When you imagine visiting New Orleans, you probably don't see yourself there in the middle of winter. Any good holiday is in summer, when you can enjoy long, lazy days and cocktails in the sun, right? Wrong. Not in New Orleans. Or at least that's not the only time you can enjoy this amazing city.
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Forget New Orleans weather in December and plan your trip now!
The subtropical Louisiana climate can actually be restrictively hot and humid in the summer months. You may well find yourself stuck inside with the air con on full, when you should be out enjoying the sights, tastes and sounds of the culture-lover’s haven.
Visiting in Winter can be a surprisingly good move. The New Orleans weather in December brings much lower temperatures, but it is still usually pleasantly mild. But what about hurricanes? Well, the season is from around June to November, so you should manage to skip it entirely, which is always a plus...
So forget all of your preconceptions about New Orleans weather in December and start planning your trip!
If you're thinking of sticking around the American South for a while, check out my article on Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay.
Food
The cuisine in New Orleans is strongly Creole and Cajun-influenced. These strong ties to France, combined with the proximity to the sea and a West African influence, have resulted in something quite spectacular. The food is heavily seafood-based and the locals also take advantage of the hot, humid climate to grow a huge range of rich-tasting vegetables, making the food both delicious and varied. Most dishes pack a flavourful punch that can become hard to resist once you've had a taste.
A perfect way to enjoy local food on a December visit to the city, is to experience a Reveillon Dinner. The word reveillon means ‘awakening’, and originated as a celebration of breaking fast. The 19th century Creole settlers would fast leading up to Christmas Eve, then have an extravagant family meal in the middle of the night. Fortunately for visitors today the tradition survives, and whole host of restaurants across the city serve up sumptuous feasts for the occasion. A particularly good spot is the Vacherie restaurant, where classics like seafood gumbo can be enjoyed in the historic setting of the French Quarter.
Wherever you decide to have your festive feast, you're sure to come home full of delicious food and happy memories.
Music
If you had describe New Orleans in one word, it would probably be jazz. The city is the birthplace of jazz, and remains possibly the best place on earth to experience it. Many of the great names such as Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet were born and bred in New Orleans, and their legacy lives on in the crowded jazz bars that can be found on almost any street.
If the New Orleans weather in December turns bad, what better way could there be to escape than poke your head into one of the brilliant venues. A real highlight is the Snug Harbor on Frenchmen Street. Here you will find quite possibly the best musicians the city has to offer. This classic bar is really all about the music, and never gets too rowdy.
An alternative to the jazz bars could be one of the free Christmas concerts at the beautiful St. Louis cathedral. The cathedral itself is a very worthy attraction, so to attend an atmospheric concert here is the icing on the Christmas cake.
For a real party, hit the streets on New Year's Eve. The city becomes one big celebration of music, dancing and fun and it definitely makes a night to remember. Head down to Bourbon Street for an all night celebration, or find a quiet spot further afield, but rest assured you won't get bored.
Activities
There are countless great things to see and do in New Orleans all year round, but the festive period really sees an explosion of culture. One beloved tradition dating back to the Cajun settlers is the bonfires on the levee. Every Christmas Eve, hundreds of huge bonfires are lit along the banks of the Mississippi River, near to New Orleans.
This tradition, which has been continued since the 19th century, was supposed to guide Father Christmas (Papa Noel to the locals) and his sleigh along the river. They would also have been used to guide churchgoers to Midnight Mass. The fires can be well over 10 metres high and firework displays are common. It's a very impressive sight, and something that should definitely be seen.
Another excellent attraction that can be enjoyed even in the New Orleans weather in December, is the stunning Celebration in the Oaks. Particularly suitable for families, the celebration is essentially a huge light display spread over the sprawling 25 acres of City Park. Well over 150,000 people visit the park each year to see the dazzling displays. Plan ahead and buy your tickets online to avoid disappointment.
Conclusion
In a city that is such a melting pot of cultures and history, it is no surprise that there is so much to do and see. If you weren't considering a visit to New Orleans in December before, then hopefully you are now. It's a wonderful old city, full of life that, much like a good jazz record, only gets better with age.
If it's French history you like, then you should definitely consider a trip to Paris. Have a look at my article on how to enjoy Paris on a budget for some useful tips.
Thanks for reading. If you have any questions about New Orleans, or would like to share your experiences of the city, please leave a comment below.