My husband and I recently escaped to New Orleans for a weekend getaway, and we are already ready to visit again! Instead of just hitting the tourist spots, we discovered intimate jazz clubs, charming bookstores, interactive dates, festivals, Black-Owned businesses, and romantic dining spots that made us fall in love with New Orleans.
If you’re looking for a couples’ weekend destination that includes all of the above, we can’t recommend New Orleans enough! This blog post will give you our complete 3+ days itinerary to help you plan your trip.
Day 1 of Your Fun, Romantic Getaway in New Orleans
Check Into your Hotel and Enjoy Dinner
We stayed at the Old No 77 Hotel & Chandlery and liked it! The location was within walking distance or a short Uber ride to most attractions, and it had an awesome restaurant inside, a mini art gallery, and a hip lobby. For help choosing a hotel aligned with your travel style, neighborhood preference, and budget, check out this website.
If you arrive in the evening as we did and happen to stay at Old No 77 Hotel & Chandlery, check into the hotel and your room, then head downstairs to Compere Lapin for dinner. If not, it’s a short walk or Uber from most central areas. The menu here is inspired by the Owner/Chef Nina Compton’s Caribbean roots and the culinary heritage of New Orleans. Everyone says the curried goat is the best thing on the menu, but when I saw my favorite fish, branzino, on the menu, we had to go with that! We also really liked the Sorrel Tea and mocktail that the bartender freestyled.
If you get in late, try Sun Chong Nola, as they are open a bit later than some other restaurants.
Day 2 of Your Fun, Romantic Getaway in New Orleans
Breakfast at Cafe Beignet
There are several places in New Orleans to try beignets, the city’s famous fried doughy treat covered in powder. However, at Cafe Beignet, we noticed that they were a bit larger than some of the other places we had or saw them. We also appreciate that you can try the famous treat at Cafe Beignet and have a proper breakfast since they have a full menu with both New Orleans’ specialty and traditional options.
We were short on time, so my husband and I ordered beignets (of course!) and breakfast sandwiches since they were quick to make. However, I was really curious to try the crawfish omelet!
Day Date at Tijon
We love including dates on our trip itineraries, and this one at Tijon was perfect. We took the Mix and Match perfume class, where we created three different perfumes and bottled the one we liked best. As fragrance lovers, it was fun mixing and trying various combinations of oils to create a scent we loved.
While this was a date for us, the class had couples and friends, so it was an experience open to everyone.
You could also splurge on a couples massage experience or go for a more interactive date like a glassblowing or cooking class if fragrance isn’t up your alley or if you want to do multiple dates on your trip. We heard good things about these date ideas from locals.
Lunch at Lil Dizzy’s Cafe
This family-run Creole-Soul restaurant is so good and worth every single calorie. I had the catfish with green beans and mac & cheese, and LJ had a sausage PO boy. Gordon Ramsay even agrees! He went there twice in one week while we were in town.
Visit a Museum
New Orleans has dozens of museums ranging from art, history, Mardi Gras, nature, and much more. Below are a few to consider, and here is a museum list by category.
Address: 1531 St. Philip Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70116
Cost: $25 for adults, $20 for locals
IG: @WWiiMuseum
Address: 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130
Cost: $35 for adults
Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir. City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70124
Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for locals; admission to their beautiful Sculpture Garden is free
Stop at Baldwin & Co
Okay, I know a bookstore might not be a typical stop on your weekend itinerary when on a trip. But, if you are a book lover like me or enjoy bookstore vibes, this is one you want to check out. It offers a tasty latte and juice menu, cool events with impressive authors and speakers, and super friendly staff!
Dinner at Vyonne’s
This romantic restaurant serves modern French food. I had the redfish, and my husband had the steak, but we loved the dessert the most. We had the white chocolate rum cake and the peach upside-down cake, which were incredible! Like, send a postcard home, good! The owner and our waitress were also lovely!
Day 3 of Your Fun, Romantic Getaway in New Orleans
Start Your Morning in Nature at City Park
City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, spanning over 1300 acres and offering many activities, such as exploring a sculpture garden and riding kayaks, swan boats, or bikes. The Park is also home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Louisiana Children’s Museum, Couturie Forest and Arboretum, and the New Orleans Botanical Garden.
PRO Tip: If you want to try beignets at the famous Cafe du Monde but don’t want to deal with big crowds, try them here as there is a location in the park.
Experience a Festival
New Orleans has over 100 festivals each year, so no matter the weekend, there is bound to be one to check out! They have several festivals across categories, from music, art, food, and culture. The Fried Chicken Festival took place when we were there, and we got to try some delicious award-winning chicken.
Check out the festival line-up and schedule to see what is going on during your visit.
Visit Vue Orleans
This was a fun way to learn more about New Orleans’s history and culture! There are seven interactive exhibits, nine films, and 360-degree views of the city from the highest observation deck in town.
Freshen Up for Your Night Out
Dinner Date at Arnaud’s Jazz Bistro
This 100+ year-old restaurant is perfect for a special date night or occasion! The service, food, and live music are excellent! It is also steps away from Bourbon Street and other music venues, so you can keep the evening going post-dinner if you like.
We had shrimp, crabcakes, filet mignon, two orders of souffle potatoes because they were so good, asparagus, and the Arnaud Salad. For dessert, we had the banana foster, which was prepared tableside. And, when we thought the night couldn’t get any better, the band came over and serenaded me! The restaurant is seriously the perfect addition for a romantic getaway in New Orleans.
Enjoy Live Music at The Jazz Playhouse
After dinner, keep the night going by enjoying some live music. When we went, the soulful Nayo Jones and her band gave an outstanding performance. Check out the Jazz Playhouse event calendar to see who will hit the stage when you’re in town for your very own romantic getaway in New Orleans.
Take a Stroll Down Bourbon Street
From the Jazz Playhouse, you are right there. We aren’t big clubbers, but there is no denying how electrifying this iconic 13-block street is. The street is worth a scroll, even if you don’t necessarily want to go inside any of the bars. The locals also recommended Frenchmen Street as an alternative if you want something similar but a little more low-key.
Day 4 of Your Fun, Romantic Getaway in New Orleans
Brunch in Chapter IV
This is such a wonderful place for breakfast/brunch and lunch. You know how some people come from a family of cooks, and you just know their food will always be on point. This is that, but the restaurant version. It’s called Chapter IV because the owner/chef is the fourth generation of the Chase Family (grandson of Chef Leah Chase) and the fourth restaurant in the family. Talk about legacy! Anyway, the food was GOOD! We shared the gumbo, which was top-tier, and I had the seafood linguine, which ended up being one of my favorite dishes of the weekend. My husband ordered a chicken and pancake dish and enjoyed it.
Ride the Historical St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
New Orleans’ St. Charles Avenue Streetcar has been rolling through the city since 1835, making it the world’s longest-running streetcar service that is still in operation! It has four different routes and currently only costs $3 for a day pass. We rode through the Garden District and admired the beautiful homes, parks, and universities. You can find more details on the street car itineraries here.
Explore the French Market
The French Market encompasses six vibrant blocks of New Orleans history where European market traditions meet local Louisiana flair. Starting at the famous Café du Monde and stretching to Esplanade Avenue’s flea market, this open-air landmark offers a mix of fresh local produce, original artwork, handmade crafts, and unique shopping experiences.
Try Chargrilled Oysters at Superior Seafood
We told some locals that we must have some chargrilled oysters while in New Orleans, and they sent us to Superior Seafood! We didn’t know it until we arrived, but not only were the chargrilled oysters delicious, but you also got to watch oyster shucking and listen to live music!
From the moment we stepped onto the historic streets until our final beignet, New Orleans proved why it’s an excellent destination for couples seeking a getaway filled with romance, culture, good food, and new experiences.
Valentine’s Day falls on President’s Day weekend next year, so plan ahead for the perfect fun, romantic getaway in New Orleans! You can use the blog post and visit www.NewOrleans.Com to help plan your trip.
Our trip and this blog post were sponsored by New Orleans & Company, but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
