Summer in New Orleans is hot, humid, and lazy. But if you’re the type of person always looking for something to do, here are 40 ideas for your Summer 2022 New Orleans bucket list!
#1: San Fermin
New Orleans hosts its own Running of the Bulls every summer! It starts at the crack of dawn and roller derby women skate down the streets after you and your closest friends. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
Event Date: July 9th, 2022 @ 6:30am
#2: White Linen Night
Experience all of the Warehouse District galleries while enjoying complimentary wine! (not every gallery has the free booze) This is a great chance to check out some local artists and shop local too.
Event Date: August 6th, 2022 @ 5:30pm
Head to Armstrong Park for this free 3rd annual event! Music, food, performances, and vendors will be out for you to enjoy.
Event Date: June 19th, 2022 @ 3 – 7pm
#4: Zip Line NOLA
Located in Laplace, Zip Line NOLA offers the opportunity to soar over a swamp! Will it be hot out? YES! Just book a morning tour and take a million pics.
#5: Sip & Dip
The Windsor Court has 3 events this summer so you can enjoy their 65-foot saltwater pool along with their beverage partners! The next events are:
- Sunday, June 26th, 12 – 3pm with Don Q Rum
- Sunday, July 31st, 12 – 3pm with LVMH Wine & Spirits
- Sunday, September 4th, 12 – 3pm with Hendrick’s Gin
#6: Queen Nefertari’s Exhibit at NOMA
This limited-time exhibit is only at NOMA until July 17th! Get there before she’s gone!
#7: Essence Festival
This yearly event always has amazing performers and is worth checking out. Even if you skip the larger events, there are talks in the Convention Center that have brought some big names to the Crescent City.
#8: Fulton Alley
When you can’t take the heat, take your butt to the bowling alley!
#9: Drag Brunch
There are so many restaurants in this city that offer drag brunch that a quick Google search will have every Sunday filled for the next 3 months!
#10: Krewe of King Arthur’s Summer Soiree
Live it up with one of Mardi Gras’ most diverse krewes!
#11: Sonesta Sundays
Every Sunday this summer, from 2 – 6pm, the Royal Sonesta saltwater pool awaits you with live entertainment – including a full bar with daiquiri machines. One free daiquiri comes with a ticket purchase too!
#12: Stereo Sundays Throwback DJs Rooftop Pool Party
Look – these New Orleans hotels know what to do to get us out of our AC in the middle of this brutal heat. The NOPSI Hotel is no exception! Every Sunday from 1 – 4pm this summer
#13: Night Paddle on Bayou St. John
Bayou Paddle Sports offers a night paddle every month from 7 – 9pm. Join them while you paddle under the Strawberry Moon, Buck Moon, & Sturgeon Moon this summer.
#14: Salsa Bachata Fest
It’s the largest Latin dance festival in Louisiana! Non-stop dancing, parties, workshops, and performances.
#15: Southern Decadence Parade
If you know, you know. The Decadence parade is the best fun you’ll have all summer!
#16: Vibe Yard Yoga
Every Wednesday @ 6:30 pm you can head to Tchoup Yard for awesome playlists and fun flows!
#17: Vibe Higher Flow
Saturdays at 10 am, join others at Hotel Peter and Paul for community yoga!
#18: Opera in the Piazza
June 10th from 7 – 10pm, the American Italian Cultural Center presents Opera in the Piazza. Bring a chair and some cash for the drinks.
If you haven’t spent an evening belting out your favorite songs with your nearest and dearest – have you even lived?! 7 pm – 1 am every day.
#20: Jazz & Heritage Concert Series
Every Thursday from 8 – 9:30 pm at the George & Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, you can find some amazing live music for only $10.
#21: Coolinary Month
For the entire month of August, restaurants across the city participate in Coolinary Month. Some of our best fine-dining restaurants offer pre-fixe menus at amazing prices. Go out and taste them all!
#22: Twerk Your Brass
This free workout class is every Thursday evening at Crescent Park. Starts at 5:45 pm.
#23: Go to a local farmer’s market
Get some fresh, local produce and whip yourself up something nice!
#24: Take a Yacht Tour on Lake Pontchartrain
The heat will be a whole lot more bearable when you’re letting the wind whip through your hair!
#25: Check out the Frenchmen Art Bazaar
While the sun is starting to set, you can pick up some goodies while supporting local makers! Every Thursday thru Monday, 7 pm-midnight.
#26: Start it Right Flow
Head to the City Park Peristyle on Mondays at 6 pm for free, community yoga
Don’t you worry if you haven’t hooped in decades! Hey Now Hooping offers classes for all levels.
#28: Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
18 rides full of fun to make you wish summer wasn’t ending!
#29: Sankofa Gardneing Workshops
Throughout June, Sankofa is offering some great workshops that involve propagating, companion planting, plant identification, and vermiculture for beginners!
#30: Workshop NOLA
Make your cutting board or a keepsake box – they are offering a couple of events this summer!
#31: Play a round of golf
With many golf course options around the city, skip work and tee off!
Tucked away in City Park’s botanical garden, you can find over 1300 feet of streetcars and trains that are exact replicas of the ones that traveled the streets of New Orleans in the 1800s & 1900s. Only open on Saturday & Sunday.
#33: Watch a New Orleans Jesters game
Yes! New Orleans has a soccer team and you should go support them!
#34: Sunset & Picnic at The Fly
Grab some snacks and head to The Fly for the river breeze, boat watching, and the sunset!
#35: July 4th on the River
Every 4th of July, the city puts on a spectacular fireworks show on the Mississippi. Our pro tip is to watch it on the levee in Algiers Point!
#36: Mardi Gras World
While you’re counting down the days until Mardi Gras, go check out all the floats without the throngs of crowds fighting for throws!
#37: Pickleball
Pickleball is all the rage these days and you can play at the Gernon Brown Center.
#38: Outdoor Escape Game Adventure
This is an interactive activity where you’re guided by a mobile app throughout the city! You will visit many places while learning more about them – some well-known, some more secret spots in New Orleans!
#39: Catch a movie at The Prytania
Lord knows that some summer days in New Orleans just want to keep you indoors. Catching a movie at The Prytania checks off something to do while staying cool!
#40: Escape Rooms
I know some may find this cheesy – but I love a good puzzle! Bonus: it’s indoors!
Happy Summer, y’all!
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