Louisiana Is for Lovers

Every once in a while it's nice to get away for some new experiences and quality time with your significant other. Check out these New Orleans trip ideas that make for a perfect lovers' escape.

Dining in New Orleans

There’s no shortage of amazing brunch options in the Big Easy. Enjoy the charming Willa Jean, and don’t leave without trying their famous warm chocolate chip cookies and vanilla milk. Stanley is another great spot, idyllically located in Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter. And you can find Luke on the iconic St. Charles Avenue serving up hearty dishes and fresh seafood from their raw bar.

New Orleans is a melting pot, therefore an opportune place to try new and exciting cuisines that reflect the city’s culture and diversity. At Herbsaint, a James Beard Award-winner, delve into seasonal French-Southern cuisine with elements of rustic Italian cooking. Sylvain resides in a French Quarter carriage house built in the late 1700s and honors the area’s history while adding modern twists. Baru Bistro & Tapas reimagines traditional dishes from Columbia and the Caribbean using local ingredients. Silk Road Wine & Cheese Bazaar offers gourmet cheeses and sommelier-selected wines in addition to a full menu of Creole, Asian and Indian fusion. Shaya combines Middle Eastern and Mediterranean staples with Southern flavors, modern techniques and locally sourced ingredients. And Sake Cafe is considered some of the best sushi in the city, with a chic ambiance and a wide menu incorporating traditional Japanese cuisine and New Orleans-inspired fare.

And what’s more important for a date night than the atmosphere? Celebrate a special occasion with classic yet contemporary Cajun and Creole dishes at the upscale Annunciation Restaurant. Enjoy dinner with a view at Ralph's on the Park, an elegant farm-to-table destination where you can appreciate globally-inspired local cuisine with a balcony view of City Park. Located in a 1769 Creole cottage in the French Quarter, Bayona’s charming brick courtyard with draping foliage and twinkling fairy lights creates a romantic vibe. Or, share a drink with  your sweetheart at Cure, a bar acclaimed for its delicious concoctions by Esquire, Food & Wine and the James Beard Foundation.

What’s better to pair your meal with than live music? Chophouse New Orleans is one of the best steakhouses in the city — a perfect place to indulge in a top-quality cut with live entertainment. Three Muses recognizes music, food and spirits in a casual yet funky venue. Oak & Ale has an impressive wine selection in an intimate setting with local musicians. Bombay Club, a British-themed upscale bistro located in the French Quarter, specializes in craft cocktails and live music.

Round out your New Orleans culinary experience with one (or maybe two) of Louisiana’s Famous Desserts and learn more about Louisiana’s Original Cocktails and where to try them. Plus check out New Orleans’ abundant live music venues like those on the famous Frenchmen Street.

Lovely Lodgings

New Orleans has accommodations for every taste along with never-ending Southern hospitality. For a cozy and historic stay, rest your head at the Maison Perrier or Degas House, two bed-and-breakfast hotels on the National Register of Historic Places. Just blocks from the French Quarter, Auld Sweet Olive Bed & Breakfast is an eclectic and welcoming spot in the hip Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. And venture to the quiet end of world-famous Bourbon Street for a stay at La Maison Marigny, a renovated 1890s-era home, to enjoy the tropical courtyard.

For a more luxurious stay, try one of the city’s elegant hotels. The Chloe is a comfortable boutique hotel housed in a 19th century Uptown mansion with an on-site restaurant, bar, pool and patio. The Eliza Jane features a casual French restaurant, a garden courtyard, a library lounge and the Press Room bar. Enjoy a stay along the Mississippi Riverfront at One11, which pays homage to the city’s sugar history with its spacious “sweets.” For an upscale place to lay your head, book a stay at the Four Seasons and dine on innovative Louisiana cuisine at one of its two restaurants. Enjoy a drink at the Chandelier bar, relax by the resort-style pool and venture up to the 34th-floor observation deck for amazing views.

If you enjoy the spooky and mystical side of New Orleans, consider a stay at one of these Haunted New Orleans Hotels.