# Sugar Bowl: what to do between sessions in New Orleans

Source: https://eventweekends.com/us-sports/sugar-bowl/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, United States
- **Free time:** Most fans arrive the day before and leave the day after, with the match-day morning free.
- **Best base:** Warehouse District and CBD: Walk to the Quarter.
- **Getting there:** Louis Armstrong (MSY) is 25 minutes from the French Quarter; flat taxi fare to the CBD.
- **Weather:** In December and January, New Orleans averages highs of about 17°C and lows of 8°C, with roughly 128 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 h 15 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Swamp boat tour; French Quarter food tour; Plantation tour

## Weather and what to pack

In December and January, New Orleans averages highs of about 17°C and lows of 8°C, with roughly 128 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 h 15 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
- Check the stadium bag policy: clear bags or small bags only at many venues.

## Airport to venue

Louis Armstrong (MSY) is 25 minutes from the French Quarter; flat taxi fare to the CBD.

Walk from the French Quarter.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Mid-City. Streetcar to the Quarter.
- **mid:** Warehouse District and CBD. Walk to the Quarter.
- **luxury:** French Quarter. Historic hotels.
- Hotels we would book: The Quisby (budget), Ace Hotel New Orleans (mid), Hotel Monteleone (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Arrival day (Wednesday 30 December)

Fan zones open the day before. Take the afternoon for the city.
- Half-day: Swamp boat tour. Alligators and bayous.
- Eat: Cochon, Cajun

### Match day morning (Thursday 31 December)

Free until you head to the stadium. Avoid anything far away or tiring.
- Easy outing: French Quarter food tour. Gumbo, beignets and po-boys.
- Free: City Park.

### The day after (Saturday 2 January)

A full free day before you fly.
- Full day: Plantation tour. Whitney or Oak Alley.
- Eat: Parkway Bakery, Po-boys

### Evening plans

For the night before or after the match.
- Evening: Jazz cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. Mississippi sunset.

## Tours worth booking

- [Swamp boat tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=New%20Orleans%20swamp%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sugar-bowl): Alligators and bayous.
- [French Quarter food tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=New%20Orleans%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sugar-bowl): Gumbo, beignets and po-boys.
- [Jazz cruise on the Steamboat Natchez](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Steamboat%20Natchez&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sugar-bowl): Mississippi sunset.
- [Ghost and voodoo tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=New%20Orleans%20ghost%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sugar-bowl): French Quarter stories.
- [Plantation tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=New%20Orleans%20plantation%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sugar-bowl): Whitney or Oak Alley.
- [Cooking class](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=New%20Orleans%20cooking%20class&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sugar-bowl): Creole dishes.

## Where to eat

- Café du Monde: Beignets
- Commander's Palace: Creole jazz brunch
- Cochon: Cajun
- Parkway Bakery: Po-boys

## With kids

- Audubon Aquarium.
- Audubon Zoo.

## Rainy-day backups

- National WWII Museum.
- New Orleans Museum of Art.

## Getting around

- Streetcars and the RTA app; parade days close most of Uptown and the CBD.

## Questions people ask

### When is Sugar Bowl 2026?

The next edition is 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Sugar Bowl?

In December and January, New Orleans averages highs of about 17°C and lows of 8°C, with roughly 128 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 10 h 15 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Caesars Superdome?

Louis Armstrong (MSY) is 25 minutes from the French Quarter; flat taxi fare to the CBD. Walk from the French Quarter.

### Where should I stay for Sugar Bowl?

For most visitors the best base is Warehouse District and CBD: Walk to the Quarter.

### What else can we do around Sugar Bowl?

Good short outings in New Orleans include Swamp boat tour, French Quarter food tour, Cooking class. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Sugar Bowl?

Family-friendly picks: Swamp boat tour. Audubon Aquarium.

### How far is Caesars Superdome from New Orleans centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Walk from the French Quarter.

More in New Orleans: https://eventweekends.com/city/new-orleans/