Who doesn't love October? Not only is it a month filled with football and festive fun, October is also one of my favorite times of year in New Orleans. The light softens into a day-long golden hour. There's fresh buzzy conversation with neighbors about LSU and the Saints and costume parties and festivals. If you wake up early, the cool mornings are like a promise, holding the same giddy energy as remembering that your crush said he'd call you later.

If you've been wanting to visit New Orleans, October is a wonderful time to discover and explore. Here are some of my favorite things about New Orleans in October.

1. Costumes

You should know that New Orleans costumes for virtually everything all year long, but October brings a flood of costume-centric events at work, schools, and even churches. (Here's us at one of five costume events in October 2023—this one was an '80s-themed 40th birthday party.)

2. Fairs and festivals

New Orleans is never not having some kind of festival, but October opens the season of fairs with real rides at schools and church parishes. If you're looking for tons of niche festivals, check out this huge list of October New Orleans festivals.

3. Snowballs

Yep, there's still time for spooning and slurping sweet frozen perfection—but make it seasonal. And because New Orleans can turn warm even at Christmas, there are some snowball stands that remain open through the entire winter!

4. Yellow wildflowers

October brings a crop of wild yellow daisies, known here as "black-eyed Susans." I love how they look along sidewalks and laced through cast iron fences, especially in the Garden District where our apartment is located.

5. Audubon Zoo

Audubon Zoo is one of the most beautiful zoos in the country, and in October the animals start once again venturing outside their shady habitats. With magnificent, ancient live oaks and historic, garden-forward design, Audubon Zoo also makes an amazing backdrop for taking family photos (especially with that sweet October light). A happy place for all ages.

6. City Park 

How do I love thee, New Orleans City Park? Let me count the ways! Even bigger than New York's Central Park, City Park features an abundance of beauty that comes alive in October. Rent tandem bikes; enjoy the wonderful playground; stroll the bayou with its fairytale stone bridges and hungry ducks; walk the alley of unbelievably massive, moss-draped live oaks, including the 800+ year-old McDonough Oak; and grab beignets at a Café du Monde location that isn’t overrun with tourists. (Just don't do the swan boats—trust.)

7. Saints fandom

Through wins, losses, and no-calls (#robbed), you won't find another fan base as personal, creative, and wholehearted as the Who Dat Nation. And even if we lose, great news: we're still in New Orleans.

8. Fluffy dogs

October means we can stop shaving down the dogs so they survive the humidity. There are obvious, adorable advantages to their freshly fluffy coats, like blending into the rug.

9. Sunsets 

The sunset colors of October skies are magnificent. Go to the Lakeview neighborhood, park on Lakeshore Drive, walk up the levee, and soak in glorious sunsets over Lake Ponchartrain. Washington Artillery Park on the levee overlooking Jackson Square is another ideal spot to catch views of St Louis Cathedral backlit with fiery coral and lavender glow.

10. Oysters 

Welcome back, raw oyster season! Oh, how I have missed slurping your ice-cold, salty deliciousness! Look for many restaurants to offer oyster happy hours. We love pairing happy hour oysters at Superior Seafood with its signature frozen French 75. If raw oysters aren't your thing, try tons of delicious local oyster dishes. *Throws confetti and twirls*

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