New Orleans may be known for its sunshine, second lines, and spontaneous street performances, but when the skies open up—and they often do—don’t let the weather wash away your plans. The Crescent City has a rhythm that doesn’t stop for the rain. In fact, some of its best treasures come to life when the streets glisten, the air cools, and the crowds retreat indoors.
Here’s your guide to the top things to do in New Orleans on a rainy day. It’s perfect for locals looking to escape the downpour or tourists wanting to make the most of their visit without getting soaked.
Explore the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
Nestled inside the lush City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art offers refuge from the storm and a world-class collection of over 40,000 works, ranging from French and American art to African and Japanese pieces. Wander through its grand halls, get lost in its rotating exhibits, and stop by Café NOMA for a bite with a view of the rain-soaked park.
Step Into History at The National WWII Museum
Recognized as one of the top museums in the country, the National WWII Museum is a must-visit—even more so on a rainy day. With immersive exhibits, vintage aircraft, oral histories, and a powerful 4D cinematic experience narrated by Tom Hanks, the museum brings the global conflict to life with emotional depth and educational clarity. Plan to spend several hours exploring everything from the European front to the Pacific theater.
Get Spooked at the Museum of Death or the Historic Voodoo Museum
If you’re looking for something a bit more macabre, the Museum of Death on Dauphine Street is a grim, fascinating experience you won’t forget. Prefer something with a little more folklore? The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum offers a compact but captivating glimpse into one of the city’s most misunderstood spiritual traditions.
Take a Cooking Class and Learn to Make Gumbo
Why just eat New Orleans cuisine when you can learn how to cook it? New Orleans School of Cooking offers indoor classes that teach you the secrets behind gumbo, jambalaya, pralines, and more—all while keeping you dry and well-fed. Many classes include tastings and storytelling, blending culinary skill with Southern charm.
Sip and Sway at a Jazz Lounge
Let the rain become part of the soundtrack as you duck into a cozy jazz bar. The Spotted Cat Music Club in the Marigny and Preservation Hall in the Quarter offer rich, intimate settings to enjoy world-class live jazz while the rain patters on the roof. No reservations needed—just a love of music and a desire to stay warm. If you want to venture outside of the Quarter, check out Maple Leaf Bar on Oak Street. They have a great line up of nightly bands in an old school New Orleans bar atmosphere. Make a night out of it and have dinner at Jacques Imo’s beforehand, which is right next door.
Browse Books at Garden District Book Shop, Faulkner House Books, or Baldwin & Co.
For literature lovers, there are few better places to weather a storm than inside a cozy bookstore. Garden District Book Shop offers a charming, creaky-floored experience full of local titles, while Faulkner House Books, tucked into an alley off Jackson Square, is a historic gem that once housed the Nobel Prize-winning author.
In the Marigny, Baldwin & Co. is a Black-owned bookstore and café named after author and civil rights activists, James Baldwin. It features a curated selection of books by BIPOC authors, a podcast studio, and a menu of coffee drinks inspired by Baldwin’s works. The space serves as a welcoming community hub, hosting author events and promoting literacy and social justice initiatives.
Tour the Backstage Magic at Mardi Gras World
If you’ve never experienced the spectacle of Mardi Gras floats up close, now’s your chance. Mardi Gras World offers indoor tours where you can see the artistry and scale of the floats as they’re being built, painted, and prepared for Carnival season. It’s colorful, whimsical, and 100% rain-proof.
Visit JAMNOLA – A Quirky, Immersive Art Playground
If you’re craving Instagrammable indoor fun, JAMNOLA (Joy, Art & Music New Orleans) features 29 exhibits with interactive art installations celebrating all things NOLA. Great for families, couples, and anyone who wants to stay dry while dancing in a glitter-filled room or posing under a faux po’ boy umbrella.
Warm Up With Coffee and Beignets (Somewhere Besides Café du Monde)
Yes, the original Café du Monde is iconic—but on a rainy day, try skipping the outdoor crowd and heading to Café Beignet or the more spacious Morning Call near City Park on Canal. Each offers that classic chicory coffee and powdered sugar fix in a cozy, dry setting.
Tour a Historic Home or Spend Time at a Local Brewery
New Orleans is filled with grand old homes and stories from centuries past. Take a guided tour of the Hermann-Grima House or Gallier House, both impeccably preserved examples of 19th-century architecture that offer a glimpse into the city’s Creole past.
Afterward, if the rain’s still coming down, consider ducking into a local brewery like Urban South or Second Line Brewing. Both offer large indoor spaces where you can enjoy a pint, play games, and relax while you wait out the weather.
Catch a Film at The Broad Theater or Prytania
Sometimes the best rainy day escape is simply a good movie. The Broad Theater offers indie flicks, mainstream hits, and cocktails to go with them, while the Prytania Theatre in Uptown has been charming audiences since 1915.
Rain in New Orleans isn’t the end of the adventure—it’s just a shift in the rhythm. With so many unique, immersive, and indoor options, you’ll find the spirit of the city still alive and well, puddles and all.
1) Morning Call has not been in City Park for over 6 years. That is now Café du Monde.
2) The link you provided for Morning Call is invalid.
3) The Gallier Hall link is not active.
Who proofreads this work before it’s published?
I apologize for these errors. It was not my intention to say Morning Call was in City Park, but near it on Canal. The link has been updated since the original was invalid. Lastly, I did not link Gallier Hall because it is the same link as Hermann-Grima. I have edited the link to include both historic homes. My sincere apologies for these mistakes. We appreciate you bringing them to our attention and we assure you that we will be more cautious in the future.
Dan, thank you for pointing these out. Gallier Hall did not have a hyperlink because it was not supposed to. I’m not sure why/how it was highlighted blue. The morning call sentence was supposed to say “near City Park,” not “in” City Park. I appreciate you pointing this out and you’re absolutely correct that this is entirely unacceptable. There needs to be better proofreading; and, consequently, currently we are taking actions to hold the current editor accountable, and temporarily remove her from editing functions until we correct the issue. There was a lot of information in the article and sometimes a couple mistakes here and there happen. We are relatively limited in resources when it comes to listicle type articles, but it’s no excuse and I promise greater accountability going forward. As the publisher, I’m not happy with what I’ve seen in this article and a couple of others and there will be changes.