Weather

New Orleans' weather in May tends to range between 65° Fahrenheit in the evenings and 85° Fahrenheit during mid-day. Of course, these are past estimates and any one year may vary. The daily weather tends to be sunny during May, with brief showers possible. We recommend bringing layers of clothing, as well as waterproofing spells or their Muggle equivalent.

To get up-to-the-minute weather information on New Orleans, please use this tool:

Traveling Around New Orleans

The best way to experience the French Quarter is on foot, as its small area (six blocks wide and ten blocks long), strict traffic laws, popularity and lack of on-street parking make driving difficult. If you get tired of walking, you might hire a horse-drawn carriage for a more leisurely tour. Public transportation is also available in the Quarter, should that better suit your needs.

The best way to experience the areas surrounding the French Quarter, including the Central Business District and the Garden District, is by bus or the famous streetcar lines. New Orleans has a reliable and comprehensive public transportation system. There are visitor passes available that offer unlimited bus and streetcar rides. Passes may be purchased at most hotels and banks in the French Quarter, Central Business District, and along Canal Street in one-day ($5) or three-day ($12) increments. Exact change or a pass is required on the streetcars.

Streetcars
The St. Charles streetcar is the oldest railway system in continuous operation in the world. It began in 1835 as the Carrollton Railroad, relying on mule power and steam for propulsion, and was electrified in 1893. The current green cars date from the 1920's and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Important Note
In order to maintain their status as a moving landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, the St. Charles streetcars do not provide modern amenities such as air conditioning or handicapped accessibility. The green St. Charles streetcars are currently being used on the Riverfront and Canal streetcar lines because the familiar red cars normally used on those lines were flooded during Hurricane Katrina. The actual St. Charles line is currently serviced only by buses because the track system was damaged in the hurricane. It is not yet known when the service will be fully restored.

Safety Information

As in any major city, it is best to practice constant vigilance with regard to your safety and the safety of your belongings! Please be aware of your surroundings. Don't carry large amounts of cash or valuables; if you must bring valuables with you to the city, store them in a hotel room mini-safe or safe deposit box if available.

We recommend traveling in groups, especially after dark. Phoenix Rising will be providing a guide to all events that are not in the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. If you wish to travel as part of a group to our events, this option will be available.

In the event of an emergency, please dial 911. No coin is required if you are dialing from a pay phone.