10 Things to Do in New Orleans in August

Welcome to not only a historic city, but one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country. Magic, warmth, joy, festivity, history, shackles, freedom and music, all in one Cajun-scented pan. There is always something to see and do in New Orleans and August is one of those months that feels like years with the amount of activities in the city.

The cultural capital of Louisiana is one of those places that will stay in your heart for the rest of your life. I won't lie to you if I tell you that New Orleans in August is one of the best investments in your happiness for the rest of your life. Here are just a few of the things to do in August, because I could go on and on suggesting places and activities.

Satchmo SummerFest is one of the most important festivals in the city and the music world as it commemorates the birth date of the founding father of jazz; the pop icon man, "Satchmo" (short for Satchelmouth).

I'm not talking about anyone other than Louis Armstrong. No matter what music you play, this festival is a rite of passage celebrating one of the most creative minds in modern history. It's the best thing to do if you can only visit New Orleans in one day.

At this two-day festival you'll have the chance to enjoy two stages with over forty musicians on stage, while tasting the incredible Louisiana food and taking in the wonderful history of the United States through one of its artistic expressions.

That is, jazz at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. History, music and jazz - what else do you need?

Louis Armstrong was born on the 4th of August and is one of the most universal New Orleanians, as he brought the multicultural essence of his land into a musical fusion that generated an entire movement based on musical improvisation.

New Orleans would not be what it is today without Louis Armstrong and this festival is a congregation to praise the frenetic and changing essence of the city, where you will witness the rhythms that envelop the city.

It's one of the best things to do all summer in New Orleans, so don't miss it.

I suggest wearing shorts and a T-shirt to the festival to keep you company at this hot and humid time of year. The cost of the ticket varies depending on when you buy it: it's not the same to buy it before the festival as it is at the festival entrance on the day itself.

The cost ranges from €8-11. The city's transport system of choice is the RTA bus, which has a fixed cost of €2 and lines 15, 32, 64, 65 pass by the museum.

Practical info

• Location: New Orleans Jazz Museum. 400 Esplanade Avenue, 70116
• When: Coincides with Louis Armstrong's birthday, which falls on August 4th. If the date falls on a weekday, the festival is moved to the weekend and takes place over two days.
• Price: prices range from €8 to €11, depending on whether you buy in advance or on the day of the event at the entrance.
• Opening times: Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 am - 8:00 pm, although this varies from year to year.

The New Orleans Coolinary is one of the most anticipated times in the city to enjoy and showcase the city's incredible Cajun food history.

The traditional and the culinary innovation have a space to share recipes with you and you can enjoy the smells that only the Mississippi River and history have for you.

Throughout the month of August, from August 1st to August 31st, all the gastronomic offerings will have their prices lowered so you can enjoy Creole and Cajun cuisine. This plan applies from the most exclusive restaurants to the most historic and popular ones.

You can enjoy incredible lunches for prices lower than the fixed €26 per plate and even lower than €46 for dinner and brunch.

The cost may vary depending on the dish and the restaurant you're in, but these are incredible prices to enjoy one of the richest and most authentic culinary offerings in the United States.

You can take advantage of this time to go on one of the city 's incredible food toursso your budget doesn't suffer.

And if you were thinking about the name... yes, the prefix 'cool' meets the adjective 'culinary' to give free rein to Coolinary. I promise this name doesn't do justice to the city's original gastronomy.

Traveller Tip

New Orleans cuisine is made up of two traditions: Creole cuisine, which originates from Louisiana and combines classic European and African cuisines, and Cajun cuisine, which is a combination of French and Southern cuisines, as well as being more robust and spicy.

New Orleans in August is also synonymous with heat, accompanied by high humidity and there is nothing better to enjoy the hot afternoons and humid nights than to enjoy an evening of music and art dressed entirely in white.

Loyalty Bank's White Linen Night is an annual celebration where the New Orleans art scene showcases new creations and innovative exhibitions.

The event is organised and encouraged by the Center for Contemporary Art and takes place throughout the Warehouse Arts District, which is the focus of the white tide of late evening strolls through these beautiful streets.

It's definitely one of the best things to do in New Orleans at night on its festive streets.

Wander the streets and be dazzled by the performances of the most in-demand artists in the art scene. You can also go to one of the exclusive exhibitions and art installations organised by the more than 20 contemporary and modern art galleries that the city has to offer.

Of course, you'll never be short of your favourite New Orleanian white wine, the city's incredible food and the parties that will have you dancing to the rhythms of the south.

The event is free to the public and most of the exhibitions and art installations in the galleries are open to the public. You may come across some events that you have to pay for, but usually the activity is held on the street.

Don't worry about attending a party that features white dress, as it is a tradition in the south of the city to accompany the summer light. You can take the 11, 15, 16, 91, W-2 and W-3 bus lines to get to Julia Street.

Practical info

• Location: Julia Street
• When: first week of August
• Price: Free of charge. Some activities have prices as well as admission to some venues.
• Opening times: 5:30 h -22:30 h

And the party doesn't stop in New Orleans. You haven't quite recovered from Loyalty Bank's White Linen Night when the city is already inviting you to Dirty Linen Night.

This party is just another event to enjoy the heat and the night of the city, but with the dirty clothes from the previous week that you wore to attend Loyalty Bank's White Linen Night.

Theyare similar events, dedicated to art, but with some differences in the treatment: while white linen clothes are used to reflect the summer light, in the Dirty Linen Night, casual clothes or the dirty clothes from the previous week are used.

While you drink white wine at the former, at the latter, Martini and beer will be your nightly company. Finally, the former takes place in the exclusive Rue Julia and the latter takes you on oneof the best walks you'll ever take in the historic and popular French Quarter.

The whole event is free of charge, although there are activities that do require you to pay a fee. But don't worry, the city is supposed to be cheap and you're there to invest in your happiness.

The bus lines, no matter where your hotel is located, won't charge you more than €2. Buses 88 and 91 are your best bet for a bus drop-off in the French Quarter.

Practical info

• Location: French Quarter, Block 200 - 1000 Royal Street
• When: Second week of August
• Price: Free. Some activities are priced as well as admission to some venues.
• Hours: 5:30 am - 10:30 pm

A weekend of magic and witchcraft is what awaits you at the Hex Fext in Old New Orleans. Your trip to the capital of Afro-French culture in North America won't be complete without experiencing the voodoo magic, voodoo, witchcraft and extrasensory experiences its people have to offer.

Witches, root workers, voodoo priests, magic masters and those who wish to share their knowledge and occult wisdom in New Orleans are concentrated in one weekend to give you a magical and unforgettable experience at this incredible festival.

The city's most powerful and famous witches welcome you to the sound of drums on one of the best boat rides New Orleans has to offer and continue to regale you with their lore at the mystical and spooky Bourbon Orleans Hotel.

The event invites you to consume their wisdom in their various routines, seminars, events and the sale of magical tools and powerful books.

You can go as a curious visitor and have some fun while you learn about one of the ways a population manifests their lore, plus you can take advantage of the event's special activities and tours of the incredible New Orleans cemetery.

The price ranges from €150 to €350, depending on the package of activities you wish to participate in and the number of days you wish to be present at the event. These prices may be due to the fact that the event is limited to 350 people and minors are not accepted.

Buses 88 and 91 are your best option for the bus to drop you off in the French Quarter and get you ready to go to the hotel.

Practical info

• Location: Bourbon Orleans Hotel, 717 Orleans St, 70116.
• When: Second week of August
• Price: 150-350 €.
• Opening hours: 10:30 am - 8:30 pm

Nolapalooza is the little brother of the famous and epic Lollapalooza festival that takes place a month earlier in Chicago, but comes to New Orleans in the first week of August. It's a festival organised by the Metairie/New Orleans School of Rock.

The festival is known for hosting a repertoire of musicians and bands that are entering the American rock scene and with shows by established bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, among others that will make your trip an unforgettable experience.

Food, people, drinks, pogos, rock. The experience I recommend and you should take advantage of when you are in New Orleans if you love rock.

The festival opens at 12 noon and runs until 8pm. It takes place at the historic restaurant, bar and bowling alley, the Rock 'N' Bowl. The cost of admission is no more than €15. Your best choice of transport to get there is by bus and you should use the 202, 39 bus.

Practical info

• Location: 3016 South Carrollton Avenue, 70118
• When: First week of August
• Price: £10-15
• Hours: 12:00 h - 20:00 h

There's water everywhere in New Orleans: the city sits at the end of the Mississippi River, near its delta, and it's a coastal city with a huge saltwater estuary or lake. All these bodies of water make it a very attractive city to stroll along during August, one of the hottest months of the year.

Despite all these bodies of water, many of the canals and banks are not very walkable and are separated by walls. But there are many that you might love to enjoy on August afternoons, such as Saint John Bayou, a small canal with very calm waters that connects to the beautiful New Orleans City Park, another space that also has many flooded areas.

Further north is Lake Pontchartrain, whose waters were polluted for a long time and are now clean, but there are no lifeguards, so swimming is not recommended.

None of that stops you from strolling along Lakeshore Dr and grabbing a bite to eat, ending up at a pier where there are two lovely little parks: West End Park and Breakwater Park.

If you want to continue west, there's a path just for walkers and cyclists. Here you can find out about cruises on both the lake and the Mississippi River.

But are you going to miss the Mississippi River? In this busy summer, it would be unforgivable. Much of the riverfront in the city is taken up by harbours and boat docks, but there are some reclaimed areas you can enjoy, such as Woldenberg Park, where you can cool off just a few metres from the river.

These are among the best things you can do with the kids in the city to enjoy the summer without dying of the heat.

The annual New Orleans Salsa and Bachata Festival is one of the most alternative events on the city's music scene. For three days, the Latin dimension comes together at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel to get you dancing to the sounds of the city's biggest names.

It's not just salsa and bachata that await you at this festival. You'll find kizomba, zouk, urban fusion, heels and ballroom. The only requirement is that you are willing to polish the floor with your steps and learn about the incredible Hispanic culture that New Orleans has to offer.

Learn any genre of Latin music in the various workshops offered by the festival, while enjoying special nightly performances by the best dancers in any of its modalities and finish your nights at the Latin parties until the wee hours of the morning.

Nothing can go wrong if a party has salsa in its repertoire. Did I mention that they also have a themed party on the hotel's rooftop pool?

The best option to get to the hotel by bus is to take bus lines 11, 16, 32, 64 and 65. The festival schedule starts at 4pm and ends at 11pm, just to start the parties.

The price varies depending on the package of activities and workshops you sign up for, as well as the number of days you are willing to leave your heart and soul in the party room.

Practical info

• Location: New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street
• When: Second week of August
• Price: 20-170
• Hours: 4:00 h- 23:00 h

Every second Saturday in August, the colour red takes over the streets of New Orleans. It ' s a non-profit event organised by the Hash House Harriers of New Orleans, a drinking club that came up with a fun and original way for you to spend a different kind of Saturday morning on your trip.

Put on your best red dress and get your best trainers ready, because you're in for a three-kilometre route where you won't stop laughing and getting distracted by the original designs and outfits everyone else is wearing.

I invite you to participate and contribute to this race because if you participate, the money you paid for registration will go 100% to local charity.

The registration fee is between 60 and 70 €. The event includes a post-race lunch where you will share with the other competitors. You can also contribute if you don't want to participate in the event.

The event only starts with the end of the race. The race runs through the French Quarter until dusk... who wouldn't want to wear a red dress for a day and have fun with the others?

If you are going to be in the city for about four days and it coincides with this race, my advice is to spend a different morning and dress in red. I suggest you use the 5, 55, 88, 91 bus lines to get to Crescent Park.

Practical information

• Location: Starts at Crescent Park. 2300 N Peters Street.
• When: Second Saturday in August
• Price: 60-70
• Hours: 9:00 am

Museum Month in New Orleans is an event where all of the city's museums participate to encourage free museum visits.

From August 1st through August 31st, all museums open their doors and offer tours so you can learn about the society, culture and history of one of America's premier historical cities at no cost.

I guarantee that visiting any of the museums is among the best guided tours in the city.

There's something for everyone: you can learn about America's version of World War II at the National World War II Museum, or learn about the history of the voodoo religion at the New Orleans Voodoo History Museum.

My advice is to take advantage and ask for the best ghost tours in New Orleans when you're at the latter museum.

I also recommend delving into the incredible history of slavery and freedom at the Free People of Colour Museum. Learn and marvel at the greats of Southern painting at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
Of course, don't forget to stop by the incredible New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Did I mention that all these visits are free? All of these museums are centrally located and the city's own bus system allows you to get to them conveniently.

There are years when they allow you to participate in tours of New Orleans' finest plantations and estates as part of the city's historical tours, to learn about the past of plantations and slavery.

Very hot. The temperature in August in New Orleans is hot and humid. I recommend that you wear comfortable clothes: T-shirt, loose-fitting shirt, short socks, comfortable fabrics.

It's the perfect time of year for the best swamp tours in the area, but be careful and bring pest control cream as it's mosquito month. New Orleans is also known for its immense biodiversity along the Mississippi River.

Evenings are cool and comfortable for strolling along the bay and there are always music events that you can go to as a couple or family.

Nola, as the city is known, is immensely rich in cultural diversity.
You can see how different cultures from outside and inside the country have coexisted and in summer, cultural manifestations will be everywhere. Just pack your sunscreen and enjoy the best of the American South.