Things to Do in New Orleans When It Rains: No Sunshine? No Problem!
New Orleans might be known for its beads, brass bands, and Bourbon Street chaos, but sometimes the weather just isn’t vibing with your plans.
We’re talking swampy humidity, rogue rainstorms, or that particular brand of heat that feels like standing inside a gumbo pot.
The good news? This city knows how to turn indoors into a party, offering world class entertainment even when the weather refuses to cooperate.
Picture this: boozy jazz brunches, haunted mansions with theatrical flair, and museums so interactive they make you forget you’re technically learning something.
Even the souvenir shops go harder here. So skip the sunburn, embrace the indoor sparkle, and discover why New Orleans is just as wild, weird, and wonderful under a roof.
Museums That Are Anything but Boring
Indoor things to do in New Orleans include some of the quirkiest, coolest, and most delightfully dramatic museums in the country.
Whether you’re into voodoo legends, vintage Mardi Gras costumes, or scandalous Southern history, the Big Easy delivers big time. Come for the air-conditioning, stay for the stories you’ll be quoting at dinner.
Mardi Gras World
Ever wondered where all those larger-than-life Mardi Gras floats hibernate? Surprise: they live here!
This working warehouse is basically a fantasy factory where artists sculpt, paint, and glitter their way through parade season prep. You’ll get an up-close look at the wild creativity behind Carnival, plus some juicy backstory on the traditions that keep it rolling every year.
Also, there’s cake. Real, sugary, king-sized cake.
National WWII Museum
The vibes here? Think cinematic drama meets serious goosebumps. With immersive exhibits, emotional storytelling, and a 4D film that will have your seat rumbling (literally), the National WWII Museum goes way beyond dusty history.
You’ll walk through recreated battle scenes from World War II, spy vintage planes suspended from the ceiling, and hear real stories that stick with you long after.
It’s moving, massive, and totally worth carving out a few hours.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
Step into a 19th-century apothecary where the cures were questionable but the vibes are immaculate. Shelves are lined with old glass bottles, voodoo potions, leech jars, and the kind of tools that make you grateful for modern medicine.
It’s creepy, it’s fascinating, and it tells the surprisingly scandalous story of healthcare in early New Orleans.
Bonus: the courtyard is oddly charming and allegedly haunted.
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
Tucked inside City Park, NOMA delivers serious art girl energy. With over 40,000 works spanning everything from African masks to Monet’s finest brushstrokes, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure of beautiful, weird, and conversation-starting pieces.
The space feels elegant without being stuffy, which makes it perfect for a slow stroll with a coffee in hand.
Pro Tip: The sculpture garden is free and absolutely serves main character walks.
Southern Food and Beverage Museum
If you’ve ever wanted to nerd out about biscuits, bacon fat, and bourbon, this is your moment. The museum dives into the history, politics, and delicious drama of Southern cuisine, one gumbo pot at a time.
Exhibits spotlight everything from Creole recipes to how hot sauce became a lifestyle. There’s also a working kitchen with live demos, which means you just might leave inspired to throw your own dinner party.
Sazerac House
Cocktail lovers, this one’s your holy grail. Sazerac House is sleek, stylish, and somehow both a history lesson and a very classy booze tasting.
You’ll learn how the iconic New Orleans drink came to be, sniff your way through an aromatic bitters station, and peek into a micro-distillery doing its thing in real time.
Oh, and yes, samples are part of the experience. Cheers to that!
JAMNOLA
If Lisa Frank, live music, and a crawfish boil had a baby, it would live here. JAMNOLA is a maximalist fever dream of New Orleans culture, packed with neon art, glitter installations, and oversized beignets you can pose in front of.
Every room is designed by a local artist, and every corner begs for a photo. It’s part museum, part selfie studio, all joy.
Audubon Aquarium and Zoo
The fish here have better views of the Mississippi River than most humans, and the aquarium itself overlooks one of the most scenic stretches of the waterfront.
Kids will love the touch pools and penguin waddles, but it’s just as fun for grown-ups looking to escape the heat with a splash of ocean magic. Plus, it’s right next to the Insectarium if you’re feeling bold.
Get Lost in the Past, Not the Forecast
Things to do in New Orleans when it rains include cozy, history-packed tours where the moody skies actually add to the vibe.
There’s something about a little drizzle that makes those creaky mansions, candlelit cemeteries, and echoey old hallways feel even more atmospheric.
Trust us, these things to do in New Orleans when its raining come with rich stories, costumed guides, and the kind of details that make your group chat jealous in the best way.
Garden District Tours
The Garden District is New Orleans elegance at its peak, with tree-lined streets, wrought-iron balconies, and mansions that look straight out of a Southern Gothic novel.
Need ideas? The Glamorous Garden District Tour and the Explore the Garden District Private Walking Tour both offer deep dives into the history, architecture, and celebrity backstories of this iconic neighborhood.
Think antebellum charm, surprise movie sets, and photo ops galore.
French Quarter Tours
From haunted bars to historic courtyards, the French Quarter is a living museum with a party problem.
Whether you’re riding in a mule-drawn carriage on the French Quarter Carriage Tour, exploring ghost legends on the Most Haunted Stories Night Tour, or diving into voodoo lore with the 3 in 1 French Quarter, Cemetery and Voodoo Walking Tour, we’ve got options to match your vibe.
Each one packs major personality and stories you’ll be retelling long after you leave Bourbon Street behind.
Plantation Tours
If you love a little history with your humidity, plantation tours are the perfect escape. With indoor guided mansion tours at spots like Oak Alley, Whitney, Laura, Houmas House, and Destrehan, you’ll be stepping through centuries of Southern history without getting soaked.
Each site brings something different to the table, whether it’s iconic live oak tunnels, deeply moving exhibits on slavery, or Hollywood-level architecture.
These tours are more than just pretty homes; they unpack the complexity of the past in a way that’s powerful, important, and yes, still weather-friendly.
When the Weather’s a Mess, These Spots Impress
Things to do indoors in New Orleans include everything from sipping cocktails in historic bars to watching sharks glide by at the aquarium.
Whether you’re hiding from the rain or the heat index is personally attacking your soul, the city offers plenty of ways to entertain without setting foot outside.
Dave & Buster’s
When the weather outside feels like soup, Dave & Buster’s is the ultimate indoor escape. You’ll find everything from nostalgic arcade games to massive screens showing every sport imaginable, plus a menu full of burgers, cocktails, and shareable bites.
It’s loud, lively, and perfect for anyone looking to swap Bourbon Street chaos for a little friendly competition and an air-conditioned good time.
Voodoo Authentica
Step into Voodoo Authentica in the French Quarter and discover a living, breathing celebration of true Louisiana Voodoo culture.
This locally owned shop is equal parts boutique and cultural experience, offering handcrafted gris-gris bags, spell candles, and artwork made by practitioners.
You can even chat with the staff about the history and spiritual practices that make New Orleans so uniquely mystical.
What’s Still on Your Rainy Day Bucket List?
Haven’t braved the ghost tours or snapped a selfie at JAMNOLA yet? Tell us what’s on your must-do list next time the skies open up in NOLA.
We’re taking notes for our next weather-proof weekend!
Indoor Things to Do in New Orleans FAQs
