We have no December plans and I was wondering if we as a family of 4 could do something.

Any thoughts about Nawlins around Christmas time? Too cold? Never been there.

just watch the Bowl games. Crowds

We have a trip planned for the 21-24. If all goes as planned, I'll report back.

Typical week weather is 2 days bad/5 days good to great. This ratio can swing +/- 3 days either direction without notice.

When I lived there the weather in Dec. was usually pretty nice. Not too cold, but definitely a different kind of cold with the humidity being so much higher. Depending on the way the wind is blowing it can be really nice and and clear, or incredibly foggy.
Go walk through the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel, they do it all up for Christmas and it is pretty spectacular. Some of the best sunsets are that time of year too, but I lived on the north side of Pontchartrain so not sure if you'd really get the same view from the city.

We went the day after Christmas several years ago. It was packed everywhere but we still had fun.

We go to New Orleans a couple times a year for one reason or another and December/Christmastime has become our preferred time to go. Its generally cooler, streets don't smell as bad and the Quarter is very lovely decorated for Christmas. NO has a great vibe and the holidays just adds something to it.

I also agree with the poster above...plan around the bowl games and it will generally be somewhat crowded but not insane like it is for the Sugar Bowl. Go for it!

Best Hot buttered rum we've had was at Commanders


And another thumbs up for the displays at The Roosevelt.

Went to Nola at new years last year. Wife and I rode the trolley to the end of the line in the garden district enjoying all the Christmas displays in the old historic houses. You should definitely go!

One of my favorite fireworks viewing experiences was in NOLA watching them set off fireworks from barges in the river across from the French quarter for New Years.

Are the streetcars generally safe at night? We'll be passing through for an evening during Christmastime and I'm wondering if this would be an appropriate activity with a 6 year old

Tour the lobbies of the Roosevelt Hotel and the Ritz Carlton at night. The Christmas lights/decorations are awesome.

Absolutely ok when you'd be out with a 9 year old. The street cars down St Charles are great.

Also, many of the restaurants in New Orleans offer a reveillon tasting menu. Don't pass on the egg nog daiquiris either.
The hotels are spruced up, city park has lights in the Oaks.

Pretty much any time outside the heat of summer is a great time to visit, but Christmas is great. Also, they light Christmas festival bonfires down along the river outside of town.

Here now. The Roosevelt Hotel is beautiful. We've been at the WWII museum for about an hour, and already I can highly recommend. We ate dinner last night at Redfish Grill on Bourbon St, and it was very good. So far the crowd is calm, and the city is very clean. Have a Reservation at Annunciation tonight and then will do the walking tour of Celebration in the Oaks. Reveillon dinner on Saturday night.

Enjoy! The museum is a blast. Not sure what the temporary exhibit is this year but the last one was how they used inflatable tanks to fool German surveillance. It's a cool place!
If you're a whiskey drinker there's a bar called Barrel Proof about 3 blocks from the museum on Magazine St. Super cool place and they pour allocated bourbons at about their cost when they have them in stock. First and only time I've tried Van Winkle 12 year, for 12 bucks!
Enjoy your trip!

Temp exhibit is a photography exhibit of Japanese Americans who served in the war. The photos are gorgeous, and it's a lovely tribute.

There is so much to see/read at the museum. There is no way we will get through it all today.

Funny you mention a whiskey bar…my BF has been really into it lately (and I'll sip on whatever he has). Thanks for the recommendation…we'll have to stop there!

they have had traveling exhibits such as

Nazi Propoganda
Battan Death March
Walt Disney and the War
USO and Bob Hope that is have or firends of mine have seen

I could spend all day there as well

I am going in January again so following this thread but meeting my old roomate from college who has never been so limited time wont be used at museum

We could have easily spent another day at the museum. There are too many exhibits to enjoy them all in detail, but it's also an emotionally overwhelming experience. If I lived here, I'd come every so often to take it all in in small chunks.

Editing to add that Annunciation was VERY good. The oysters with Parmesan and bacon were fantastic, as was the crab gratin. The gulf fish Capri was also tasty.