28 Fun Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples (2024)

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

We spent a full month in New Orleans exploring the best of the city, including eating at the best New Orleans restaurants, strolling the city’s best green spaces, and attempting to keep up at New Orleans jazz clubs.

You may not see the usual stuff like a carriage ride tour of the city on this list, but you will see all kinds of things that I personally find even more romantic. Don’t you just feel bad for those horses anyway?

Here’s your guide to fun things to do in New Orleans for couples.

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Is New Orleans a good place to visit for couples?

New Orleans is a very good place to visit for couples. There are attractions no matter what you’re interested in and so many delicious places to eat in the Crescent City.

Why is New Orleans romantic?

New Orleans is romantic because of its excellent food scene, vibrant music scene, and lively vibes. It also boasts quite a few quirky attractions and opportunities for more adventurous pursuits. It’s the perfect place for couples who want a little bit of everything.

Fun Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples

Picnic on the Bayou St. John, stroll hand-in-hand in the Garden District, and eat at some of the most romantic restaurants in the city on a date in New Orleans. Much of the city is gritty and in recovery, but that only makes New Orleans more resilient.

Isn’t that kinda hot?

If you’d like a map of all the stops I’ll highlight in this guide to romance in New Orleans, check out the Google map below:

GIMME THAT NEW ORLEANS MAP!

1. Kick things off with (Irish) coffee.

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? I came to the Erin Rose for the cheap drinks promised to me by a friend of mine, and it certainly delivered on that. The dive bar is also home to Killer Poboys, which goes very well with their frozen Irish coffee. Go with their whiskey grilled cheese if you’re not sure what to order.

2. Find your favorite sweet treats.

Go on a beignet tour to find your favorite sweet treats with your sweetie. 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:

• 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.

3. Add bubbles to your beignets at 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.

4. Brunch at Cafe Degas.

Cafe Degas is consistently voted as one of the best date restaurants in New Orleans. I’m going to go ahead and agree, even though I went with my girlfriend, not Brian.

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.

5. Go on a Garden District walking tour.

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 couples obstacle course. 

If you’re loving it in the Garden District, take a stroll down Esplanade Avenue, too. The historic street and its enormous homes will take you down to City Park on the other end.

6. 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.
• Looking for things to do in New Orleans for free? 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.

7. Check out 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 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, one of the more unique things to do in New Orleans for couples.

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

8. Enjoy some dark tourism at the Museum of Death.

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.

9. Feed your minds at more New Orleans 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 more about New Orleans 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.

10. Lunch at New Orleans’ more casual eateries.

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, so we took our shrimp and grits, “dat fries,” and red beans and rice with fried kitchen to one of their outdoor tables. It was delicious and indulgent.
• Willie Mae’s Scotch House: While this beloved eatery has yet to reopen following a damaging fire, it’s worth monitoring its reopening closely. Willie Mae’s often tops lists as the best fried chicken in New Orleans. I sure didn’t complain.

11. Book a cemetery tour.

If you loved the idea of the Museum of Death, a cemetery tour is another excursion I’d highly recommend on your visit to New Orleans.

If you miss out on a tour of the big one, St. Louis Cemetery 1, you can enter St. Louis Cemetery 3 without one. It’s just as beautiful. 

Here are a few guided tours that come highly recommended:

12. 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.

13. Make fish faces 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.

14. 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.

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

15. Tap your feet to some New Orleans jazz.

Catching some live music is one of my favorite things to do as a couple. It just so happens Brian was out of town when I hit up Frenchmen Street for jazz at The Spotted Cat Music Club, basically the best spot to catch local acts.

My girlfriend and I caught a set from the Chris Christy Band here, and they were very good. Expect a one-drink minimum if you’re here to listen.

There’s a parrot across the street that sounds like a cranky old woman which will certainly cut any tension if you and your partner are feeling sassy around navigating parking around here. It’ll be OK. Sweet tunes await.

16. Explore 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:

• 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.

17. Sip wine to live tunes at Bacchanal Wine.

This Bywater establishment deserves its own mention as my favorite spot in New Orleans.

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.

18. Get funky at JAMNOLA.

JAMNOLA is a series of interactive art spaces curated by local New Orleans artists. I don’t know what else to say about it other than you’ll have a ton of opportunities for Instagram pics while you’re there. It’s one of those crazy things to do in New Orleans that’s perfect for quirky couples.

I visited with my girlfriend, but I can only imagine the weird stuff I would have made Brian do here. Visit with your honey and take all the couples selfies you’ve been dreaming of during your self-guided adventure.

19. Explore the city’s green spaces.

Put those sneakers on and hit some 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 the Audubon Riverview Park, two of the best things for couples to do in New Orleans.

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

20. Eat at the best date restaurants in New Orleans.

Food is life. Living is great. Eating is the best.

I don’t know how else to say it. Eating your way through New Orleans on foodie tours of your own making is the best.

I’ve already mentioned Cafe Degas for brunch, but 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.
• Toups’ Meatery: Head to Toups’ Meatery if you love your meats. That part is obvious. You should also head to Toups’ if you love boudin balls, deep-fried balls of pork sausage and love. Their mussels are great, too.

21. Leave room for 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.

22. Enjoy a New Orleans cocktail or two.

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 didn’t want to miss was 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.

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, easily making this one of the best places to go in New Orleans.

23. Enjoy a craft beer or two.

If you’re not into cocktails, the city has a vibrant craft beer scene for New Orleans date night ideas.

Here are a few I’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. We visited on a weekday so it wasn’t busy in the slightest, and the pizza was delicious.
• 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. They specialize in European styles.

Interested in a few more? We weren’t able to get to all the breweries on my list. Fauborg Brewing Co., Second Line Brewing, and Zony Mash Beer Project were all on my list.

24. 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.

25. Go on a ghost tour.

I already mentioned cemetery tours as an excellent option for the dark tourism folks out there, but New Orleans is also known for its ghost tours. Hold onto your honey as you learn about the city’s haunted past, one of those cute date ideas in New Orleans that comes with built-in cuddling potential.

Check out these highly-rated options:

26. Go on a real New Orleans plantation tour.

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.

27. Plan a New Orleans day trip.

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.

28. 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 is 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 couples’ trip.

Care to browse a bit? Use the map below for more New Orleans hotels and apartments:

New Orleans Couples Activities: FAQs

Is New Orleans a fun trip?

New Orleans is a very fun trip, whether you’re traveling solo, with your gal pals, or as a pair. If you’re looking for fun things to do in New Orleans for adults on date night, it has plenty of that, too. 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 things to do cover the bases no matter what you’re after.

Planning a honeymoon in New Orleans? Pin me!