the heat/humidity/vile conditions . . . . .
Aug 9th, 2008, 04:41 PM
#27
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And the idea of staying inside in the air-conditioning most of the day, avoiding walking a lot, and just lounging by the pool -- well, all that is fine. But what does any of it have to do with really enjoying being in New Orleans?
Aug 9th, 2008, 06:27 PM
#28
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You didn't say which week in August, but just in case, the forecast highs for this week (8/10) are in the 80s. Should make for a more pleasant week in N.O. However, if you are here right now, it is as hot as h*ll.
Aug 9th, 2008, 06:35 PM
#29
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Honestly, it's all about your personal tolerance for heat and humidity. I've been to New Orleans in just about every season except for winter, and the trip we took there in August was just as fun as the years we went in March, April, October, and June. However, our part of KY is very humid in the summers, and we are both used to spending lots of time outdoors, so I think we were somewhat acclimated to the heat. As some others have pointed out, we loved the fact that the town was mostly full of locals and that everyone was friendly and wanted to talk. We also enjoyed the bargains. It was hot walking the French Quarter, but we were constantly ducking in and out of shops and buildings that were kept as cold as meat lockers and we always had a bottled water in our hands.
However, If you are not tolerant of heat, then you probably will regret going in August and no amount of money saved or great service rendered will make up for it. Basically, it just comes down to what you think you can handle . I was just in New Orleans in June and I will say that if you don't go in August, then please just GO at some point. They still need our tourist dollars as they continue to recover from Katrina.
However, If you are not tolerant of heat, then you probably will regret going in August and no amount of money saved or great service rendered will make up for it. Basically, it just comes down to what you think you can handle . I was just in New Orleans in June and I will say that if you don't go in August, then please just GO at some point. They still need our tourist dollars as they continue to recover from Katrina.
Aug 9th, 2008, 06:44 PM
#30
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It actually hasn't been too bad the past two days. Tonight, it is downright pleasant for August - 82 degrees.
Will you regret coming in August? Hopefully, not! As bkluvsNola mentioned, there is alot to do and if you can stand the humidity and occasional rain, then you will be fine.
As someone who lives here and works outdoors a good part of the day, I just make sure I stay hydrated, wear suncreen and take many indoor (a/c) breaks.
Will you regret coming in August? Hopefully, not! As bkluvsNola mentioned, there is alot to do and if you can stand the humidity and occasional rain, then you will be fine.
As someone who lives here and works outdoors a good part of the day, I just make sure I stay hydrated, wear suncreen and take many indoor (a/c) breaks.
Aug 10th, 2008, 09:32 AM
#31
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Nobody answered my question about what if someone was wanting to visit a place that is hot year round, let's say Singapore or Bangkok.
Would you all recommend to never visit those places, because they never cool down?
If that was the case, there would be no tourists to large parts of the world, but we all know places in year round hot parts of the world still get visited.
New Orleans is subtropical, not tropical, and it is far cooler than those other places...
Looking at the Beijing Olympics, I think the heat and humidity there is more oppressive than New Orleans. Those tennis players were absolutely soaked in sweat today...
Would you all recommend to never visit those places, because they never cool down?
If that was the case, there would be no tourists to large parts of the world, but we all know places in year round hot parts of the world still get visited.
New Orleans is subtropical, not tropical, and it is far cooler than those other places...
Looking at the Beijing Olympics, I think the heat and humidity there is more oppressive than New Orleans. Those tennis players were absolutely soaked in sweat today...
Aug 10th, 2008, 09:41 AM
#32
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As I stated previously, NO has had lower temps this summer than much of the US. The northeast is just now cooling down after a very hot beginning. Last time we were in Vegas, the temp was 111 - dry heat or not, that's as hot as h*ll. But we made the plans for our vacation and were willing to make allowances.
If you plan a summer vacation just about anywhere that is not mountainous, then you take a chance of hot and/or unpredictable weather.
Did OP ever come back to this thread?
If you plan a summer vacation just about anywhere that is not mountainous, then you take a chance of hot and/or unpredictable weather.
Did OP ever come back to this thread?
Aug 10th, 2008, 09:50 AM
#33
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Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for your response, we'll arrive in NO tomorrow and leave on Friday. The temp. is supposed to be in the 80s with chance of thunderstorms each day. We just need a few days to relax, always wanted to visit NO but not during Mardi Gras and there was always a reason not to. We just decided to go and deal with the weather as it comes and choose our activities accordingly. We'll have a rental car. We've done tours in Europe during snow storms and rain storms, Venice during the month of July, it felt like a 120degrees plus the humidity.
It'll be fine....
Thank you so much for your response, we'll arrive in NO tomorrow and leave on Friday. The temp. is supposed to be in the 80s with chance of thunderstorms each day. We just need a few days to relax, always wanted to visit NO but not during Mardi Gras and there was always a reason not to. We just decided to go and deal with the weather as it comes and choose our activities accordingly. We'll have a rental car. We've done tours in Europe during snow storms and rain storms, Venice during the month of July, it felt like a 120degrees plus the humidity.
It'll be fine....
Aug 10th, 2008, 03:07 PM
#35
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Hello NeoPatrick,
LOL
I guess other posts regarding the heat and humidity scared me a little. I honestly don't know how hot it would have to be for me to say ...I've made a mistake.
I would always try to make the best of the situation and just get on with it, I suppose I just wanted to be prepared for the heat and hoped the posts were exaggerated.
Does this answer your question?
LOL
I guess other posts regarding the heat and humidity scared me a little. I honestly don't know how hot it would have to be for me to say ...I've made a mistake.
I would always try to make the best of the situation and just get on with it, I suppose I just wanted to be prepared for the heat and hoped the posts were exaggerated.
Does this answer your question?
Aug 10th, 2008, 05:52 PM
#39
Versailles: Since your trip to New Orleans was already firm, what did you hope to get from this? That we'd all say - "Oh, no. Don't worry about the heat in August. It is a LOVELY time to visit!" 
Anyway - hope you get unusually cool weather while you are there.
Anyway - hope you get unusually cool weather while you are there.
