New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park in May
May at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 85°F and an overnight low around 68°F, with about 4.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.9× the park's average month, which makes May an average month here.
- Average low
- 68°F
- Average high
- 85°F
Range across the year: 45°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 4.7 in
- Daylight
- 13.5 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: roughly 4,500 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2000 to 2025.
That makes May the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the April peak (1.9×) and the September low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 68/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is February: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 77°F is warm enough that midday heat is worth planning around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 32% of annual visitors, choosing May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 13.5 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 10.1-hour midwinter low and the 13.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 44,943 recreation visits, up 11.4% from 40,357 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 40.8%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 78°F / 61°F | 1.9× Very busy | 45 Fair |
| May | 85°F / 68°F | 0.9× Average | 68 Good |
| June | 90°F / 75°F | 1.4× Busy | 35 Poor |
All twelve months at New Orleans Jazz, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 85°F and an overnight low around 68°F at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, with about 4.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is average at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 68/100. Our recommended month is February.
The busiest month is April and the quietest is September. May sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 4,000 recreation visits at New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2000–2025.
Where to stay near New Orleans Jazz in May
Booking a May trip to New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near New Orleans Jazz
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2000–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.