New Orleans’ endless supply of festivals, historic music venues and unrivaled dining experiences draw millions of visitors to the city each year.
Here are a few must-dos to soak up the city, stay grounded and enjoy the hot season ahead if you’re staying in New Orleans this summer.
Get a pool pass for the day
The best way to beat the New Orleans heat is by getting a day pass to a pool where you can relax with a novel, enjoy a drink and have lunch with a friend. Some popular options are The Garden District Hotel, The Chloe or Sunnies.
If you end up choosing The Chloe, be sure to try the “pain killer” — it tastes like an elevated version of a piña colada.
New Orleans Pride
Pride parades in New Orleans take place on June 13 in the French Quarter and will include live music, drag performances and vibes you won’t want to miss.
It is Louisiana’s largest LGBTQ+ event and emphasizes community and activism. New Orleans Pride is unique because it feels less like a single parade and more like a full festival experience across the city.
Play tennis
If you can’t make it up to the Northeast for a tennis match in the Hamptons or Nantucket, Tulane Campus Recreation offers the perfect solution: free rackets to students. Take your racket to the on-campus courts or join Audubon Tennis Club to meet someone new.
Red Dress Run
Red Dress Run is an annual social event on the second Sunday of August, organized by local chapters of the Hash House Harriers — a global group known for combining running with humor, partying and community.
The run started as an inside joke in the 1980s when a woman showed up to a run in a red dress, starting the tradition.
Get a culture pass for library and museum access
Culture passes in New Orleans are part of a free program that lets residents use a library card to get free admission or discounts to local museums, cultural sites and attractions around the city.
The passes are to make arts and culture more accessible to residents, especially people who might not otherwise be able to afford regular admission prices.
Find your favorite sno-ball
A New Orleans sno-ball is not a typical snow cone. With a wide variety of flavors, taste testing is a perfect summer activity.
Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls’ ice cream flavor with condensed milk is my personal pick.
White Linen Night
White Linen Night, scheduled for August 1, features art gallery openings, cocktails, street food and live music to celebrate the end of summer. The event takes place throughout the New Orleans’ Warehouse Arts District and Central Business District.
Visitors are encouraged to wear white, and the events are free and open to the public, with food and drink available for purchase.