New Orleans in August?
 

We travel to New Orleans regularly twice a year, but it's always spring and fall. I'd like to go to the Red Dress Run in August, but am thinking it'll be hotter than Hades. I'm pretty sure you all will agree with me, but if anybody wants to throw in a, "You'll be fine if you just sit on your balcony and watch everybody go by. Go ahead and go!" I'd appreciate it.

You know what the weather will be. Stay hydrated and think cool thoughts!

I have been there in July and August, and 4 words describe it.

Frigging hot and sweaty.

And very uncomfortable and hard to breathe due to high humidity. Thinking cool tho just will not help in that kind of oppressive heat.

Sorry, but it is reality.

Way too hot - you could;t pay me to go.

Po*p - I pretty much knew that was what I was going to hear but, just in case, couldn't resist asking. Thanks, folks.

I visited NO many times for pleasure, like you in the spring and fall.

Unlike nytraveler, they did pay me to go to NO in August. In retrospect, she was right.

Until a couple of years ago, New Orleans in July was the hottest place I'd ever been in my life. Then I went to Luxor in August. But New Orleans in summer is still no. 2!

Average high in the 90s, average low of 75 so no relief whatsoever from the heat/humidity. Pray for a thunderstorm to roll through and give you a break from the heat.

I lived in Gulfport, MS for 2 summers, same temps/humidity. We certainly didn't sit indoors all summer. Do as much as possible in the morning before it gets too hot, stay out of the sun as much as possible later in the day and dress appropriately.

Sit on your balcony in the shade (preferably get a fan blowing on you), have a cold drink and enjoy.

The room at our hotel faces Bourbon Street and has a covered balcony, so we can easily be out of the sun and watch the festivities on the street. Dang, I really want to go, but........

Just go if you want to. When it gets too hot outside, head inside for a cold one.

Work the shade. When out for a walk in the morning, make sure you stay on the shady side of the street. Seriously, cross the street when you have to to stay in the shade. It is amazing how much that helps.

Relax indoors, eat, nap, casino, museum, swim in the afternoon,and head back out in the evening.

If you get caught in an afternoon thunderstorm, just stand in the street and get soaked to the skin. You'll look like a fool, but you won't be the only one and it feels good!

Thanks everybody - I'm thinking it's just going to be a last minute decision either way, but how can you go wrong in New Orleans?!

I have been to New Orleans three times in my life and it has always been in August so I don't know any better.
There is the aquarium and museums to retreat to,air conditioned bars and restaurants abound.The thunderstorms are beautiful and cooling.
Take a ride on a riverboat,drop into a casino,enjoy the hotel pool.
Things really happen after sundown anyway.

BlackandGold has some great suggestions for dealing with the heat, especially the part about walking on the shady side of the street. It really does make a difference! We have been to New Orleans once during August. It was hot, but we didn't find it unbearable, but it's pretty warm and humid in KY in July and August, so we may have been partially acclimated. We did outside things in the morning, spent the afternoons touring museums or shopping, and when we got too hot, we ducked into the air conditioning. Drink lots of water, be careful with libations (they can dehydrate you!), and have fun.

You can easily go wrong! After having been to NO nearly every year for decades, we had to go twice in August for business. I've been in Las Vegas when it was 114, but those two trips to NO were the most miserable (weather-wise) I've ever been. It's not just the heat, but the combo of heat and humidity. I would NEVER go again in August or September unless I had to.

We lived there for about 6 years, and in those circumstances, you do get used to the heat and humidity. But then we moved away and several years later returned in the summer for a brief visit. We were coming from Dallas, not known for cool summers, so you'd think we wouldn't have been too badly bothered. Wrong. It's the hottest I have ever felt, except perhaps for that 113 ° day in August in Phoenix.

Yes, it is hot, but those of us from NO somehow manage just fine. ;)

As others have said - stay hydrated, have a good hat, take advantage of shade/AC as much as possible, head up to the river levee for a breeze, and enjoy the early mornings and evenings. Oh - and be sure to have a nice cold snowball (spearmint is my favorite)!

And when you think you can't take it anymore - think about being 9 months pregnant in the NO August heat!! (Been there, done that)

OO, I am with you. The times I went to NO in July and August, I lived at that time in Houston, which is very hot and humid in the summers. But New Orleans was worse. The humidity was opressive, I found it difficult to breathe and I had no chronic health issues and was in good shape.

Ling there and vacatining there in August are two different things. When you live there you are forced to deal w/that oppressive heat and humidity in summer. AS visitor, you have th eoptin to go at a different time, and if not to go somewhere else and leave the NO trip for a better weather period.

I am heading to the Jazz and Heritage Festival for a long weeekend with a friend in April and can't wait. I love NO. But late April is the latest I will go there, until next Oct., when I will be going back again.

The OP is looking to go for a particular event that takes place in August. So, my recommendation is to go and have fun. Just be prepped to deal with the heat.

We have been in NO in August many times, and of course it's hot.

I guess that, since we live in Alabama, we are somewhat accustomed to heat and humidity, but to us, a trip to New Orleans is worth it!

Make good use of the pool and cold drinks!

Have fun!

Byrd

Bring your shade with you by carrying a light colored umbrella, which comes in handy when you get the daily afternoon downpours. Go in and out of buildings. As insanely hot and humid as outdoor New Orleans is, the interiors are insanely frigid with air conditioning.

I was there in June a couple of years ago and felt almost mad sometimes with the heat. Not for me. I cannot even imagine what August is like. I love the city but I think I'll only be back for Christmas.

LOL - Your replies are pretty much running 50-50! I still want to see the Red Dress Run, and know we'll be pretty much stationary under our covered balcony, but DH is certainly starting to grumble about being too hot and humid. Since we go yearly in late September, we do have an idea how hot it can be, but was wondering what folks that have dealt with it in the past thought about going back during "definite" summer months. Thanks so much for all the help and ideas - I haven't got a clue what to do now... *smile*

Just DO it!!!! hehehehe
We went last July and it was veeeeeeeery hot, but we still had fun, fun, fun!!

iceeu2 - You're still one of my favorite Fodorites!!

I have lived in New Orleans all of my life and agree with everything everyone is saying about how hot it is in August. I will never get use to it. With that being said, you just have to prepare yourself. I have purchased several things for Coolibar, a website that sells things to keep you cool. I have the titanium umbrella and it really works, though I don't use it often because I stay out of the sun completely. Also, they sell neck bandanas that can be soaked in cold water and will stay cool for a while. I get them at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Also, get a personal travel fan (one witha sprayer is even better) The one online at Magellans is a good quality and has two speeds.