When fall arrives in New Orleans, the city comes alive with cool breezes and seasonal celebrations. Whether you’re a foodie looking forward to trying the best of New Orleans cuisine or a football fan hoping to experience the spirit of a Saints game at a local watch party, autumn in the Crescent City is non-stop fun.  Consider visiting on a weekday, or for any of the reasons below. Use our travel guide to figure out the best ways for you to take advantage of all the season has to offer.

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Zack Smith

Head on down to the Bayou Classic or check out a feature film at the New Orleans Film Festival. Experience the city's German heritage at either Faubourg Brewery’s Oktoberfest Festival or Deutches Haus’ annual multi-weekend Oktoberfest celebration along Bayou St. John and chow down on delicious beignets and fried chicken. Celebrate quintessential New Orleans neighborhoods at Gentilly Fest or Treme Fall Festival, enjoy shopping on Magazine Street at Art for Art's Sake, and so much more! The months of September through December are packed with events and activities for everyone to enjoy. Check out our guide to fall festivals here and make plans to spend a few days in New Orleans this fall!

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Rebecca Todd

Enjoy the beautiful weather

If you’re coming to New Orleans and hoping to experience the city’s outdoor activities, autumn is most certainly the perfect time to visit. Spend a day kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or relaxing by Bayou St. John, or have a picnic in one of New Orleans’ lush green parks. Travelers hoping to get active outdoors may be interested in grabbing a rental bike and riding around charming neighborhoods like Esplanade Ridge or the Bywater

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Rebecca Todd

The fun doesn’t end with the outdoors—New Orleans is full of world-class attractions that every traveler will enjoy. History buffs could spend days inside the National WWII Museum, and children will adore the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Art lovers have a plethora of options to choose from between Studio BE, the New Orleans Museum of Art and others. Check out our attractions page here and book your ticket online.

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Rebecca Todd

Al fresco dining in New Orleans is especially pleasant in the fall, with lush patios, romantic courtyards, and scenic balconies offering the perfect backdrop for autumnal breezes. Pair that with seasonal menus and specialty cocktails, and you’re bound for a picturesque NOLA dining experience. Check out our roundup of outdoor dining here.

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Justen Williams

New Orleans’ music scene thrives all year round, but there’s something special about hearing live local music in the fall. Cool breezes make outdoor live music a wonderful experience, and many of our legendary music venues take part in NOLAxNOLA, a citywide celebration of New Orleans’ musical culture running from late September to early October 2023.  Check out our live music calendar for the latest shows, and see here for where to find live music seven nights a week in New Orleans. 

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Zack Smith

Shuck and slurp oysters throughout the official oyster season

Oyster season arrives in September! Enjoy fresh Gulf Coast oysters however you like ‘em - raw, chargrilled, or fried. Check out an oyster happy hour at spots like Superior Seafood or Luke and check out our guide to the best oysters in the city.

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Justen Williams

Fall is the ideal time to enjoy New Orleans by foot, bus, carriage, bike or even boat. Book a tour with one of these companies to get exploring with an expert - you can find companies that tour by neighborhood, companies that focus on food and drink, or companies that will even take you out to the swamps of Louisiana.

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Zack Smith

Pack your black and gold and kick off Saints Season

Being in New Orleans for a Saints game is an its own unique experience.  The fall is prime time for home games, with many scheduled for September through December at the Superdome. You can find official Saints game travel packages here and game day tickets here. If you’d rather watch from a sports bar, check out our list here

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Paul Broussard

The city with the most vibrant costume culture, dare we say, in the world does Halloween better than anywhere else. Costumes and decorations range from hilarious to downright scary, so be sure that you prepare a memorable costume no matter how you choose to celebrate. A ghost or haunted history tour is the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit, and spooky stories abound in tales of New Orleans’ past. Krewe of Boo, New Orleans’ spookiest parade, returns on October 21, 2023, just in time for Halloween. Haunted houses and other spooky-themed attractions make October the perfect time to visit.

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Justen Williams, New Orleans Tourism

Go Back to "School"

The start of Fall means class is back in session – and in New Orleans, the kitchen makes the perfect classroom. There are numerous cooking schools across the city that offer classes for aspiring chefs of all skill levels. Your only homework is to bring your skills home with you and to share your favorite NOLA recipes with your friends.