You don’t need a special occasion to spend time with that certain someone. Sometimes it’s nice to get dressed up and enjoy a nice meal or simply spend an afternoon taking in the sights and connecting with your person. For this Top 5-04 I wanted to highlight some of the more romantic places that New Orleans has to offer. Whether you’re outdoorsy and you enjoy time in the sun, or you’re indoorsy and you enjoy good music and a good meal, I hope that something on this list will appeal to you and the one you love.
Here’s my list of Top 5-04 romantic spots in New Orleans:
City Park
📍1 Palm Drive
💻 www.neworleanscitypark.com
New Orleans City Park is one of the best places in the city, not only because of the gorgeous landscape but because of all of the things there is to do. It’s easy to spend a romantic day here with the different activities in the park to keep a couple occupied.
My personal favorite is the Botanical Garden, where visitors will find aquatics, roses, native plants, ornamental trees, shrubs, perennials and more inside various theme gardens. I love how the Botanical Garden feels like a secret getaway where you can enjoy a lovely day with that special someone.
City Park has plenty of spots where you can run and ride bikes. In addition, City Putt is a mini-golf course where you can play a few rounds, and the amusement park and Carousel Garden are fun for all ages. You can also grab some coffee and beignets at the City Park location of Café du Monde.
One of the best things about City Park is that they regularly hold beautiful outdoor events, such as performances by the Louisiana Philharmonic. What better way to spend an evening than under the stars listening to beautiful, live classical music?
Snug Harbor
626 Frenchmen St.
www.snugjazz.com
When you think of New Orleans, one of the first things that comes to mind is jazz. Snug Harbor is one of my favorite places to catch a show, and many familiar names play there regularly.
You can begin your evening by enjoying dinner in the restaurant downstairs, and then when you’re done, you can head to the back to see the music. The atmosphere here is cozy, and my personal favorite is sitting upstairs in the mezzanine to get a “bird’s eye view” of the stage. This room is small, so if there is a performer you want to see, you should plan to get your tickets ahead of time.
Snug Harbor is not only a great place to see live music, but the founders do a lot to help local musicians and support the local jazz scene. When you see a show here, you’re supporting an entire community of musicians.
Double Dealer
129 Roosevelt Way
www.doubledealernola.com
Double Dealer is relatively new but is a cozy, romantic place to spend an evening. This Vaudeville-era inspired speakeasy is tucked away under the Orpheum Theater. This cocktail bar is outfitted with secret hideaways and snug booths that can be made private with the pull of a velvet curtain.
Ordering a cocktail from your seat is as easy as flipping a switch that notifies your waitress that you’re ready for another round. The cocktail menu offers classic drinks and a few unique concoctions that were invented by the bartenders here. Whether you want to have a few drinks before a show or you’re just looking for an intimate evening with fancy libations, Double Dealer is a great place to spend some time.
MORE: Doubler Dealer, New Orleans’ speakeasy bar is ‘poetically’ and literally underground
Irene’s
529 Bienville St.
www.irenesnola.com
Irene’s is one of those New Orleans restaurants with a lot of history and has that old-New Orleans type of feel. From the minute you walk in, you will be treated like royalty, and the delicious Italian food is some of the best in town. This is one of my favorite spots for a celebration or a romantic night out.
When you first walk into Irene’s, you’re asked to wait in the piano bar area until your table is ready. Here you can enjoy a cocktail and excellent music while you get a feel for the atmosphere. Once you’re at your table, you’ll be treated to some of the best service you will ever experience in your life. There’s no bad table at Irene’s, and this quaint French Quarter restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal and make some memories.
Menu highlights include Meunière Amandine: pan-seared, toasted almonds, sweet potato mash haricot verts, brown butter; San Francisco style Cioppino: shrimp, scallops, fish, crabmeat, clams, mussels simmered in a spicy, saffron-scented tomato fennel broth; and Lasagna Bolognese: house-made pasta, ricotta cheese, ground veal, Italian sausage and marinara.
New Orleans Museum of Art/Besthoff Sculpture Garden
1 Collins Diboll Circle
www.noma.org
The New Orleans Museum of Art is one of the gems of New Orleans. With rotating exhibitions, there’s no reason that you can’t make NOMA a regular place to spend your time. What better way to spend an afternoon than on a stroll throughout the beautiful grounds of this historic site? Here you can explore art from all over the world.
Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a unique part of the museum that can’t be missed. On a nice day, you can go on a stroll and admire more than 90 unique sculptures in the garden. Keep an eye on the calendar as the Sculpture Garden regularly holds events in this beautiful space. The best part is that the Sculpture Garden is free and one of the most photographable places in town.
