It’s time to show some love to New Orleans.  After a windy visitor named Ida, the doors are open.  We want you back.   As the weather cools down, it’s the perfect time to check out the fall offerings of this great city.
 
New Orleans and COVID
According to nola.gov, “The City of New Orleans continues to meet all public health milestones and has fully vaccinated over 74% of all adults with the COVID-19 vaccine. However, only slightly more than 52% of all New Orleanians have been fully vaccinated.”
A mask mandate continues for all indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bar and clubs.   These establishments also require guests to provide proof of at least one vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours.  For ongoing COVID updates from the City of New Orleans, text COVIDNOLA to 77295. 
 
What’s the weather like? 
Here is the weather ahead.    
Oct:  81 deg. – 62 deg., with 5 days of rain
Nov:  72 deg. – 53 deg., with 5 days of rain
Dec:  65 deg. – 46 deg., with 6 days of rain
Jan:  64 deg. – 45 deg., with 7 days of rain


What’s going on?
Listen up!  There’s more places to catch live music.  Chickie Wah Wah and The Palm Court are opening their doors again this month.   The Frenchmen Street clubs removed their hurricane shutters and plugged in their microphones again.     Take a walk and find the abundant porch concerts happening in the neighborhoods.
Wishing you were at JazzFest?  Until it returns next spring, enjoy Festing in Place with our beloved WWOZ.  Check out WWOZ.org to see the line-up of prior Festival live performances during the weekends of October 7-10 and October 14-17. 
Not forgetting Halloween, the Krewe of Boo Parade will be rolling through Marigny and French Quarter on October 23rd.  The first parade since Covid bans.
Throw me something, Mister!

​The Big Easy is BACK!  So where are you?  It’s time to celebrate.   Now that you’re vaccinated, take off your mask and let’s see that smile!
New Orleans and COVID
“The City of New Orleans continues to meet all public health milestones and has fully vaccinated over 58% of all adults..” according to nola.gov.    That progress has led the city to relax its restrictions, easing the way for businesses, residents and visitors:  There are no time restrictions for alcohol sales, masks are no longer mandated (except in government, hospital, school and federal public transportation settings.)  Bars and restaurants are no longer required to follow a six-foot spacing rule. 
What’s the weather like? 
It’s summer, baby!  … NOLA-style.   Don’t fight the humidity—embrace it!  Time for sandals, shorts, swimsuits, sno-balls.    Here are the average temps and rainfalls for the coming months. 
June:   90 deg. – 74 deg., with 10 days of rain
July:    92 deg. – 76 deg., with 11 days of rain
August:  92 deg. – 76 deg., with 12 days of rain
Sept:  88 deg. – 72 deg., with 8 days of rain
 
What’s happening?
With restrictions eased, live music and entertainment is more plentiful.    Walk outside your neighborhood inn and listen up for a passing Second Line parade.   Join in!  Go to your favorite music club.  Dance in the street!  Make a date to catch our first major festival since the pandemic:  Satchmo Summerfest is happening July 31-August 1 at the Jazz Museum.   Don’t forget to tip the musicians!
 
What to eat NOW
Sno-balls.   So many varieties, and so many places to try around the city.  We love them all.  From the venerated uptown shacks Plum Street Sno-balls and Hansen’s Sno-Bliz  (whose motto “air-condition your tummy”  is pretty great advice for any visitor!) to the popular porch operation of Chance In Hell SnoBalls in the Bywater, you will be dazzled by flavors and combinations.  Why not make a sno-ball crawl part of your next visit?
Spotlight on Lakeview
When the heat is on, it’s always refreshing to be near the water.  Take a ride on up to Lakeview.  Enjoy some seafood and a crisp cold beer at many of the restaurants like Blue Crab, Felix’s, and Landry’s overlooking the marinas of Lake Pontchartrain.   Stop by Lakefront Airport and admire its Art Deco history.   Get some culture and tranquility at City Park’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden. 

Spring is at full tilt here in New Orleans.   The city is bursting with color and the scent of jasmine is in the air.  Time to treat yourself to an escape from your home office and your pajamas.
New Orleans and COVID
The city has relaxed its restrictions to Modified Stage Three.    Bars, restaurants, breweries and stores may operate at 100% capacity, while maintaining social distancing and mask requirements.   Bars may open from 6 am to 1 am.   The COVID threat level is yellow:  “COVID in Orleans Parish is spreading in a slow and controlled fashion.”  In addition, 43% of the city’s population has already been vaccinated and the vaccine is available to all individuals 16 and older.    Let’s all keep each other safe!
What’s the weather like? 
Getting steamy!   Enjoy a stroll by the river, then duck into a café or bar to cool off.   Here are the monthly average high and low temperatures.  
May:    85 deg. – 68 deg., with 4 days of rain
June:   90 deg. – 74 deg., with 10 days of rain
July:    92 deg. – 76 deg., with 11 days of rain

What’s happening?
Day by day, the city is blossoming back to life.  You’ll hear the familiar sounds of jazz bands on Royal Street and the clip-clop of the mule carriages making their lazy way through the French Quarter.  Folks are gathered on Frenchmen Street to catch their favorite bands, and Magazine Street is buzzing with shoppers and restaurant lovers.  Art galleries are welcoming guests and walking tours are alternately entertaining, educating, or frightening visitors again, depending on the stories they’d like to hear. 
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What to eat NOW
It’s peak crawfish season!   If you already love them, get down here.  If you haven’t tried them, get down here.    Many restaurants offer a tasty, spicy crawfish boil.    We could give you instructions on how to eat them, but your server will be happy to demonstrate.   Pro tip:  don’t wear a white shirt.