We Found 14 Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples That Are Actually Worth It

There’s something about New Orleans that practically flirts with you from the moment you land.

Maybe it’s the humid, jasmine-scented air that clings to your skin like a silk slip. Maybe it’s the brass band casually tearing it up on a street corner at 3 p.m.

Or maybe it’s just that the city oozes romance without trying too hard, like a partner who knows they’re hot and doesn’t need the grand gesture.

If you’re planning a couples’ getaway and want to skip the cliché rose petals and room service route, New Orleans is your love language.

Think: late-night beignets, hidden courtyards made for tipsy makeouts, romantic hotels, and voodoo shops that are weirdly sexy in a “tell me your rising sign” kind of way.

So pack your comfiest walking shoes and your most unhinged date night outfit. We’re about to fall hard.

Scenic Strolls, Steamy Views, and All the Feels

Looking for things to do in New Orleans for couples that are equal parts romantic and ridiculously scenic? You’re in the right place.

Whether you’re feeling flirty on the ferry or smitten in the Garden District, these experiences turn NOLA into your personal rom-com set!

French Quarter Stroll

Yes, it’s touristy. And yes, you’re absolutely doing it anyway.

Wandering hand-in-hand through the French Quarter is peak date energy, especially when you detour down Royal Street for a little art gallery window shopping and “we could totally hang this in our future beach house” delusion.

Jackson Square is a great stop, too, where the St. Louis Cathedral looms like a gothic rom-com backdrop just begging for a cute photo op.

Grab a coffee from Café du Monde nearby and pretend you’re starring in your own vintage travel ad.

Pro Tip: Skip Bourbon Street unless you’re craving yard drinks and chaos. There’s plenty of romance tucked just a few blocks away.

Carriage Ride

Cue the clip-clop soundtrack because this is romance on four legs. A mule-drawn carriage ride through the French Quarter is old-school in the best way, like Nicholas Sparks with a little Southern spice.

Some rides even take you into the Garden District, where you’ll roll past dreamy mansions that look straight out of a haunted Bridgerton reboot.

It’s cozy, kitschy, and perfect for snuggling while your guide casually drops ghost stories and scandalous local lore.

City Park & Sculpture Garden

Looking for free things to do in New Orleans for couples that feel low-key and lovely? City Park is your go-to!

Pack a picnic, spread out under the oaks, and then wander through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden like you’re classy and cultured (even if your last art reference was a Bob Ross rerun).

It’s next to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), one of the most respected art institutions in the South.

While not to be confused with Louis Armstrong Park near Congo Square, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans Museum of Art is a common search phrase, and we totally get why.

Jazz and fine art? Very date material!

Bonus: It’s less crowded than the Quarter, so you can actually hear each other flirt.

Riverboat Cruise

Want a date night that feels like a movie montage? Hop aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen for a jazz dinner cruise down the Mississippi.

You’ll sip cocktails, listen to live music, and watch the sun melt into the skyline like a praline in August.

There’s something wildly romantic about floating past the city lights while a trumpet solo fills the air.

Dress cute, order the étouffée, and toast to the fact that your evening involves both jazz and jambalaya.

For the Couple Who Wants a Little Rhythm With Their Romance

Things for couples to do in New Orleans include way more than just beignets and balcony views. If music, museums, and a little second-line sass sound like your kind of date, keep reading!

Live Jazz

Ducking into jazz clubs in New Orleans is basically a relationship rite of passage. Start with the legendary Preservation Hall, where the music is raw, the room is tiny, and the vibes are chef’s kiss.

Or, head to Frenchmen Street and pop into The Spotted Cat, where the drinks are flowing, the band is jamming, and the dance floor is just big enough for some spontaneous swaying.

It’s sweaty, soulful, and exactly the kind of night you’ll talk about every anniversary.

Louis Armstrong Park is a great spot to slow things down, too, between sets, with winding paths, fountains, and nods to NOLA’s jazz roots.

Pro Tip: For a deeper musical moment, take a quiet walk through Congo Square, the historic heart of African-American music in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras World

Want to see where the Mardi Gras magic actually happens? Mardi Gras World is like walking into a glitter bomb in the best way.

You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at float-building, costume-making, and all the outrageous extras that make Mardi Gras so iconic.

It’s quirky, colorful, and wildly Instagrammable. Plus, they give you free king cake, which is basically our love language!

Sazerac House

Sazerac House is what happens when a museum and a cocktail bar fall in love. It’s interactive, boozy, and weirdly romantic if you’re into mixology and mood lighting.

You’ll learn how the Sazerac became New Orleans’ signature drink, sample a few sips, and maybe leave with a bottle of bitters and a shared buzz. It’s classy, a little tipsy, and the perfect pre-dinner date stop.

Boozy, Bizarre, and Beyond Beignets

Unique things to do in New Orleans for couples include more than just beignets and bourbon. If your idea of romance involves shared bites, spicy cocktails, and a little culinary chaos, this section’s for you.

Get ready to eat weird, drink well, and fall in love somewhere between a crawfish boil and a cocktail class!

Commander’s Palace

If you’re going to dress up for one meal, make it this one.

Commander’s Palace is iconic for a reason, with white tablecloth energy, award-winning Creole cuisine, and turtle soup that somehow makes you feel both fancy and slightly rebellious.

Pro Tip: Book a weekday lunch and take full advantage of their 25-cent martinis. Yes, you read that right—twenty-five cents.

You’re allowed four, and no, that’s not a dare… unless you’re taking the streetcar home.

N7

Tucked behind a nondescript wooden gate in the Bywater, N7 feels like a secret garden date night your cooler friends would recommend.

It’s French-Japanese, which means you can order steak tartare and sardine toast while sipping wine under twinkly string lights.

Locals love it for its dreamy vibe and ridiculously good small plates. Come for the ambiance, stay for the kind of meal that turns into a three-hour “should we move here?” conversation.

Café Du Monde

Sure, it’s a tourist spot, but it’s the tourist spot.

Beignets at Cafe du Monde is practically a rite of passage, and you’ll want to be part of the powdered sugar parade at least once.

Go early or go late to avoid the lines, and don’t wear black unless you want to look like a beignet exploded on you.

Order a café au lait, split a plate of hot, fried perfection, and people-watch like it’s your part-time job.

Private Food Tour

Skip the big-group headsets and book a private tour with someone who actually knows the city, like the New Orleans Secret Food Tour, which hits neighborhood haunts and comes with drink pairings.

It’s like having a foodie best friend with a key to every kitchen, all without having to attend a cooking class.

Don’t leave without trying a po boy so messy it requires napkins, a prayer, and possibly a change of clothes!

Romantic, Ridiculous, and a Tiny Bit Risky

Romantic date ideas New Orleans couples actually remember usually involve something a little unexpected.

Whether it’s paddling through bayou mist or ghost-hunting with your hand-holder, these ideas ditch the basic for bold. Because love should come with a thrill, and maybe a splash.

Helicopter Tour

Want a date that feels like a Nicholas Sparks moment, but with more skyline and less sobbing?

Book a flight with New Orleans Aerial Tours & Flight Training, one of the city’s top-rated operators for private helicopter experiences!

Their Romantic New Orleans Tour includes sweeping views of the French Quarter, Mississippi River, and even the bayous, with a champagne toast if you’re feeling extra.

You can upgrade to sunset flights for peak romance and jaw-dropping golden hour vibes. It’s dramatic, unforgettable, and basically guaranteed to make your Instagram followers jealous.

WWII Museum

Trust us, this is not your average field trip.

The National WWII Museum is one of the top-rated museums in the United States, with immersive exhibits, 4D films, and actual planes hanging from the ceiling.

If one of you is a history buff and the other is just here for the vibes, this spot still delivers. You can even grab a cocktail at the on-site Higgins Hotel rooftop afterward and debrief like it’s your own war room.

Audubon Nature Institute

If your idea of a perfect date involves adorable animals or a deep dive into the world of creepy crawlies, the Audubon Nature Institute has options.

Head to the Zoo for lush walking paths, lazy river views, and animals who honestly look like they’re on vacation too.

Feeling bold? The Insectarium downtown lets you eat a cricket and then go hold hands as if nothing happened. It’s weirdly cute, kind of chaotic, and totally memorable.

Plotting Your Big Easy Love Story?

Haven’t made it to NOLA yet, but already picturing yourselves clinking Sazeracs or smooching under a streetlamp?

Drop your dream date ideas or what’s topping your must-do couples activities New Orleans list. We love a good itinerary fantasy!

Things to Do in New Orleans for Couples FAQs