Packing List
March Packing List for New Orleans — What to Wear & Bring
March is one of New Orleans' most pleasant months — 73°F highs and 55°F lows with the post-Mardi Gras energy still lingering and spring festival season beginning. The city averages 10 rain days, so a packable rain jacket remains essential. Days are warm enough for light cotton and linen, but evenings on Frenchmen Street still require a light layer at 55°F. The French Quarter's cobblestone streets are a year-round footwear hazard, and March's frequent rain makes them especially slick.
Averages 55–73°F, ~10 days of rain
Clothing
March afternoons in New Orleans hit 73°F with rising humidity — walking the 13-block French Quarter from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue or browsing the art galleries on Royal Street calls for breathable natural fibers that handle the warmth without trapping moisture.
New Orleans' March warmth at 73°F makes it ideal for lightweight dresses — the city's outdoor dining culture along Decatur Street, Chartres Street, and in the Bywater neighborhood favors breezy silhouettes that transition from daytime exploring to evening cocktails.
March evenings in New Orleans drop to 55°F, and the damp Gulf air makes that feel cooler — a light jacket or cardigan is essential for live music venues on Frenchmen Street where you'll move between warm, packed bars and cool outdoor patios throughout the evening.
With 73°F highs, March is warm enough for shorts during afternoon walks through Audubon Park or along the Mississippi River levee trail — the city's casual dress culture means shorts are appropriate at most restaurants outside of fine dining.
New Orleans' 10 rain days in March mean overcast mornings are common — a light long-sleeve top works as a standalone on cooler mornings at the French Market and layers under a rain jacket when afternoon storms arrive.
Footwear
The French Quarter's cobblestone streets — particularly Royal Street, Chartres Street, and Pirates Alley near St. Louis Cathedral — are uneven and slippery after March's frequent rain. Flat-soled shoes with rubber grip are essential for the 5–8 miles of daily walking most visitors cover.
With 10 rain days in March, New Orleans' low-lying streets around Bourbon Street and the lower French Quarter regularly accumulate standing water — water-resistant footwear prevents soggy feet during the inevitable afternoon storm.
Dinner at Cochon in the Warehouse District or drinks on Frenchmen Street still involves navigating cracked sidewalks and uneven pavement — stylish flats that can handle New Orleans' pedestrian infrastructure are the smart evening choice.
Accessories
March's 10 precipitation days in New Orleans make rain gear non-negotiable — afternoon storms can arrive with little warning while you're walking the Garden District's oak-lined St. Charles Avenue, and a rain jacket is far more practical than an umbrella in wind-driven Gulf storms.
New Orleans sits at 30°N latitude and March UV levels are already significant — outdoor time at Jackson Square, the Riverwalk, or Audubon Park means meaningful sun exposure even on partly cloudy days.
March's mix of sunny and overcast days in New Orleans means the sun can be intense when it breaks through — walking along the open Mississippi River levee or through City Park's unshaded paths demands UV protection.
The French Quarter remains crowded in March with spring break visitors, and a secure crossbody bag keeps valuables safe while leaving hands free to carry beignets from Café Du Monde or browse the French Market's outdoor stalls.
Local tips for New Orleans in March
- 1.March often hosts the tail end of Carnival season or early spring festivals in New Orleans — check if French Quarter Fest or the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival falls in March this year, as these events fill the Quarter's streets and affect restaurant reservations and hotel prices.
- 2.The St. Charles streetcar and Canal Street streetcar are both practical and scenic transit — the St. Charles line runs from the CBD through the Garden District to Audubon Park, and the wooden streetcar seats and open windows mean dress in layers you can adjust as you move between air-conditioned venues and the warm outdoor air.
- 3.March is the start of crawfish season in New Orleans — outdoor crawfish boils at Bevi Seafood or backyard pop-ups mean sitting outside at picnic tables for 1–2 hours. Wear clothes you're comfortable getting messy in and shoes that can handle grass or gravel.