new orleans in july?

i%26#39;m thinking of going to new orleans next month with my boyfriend. i realize mardi gras is not for a few more months, but is it a good time to go? will it be too hot? will there be anything going on? what%26#39;s there to do in new orleans in july? thanks in advance for your help!

new orleans in july?

It will be hot and this is kind of the off season because of the heat but there are still some summer festivals.

The Essence Music Festival is July 5-7 which is gear toward African Americans and draws large crowds.

Other than that there is

Tales of the Cocktail

July 18-22, 2007

French Quarter locations New Orleans, LA

A dining and drinking experience that explores the history and spirit of the cocktail presented by the country%26#39;s hottest chefs, authors, bartenders, mixologists and celebrities.

www.TalesoftheCocktail.com

But traditionally this is more of a down time but a chance to get wonderful rates. All the major attractions are pretty much up and running so it would be a great place to go and support the city.

new orleans in july?

I%26#39;ve been to New Orleans in July before as a tourist and the heat hasn%26#39;t put me off, I%26#39;m going back again this summer for another long weekend.

As the previous poster said, you can take advantage of some great rates (we%26#39;re staying in a 5 star hotel and that NEVER happens ordinarily!) and get around the attractions without being crowded or rushed.

Visit www.nola.com for all events during the time you want to visit. July is hot, but the hotel deals are great. If you are here July 4th there is a great fireworks show on the river and there are bands throughout the French Quarter playing in various squares that are free. There are lots of things to do inside during the day and you can your outside activities at night (depending on what you are interested in doing).

In my experien ce, the heat gradually increases during the da. So instead of assuming that ';high noon'; is the hottest, it%26#39;s really later. So my strategy is to get my butt ou and moving in the morning --- even if I was out late the night before - and do the outdoor touristy things early. Well, 10 is early for me. Plan my wandering routes as to where will I have lunch, or impulse ';try this place.';

There%26#39;s always shops with a/c to duck into. And then a number of times to stop for a beer or iced tea (Careful on the beer in the heat.)

Then since I had a short night, at the hottest late afternoon, back to the hotel for a nap, or just a rest, clean up,change into dry and a bit more dressier clothes, try that Carousel bar ot other pub you heard about, to sit in the shade and the cool. Watch the foot traffic through the windows while sitting comfortably, and all the while contemplating this eve%26#39;s meal, where, and early or late?

Then maybe back to the hotel, change into the more casual clothes, and start the nightlife. Next day, repeat. Use as directed when the feeling returns.

No one%26#39;s mentioned Frenchman St or WWOZ.

As for night life, Frenchman is an easy choice (few blocks from FQ, opp side of FQ than Canal St) and has lots of bars with great music--much more casual and less corporate than Bourbon.

Also, in addition to checking NOLA.com, you can pick up a Gambit, a WHere Y%26#39;at, or an Offbeat to see who%26#39;s playing where.

Or. as soon as I drive into Slidell on my way in from Alabama, I always tune to 90.7, WWOZ. They have club listings every hour and should have some info at wwoz.org. They%26#39;re music is anything from around the area, so you%26#39;re not liekly to hear it anywhere else.

WWOZ is a great station, and you can stream it to your computer. I listen to it every day......in NYC!

http://www.wwoz.org/listen.php

To see the day%26#39;s lineup, look for ';Program Schedule'; in the left-hand column.

One warning, though, would be for the elderly visiting in July. It is horribly humid along with the heat, and seniors walking will have a difficult time during the day. I%26#39;ve been before with my parents in July, and they did not have an optimal experience.

It gets pretty tough in July and August with the heat idex hitting 100-115 due to the humidiity and walking around on concrete everywhere as in any city. But the bargains are there and ways around the heat or at least hotel swimming pools, showers and changes of clothes but it can still be loads of fun.

This will be the 3rd year my husband and I have gone to NOLA in July. we love it. We stay at the Royal Sonesta and hang out by the pool during the day during the hottest times. We will be venturing over to Frenchmens for music this year. We haven%26#39;t done that in the past and are really looking forward to some good jazz. The music on Bourbon just doesn%26#39;t do it for me.