Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New Orleans

44  INTRODUCING N e w ORlea N s

Average monthly rainfall Rainfall Chart
New Orleans is one
MM Inches
300 12 of the rainiest cities in
the United States, and
240 July and August are its
9 rainiest months, with
180 daily showers. Tropical
6 storms can cause
120 widespread power
3 failures. The hurricane
60
season lasts from June
to Novem ber, peaking in
0 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec August and September.
around Oct 31). A mini-Mardi
Gras with masking, costumes,
and impromptu street parties
on Decatur Street. Kids get a
big party at Audubon Zoo –
the Boo-at-the-Zoo.
November
Turkey Day Race (fourth Thu
in Nov). This 5-mile (8-km) run
has celebrated Thanksgiving
Alligator close-up at the Louisiana Swamp Festival for a century.
New Orleans Fair Grounds
at the Audubon Zoo (see pp114– Horse Racing Season
Fall
15), live Louisiana swamp animals (opens Thanksgiving Day).
Although there may still be are the center of attention. Those The thoroughbred racing
rainy days in September, the brave enough to touch them season lasts from late
driest months of the year are allowed to do so, under November through March,
are October and November, close supervision. There is also at the country’s third-oldest
when both humidity and heat Cajun food, music, and crafts. racetrack (see p128).
decrease. Halloween is the most Celebration in the Oaks
important celebration of this October (late Nov through early Jan).
season, and it launches the Oktoberfest (every week end). City Park (see pp118–19) is
biggest selling period of the year. The German community transformed by countless
The New Orleans’ Saints football celebrates its cultural roots sparkling Christmas lights.
team starts the NFL season at the Deutsches Haus (1023 Bayou Classic (late Nov).
which lasts through December. Ridgewood St, Metairie, (504) Football fans swarm
522-8014) with music, food, downtown for the annual
September and beer. showdown between
Madisonville Wooden Boat New Orleans Film Festival Louisiana’s historically
Festival (last weekend of Sep). (early to mid-Oct). This week- black colleges.
The largest gathering of long event takes
wooden water craft in the place at various
the New Orleans area, at venues around the
picturesque Madisonville on city and pre sents the
the Tchefuncte River. A Kids works of filmmakers
Dingy Workshop, Quick and from all over the
Dirty Boat Building Contest, world. Visiting cele-
and live entertainment brities, authors, and
(www.woodenboatfest.org). film stars always
Saints Football (Sep–Dec, attend the event.
Mercedes-Benz Superdome). The Jazz Awareness
NFL football season starts in Month (all month).
September with games at the Celebrating jazz at
Mercedes-Benz Superdome its birthplace, daily
(see p97) through December concerts are held
or January (see pp193–4). throughout the city.
Louisiana Swamp Festival (late Halloween in New The Fair Grounds, home to thoroughbred racing in
Sep, early Oct). For two weekends, Orleans (on and the Deep South

044-045_EW_New_Orleans.indd 44 13/08/14 2:11 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Seasonal template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.8)
Date 30th September 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm