Things to Do in Houma in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Houma
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Cool, comfortable temperatures for outdoor exploration - January sits in Houma's mild winter season with highs around 17°C (63°F), which means you can actually walk around midday without melting. Perfect for the city's extensive bayou trails and historic district wandering.
- Lowest rainfall of the year at just 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) - you'll likely encounter some drizzle on about 10 days, but these are typically brief morning mists rather than afternoon downpours. Outdoor festivals and swamp tours run on schedule without weather cancellations.
- Seafood season peaks in January - the Gulf shrimp and oyster harvests are in full swing, meaning restaurants and seafood markets have the freshest catch at the best prices. Local crab traps are pulling in blue crabs consistently, and you'll find seasonal specials running ฿180-350 per plate at casual spots.
- Significantly fewer tourists than spring or fall - January falls outside the festival season and before Mardi Gras crowds arrive in February. You'll get better rates on airboat tours (typically ฿1,800-2,800 versus ฿3,200-4,200 in peak months) and won't wait in lines at Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge.
Considerations
- Unpredictable temperature swings between day and night - that 9°C (16°F) difference between highs and lows means you'll need layers. Mornings start around 8°C (46°F), which feels genuinely cold on a boat in the bayou, then by 2pm you might be down to a t-shirt. Pack accordingly or you'll be uncomfortable half the day.
- Some outdoor attractions operate on reduced schedules - several swamp tour operators run only one morning departure instead of three daily tours, and a few smaller wildlife centers close Mondays and Tuesdays in January. Always call ahead rather than showing up, especially for anything outside the main city area.
- The 70% humidity makes the cool temperatures feel clammy rather than crisp - it's not the refreshing winter chill you'd get in drier climates. That 8°C (46°F) morning feels more like 5°C (41°F) when the moisture is high, and cotton clothing takes forever to dry if you get caught in drizzle.
Best Activities in January
Bayou Swamp Tours
January's cooler temperatures make this the most comfortable month for 2-3 hour boat tours through Terrebonne Parish wetlands. Alligators are less active in the cooler water but still visible sunning themselves midday when temps climb to 17°C (63°F). The reduced humidity means less fog obscuring wildlife, and you'll actually see more bird activity as migratory species from the north settle in for winter. The low water levels in January also concentrate fish, which draws wading birds like herons and egrets to predictable feeding spots.
Cajun and Creole Cooking Classes
January is gumbo season in Louisiana, and cooking classes focus on hearty winter dishes using fresh Gulf seafood that's at peak quality right now. You'll work with just-harvested oysters, winter greens, and learn the slow-cooked roux techniques that work perfectly in cooler weather. Classes typically run 3-4 hours including eating what you make, and the indoor activity gives you a solid backup plan for those 10 drizzly days. The cultural context is richer in January too since you're learning dishes locals actually cook this time of year, not tourist-season adaptations.
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge Kayaking
The refuge's 4,212 hectares (10,408 acres) of coastal marsh and bayou channels are exceptionally navigable in January when water levels drop and currents slow. You'll paddle through cypress-tupelo swamps where the bare trees (most lose leaves by January) actually improve wildlife visibility - you can spot roosting owls, otters, and nutria more easily without summer foliage. The cooler water temperatures around 12-14°C (54-57°F) mean fewer mosquitoes and water moccasins, making this the safest and most pleasant paddling season.
Historic Downtown Walking Tours
Houma's downtown historic district spans about 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of 19th-century architecture, Cajun cultural sites, and bayou-front views that are genuinely pleasant to walk in January's mild weather. Summer's 32°C (90°F) heat makes this same walk miserable, but January's 17°C (63°F) highs are ideal for 2-3 hours of outdoor exploration. You'll cover the Southdown Plantation House, Regional Military Museum, and bayou-side parks without overheating. The variable January weather means you might catch dramatic cloud formations over the water that make for better photos than harsh summer sun.
Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing Charters
January fishing in Terrebonne Parish targets speckled trout, redfish, and black drum that move into shallow marshes during winter. The cooler water temperatures concentrate fish in predictable channels and cuts, making this one of the most consistent fishing months. You'll fish inshore waters protected from Gulf weather, and the reduced boat traffic in January means you're not competing with summer crowds for spots. Charter captains report January catch rates around 15-25 fish per 4-hour trip, significantly higher than summer averages.
Terrebonne Parish Cultural Heritage Tours
January's comfortable temperatures make this the ideal month for driving tours through the parish's scattered Cajun and Houma Nation tribal communities. You'll visit sites spread across 50-80 km (31-50 miles) of bayou roads, including traditional boat-building workshops, Catholic mission churches, and Native American cultural centers that tell the region's complex settlement history. The reduced tourist traffic means more authentic interactions with community members, and several sites that operate shortened hours in summer heat run normal schedules in January's mild weather.
January Events & Festivals
Houma-Terrebonne Boat Show
This regional boat and marine equipment show typically runs for one weekend in mid-January, showcasing everything from small fishing boats to larger vessels used in Louisiana's oil and fishing industries. It's genuinely interesting if you're curious about the region's maritime culture - you'll see custom-built boats designed specifically for shallow bayou navigation, talk to local boat builders, and understand why watercraft is so central to life here. Not a tourist event, which makes it more authentic.