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Anniversary Getaway in New Orleans
Planning a anniversary getaway in New Orleans? Compare hotels and vacation rentals on Expedia — a boutique hotel for two or a private home with a view, whatever makes the trip. Celebrate the years with a trip that feels like a gift.
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Planning a anniversary getaway in New Orleans
Beignet mornings, jazz clubs at night, river boats that keep their own time. For two, decide between a hotel with service and a private rental with space — Expedia lists both in New Orleans, so you can weigh price, location and reviews in one search.
What to eat in New Orleans
Red beans and rice is a Monday dish here for a laundry-day reason that outlived laundry day, and Monday menus still say so. Central Grocery on Decatur invented the muffuletta, while Parkway and Domilise's argue over roast beef po-boys. Cafe du Monde serves beignets and chicory cafe au lait around the clock. Charbroiled oysters at Drago's are butter, garlic and open flame, not a raw bar.
New Orleans after dark
Open containers are legal in the Quarter provided the cup is plastic, which is why bars hand you a go-cup on the way out. Louisiana sets no statewide closing time and plenty of Bourbon Street bars never lock the door. Frenchmen Street, three blocks downriver, is where residents go for brass and jazz across a dozen rooms. Preservation Hall sells short acoustic sets, roughly $25 to $50, with no drinks and no air conditioning.
What's actually worth your time in New Orleans
Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral cost nothing and give you the Quarter's best twenty minutes. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 has admitted visitors only with a licensed guide since 2015, so the free wander people still expect no longer exists. The St. Charles streetcar through the Garden District is a $1.25 sightseeing tour. Bourbon Street is a photo stop, while Royal and Chartres are the streets worth walking.
When the weather turns in New Orleans
Summer afternoons flood streets quickly because the city sits below sea level and the pumps only do so much, so Uptown intersections can hold a foot of water within an hour. Retreat into the WWII Museum, which fills a wet day alone, or the Ogden's Southern art galleries. The Shops at Canal Place has a cinema. Never drive through standing water here, because cars stall constantly.
What first-timers get wrong in New Orleans
Streetcars take exact cash or a Jazzy Pass and drivers give no change whatsoever. Street musicians on Royal and Frenchmen work for tips, and the brass bands passing a hat are not busking for fun. August humidity is genuinely debilitating, so plan indoors between noon and four. Hurricane season peaks from late August into September. The daiquiri shops sell in enormous cups that are stronger than they taste.
When to go to New Orleans
| Best months for anniversary getaway | Avg daily high | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| October | 26°C / 79°F | 7 days |
| December | 18°C / 64°F | 9 days |
| November | 21°C / 70°F | 10 days |
The month to avoid is July — around 31°C (88°F) with roughly 24 rain days. Prices and crowds track the weather here: October is the sweet spot, July the month most people skip.
Pack for peak season: Summer clothes, plus one light layer for air-con and evenings, A packable rain shell or compact umbrella earns its space, Comfortable walking shoes — every guide on this site assumes you'll use them.
Where to base yourself in New Orleans
- French Quarter — The 300-year-old heart — wrought-iron balconies, Bourbon chaos, quiet Royal Street elegance one block over.
- Faubourg Marigny — Frenchmen Street's live-jazz row — where locals actually go at night.
- Garden District — Oak-shaded mansions, Lafayette Cemetery, Magazine Street shopping.
- Bywater — Pastel shotgun houses, murals, and the city's indie café-and-gallery scene.
Common questions
What's the best stay for an anniversary?
For two, a romantic boutique hotel or a private whole-home rental with a view, a hot tub, or a great terrace makes the trip. Choose somewhere central so you can walk to dinner without a car.
How do we make it special?
Book a place with a standout feature — a plunge pool, a sea or skyline view, a fireplace — and pick a walkable neighbourhood near the restaurants and sights you want. Mention the occasion; many hosts and hotels add a small touch.
When should we book?
Two to three months ahead for weekends; sooner for peak season or a specific view. Free-cancellation listings let you hold the date and adjust if plans change.
Where should we stay for a anniversary getaway in New Orleans?
In New Orleans the areas worth basing yourself in are French Quarter (the 300-year-old heart — wrought-iron balconies, bourbon chaos, quiet royal street elegance one block over); Faubourg Marigny (frenchmen street's live-jazz row — where locals actually go at night); Garden District (oak-shaded mansions, lafayette cemetery, magazine street shopping). Beignet mornings, jazz clubs at night, river boats that keep their own time. On Expedia, compare hotels and whole-home rentals side by side, sort by guest rating, and check free-cancellation terms before booking.
When is the best time for a anniversary getaway in New Orleans?
October (around 26°C, ~7 rain days), December (around 18°C, ~9 rain days), November (around 21°C, ~10 rain days) rate best on New Orleans's 5-year climate normals. July is the month most groups skip.