48 Rainy Hours in New Orleans

We only had a weekend in New Orleans, and one of those days the rain absolutely drowned us. So we did what any good Louisianian would do: ate two breakfasts, walked 15,000 steps before lunch, bought a Jazzy Pass for the streetcar, and shoved everything we wanted to do into 48 hours anyway.

If rain is in your forecast, don’t cancel. Here’s exactly how we spent our rainy weekend in New Orleans, what to do when it pours, and where to eat between downpours.

Where We Stayed

We stayed in Marigny this time in an Airbnb. Its walking distance to trollys!

On a rainy trip, staying somewhere walkable to the French Quarter or near a streetcar line makes a huge difference. For a full breakdown of the Marigny, the French Quarter, the Garden District, and more, see the neighborhood guide in our New Orleans bachelorette guide.

What We Did (Rain and All)

• Rode the streetcar with a Jazzy Pass. After walking 15,000 steps before lunch, we bought a Jazzy Pass, which covers unlimited rides on the streetcars. It’s the best way to see the city when it’s pouring, because you can stay dry and still sightsee.
• Walked the cemeteries at the end of Canal Street. We skipped the three-hour cemetery tour because it was freezing cold and we couldn’t make ourselves do it, so we explored on our own instead. The Canal streetcar takes you right there. Heads up: the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is different, and you can only visit it on its official guided tour.
• Took photos in City Park. You’ll get the best photos here, with amazing cypress trees covered in moss.
• Explored the French Quarter. See the river, Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, and the market, and just walk around for hours.
• Book a dinner cruise on the Mississippi. The Steamboat Natchez evening jazz cruise is a classic. It fills up fast, especially on holidays, so book ahead.

Where We Ate (Two Breakfasts Included)

Rain is the perfect excuse to eat your way through New Orleans. One day we had two breakfasts, and we regret nothing.

• Emeril’s. The cinnamon toast. That’s all I need to say.
• Willa Jean. Beyoncé is reportedly a fan, and for good reason.
• Café du Monde. You have to get beignets at least once.
• Café Beignet. Okay, real talk: these were actually my favorite beignets.

What to order anywhere: everything Cajun. Jambalaya, po’boys, gumbo, étouffée, and CORNBREAD UPSIDE DOWN.

Map of Our Rainy Weekend Spots

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More Rainy-Day Things to Do in New Orleans

If you get even more rain than we did, these indoor picks are popular and easy to book:

• The National WWII Museum. One of the city’s top attractions, and you can easily spend a whole rainy afternoon inside.
• A cooking class. Learn to make gumbo or pralines, then eat what you made.
• Mardi Gras World. Tour the warehouse where the parade floats are built.
• Live jazz at Preservation Hall. An intimate indoor show in the French Quarter.
• The Audubon Aquarium. Right by the river, and completely indoors.
• St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 tour. If you want to see the famous tombs, this is the only way in.

Tips for a Rainy Weekend in New Orleans

• Pack real rain gear. An umbrella, a rain jacket, and shoes that can get soaked. Heavy rain can flood New Orleans streets fast.
• Bring layers. It can be colder than you’d expect. We were freezing, which is exactly why we skipped the three-hour walking tour.
• Get a Jazzy Pass. Unlimited streetcar and bus rides make it easy to hop between neighborhoods without walking in the rain.
• Plan an indoor backup. Keep a museum, cooking class, or show in your back pocket for the wettest part of the day.
• Book the big stuff ahead. Dinner cruises and popular tours fill up fast, especially on holidays.
• Eat early and often. Two breakfasts is a perfectly valid rainy-day plan.

Rain or Shine, Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler

Rain doesn’t ruin a New Orleans weekend. It just means more beignets, more streetcar rides, and a great excuse for a second breakfast.

Planning a bigger New Orleans trip? Our New Orleans bachelorette guide covers where to stay, more restaurants, and the airport tip that’ll save you money. And if you’re dreaming of somewhere sunnier, check out our Four Seasons Costa Rica review.

Watch the full trip on our YouTube channel, follow along on Instagram, and pin this post for your next rainy getaway!

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