Fun Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples

New Orleans is a fantastic place to visit with your partner.

The city has great restaurants, a vibrant music scene, and lively vibes. It’s the perfect city for couples who want a little bit of everything.

We spent a full month in New Orleans exploring the best of the city. We ate VERY well, strolled the city’s best green spaces, and attempted to keep up at New Orleans jazz clubs.

Here’s our guide to fun things to do in New Orleans for couples from a traveling couple.

Plan a coffee date.

If your New Orleans couples trip needs a pick-me-up, the city has an excellent coffee scene.

Try Rue de la Course for a side of historical intrigue. This one operates out of an old bank building. For something with a little more funk, head to the Z’otz Cafe. The seating is comfy for lingering morning dates.

Need something stronger? Erin Rose is known for their frozen Irish coffee. I don’t endorse that first thing in the morning, though. The dive bar is also home to Killer Poboys, which goes very well with those cheap drinks.

Go to brunch.

Brunch is often linked to Sundays with the ladies, but it doesn’t have to be. Brian and I LOVE brunch, as it doesn’t involve getting up super early. A great jazz brunch scene results in some very fun date ideas in New Orleans.

The Court of Two Sisters has live music daily and a great brunch buffet. (Don’t be afraid to eat on dates, especially in New Orleans.) Muriel’s Jackson Square is another popular option for their Sunday jazz brunch.

If you don’t need jazz with your eggs, Cafe Degas is consistently voted as one of the best date restaurants in New Orleans. Come for brunch so that you can sip on Bellinis and share any one of their spectacular desserts.

Our waiter recommended the raspberry Chambord cake on our visit, and it did not disappoint.

If you visit for dinner, instead, they have live jazz once per week for some added ambiance. The pecan tree growing out of the middle of the room is pretty great, too.

Take a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez.

The Steamboat Natchez was out of commission during our visit, so we were only able to see it from afar. While their sister vessel, The City of New Orleans, was operating, it just felt wrong not booking the real deal.

When it is operating, the steamboat does dinner and brunch cruises along the Mississippi River with some historical narration. It all sounds very cute.

Stroll the Garden District.

The Garden District is one of the most picturesque areas of New Orleans and is perfect for a romantic New Orleans getaway. Stroll along St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street to see what this neighborhood is known for.

Side streets like Jackson Avenue are quiet and just as scenic. Just watch your feet for all of the tree roots coming through the concrete that make for a fun obstacle course. 

Get your fortune told.

Jackson Square is a great place to make this happen, but you’ll see tarot readers and fortunetellers all over the French Quarter. Visit the one who speaks to you in the metaphysical sense, or whatever.

Spend the day at New Orleans City Park.

There is enough to do in New Orleans City Park that you can spend the bulk of a full day there. Here are my favorites:

• Smell the flowers or pose in a sultry fashion at the fountains in the New Orleans Botanical Garden, one of the most romantic date ideas New Orleans has to offer. 
• Rent a swan paddle boat, but keep the paddling to half an hour. More than that and things just aren’t as cute anymore. I’m sure you know what I mean.
• Stroll through the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Let me know if you see the yellow dog. I’ve been looking for him.
• Take a nap at The Singing Oak. Everyone else does. It’s either that or yoga, and I’m not sure anyone needs to see that from me or my partner.

Listen to some New Orleans jazz.

Catching some live music is one of my favorite things to do as a couple. Frenchmen Street is the hub of live jazz in New Orleans, and The Spotted Cat Music Club is my favorite if you’re able to make it through the line.

My girlfriend and I caught a set from the Chris Christy Band here, and they were very good. They came on early, too, before the crowds descended. Expect a one-drink minimum if you’re here to listen.

For food with your music, The Maison and Three Muses are both great options on Frenchmen Street. Preservation Hall in the French Quarter is the historical option, but it doesn’t have the comfiest listening experience.

See the art at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA).

If you’re already at City Park and want to linger, ponder the art at NOMA. This one was much bigger than I expected, so you should anticipate spending at least a few hours here.

There are over 40,000 pieces for you to check out while you’re here, including temporary exhibits that feature up-and-coming artists. On nice days, don’t miss the sculpture garden.

We didn’t have any issues walking up for day-of tickets, but you can also reserve them in advance if you’re worried.

Visit a New Orleans cemetery.

New Orleans cemeteries are some of the most atmospheric in the world, in part because the city is known for its above-ground graves. The most popular is St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 for its connection to voodoo queen Marie Laveau and Nicholas Cage.

You’ll need to book a tour to visit that one, but guided visits generally take less than an hour, leaving plenty of time after for conversation about what you saw.

If you miss out on a tour of the big one, you can enter St. Louis Cemetery 3 without one. It’s just as beautiful. 

Find your favorite sweet treats.

Go on a beignet tour to find your favorite sweet treats with your sweetie, one of the most fun dates in New Orleans.

I’m going to go ahead and say Cafe du Monde is a little overhyped. If you’ve never been, you may as well go (with cash in hand) so that you can compare it to Cafe Beignet later. 

Note: I do love that Cafe du Monde is right by Jackson Square, one of the most romantic places in New Orleans. If you follow my lead to Cafe Beignet, head to the original on Royal Street.

Here are a few more spots to hit if you’re looking for more variety in your New Orleans date ideas:

• Haydel’s Bakery: Haydel’s is the place for king cake. If you’re visiting around Mardi Gras, go get one. King cakes come with a baby inside. If you find it, you have to buy the next cake…or you’re going to have a baby. Now that’s romance.
• Loretta’s Authentic Pralines: We made it a point to drive through New Orleans on a separate road trip just to stop by Loretta’s for praline beignets. Here’s the deal: The open-faced crab beignets are even better.
• Luca Eats: This lunch spot has Oreo-stuffed beignets. It’s a bit of a gimmick, but if your honey loves Oreos, you may just need to go to Luca Eats. Expect a decent wait or call ahead at this one. Service was aggressively slow on our visit.
• Stuph’d: The king cake beignet at Stuph’d Beignets & Burgers is one of the most indulgent things we ate in New Orleans, and that’s saying a lot. If you’re looking for something savory, order the Creole Queen with crawfish, crab, and shrimp.
• The Vintage: This hipster-ish spot on Magazine Street has both beignet flights and beignet bites. The flights include daily flavors like matcha or raspberry fillings. If you’re feeling cheeky, The Vintage also serves up bubbles.

Go on a New Orleans cocktail crawl.

If Bourbon Street screams romance to you, scream back. You may need to, especially on a weekend. I’m too old to visit Bourbon Street bars after dark, but one place I like sending people to is Jean Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House.

Fun fact: This watering hole has been around in some form since 1807.

Order any of their absinthe drinks if you don’t mind the likely weird dreams you’ll have the night after.

From there, you’re well-situated to all kinds of debauchery at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop or a classier experience at Effervescence. The Carousel Bar & Lounge could be a good time if you find a seat at the bar, but that place is constantly packed.

Enjoy some dark tourism.

I have a weird idea of romance. I realize this. I like to see things that I’m interested in, and when I see that my partner shares a morbid fascination with the exhibits at the Museum of Death, watch out. 

You won’t hold a wedding here, but you will learn about body bags, the Manson family, and serial killer artwork. True crime fans, this one is for you.

Take a cooking class.

The New Orleans School of Cooking offers cooking classes for couples interested in perfecting their Cajun and Creole skills in the kitchen. Class sizes are kept small so your experience will never get too chaotic.

Cooking with Brian is one of my favorite times of the day. There’s just something about creating something delicious together that’s great for a relationship. If things go south at any point, it’s a good way to see how your partner deals with putting out (literal) fires.

READ MORE: Traveling as a couple is our default. Check out more tips on how we stay happy and sane through it all!

Visit the city’s best museums.

Speaking of museums, knowledge is sexy. I already mentioned the art museum, a highly recommended spot whether you know anything about art or not, and the more macabre. There’s so much more to fill your brains with in New Orleans. 

Learn about the city’s history and more at some of New Orleans’ best museums:

• The National WWII Museum: Military buffs won’t want to miss The National WWII Museum, even if war history doesn’t rev your engine. This New Orleans museum is in the central business district of the city.
• New Orleans Pharmacy Museum: What isn’t hot about voodoo potions and learning about how much lead we used in baby nipples back in the day? Fine. It’s not that hot, but it’s hella interesting.
• New Orleans Jazz Museum: Learn more about how jazz came to be in New Orleans at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Try to time your visit during one of their live music events.

Indulge in some comfort food.

We ate a lot of delicious things in New Orleans, but not all of it was fancy. New Orleans is a fantastic budget destination if you know where to look.

Here are a few of my faves:

• Barrow’s Catfish: We had plenty of catfish on our visit to New Orleans, but Barrow’s Catfish is supposed to be the best. This one has been open since 1943 when it was only serving catfish on the menu. That’s how good it is.
• Casamento’s Restaurant: Oysters are an aphrodisiac for those who don’t compare them to boogers of the sea. Seasonal Casamento’s serves them up shucked to order in old-school digs.
• Dooky Chase’s: Dooky Chase’s in Treme comes with some historical heft. It was known for being a meeting place for leaders of the Civil Rights movement back in the day. Head over for fried chicken with your history.
• Heard Dat Kitchen: Heard Dat Kitchen wasn’t open for indoor dining on our visit. We took our shrimp and grits, “dat fries,” and red beans and rice with fried kitchen to one of their outdoor tables with no regrets. It was delicious and indulgent.
• Willie Mae’s Scotch House: While this beloved eatery has yet to reopen following a damaging fire, Willie Mae’s NOLA is open as a full-service option. The original often tops lists as the best fried chicken in New Orleans. I sure didn’t complain.

Picnic on the Bayou St. John.

The Bayou St. John has all kinds of great picnic spots by the water, and it was never busy during our visit. Start at the Parkway Tavern nearby for poor boys if you didn’t pack lunch. Order online for quick pickup.

Fun fact: Yes, I meant what I said when I called them “poor boys.” You may get po’ boys elsewhere, but that’s not what’s happening here.

Take a walk along the bayou after lunch (or before if you’re working up an appetite). Don’t miss the funny gator signage along the shoreline.

Explore the city’s green spaces.

Put those sneakers on and hit more of New Orleans’ best green spaces, hand in hand. Louis Armstrong Park is a lovely place with fountains, sculptures, and Congo Square, an important historical site. 

The square began as an open space for slaves and freedmen (and women) to meet, sell goods, and play music. The drum circles started here would become the backbone of the live music scene in New Orleans.

Audubon Park is massive and home to the Audubon Zoo. We spent our visit there checking out the impressive Tree of Life and walking along Audubon Riverview Park.

Some of the park was closed down due to storm damage, but that didn’t stop the rollerblader we observed behind the caution tape. 

Meet the fish at the Audubon Aquarium.

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a great place to find out whether your partner loves otters or is a sociopath.

I love a good aquarium, and this one delivered. You’ll see otters (heck yes!), sharks, a big ol’ sea turtle, penguins, and all kinds of funky fish. I did think it was a little pricey for the size, but that’s where your date comes in.

I’m nothing if not all about equal pay, meaning my date can pay my way to make up for years of inequity.

Go to a burlesque show.

If you’re looking for sexy things to do in New Orleans with your partner, the city’s burlesque shows can get pretty steamy. The Van Ella Bordella is a popular immersive experience. Trixie Minx Productions is known for its showgirls.

KAPOW: Burlesque With A Bang! combines burlesque with drag. Whether you’re new to the art form or a longtime fan, these shows provide a playful way for couples to spend the evening.

Experience Mardi Gras.

You don’t need to pack the beads to experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans. No matter when you visit the city, you’ll feel that Mardi spirit at Mardi Gras World.

Note: I thought it was a little bit overpriced for what it was, especially because the unsecured parking lot is another fee on top of admission. I’ve since learned that I should expect real tours in post-pandemic times, which would justify the cost.

Our walk through the place was self-guided, so we weren’t really sure what we were looking at other than giant floats and art pieces that go on those floats. I won’t pretend that they weren’t fun to see, though.

That bit was all great and very Instagram-worthy. Social media couples, this one’s for you.

If you love all things Mardi Gras, by the way, you’ll want to visit Mobile, Alabama, where it all began!

Take a food tour.

Food tours have become one of our favorite ways to explore a city. It doesn’t matter if we know the city really well, either. We’ve done them in Paris, too, a city we know quite well.

While it’s easy to find delicious eats on most corners of New Orleans, a food tour might result in some special spots you wouldn’t come upon otherwise. This one looks great if you’re already in the French Quarter.

If you want to mitigate the damage done by all of the calories, this one combines the city’s culinary delights with a bike tour of the city.

Spend the day in the Bywater.

The Bywater was my favorite neighborhood in New Orleans during our month-long stay there. If you’ve already been there/done that, your romantic getaways in New Orleans don’t need to be all about the French Quarter.

Step outside of your comfort zone and explore the Bywater.

Here are a few romantic things to do in the Bywater if you trust my judgment:

• Bacchanal Wine: What isn’t romantic about wine? What isn’t romantic about cheese boards? (Apologies if you’re lactose intolerant.) Share a bottle and listen to some tunes on the outdoor patio. It’s all vibes.
• Studio Be: Studio Be is a warehouse art space from local artist BMike. Large art pieces feature moving depictions of police brutality and the importance of Black leaders. A workspace shows art in progress.
• Crescent Park: Climb the rusty rainbow to stroll this riverside park from end to end for an easy 1.4 miles. If you’re traveling with your pup, there’s a small but sufficient dog run for dog shenanigans. Just bring your own water.
• Bratz Y’all Bistro: German beer hall-inspired Bratz Y’all is a great place for a casual lunch and live music in their beer garden if you time things right. One of the greatest misses of my life is failing to order their king cake stuffed pretzel.
• Pizza Delicious: The ambiance of Pizza Delicious doesn’t scream romance, but eating pizza always does. Take it back to whatever cute accommodations you’ve booked for the night for a casual night in.

Wander a farmers market.

Pick up something fresh for a picnic later or spend the morning checking out what local producers have to offer at one of the city’s best farmers markets.

The Crescent City Farmers Market runs in Uptown on Tuesdays, Mid-City on Wednesdays, and City Park on Sundays. The French Market District, which cover six blocks of the French Quarter, is open daily.

Since it’s mild in New Orleans year-round, you don’t have to worry about getting snowed out.

Get funky at JAMNOLA.

JAMNOLA is an immersive art experience perfect for couples looking for something playful. I went here with my girlfriend, but image Brian would have had fun posing with giant lobsters and alligators.

Each room comes with a theme. That might be Mardi Gras or a live video stand where you can practice your best dance moves as a camera swirls around you.

You likely won’t need more than an hour or so inside, but you’ll probably laugh a lot during your time inside. You have to book tickets online before you go, but you don’t need to plan too far ahead.

Ride the streetcars for fun.

You don’t even need a destination. The city’s historic streetcars are a charming way to explore New Orleans from the the oak-lined streets of St. Charles Avenue to the scenic Riverfront.

The activity’s budget-friendly, too. It’ll cost you just $1.25 per ride. (You’ll need correct change.) You can also download Le Pass, the city’s app for all public transit, and pay with your phone.

If you do use them for transportation, it’ll save you some steps so that you can conserve your energy for other stuff later. You can do with that comment what you will!

Eat a romantic dinner.

Here are a few of my faves for a special meal for two:

• Brigtsen’s: It feels like you’re dining with friends at Brigtsen’s if you have friends that make modern Creole cuisine. The best dish we had was the BBQ shrimp. Our server suggested bread to dip in the sauce and it was the right move.
• LUVI: I loved me some LUVI. We opted for a few raw bar items — start with the monkey snack if you want to see how good banana and salmon can be — and a few warm items. The dan dan noodles and curry dumplings were divine.
• N7: If you’re seeking New Orleans anniversary ideas, this was the best meal I had in town. It feels like you’re dining in a secret French garden. Make sure you order the smoked mackerel with a glass of hot wine once you’re seated.
• Peche: Peche is a fantastic place to go for fresh seafood. Order a bunch of things to share whether you’re with someone who enjoys that sort of thing or not. The peel ‘n eat gulf shrimp are fantastic. The fried bread is yummy.

Share a plate of bananas Foster.

Brennan’s is the birthplace of the bananas Foster. The dessert is flambéed tableside. If that doesn’t sound like an excellent date idea, I’m not sure what would.

Make reservations even if it’s just for dessert, as this is a New Orleans tourist fave. The rest of the menu is great, too. This is on the fine dining side, so bring a working credit card.

Take a cocktail class.

For a side of historical intrigue with your cocktails, reserve a free tour of The Sazerac House. You and your love will get quite a few little tastes of bitters, rum, rye whiskey, and the museum/distillery’s namesake: the sazerac. 

I’m a vodka gal, but love to taste the local flavors. The virtual bartenders are a nice touch, too.

Once you’re done with your tour, you can take one of their cocktail classes to learn how to make the city’s signature cocktail or one of your own. The New Orleans Drink Lab is another popular option for cocktail classes.

Go on a ghost tour.

Hold onto your honey as you learn about the city’s haunted past, one of those cute New Orleans date night ideas that come with built-in cuddling potential.

Some of the tours come as a pub crawl. Others focus on the historical aspects of New Orleans’ haunted past. Most will stop at the LaLaurie Mansion, one of the most haunted properties in the French Quarter.

Check out these highly-rated options:

Try a New Orleans brewery.

I’ve shared spots for wine and cocktails, but New Orleans has a great beer scene, too. Here are a few we’d recommend:

• Parleaux Beer Lab: Head to Parleaux Beer Lab in the Bywater for make-your-own tasters and a good variety of beer styles, including my favorite, sours.
• NOLA Brewing Company: Order pizza by the slice and tasters of beer to take up to the rooftop patio at NOLA Brewing Company.
• Brieux Carré Brewing Company: Brieux Carré in the Bywater is small if the patio’s not available, but the beer is tasty and the staff is friendly.

Fauborg Brewing Co., Second Line Brewing, and Zony Mash Beer Project were all on our list that we couldn’t get to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try them.

Plan around a festival.

I don’t know if I’d love attending Mardi Gras with Brian at this point in my life, but New Orleans is pretty spoiled with choice when it comes to festivals. Here are a few that would make for good date ideas:

• French Quarter Festival: This free music festival happens over four days in April. Enjoy over 20 stages with artists across niche areas in the French Quarter.
• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: This is the city’s biggest annual festival. It’s a celebration of the city’s deep connection to music, art, and culture.
• New Orleans Wine and Food Experience: I love a good food and wine festival. This summer option pairs the two with special events that teach attendees about both.

Visit a plantation.

New Orleans offers all kinds of opportunities for you to tour plantations from what some still consider the “good old days.” I do not, so avoid most of these testaments to the slavery past of the United States like the plague.

The exception here is the Whitney Plantation, the only Louisiana plantation museum focused on the history of the enslaved people who worked there. You’ll get a self-guided audio tour and hear from descendants of slaves as you walk the grounds. 

This is powerful stuff, and shared experiences like this make relationships stronger.

Charleston is another romantic city that offers some truth-telling in this area.

READ MORE: Love the idea of visiting Charleston? Check out my one-day itinerary.

Hit the road.

New Orleans is an excellent base for day trips if you want to spend more time with your honey or are planning a romantic weekend in New Orleans. I’ve got a guide for all of the trips we took during our month there.

A few of my personal favorites were Baton Rouge, a drive down the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, and Fontainebleau State Park.

Yes, it includes swamp tours if you find gators binging on marshmallows romantic.

Book a romantic hotel.

Your New Orleans romantic getaways should include a stay at the best hotels in New Orleans for couples.

The Canal Street Inn is a romantic bed and breakfast that boasts big rooms and multiple parlors for you to rest after a long day of romantic activities in New Orleans.

Rathbone Mansions New Orleans consists of two separate historic mansions across the street from one another. Both properties look lovely.

The Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans is just about a mile from the French Quarter. A hot breakfast and self-parking won’t add to the stress of your couple’s trip.

Care to browse a bit? Use the map below for more New Orleans accommodations:

New Orleans is an excellent city for couples.

Eat your way through the city, go on a spooky tour, or sit back to some of the best live jazz in the country. New Orleans has something to offer no matter what you and your honey are after.