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What to Pack for New Orleans
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Your Best Sun Blockers
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Light Weight and Rain Proof Jackets
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Yes to Swim Wear
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No to Mosquitos
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Athletic Wear Scores
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More from SmarterTravel:
- New Orleans Travel Guide
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- 10 Best Cheap Hotels in New Orleans
- 9 Haunted Hotels in New Orleans
- 10 Must-See New Orleans Attractions
- 12 Places to Hear Incredible New Orleans Jazz
- 10 Things You Can Only Do in New Orleans
- 10 Best Restaurants in New Orleans
- 12 Best Spots for Cheap Eats in New Orleans
- Everything You Need to Know About New Orleans Food
- What to Wear in New Orleans
What to pack for New Orleans perplexes many visitors, especially those not accustomed to the humidity and hot temperatures of this low-lying Southern city. Think in terms of layers to pack right.
Here are tips for deducing what to pack for New Orleans.
A visit to New Orleans requires defensive thinking when it comes to protecting your skin from the blistering sun. Hats with a brim are essential to your New Orleans packing list, as are UVA- and UVB sun-blocking glasses and sunscreen.
Showers can strike at any time, so be sure to pack a rain jacket. Nothing too heavy that will trap in heat, though. If you are attending one of the city’s classic outdoor festivals and rain is in the forecast, your happiness is worth the extra luggage weight to pack stylish galoshes—especially for Jazz Fest, when the Fairground location can instantly transform into a mud fest.
A large percentage of New Orleans hotels sport pools, including many stunning rooftop hotspots. And with these temps, it’s no wonder. A cool dip on a hot afternoon is often the perfect way to transition from day to night.
Where there are swamps, there are mosquitos. This low-lying part of the world has both in abundance, so don’t forget natural repellent, especially for evening strolls.
New Orleans is a fun city to explore by bike, so pack active wear and plan to rent a bike for a loop around City Park or a ferry-and-cruise over to Algiers Point. A guided cycling tour is also a great way to experience New Orleans.
Original reporting by Jess Simpson