New Orleans Romantic Getaway Itinerary

Looking for somewhere close to home to whisk away your honey? Erin from Explore with Erin brings a weekend in New Orleans alive for the romantics.

New Orleans offers everything for the perfect romantic getaway: historic old buildings, some of the best food in the U.S., and nightlife like no other. Got a spare weekend? We can help you make the most of your romantic interlude.

New Orleans Romantic Getaway Itinerary

Friday

Evening

After finishing your work week, all you want is to either relax or blow off steam. Check into Le Pavillon. This hotel is in the heart of New Orleans, four blocks from the French Quarter. History meets luxury, with opulent sparkling chandeliers that will leave any woman swooning.

Fill up the bath for a quiet night in, or take the easy walk to Bourbon Street to dance your night away. Start collecting those beads!

Saturday

Morning

After a leisurely breakfast buffet, consider a guided tour to collect you from the hotel to visit the Oak Alley Plantation. This historic property is one of the most romantic spots in the world, with hundreds of weddings taking place in its shaded driveway every year.

Oak Alley is named after its canopied path, formed by a double row of towering live oaks, which were planted in the 1700s, 120 years before the “Big House” was even built. It is not known who planted them or why, but they are simply enchanting. So consider bringing a photographer to get a few shots in the dreamy 350-year-old estate.

You can tour the house, enjoy lunch at the onsite restaurant, and meander the grounds to discover its colorful and emotive history.

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon strolling through the French Quarter singling out gifts for your loving partner, or flag down one of the many horse-drawn carriages for a whimsical ride through the heart of New Orleans. Take the time to explore some of the old cemeteries in town—see if you can spot Nicolas Cage’s pyramid tomb.

If shopping and carriage rides are not your thing and you’d rather be sailing the Mississippi, hop aboard the last authentic steamboat for a trip down the river that Tom Sawyer sailed. You can sample the buffet lunch on board, or simply enjoy a tour of New Orleans from the river. Alternatively, mix it up and go in the evening for live jazz!

Evening

Book a romantic dinner at Brennan’s on Royal Street, a glamorous and decadent Old World dining experience. This is the location of the original Brennan’s, opened in 1946, which has been completely renovated.

Brennan’s prides itself on its Creole traditions bolstered with contemporary New Orleans influences. Classic and modern techniques are married in divine originality. The décor provides a sophisticated backdrop, and the service is impeccable at this high-end dining experience. Do not miss their famous bananas Foster, birthed in this very building and prepared right at your table.

Spend the rest of the evening touring Bourbon Street collecting more beads, or head out on a famous Ghost & Vampire tour. You’ll step back into the early 1800s and indulge in tales of local ghosts and vampire lore—a great opportunity to cuddle up in the spooky darkness!

Sunday

Morning

Start your morning at Café Du Monde with a serving of the city’s famous beignets. It’s traditional for newly engaged couples to blow the powdered sugar into each other’s faces, so take a moment to shower each other in sweetness… literally! Looking for more great places to eat? Then check out our top 10.

Now that you’ve had a taste of New Orleans food, you will want to learn how to cook it. What better way than a festive Creole/Cajun cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking? The Master Chef mixes riveting history and fascinating stories into his class, and you get to eat all the food afterward—bonus! You might find a couple aphrodisiac ingredients in there.

Afternoon

With full stomachs and happy hearts, return to Le Pavillon to enjoy a soak in the rooftop hot tub or an afternoon nap wrapped in each other’s arms before heading back home.

Looking to keep the kids busy so you can enjoy a romantic weekend? There’s plenty for them to do in New Orleans too. Otherwise be prepared to eat your way through the weekend with your loved one and enjoy the opulence and history of a beautiful, romantic city that is perfect for lovers and lovers of good times.

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