What to do on a rainy day
New Orleans, Louisiana skyline

Louisiana

What to do on a rainy day in New Orleans

Sudden afternoon thunderstorms are a NOLA staple — duck into a courtyard bar, a jazz club, or a museum until they pass.

New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the most-visited destinations in the United States, and a wet forecast doesn't have to ruin a trip. This guide collects 20 hand-picked, fully indoor things to do in New Orleans when it rains — everything from world-class museums to neighborhood food halls, working theaters, and quiet bookstores where you can wait out the weather over a cup of coffee.

Every recommendation below is something you can do entirely under a roof — no walking tours, no open-air piers, no rooftops. We've grouped them by 8 museums and cultural institutions, 3 theaters and performance venues, and 3 indoor food and drink spots, with direct links to each venue's official website so you can check hours, ticket prices, and current exhibitions before you head out.

20 indoor things to do in New Orleans when it rains

Grouped by what kind of afternoon you're after.

Museums & galleries

Big, ticketed collections you can lose half a day in — perfect when the forecast says all-day showers.

  1. Tour the National WWII Museum
  2. Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art
  3. Explore the Ogden Museum of Southern Art
  4. Tour the Backstreet Cultural Museum
  5. Tour the Pharmacy Museum
  6. Visit the Cabildo museum
  7. Visit the Southern Food and Beverage Museum
  8. Tour the Voodoo Museum

Theaters, music & film

Matinees, jazz sets, and indie cinemas — the most reliable rainy-day plans in any city.

  1. Catch live jazz at Preservation Hall
  2. Catch a film at the Prytania Theatre
  3. Catch a show at the Saenger Theatre

Food halls, markets & tasting rooms

Indoor markets, distilleries, tea rooms and dim sum — eat slowly while the storm passes.

  1. Eat beignets at Café du Monde under the covered patio
  2. Browse the French Market's covered stalls
  3. Eat oysters at a French Quarter raw bar

Shops, bookstores & workshops

Independent bookstores, indoor boutiques, and hands-on classes that turn a wet afternoon into a souvenir.

  1. Take a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking

More indoor ideas

Workshops, classes, and one-of-a-kind interiors that don't fit a tidy category.

  1. Tour the Historic New Orleans Collection
  2. Visit the Mardi Gras World working warehouse
  3. Tour the 1850 House on Jackson Square
  4. Tour the Pitot House on Bayou St. John
  5. Catch a second line at a covered venue

Frequently asked questions about rainy days in New Orleans

What can you do in New Orleans when it rains?
Plenty. New Orleans's strongest rainy-day options are its museums, theaters, and indoor markets — this guide lists 20 curated spots, all fully indoor. A reliable starting point is to the national wwii museum.
Are these activities good for families with kids?
Most are. Aquariums, science museums, food halls, and bookstores work well for all ages. For families, prioritize ticketed museums with hands-on exhibits and indoor markets where kids can move around freely between bites.
What's the best rainy-day plan in New Orleans if I only have a few hours?
Pick one anchor — usually a museum or a covered market near your hotel — and pair it with a nearby café or bookstore. Most venues on this list are clustered in walkable, transit-friendly neighborhoods, so you can string two or three together without spending much time outside.
Do I need tickets in advance?
For major museums, popular Broadway-style shows, and ticketed tours, yes — rainy days are when locals and tourists alike crowd indoor attractions, and walk-up availability can disappear by lunchtime. Use the official links in each listing to book before you go.

More rainy-day guides

Heading somewhere else next? These city guides pair well with New Orleans.