★★★
Budget
Holiday Inn NEW ORLEANS-DOWNTOWN SUPERDOME by IHG
From $84 / night
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Things to Do in Houma in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Houma
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
73°F (23°C)
High Temp
58°F (14°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ UV index reaches 8 even on overcast days - serious sun protection needed
⚠ Afternoon thunderstorms arrive with little warning. They produce dangerous lightning over open water
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March lands in the sweet spot between winter's chill and summer's swamp-heat. Pack a light jacket for 14°C (57°F) mornings. Ditch it by 10 AM when the sun hits 23°C (73°F). The day warms fast. You'll feel smart for layering.
- + Crawfish season peaks mid-March through May. The mudbugs are finally big enough to peel. Every backyard boil smells like cayenne and bay leaves drifting over Bayou Terrebonne. Follow your nose.
- + Mardi Gras may be over but the krewes haven't stored their floats yet. You'll catch smaller neighborhood parades with better throws and zero Bourbon Street crowds. Locals keep the party alive. Jump in.
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% after February's peak season. The downtown waterfront suites that booked solid during carnival suddenly have bayou-view balconies available. Grab one. Watch the water roll past.
Considerations
- − The humidity jumps fast. What feels like perfect 70°F weather at 8 AM turns sticky by noon. Your shirt will stick to the plastic seats at Boudreaux's Diner. Order extra napkins.
- − Afternoon thunderstorms roll in like clockwork around 3 PM. They drown the oak-lined streets for 20-minute bursts. Anyone caught between the car and the restaurant door gets soaked. Pack a shell.
- − Mosquito season starts waking up. By late March those bayou-bred monsters are already testing their wings. Dusk anywhere near water requires serious repellent. Spray early. Spray often.
Year-Round Climate
How March compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 8°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C | 12°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C | 14°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C | 17°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| May | 29°C | 21°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 31°C | 24°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jul | 31°C | 25°C | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 31°C | 25°C | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Sep | 30°C | 23°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C | 18°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Nov | 22°C | 13°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Dec | 19°C | 11°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Crawfish Farm Tours and Backyard Boils
March is when crawfish reach proper eating size. Local farms open their ponds for tours that end with newspaper-covered tables piled high with spicy boil. The experience happens outdoors under moss-draped oaks. Perfect weather for standing around a propane burner, beer in hand, while someone explains the difference between purging and cleaning crawfish. Eat with abandon.
Booking Tip: Book farm tours 5-7 days ahead through licensed operators. The good ones fill up fast on weekends when Houston families drive in. See current crawfish experiences in the booking section below. Plan ahead.
Bayou Black Airboat Swamp Tours
March water levels are still high from winter rains. Airboats can reach the deep backwaters where 10-foot gators sun themselves on cypress logs. Morning tours at 8 AM catch the swamp waking up. Mist rises off the water while herons stalk the shallows. Your captain will kill the engine so you can hear nothing but dripping water and distant birds. Listen hard.
Booking Tip: Morning slots book first. Reserve 2-3 days ahead, and request boats with hearing protection (the good captains provide it). Weather's good for the 25 mph wind in your face. Bring a hair tie.
Downtown Houma Food and Music Crawl
March evenings hit that magic 68°F (20°C) temperature where you can walk between bars without breaking a sweat. Start at the Boulevard Bridge for sunset over Bayou Terrebonne. Then hit the live music joints along West Main. Most still have their doors open to the street. The sound of washboards and accordions spills onto the sidewalk. Step inside.
Booking Tip: No reservations needed for the bar circuit. The food crawls run Thursday-Saturday and cap at 12 people. Book through the widget below for organized crawls that hit 5 venues in 3 hours. Come hungry.
Southdown Plantation House Historical Tours
The 1859 sugar manor opens its wraparound galleries in March before summer's brutal heat arrives. Tour guides here don't sanitize history. They'll explain how the plantation's 200+ enslaved people built the wealth that paid for those hand-painted ceiling medallions. The house sits on 5 acres (2 hectares) of live oaks. Good for March's mild afternoons. Look up.
Booking Tip: Tours run hourly 10 AM-3 PM. The 2 PM slot catches the best light through the stained glass. No advance booking needed except for groups over 8. Show up. Learn something.
Where to Stay in Houma in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
★★★
Budget
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Canal St. French Quarter
From $109 / night
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March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early March
Houma-Terrebonne Downtown Mardi Gras Parade
The final parade of the season happens first weekend of March. Smaller than New Orleans but locals claim better throws. Families line the 3.2 km (2 mile) route with lawn chairs and ice chests. They catch everything from painted coconuts to stuffed alligators. The whole downtown smells like king cake and fried chicken. Breathe it in.
Mid March
Cajun Music Festival at the Civic Center
Weekend festival where the dance floor fills with two-steps and waltzes. The smell of jambalaya drifts from cast-iron kettles big enough to bathe in. Local bands play 12-hour sets. Someone will teach you the Cajun two-step whether you ask or not. Just move.
Packing Checklist
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Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Houma Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best crawfish boils happen in someone's backyard. Ask your Airbnb host or bartender if they know anyone boiling this weekend. Bring a six-pack of beer as tribute. Get invited.
Downtown parking meters stop enforcing at 6 PM. The free spots fill fast during parade season. The courthouse lot stays empty after 5 PM and nobody tickets there. Park smart.
Order your crawfish 'purged' if you don't want that muddy taste. Locals know to ask, tourists don't. Takes an extra 20 minutes but worth it. Taste the difference.
The Bayou Black boat launch has free public access. Bring your own kayak and paddle the cypress tunnels without paying tour prices. Water's still high enough in March. Glide quietly.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming March means warm weather. You'll shiver in that tank top when the 57°F (14°C) morning wind comes off the bayou. Pack layers. Regret nothing.
Booking swamp tours at noon when gators hide from the heat. Morning tours see way more wildlife. Set your alarm.
Wearing flip-flops everywhere. March rains turn downtown sidewalks into pudd deep enough to soak your feet. Choose shoes.
Skipping the neighborhood parades for 'authentic Mardi Gras'. Locals will tell you the small parades have better throws and zero tourist markup. Listen to them.
Book Experiences in Houma
Top-rated things to do in Houma this March
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