Fall Weather in New Orleans: Mild Days, Blooming Gardens and Life Outdoors at Geneva House

A Fall Preview at The Geneva House: Mild Days, Blooming Gardens, and Life Outdoors

It’s the kind of fall weather in New Orleans that makes you slow down without even meaning to. Highs around 74°, lows in the mid-60s with soft air, gentle light and just enough breeze to make you enjoy that shady spot even more.

These past few weeks have felt like a quiet celebration of outdoor living.  The patio at The Geneva House has turned into my second living room lately — coffee in the mornings, maybe a book or an impromptu chat with whoever’s passing through.  The brick still holds a hint of warmth from the sun and the courtyard hums with life.

You can tell it’s that odd Louisiana mix of seasons — part fall, part spring. The trees are starting to let go of their leaves but the flowers have a second life. Our garden is full of blooms, the butterflies are busier than ever and even the bumblebees emerged, buzzing around the wisteria as if it were April again.

Maybe that same energy is what brought a few unexpected new residents our way.

A few weeks ago, my wife rescued a cat from behind a dumpster at her church, she’s now a guardian of the garden.  My daughter named her Tapioca, though everyone calls her Mimi, which means cat in Chinese.  She’s a sun-seeker, happiest stretched out across the courtyard pavers, greeting guests as they come and go.

Then there’s Peanut, a box turtle we found one rainy morning under a car in the parking lot. He’s made himself at home in the yard, moving at his own pace with our supervision and Mimi’s curious glances.  Between Mimi’s cat naps and Peanut’s slow strolls, there’s always something quietly alive out there.

And maybe that’s fitting, because The Geneva House recently became a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. It’s a small but meaningful step — our garden now provides all the essentials for wildlife to thrive: food, water, shelter and safe spaces for nesting. We’ve planted more native species, added water sources and let the garden grow with intention. (We’ll share more about that project in an upcoming post). For now, it’s enough to sit outside and feel the season settling in.

If you’re visiting or staying nearby, you’ll find Bucktown Harbor Park and Greenway just a couple blocks from here — one of Metairie’s best-kept secrets for a sunset stroll. It’s the kind of place where the fall weather in New Orleans really shines: crisp enough for a light sweater, warm enough to linger by the water. You’ll see sailboats easing out into Lake Pontchartrain, herons in the shallows and maybe the bald eagles if you’re lucky.

This is my favorite kind of fall — mild, calm and full of small surprises. Some days it feels like the whole city is exhaling, trading summer’s heat for something gentler and it offers relief for even the busiest workdays.   The smallest moments feel more vivid and relaxing: Mimi’s sprawling nap in the sun, Peanut’s quiet determination and the soft fluttering around the courtyard garden.

So yes, the fall weather in New Orleans has been kind this year — a perfect balance of warmth and light. If you’re lucky enough to be here right now, enjoy a little more time outside. Feel the air. Listen to the birds. Watch the colors shift in the afternoon sky.

That’s what we’re doing here at The Geneva House — soaking it all in, one mild day at a time.

Visit thegenevahouse.com to explore furnished options for your stay and experience the beauty of fall living in New Orleans.