For those who’ve never experienced a New Orleans summer, first off, let me congratulate you. You’ve lived a charmed life. For those poor souls who have endured NOLA at its shirt-stickiest, sweat-drippiest, most scandalously overheated and intemperate…well…there’s not much to say except, “I feel your pain.”
If New Orleans is famous for anything besides jazz, Bourbon Street debauchery, and Creole cuisine, it’s the blistering summer heat. It’s draining. It’s oppressive. It’s unholy. It is, after all, referred to as the Devil’s Armpit (among other diabolically humid and otherwise unmentionable anatomical locations).
It can’t be countered, escaped, or reasoned with. But, it can be survived. Whether it’s seeking out the best air-conditioned dive bars, coolest hotels, or taking a chilled out guided tour around the city, with a little local insight and a “Let The Good Times Roll” mindset, you might not only survive the NOLA summer, but thrive.
In This Guide
- Best Air-Conditioned Bars in New Orleans
- Best Hotel Bars for Escaping the Heat
- Best Air-Conditioned Bus Tours in New Orleans
- Best Activities for Kids in New Orleans
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you need to escape the heat, these bars combine cold drinks with a chill vibe.
“Coolest” New Orleans Bars
It may seem a little on the nose to start with bars but it is New Orleans and, per capita, you have a lot of choices. The trick, of course, is finding a bar that’s got that cool factor both in atmosphere and temperature.
Molly’s at the Market
If you happen to find yourself on the far end of Decatur, flagging and in need of a cold pick-me-up, Molly’s at the Market has you covered. A block from the French Market, they keep a cold coffee concoction swirling from 10am to 3am and it won’t just cool you off, it’ll put the pep back in your step. It’s dusted with coffee grounds and Molly’s has an exhaustive list of liqueurs and whiskeys to choose from if you want to add some extra oomph.
Arnaud’s French 75
Arnaud’s Restaurant is a New Orleans staple. It’s creole cuisine at its finest. But, if you’re just looking for a cool place to enjoy a few upscale drinks and a bite to tide you over, Arnaud’s French 75 is the place for you. Just to the left of the restaurant’s entrance, the cocktail bar is a swanky, wood panelled hideaway. As is the expectation with Arnaud’s, the drinks are amazing, the food is even better, and the service is exemplary. Try their traditional French 75 with cognac instead of gin and see where the evening takes you from there.
Little Bar on Gravier
When one endeavors to leave the French Quarter and cross Canal, they quickly find themselves in the belly of an altogether different beast – The Central Business District (CBD to the locals). With its wide sidewalks and multilane roads, dusty blasts of traffic blowback, streetcar bells and car horns, the CBD can be a sudden assault on the senses of a weary traveler. But, refuge can be found at the Little Bar on Gravier. Tucked away on a shady and nondescript corner of Gravier and Magazine, The Little Bar is as dark and cool as a fox’s den. The atmosphere is subdued and welcoming, offering a peaceful reprieve from the CBD bustle. Happy and contented hours can pass until the sounds of evening and the glow of electric light calls you back out.
The Peacock Room
If you’ve already made the trek into the CBD, wander over to the smoldering corner of Tchopitoutas and Poydras and duck into the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot. You’ll find The Peacock Room nestled neatly behind the reception desk. Adorned in the iridescent blues and extravagant splendor of its namesake, The Peacock Room is a gorgeous location to while away a steamy mid-morning over a brunch tower of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. It’s found a way to walk that line between hip and cloistered without feeling isolated. After a few drinks you can scamper across the street and try your luck at Caesar’s Casino.
Caesar’s
And, speaking of Caesar’s, why not? It’s free to get in, it’s always cold, the drinks are cheap, there are restaurants, and they have an entire wall of TVs playing every sport imaginable. What’s not to love? And, who knows, you may walk out a winner. Crazier things have happened.
If you’re in need of refreshment and craving an atmosphere where you’re unlikely to be encouraged to take shots with a friendly stranger, these hotel bars are the place for you.
Best Hotel Bars for Escaping the Heat
Hotel Bars tend to get a bad rap. And, more often than not, it’s warranted. They’re often expensive and generic, leaning way too far into the convenience aspect of service and neglecting to offer something memorable. At least, that’s the case in most towns. But this is NOLA, sweet baby.
The Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone
Classic. Renowned. Revolving.
It’s not the drinks, the room is actually spinning. Or, more accurately, the bar is. Housed on the first floor of the historic Hotel Monteleone, The Carousel Bar is a popular destination and considered a NOLA “must see.” If you want a seat at the carousel, get there early. But, even if the carousel is full, there’s plenty of comfy chairs and couches in the expansive bar area. Grab a refreshing Pimm’s Cup and a table at the window and watch the parade of humanity stroll down Royal Street.
The Westin
The bar at the Westin doesn’t revolve. Nor should it. It’s on the 11th floor of the Canal Place building so if it’s moving, something has gone horribly wrong.
Airy and refined, The Westin’s bar is a great place to get a drink and have a little lunch. The staff is welcoming and the food is delish, but the thing that really sets it apart is its view. A wall of windows welcomes you as the elevator doors open and a bird’s eye view of the river flanked by the French Quarter stretches out before you. Is it the best bar in town? No. Is it the best view in town? No. Is it the best bar with a view? Definitely.
The Waldorf Astoria Spa at the Roosevelt
I know how it sounds, “Look at the fancy shmancy millionaire who goes to spas.” I get it. And I’m typically not that person. But, when you price it out, it’s really not bad. Book a massage or a facial or any treatment, for that matter, and you get access to the pool ALL DAY. Did you hear what I said? All freaking day. The spa is located in the cool recesses of The Roosevelt Hotel, a New Orleans landmark and a must-see destination unto itself. The aesthetic is part Santorini cliff-cottage, part Cappadocian cave-house and the staff is superbly attentive. By the way – All. Day. ‘Nuff said.
If you want to stay cool and still see the city, bus tours are your best bet.
Best Air-Conditioned Bus Tours in New Orleans
Sometimes, the best and only thing you can do is run. Just get the hell out of there. And the best way to flee the Quarter is definitely in a tour bus. You don’t want to be driving around here. Have you seen these potholes?
VIP City Tours
The French Quarter is charming and atmospheric and mawkishly alluring in the long, sultry days of summer, but New Orleans has so much more to offer. Hop on a city tour and see all the neighborhoods you’ve heard about. Learn about The Treme. Take in the opulence and extravagance of the Garden District. Let the VIP guides show you the Ninth Ward and tell you about the place it was. Have a beignet at Cafe du Monde in City Park under a two-hundred year old oak tree. VIP City Tours focuses on the history and stories of New Orleans as a whole, not just its most famous neighborhood. They have thousands of five-star reviews and all their guides are NOLA locals. Oh, and they have air conditioning.
Looking to cool off while seeing much more of New Orleans than just the French Quarter? Our fully air-conditioned buses visit neighborhoods like the Garden District, Treme, City Park, Lake Pontchartrain, and more.
Tours Daily – 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm (summer)
Best Activities for Kids in New Orleans
Believe it or not, there are kids here. Yeah, it’s true. And, no, we don’t let them in the bars. Not unless they’re wearing a trench coat and a fake mustache and sitting on a friend’s shoulders.
And in summer it’s not always easy finding kid friendly activities that don’t involve baking like a potato under the unrelenting southern sun. Audubon Zoo is amazing, but you can only spend so much time in the reptile house before you start weirding people out. City Park is gorgeous, designed by the fellow who designed Central Park in New York. But, again, mostly outside. The insectarium is cool. Assuming you’re into bugs. Like, lots and lots of bugs.
Did someone say JAMNOLA? I think they did.
JAMNOLA
An acronym for Joy Art Music New Orleans, JAMNOLA is an interactive art installation perfect for the entire family. The entire installation celebrates all the art, music, and culture that makes New Orleans great and, yes, it’s all air-conditioned. Did you tell your friends back home you’d take a picture of the kids eating crawfish, only to realize kids don’t want to touch crawfish much less eat them? How about a picture of them as a crawfish that’s literally jumping out of a life-size pot. JAMNOLA brought together over 100 local artists and collaborators to trick out a huge facility on Frenchman Street with 29 eye-popping exhibits. It’s whimsical, it’s sensorial, it’s celebratory. Pictures don’t quite do it justice – it’s one of those things you just have to see – but, whatever you do, don’t forget your camera.
New Orleans summers are not for the faint of heart, but it doesn’t mean you should eschew the daylight and clamber for the shadows like a vacation vampire. Summer means smaller crowds, longer days, and an even more relaxed vibe (can you even imagine such a thing?). From historic hotels and top-tier spas to chilly bars with invigorating drinks and sightseeing tours on air-conditioned buses, there are plenty of ways to stay cool while experiencing this wonderful city.
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Of course! Summer is when you get to feel like a local. There’s a camaraderie that comes from experiencing summer here, a “we’re all in this together” vibe. The restaurants aren’t crowded, the traffic isn’t bad. And, yes, it’s hot. But, it’s summer. It’s hot everywhere.
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Yes. Hotel bars in New Orleans operate as normal bars and even if you aren’t a guest of the hotel, you can definitely stop in and have a drink. Be aware, however, that not all hotel bars are staffed as regularly as others and atmospheres vary greatly. Some are inviting and vibrant hangouts, others are a little bleak. It all depends on the place. And, pro-tip, you might not see them, but lots of hotels have pools. They’re hidden away in courtyards or perched on roofs. “But, I’m not staying there. How can I use their pool?” you ask. Well, just ask. Lots of hotels have a day pass to their pool area that you can purchase at the front desk.
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It depends on the bus tour, but most buses are air-conditioned. Obviously, if you’re taking a swamp tour, don’t expect any A/C on the boat. Likewise for a horse-and-buggy tour. Walking tours are a fun and typically more economical way to see the small swaths of the Quarter or the CBD, but you should plan ahead for the weather – sunscreen, water, a nice big hat, and an emergency umbrella. You should also consider the terrain before committing to a walking tour. Did you know sidewalks could have potholes, too? Roots, errant bricks, giant cracks, and miscellaneous holes are all pretty common, so if you’re not a confident walker, a bus tour may be a better option.
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Each tour has a specific route, but most try to hit some of the “must-see” spots for a New Orleans tour – the Treme, the Garden District, Lakeview. VIP City Tours is a good example of a city tour with multiple destinations including City Park, St. Louis III, Lake Pontchartrain, the Garden District, the Treme, and the 9th Ward. If you have a specific destination that you’re interested in, don’t assume that all tours will include it as a stop. Check before you book.
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I don’t know, sweet baby. Are you made of sugar? If you are, you can safely assume that everyday, around three or four in the afternoon, there’s the possibility of a shower. You might experience a short downpour, you might not. If you do, enjoy it. It’s an elemental part of New Orleans, just like the heat or the river. If you’re lucky, you might get to stand under a centuries old balcony and wait out a sudden sun-shower, chatting with strangers from all over the world while the melancholy notes of a distant trumpet echo to you through the rain.