10 Things to Do in New Orleans in January

Actually, making the decision of what to see and do in New Orleans in January is not such a complicated task. This Louisiana city on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico is the best destination if you are looking for nightlife, history and the most vibrant carnival in the United States.

In this space I tell you what to see and do in New Orleans in January so that your biggest logistical problem regarding the trip is to prepare your suitcases and worry about your clothing combinations. Always keeping in mind the perfect temperature of between 18 and 7 degrees that occurs in this month of the year.

Although New Orleans Carnival takes place in February, January 6 marks the beginning of the countdown to the most important date in this city.

In the United States it is known as Three Kings Day and is basically the same celebration as the Hispanic Three Kings Day. Although with the difference that there are no gifts and it is more focused on celebrating well in advance, which in a couple of weeks will be the beloved Mardi Gras.

If you are visiting New Orleans during January 6, you can't forget to try the American version of the Roscon de Reyes.

The English name is Kings Cake and you will be able to try it in all the bakeries in New Orleans on a daily basis until the arrival of the carnival weekend.

The eagerness felt by some of the local people for the arrival of Carnival is so great that they have developed other traditions of festivities that take place in mid-January as a sort of transition between Three Kings Day and Mardi Gras weekend.

The name of this party is Pardi Gras and it is basically a big celebration with a tropical setting that takes place throughout the French Quarter, with music that also leans toward the Caribbean rhythms that have influenced New Orleans since its inception.

It's a good opportunity to experience what a Mardi Gras would be like during the month of January, as the celebrations usually extend through the Martin Luthers Kings Day weekend. Which is another much more serious and important event in the history of the African-American community in this region of the country.

Lots of alcohol, lots of local food and lots of merriment in the streets and bars of the French Quarter. This is what you can expect from a Pardi Gras in the historic heart of New Orleans.

Another important tradition that takes place during the month of January in New Orleans is the FAN EXPO. It consists of a congress of fans of comics, science fiction and a lot of video games with the intention of meeting with the creators of these contents.

There are talks, exclusive content premieres, autograph signings and face-to-face meetings to be photographed with the actors who embody the favorite characters of the thousands of fans who attend this massive event every year.

Thousands of people attend in costume to participate in an internal cosplay contest. In fact, this is an event that in the past was called Wizard World because of its main association with the world of magic-themed series and movies.

It usually occurs during the first or second weekend of January and so it is quite common for it to coincide with Three Kings Day. The location may change depending on attendance expectations, but the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is usually chosen.

New Orleans is known for the large number of parades that are developed for each holiday on the calendar.

One of them is dedicated to Joan of Arc, a celebration that has remained to this day since the days when the French community led the city before the purchase of Louisiana by the Americans.

It is not as large as the parades that take place on Mardi Gras or St. Patrick's Day, but it is still an entertaining activity to watch.

It occurs every January 6 as a coincidence with the birthday of Joan of Arc, who in the 1400s liberated the citizens of Orleans, France, from the decades-long English invasion.

It is the locals themselves who take to the streets of the French Quarter in medieval costumes to celebrate a Catholic saint who has little to do with the United States, but is important to them as a city because of the strength of their French heritage.

Therefore, the locals along the parade route often offer discounts to those in costume or at least maintain a festive atmosphere for those who wish to celebrate this tradition.

Between December 1814 and January 8, 1815, a crucial battle was fought between British forces and the United States Federal Army outside New Orleans. It was the largest of all the Anglo-American War of 1812 and functioned as a vindication of American military might after its young independence.

Because of its historical significance, every year on January 8, an event is held at De la Ronde Oaks with a group of interpreters reenacting a section of the battle, while another group of people appear in period costume to lend added credibility to the spectacle.

It is a free event organized by the city council and usually runs from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Take into consideration that this park is on the outskirts of the urban center of New Orleans and it is preferable to take a cab to avoid unnecessary confusion.

Did you know that the Garden District, in a way, was created for wealthy Americans who did not want to live in the French Quarter. To prove this information you will have incredible theatrical mansions with Italianate or Greek Revival style.

That said, if you are looking for some tours of the Garden District of New Orleans, this space covered with magnolias, plane trees and jasmine will be your best option.

In addition, during the month of January you will find the ideal shade to enjoy the scenery without suffering the ravages of the sun. The Garden District tour during other times of the year can be overwhelming due to the inclement sun or the humidity that characterizes the city.

If you are a lover of the beautiful oak trees of the American South, it will be ideal to face this entertaining walk where you will also find pre-Civil War mansions. The facades of the Goldsmith-Godchaux House, Colonel Shorts Villa or The Manse at 2328 Coliseum Street should not be missing in your photographs.

In addition, a visit to a Creole restaurant dating back to 1893 is a must. This incredible space known as Commander Palace, located at 1430 Washington Ave, is recognizable by its elegant turreted buildings and blue awnings.

If you are already in awe of your trip and are looking for what to see and do in New Orleans in 3 days, put the New Orleans Museum of Art on your list.

January is an ideal month to make this visit a reality because many of the special exhibits that were installed for the December tourist influx are still on display. But the convenient difference is that now you have enough time to enjoy the art on your own terms, without having to wait in long lines at each museum space or room.

Inside this building you will find more than 40,000 pieces dating from the Italian Renaissance to the present day. Gauguin, Barque, Renoir, Matisse, Monet and Rodin are some of the signatures that you can find in the French art sector.

In order to get to the New Orleans Museum of Art, the oldest institution in the city, you must be located in City Park. In this museum you will also find a strong African-American collection. If you're a fan of Central American folk art, you'll be dazzled.

In addition, this museum collaborates with other local art centers to develop special exhibitions. For example, in the past, events have been held that included treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun or the relics of Alexander the Great.

Another must-see in New Orleans in January are the old plantation residences, an icon of the Southern lifestyle. In fact, it was the basis of the economy and culture of this town.

If you want to relive the feeling of movies like Django Unchained or Gone with the Wind, this will be a great choice. Besides, you will only need a few hours to observe how the wealthy families of the time lived inside their mansions, alternating life in the countryside.

You can't talk about visiting with a guided tour of southern plantations in the United States without considering slavery. Because regardless of the type of plantation, these depended on the slaves, who lived better or worse according to the log cabins that the owners gave them. You can relive these unfortunate stories in the various common areas that you will find near the main houses.

When traveling, one of the most complicated decisions lies in the selection of food, not only for the tastes themselves, but for the variety that an unfamiliar place offers.

That's why if you want to immerse yourself in the best food tours in New Orleans, you've come to the right place. In the state of Louisiana you will find a combination of Caribbean, Spanish, African and French influences.

Despite the options that New Orleans offers throughout the year, you can't miss the Cajun cuisine during January, as it is a perfect time to enjoy a traditional French meal with local ingredients and in season.

With a wealthy aristocratic ancestry, the most famous chefs are ready to offer the best dishes under these gastronomic parameters, in the best style of the Reveillon Dinners that were held until the end of December.

The best of all is that during January the prices of an elegant dinner begin to drop again. Because the Christmas season is over and therefore there are no banquets with exaggerated prices that are relatively justifiable under the idea that everything is more expensive at Christmas and New Year.

If you wish to taste the exquisite pork, rice and corn bread, you should visit the kitchens of Broussards, Galatoires, Brennans and Arnauds. On the other hand, you will also find other restaurants with less fame but great taste, such as Acme Oyster House or Emeril Lagasse.

Finally, you should visit the Riverwalk area, located next to the Mississippi River. In addition to being part of the boat rides in New Orleans, you will be able to see how these steam boats sail along the river.

The spectacle of these steel giants is incredible, not only as a crew but also as a spectator. At this point you will have to decide where you want to enjoy the Riverwalk area, whether inside a boat, or outside as a pedestrian.

On the other hand, it is advisable that you compare the prices of each package, this way, you will be able to choose the ideal option without affecting your economy when you opt for the alternative of riding on one of these boats.

In fact, we tell you that you could visit the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, a shopping mall located in this same area, where you can opt for tax-free. You will only need your passport to take it to the second floor of the mall, where you will be refunded part of the taxes on each purchase.

This shopping plan is even more interesting if you take into account that the discounts of the elegant meals of the previous point also apply to clothing. This is due to the approaching spring and summer seasons in all kinds of brands.

Aside from choosing the 10 best guided tours in New Orleans, there are many uncertainties when traveling. A good example of this falls on all the clothes to choose, not only to generate the best photographic memories, but also to enjoy the weather.

According to the climatological record, the maximum daily temperatures on this date fall in the 17 degrees, almost never is less than 10. In a few words, you will not need a coat, just nice clothes that will protect you from the cool weather.

In fact, you can take as a reference the 14th of July, which is considered the hottest of the year. During this date New Orleans presents a temperature of 26 °C to 34 °C. Meanwhile, on January 8, the coldest day of the year, temperatures vary from 9°C to 17°C, nothing to worry about.

That said, do not pack bulky coats in your suitcase when visiting New Orleans in January. On the contrary, make the most of the space and include a variety of clothes that will allow you to feel comfortable and full of outfits for your photographs.

Also, don't forget to include essential accessories such as sunglasses, sunscreen, small backpacks that make it easy to carry your belongings and of course, your cell phone charger. Even an external battery is not a bad idea if you want to immortalize every minute.

If you are worried about the number of tourists in New Orleans in January, this space will be ideal to calm your anxieties. For starters, beyond the number of visitors, which is much lower than in neighboring months, it's all about your organization.

For example, transfers from the New Orleans Airport should be part of your planning. This way, the rest won't matter, because you will have your place reserved.

By making the decision to visit this capital city at the beginning of the year, you also guarantee to experience the carnival season without thousands of people around you. Which translates into hot dishes, the best places in the museums and the best attention that this space can offer.