Things to Do in Houma in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Houma
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means you'll find accommodation rates 20-30% lower than summer peaks, with plenty of availability even if you book just 2-3 weeks out instead of the usual 6-8 weeks for high season
- The 21°C (70°F) morning temperatures from 6-9am create genuinely comfortable conditions for outdoor activities before the midday heat kicks in - locals schedule their farmers market trips and exercise routines during this window for good reason
- With only 5 mm (0.2 inches) of rainfall spread across 10 days, you're looking at brief passing showers rather than day-ruining downpours, and that 70% humidity is actually manageable compared to the oppressive 85%+ you'd face in July-August
- May sits right before the summer tourist surge, so popular spots around Houma feel noticeably less crowded - you can actually get decent photos at landmarks without timing your shots around tour groups, and restaurant waits are measured in minutes rather than hours
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days mean roughly one-third of your trip will likely see some precipitation, and while showers tend to be brief (15-25 minutes typically), they're unpredictable enough that you'll want indoor backup plans ready
- The UV index of 8 means you're dealing with very high sun exposure - you'll burn in under 20 minutes without protection, and that 29°C (84°F) afternoon heat combined with humidity makes midday outdoor activities genuinely uncomfortable for most visitors
- May falls in a transitional period where some businesses are adjusting their seasonal schedules, so you might find the occasional attraction running limited hours or closed for maintenance - worth double-checking operating hours within 48 hours of your visit
Best Activities in May
Bayou Terrebonne Waterway Park kayaking and wildlife watching
May's moderate temperatures make early morning paddling sessions (6:30-10am) genuinely pleasant before the heat builds. The 21°C (70°F) starts mean you're comfortable in a t-shirt without the winter chill that makes dawn paddles miserable. Spring bird migration is still active, and you'll spot wading birds, turtles, and occasionally alligators along the cypress-lined waterways. The variable weather actually works in your favor - overcast days reduce glare on the water and make wildlife more active.
Southdown Plantation House and cultural heritage tours
May's unpredictable weather makes indoor-outdoor combination activities smart planning. These plantation and museum tours let you duck inside during brief showers while still enjoying the grounds during clear spells. The 70% humidity is actually lower than summer months, making the non-climate-controlled historic buildings more tolerable. May also marks the tail end of azalea blooms in the gardens, adding visual interest you won't get later in summer.
Cajun and Creole cooking class experiences
With those 10 rainy days likely to interrupt outdoor plans, having a 3-4 hour indoor activity that's genuinely engaging makes practical sense. May brings fresh local seafood - shrimp and crawfish are both in season - so you're working with peak ingredients. These hands-on classes typically include market tours where you'll learn to select seafood like locals do, then prepare 3-4 traditional dishes. The air-conditioned kitchen environment is a welcome break from that UV index of 8.
Houma Downtown Farmers Market and local food exploration
The Tuesday and Saturday morning markets (typically 7am-noon) align perfectly with May's comfortable morning temperatures. At 21°C (70°F), you can browse vendor stalls without wilting, and you'll find peak-season produce like Creole tomatoes, snap peas, and early summer squash. Local seafood vendors sell shrimp caught that morning, and prepared food stalls serve breakfast items you won't find in restaurants. The market also gives you genuine interaction with locals in a non-touristy setting.
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge hiking and birding
May sits at the tail end of spring migration, so you'll still catch northbound warblers, tanagers, and shorebirds that have mostly moved on by June. The 5 mm (0.2 inches) of rainfall means trails stay relatively dry and passable - summer rains turn some paths muddy and buggy. Start hikes by 7am to take advantage of those 21°C (70°F) temperatures and peak bird activity. The 3.2 km (2 mile) boardwalk loop offers wildlife viewing without the mud factor.
Evening swamp tours and sunset wildlife cruises
May's later sunsets (around 7:45-8pm) mean evening tours actually happen during golden hour rather than full darkness. The warm, humid conditions make alligators and other reptiles more active than they'd be in cooler months. Booking an evening tour also lets you avoid that UV index of 8 during midday. The variable weather creates dramatic skies for photography, and the 29°C (84°F) daytime highs cool to comfortable levels by departure time.
May Events & Festivals
Houma-Terrebonne Folklife Culture Festival
This annual celebration showcases Cajun and Creole music, traditional crafts, and local food vendors in a family-friendly outdoor setting. You'll find live bands playing authentic Cajun music, artisans demonstrating boat-building and net-weaving techniques passed down through generations, and food booths serving dishes you won't easily find in restaurants. The festival gives you concentrated access to local culture without having to hunt down individual experiences across multiple days.