10 Best Things to Do for Couples in New Orleans

Many people think of the French Quarter as the heart of New Orleans, thanks to its 18th-century buildings, townhouses, and art galleries. The area is packed with history, culture, and gastronomy.

The historic Jackson Square is a nice place for a stroll and is often lined with street artists and free exhibitions, jazz musicians, and fortune tellers. Head to the romantic Garden District to enjoy views of beautiful gardens and grand mansions. If you’re a horror fan, you can visit spooky historical landmarks such as New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum and LaLaurie Mansion.

Bayou Saint John offers lots of fun water sports like canoeing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. There are many shops that offer equipment rentals for those who want to explore the waterway. You'll get to paddle out towards Lake Pontchartrain and enjoy views of French Quarter and City Park.

If you prefer to enjoy the water from a distance, the western bank of Bayou St. John features a 4.7-mile-long Wisner Bike Path where you can enjoy the tree-lined pathways with many joggers.

The Southern Food & Beverage Museum showcases the culinary history of South Louisiana with interesting galleries, demonstrations, and tasting sessions. This is your chance to immerse yourself in the magnificent food culture of New Orleans. 

On Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the museum offers cooking classes for those looking to try their hand at making dishes such as bananas foster, jambalaya, and gumbo. If you and your partner share a love for cocktails, check out the Museum of the American Cocktail located in the same building. The price of admission admits you to both museums.

City Park, located by Victory Avenue, is arguably the largest green space in New Orleans. On sunny days, you may see locals enjoying a stroll or sharing a picnic at the botanic garden. If you and your partner are feeling nostalgic, check out Storyland. This whimsical garden setting has 20 sculptures of popular fairy tale characters.

In addition to the art of nature, City Park also houses the New Orleans Museum of Art, which displays over 40,000 French and American paintings, photographs, and art installations.

Café du Monde dates back to 1862, making it one of the oldest coffee shops in New Orleans. It’s open 24 hours a day, so whether you want to start your day with coffee and beignets or you’re looking for somewhere to relax in the evening, the Café du Monde is ready for you.

Grab a seat outside to enjoy views of Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Cabildo. Food-wise, we highly recommend the beignets, which are square donuts sprinkled with powdered sugar. Café du Monde stays pretty packed all day long, so consider visiting early in the morning or after 9pm to avoid a long wait.

Established in 1961, Preservation Hall is a monument to New Orleans Jazz. Deep in the French Quarter, this is where you’ll find the soul of the city with live music almost every night of the year.

From the street, this venue looks like just another building, with none of the grandeur of bigger concert halls, but don’t walk on by. It’s recognizable by the iconic trumpet-case sign hanging above the door. Step on in and uncover the secret world of New Orleans Jazz. Grab a drink and experience live music like you never have before.

Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World is a working studio and museum displaying thousands of extravagant costumes, floats, and props for Mardi Gras celebrations. Founded in 1947, it occupies a 37,000 sq m warehouse in the Port of New Orleans, about 1 mile north of the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

Its many wacky creations include a dragon-shaped float and giant sculptures of Disney characters. You can even rummage through the trunks of clothes and dress up in your favorite Mardi Gras costume during your visit.

Steamboat Natchez is the only steamboat in New Orleans that offers cruises down the Mississippi River. Couples can enjoy the dinner cruise for a romantic evening getaway. You get to enjoy a buffet of Creole dishes and live jazz throughout the 2-hour-long journey. However, these dinner cruises are popular, so book in advance.

There are also cruises throughout the day and professional photographs are available. Don’t worry about dressing up too much, but you should try to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure time.

There are many ways of exploring New Orleans, but fans of the macabre get to learn about urban legends, ghost sightings, and gory events by joining a haunted tour of the city. Magic and the supernatural are baked into the city’s culture and ghost stories can be found everywhere.

As part of your tour, local guides take you to historical landmarks such as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which houses the tomb of voodoo queen Marie Laveau, the infamous Lalaurie Mansion, and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. Who knows? You may even encounter a ghost on your way...

Bourbon Street, located in French Quarter, is arguably New Orleans’ liveliest nightlife hub. You’re bound to hear live jazz or rock and roll in the evening as some of the city’s best jazz clubs, bars, and burlesque theaters are located along this street.

This vibrant, colorful street dates back to 1718, when the city was founded, but it hasn’t lost any energy over the centuries. At Mardi Gras, you’ll find it bursting with color and celebration, but it’s a great place to visit all year round. A popular spot is Fritzel’s European Jazz Club, which has been hosting nightly traditional jazz performances since 1831.