10 Things to Do in New Orleans in January

Deciding what to see and do in New Orleans in January really isn't that difficult. This Louisiana city on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico is the best destination if you're looking for nightlife, history and the most vibrant carnival in the United States.

In this space I'll tell you what to see and do in New Orleans in January so that your biggest travel logistics problem is packing your bags and worrying about your outfit combinations. Always keeping in mind the perfect temperature of between 18 and 7 degrees Celsius during this month of the year.

Although Carnival in New Orleans takes place in February, 6 January marks the start of the countdown to the most important date in the city.

In the United States it is known as Three Kings Day and is basically the same celebration as the Hispanic Three Kings Day. However, the difference is that there are no presents and it is more focused on celebrating well in advance, which in a couple of weeks will be the beloved Mardi Gras.

If you're visiting New Orleans on January 6th, don't forget to try the American version of Roscon de Reyes.

The English name is Kings Cake and you will be able to try it in all the bakeries in New Orleans on a daily basis until the arrival of the carnival weekend.

So eager are some of the local people for the arrival of Carnival that they have developed other traditions of festivities that take place in mid-January as a sort of transition between Three Kings Day and Mardi Gras weekend.

The name of this party is Pardi Gras and it's basically a big tropical-themed celebration that takes place throughout the French Quarter, with music that also leans towards the Caribbean rhythms that have influenced New Orleans since its inception.

It's a good opportunity to experience what a Mardi Gras would be like during the month of January, as celebrations usually extend through the Martin Luthers Kings Day weekend. This is another much more serious and important event in the history of the African American community in this region of the country.

Lots of booze, lots of local food and lots of merriment in the streets and bars of the French Quarter. This is what you can expect from a Pardi Gras in the historic heart of New Orleans.

Another important tradition that takes place during the month of January in New Orleans is the FAN EXPO. It is a gathering of fans of comic books, science fiction and a lot of video games with the intention of meeting with the creators of these contents.

There are talks, exclusive content premieres, autograph signings and face-to-face photo opportunities with the actors who embody the favourite characters of the thousands of fans who attend this massive event every year.

Thousands of people attend in costume to participate in an internal cosplay contest. In fact, this is an event that in the past was called Wizard World because of its primary association with the world of magic-themed series and movies.

It usually takes place during the first or second weekend of January and so it is quite common for it to coincide with Three Kings Day. The venue can change depending on attendance expectations, but the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is usually chosen.

New Orleans is known for the large number of parades that take place for every holiday on the calendar.

One of them is dedicated to Joan of Arc, a celebration that has survived to this day from the days when the French community led the city before the American takeover of Louisiana.

It's not as big as the parades that take place on Mardi Gras or St Patrick's Day, but it's still an entertaining activity to watch.

It happens every January 6 as a coincidence with the birthday of Joan of Arc, who in the 1400s liberated the citizens of Orleans, France, from the decades-long English invasion.

It is the locals themselves who take to the streets of the French Quarter in medieval costume to celebrate a Catholic saint who has little to do with the United States, but is important to them as a city because of the strength of their French heritage.

As such, venues along the parade route often offer discounts to those in costume or at least maintain a festive atmosphere for those who wish to celebrate this tradition.

Between December 1814 and 8 January 1815, a crucial battle was fought between British forces and the United States Federal Army outside New Orleans. It was the largest of the Anglo-American War of 1812 and functioned as a vindication of American military might after its young independence.

Because of its historical significance, an event is held every year on 8 January at De la Ronde Oaks with a group of interpreters reenacting a section of the battle, while another group of people appear in period costume to add credibility to the spectacle.

It's a free event organised by the city council and usually runs from 9:30am until 5pm. Keep in mind that this park is on the outskirts of New Orleans and it's best to take a taxi to avoid unnecessary confusion.

Did you know that the Garden District, in a way, was created for wealthy Americans who didn't want to live in the French Quarter. To prove the point, you'll find incredible theatrical mansions with Italianate or Greek Revival styling.

That said, if you're looking for some tours of New Orleans' Garden District, this magnolia, plane tree and jasmine-covered space will be your best bet.

Plus, during the month of January, you'll find the perfect shade to enjoy the scenery without suffering the ravages of the sun. At other times of the year, the Garden District can be overwhelming due to the inclement sun or the humidity that characterises the city.

If you are a lover of the beautiful oak trees of the American South, it will be ideal to tackle this entertaining walk where you will also find pre-Civil War mansions. Your photographs should include the facades of the Goldsmith-Godchaux House, Colonel Shorts Villa or The Manse at 2328 Coliseum Street.

In addition, a visit to a Creole restaurant dating back to 1893 is a must. This incredible space known as Commander Palace, located at 1430 Washington Ave, is recognisable by its elegant turreted buildings and blue awnings.

If you're already in awe of your trip and looking for things to see and do in New Orleans in 3 days, put the New Orleans Museum of Art on your list.

January is an ideal month to make this visit a reality as many of the special exhibits that were installed for the December tourist rush are still on display. But the convenient difference is that you now have plenty of time to enjoy the art on your own terms, without having to wait in long lines at each museum space or room.

Inside this building you will find more than 40,000 pieces dating from the Italian Renaissance to the present day. Gauguin, Barque, Renoir, Matisse, Monet and Rodin are some of the signatures you will find in the French art sector.

The New Orleans Museum of Art, the city's oldest institution, is located in City Park. This museum also has a strong African-American collection. If you're a fan of Central American folk art, you'll be dazzled.

In addition, this museum collaborates with other local art centres to develop special exhibitions. For example, past events have included treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun or the relics of Alexander the Great.

Another New Orleans must-see in January are the old plantation residences, an icon of the Southern way of life. In fact, it was the foundation of this town's economy and culture.

If you want to relive the feeling of films like Django Unchained or Gone with the Wind, this will be a great choice. Plus, you'll only need a few hours to see how the wealthy families of the time lived inside their mansions, alternating between life in the countryside.

You can't talk about a guided tour of southern American plantations without considering slavery. For regardless of the type of plantation, they depended on the slaves, who lived better or worse depending on the log cabins they were allotted by their owners. You can relive these unfortunate stories in the various common areas that you will find near the main houses.

When travelling, one of the most difficult decisions is the choice of food, not only for the tastes themselves, but also for the variety that an unfamiliar place offers.

That's why if you want to immerse yourself in the best food tours of New Orleans, you've come to the right place. In the state of Louisiana you'll find a combination of Caribbean, Spanish, African and French influences.

Despite the options New Orleans offers throughout the year, you can't pass up Cajun cuisine during January, which is a perfect time to enjoy a traditional French meal with local ingredients and in season.

With a wealthy aristocratic ancestry, top chefs are ready to offer the best dishes under these gastronomic parameters, in the best style of the Reveillon Dinners that were held until the end of December.

Best of all, during January the prices for fine dining start to drop again. Because the Christmas season is over and therefore there are no banquets with exaggerated prices that are relatively justifiable under the idea that everything is more expensive at Christmas and New Year's Eve.

If you want to try the exquisite pork, rice and cornbread, you should visit the kitchens of Broussards, Galatoires, Brennans and Arnauds. On the other hand, you'll also find lesser-known but great-tasting restaurants such as Acme Oyster House or Emeril Lagasse.

Finally, you should visit the Riverwalk area, located next to the Mississippi River. Here, in addition to being part of the boat tours in New Orleans, you'll be able to watch these steamboats sail up and down the river.

The spectacle of these steel giants is incredible, not only as a crew but also as a spectator. At this point you'll have to decide where you want to enjoy the Riverwalk area, whether inside a boat, or outside as a pedestrian.

On the other hand, it is advisable that you compare the prices of each package, this way, you will be able to choose the ideal option without affecting your economy when you opt for the alternative of riding on one of these boats.

In fact, we tell you that you could visit the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, a shopping centre located in the same area, where you can opt for the tax-free option. You will only need your passport to take it to the first floor of the mall, where you will be refunded part of the tax on each purchase.

This shopping plan is even more interesting if you take into account that the discounts on fine dining mentioned above also apply to clothing. This is because of the approaching spring and summer seasons in all kinds of brands.

Aside from choosing the top 10 guided tours of New Orleans, there are many uncertainties when travelling. A good example of this lies in all the clothes to choose, not only to generate the best photographic memories, but also to enjoy the weather.

According to weather records, daily highs at this time of year are around 17 degrees Celsius, rarely less than 10. In a nutshell, you won't need to wear warm coats, just nice clothes to protect you from the cooler weather.

In fact, you can use July 14 as a reference, which is considered to be the hottest day of the year. During this date, New Orleans has a temperature of 26 °C to 34 °C. Meanwhile, on January 8, the coldest day of the year, temperatures vary from 9°C to 17°C, nothing to worry about.

That said, don't pack bulky coats in your suitcase when visiting New Orleans in January. Instead, make the most of the space and include a variety of clothes that will keep you comfortable and full of outfits for your photographs.

Also, don't forget to include essential accessories such as sunglasses, sunscreen, small backpacks that make it easy to carry your belongings and of course, your phone charger. Even an external battery won't be a bad idea if you want to capture every minute.

If you're worried about the number of tourists in New Orleans in January, this space will be ideal to ease your anxieties. For starters, beyond the number of visitors, which is much lower than in neighbouring months, it's all down to your organisation.

For example, transfers from New Orleans Airport should be part of your planning. This way, the rest won't matter, because you will have your place reserved.

By making the decision to visit this capital city at the beginning of the year, you also guarantee to experience the carnival season without thousands of people around you. This translates into hot dishes, the best places in the museums and the best attention that this space has to offer.