New Orleans, Louisiana Weather in February

Mild, damp days

February feels mild by New Orleans standards, but the air can be humid and the skies often cloudy. Afternoons reach about 18°C, while evenings cool to around 11°C. Rain falls on about 10 days, so a damp spell can interrupt a long walk.

You can still explore the French Quarter, visit the National WWII Museum, or take a streetcar ride along St Charles Avenue. Leave flexible time for outdoor plans, and save a rainy stretch for the Historic New Orleans Collection or a long lunch of gumbo. It's winter, not reliable beach weather.

Mardi Gras and crowds

Mardi Gras can fall in February, bringing parades, costumes and packed streets. Its date changes each year, so the city's busiest days don't always land in the same month. Valentine's Day also draws couples to restaurants, especially around the French Quarter and Garden District.

Families who enjoy parades will find plenty to watch, but the crowds and street closures can make getting around harder. Mardi Gras week is one of the busiest, priciest times to visit. Outside that peak, February is generally livelier and costlier than the quietest winter weeks, but less crowded than the spring festival season.

Getting around

For a calmer visit, choose dates outside the main Mardi Gras parade run. On parade days, don't count on the St Charles streetcar to carry you through blocked sections; walk around closures or use a route away from the parade streets.

Try a bowl of red beans and rice at a neighbourhood restaurant, then take a stroll through the Garden District when the weather's dry. The mild afternoons suit sightseeing, but rain can leave pavements slick, so keep outdoor plans close to covered stops.