Woo your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day in Louisiana, which is home to Old French Creole architecture, authentic jazz and Cajun music, as well as fine French restaurants amidst quiet bayous. If you want to know where to vacation this February, consider these seven romantic cities and small towns. Each features charming Louisiana vacation rentals ideal for a Valentine’s getaway to remember.
1. New Orleans
More than just the nation’s fun-loving Mardi Gras capital, the vibrant city of New Orleans attracts lovers with its romantic Spanish and French Creole architecture, nostalgic streetcars, and a lively nightlife scene. Here, you can enjoy a cocktail at Polo Club Lounge or toast with your sweetheart at French 75, an elegant, old-fashioned bar built in 1918. For late-night fun this Valentine’s Day, enjoy a jazz performance on Frenchman Street. For a romantic meal, head to the French Quarter, where you’ll find cafes, French patisseries, and fine restaurants. You can also ride a mule-drawn carriage with your sweetheart to Royal Street, a place to buy your lover custom-made jewelry. Before heading back to your vacation rental, stop by the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden to stroll along a lagoon surrounded by 200-year-old oak trees and beautiful sculptures.
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2. Baton Rouge
Find your vacation rental in Louisiana’s capital city this Valentine’s Day to enjoy the breathtaking sights of the 300-year-old city. Enjoy touring the Old Governor’s Mansion or walking through the Pentagon Barracks. Your valentine is sure to love the castle-like wonder and stained-glass ceiling of the Old Louisiana State Capitol, and the Louisiana State University boasts several lakes and marshlands where you can stroll along boardwalks through botanic gardens. Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner? The Melting Pot, Fleming Steak House, and Bin 77 are just a few gourmet favorites for an intimate dining experience. During your Valentine’s getaway, be sure to catch the Spanish Town Mardi Gras parade that takes place around the same time.
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3. Shreveport
Escape with your loved one to Shreveport to walk through the romantic American Rose Center gardens, the largest rose-dedicated park in the country boasting thousands of rose bushes, fountains, and sculptures. Next, enjoy a quiet picnic while gazing up at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. Then, stroll through the Meadows Museum of Art before making a stop at the Shreveport Water Works Museum, the perfect backdrop for some romantic photos. If you’re wondering where to go in Shreveport for Valentine’s dinner, choose one of the waterfront restaurants in the Red River District to enjoy views of the bridge and boats floating past. Want to take part in a local Valentines Day tradition? Pick up a few chocolate-covered strawberries at The Chocolate Crocodile in next-door Bossier for your valentine.
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4. Lafayette
Travel to the heart of Cajun country to let the historic city of Lafayette enchant you. Lovers can stroll through the Vermilionville historic village and tour gorgeous 19th-century antebellum homes, such as Alexandre Mouton House. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is another Valentine’s Day must-see, and if you’re looking for nightlife, Lafayette is known for its bars and jazz clubs hosting Zydeco and Cajun music for a special night. The city is also known for its upscale French and Italian restaurants hosting Valentine’s Day specials, including favorites such as Ruffino’s on the River, The French Press, and Cafe Bella.
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5. Lake Charles
If you’re wondering where to go in Louisiana to roll the dice with your sweetheart this Valentines day, look no further than the vibrant town of Lakes Charles. A vacation rental here puts you at the doorstep of luxury casinos, but for some laid-back fun, you can also enjoy an intimate picnic along the shore at Prien Lake Park, a flower tree-studded spot so romantic, it has become a favorite location for weddings. If you’re feeling adventurous, take your Valentine for a drive along the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail where you can sample food from Cajun restaurants along the road. For a memorable Valentine’s evening, sit down at one of the fine-dining establishments in Lake Charles serving up steak, seafood, and French cuisine, such as La Truffe Sauvage. Finally, take your loved one to see the old costumes and colorful memorabilia at Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu.
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6. Delcambre
For a secluded Louisiana Valentine’s Day, head to this small town whose history dates back to the late 1700s when the land belonged to the King of Spain. Today, travelers stop by to enjoy shrimp and other fresh seafood, but lovers flock here to visit Jefferson Island, one of five wooded islands in the marshlands that holds a historic mansion surrounded by old oaks. Enjoy a moment of romance while strolling through the Rip Van Winkle Gardens made up of subtropical plants, and dine at Cafe Jefferson overlooking Lake Peigneur for a romantic meal.
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7. Houma
Known as Louisiana’s Bayou Country, this Valentine’s Day getaway for nature lovers boasts thousands of square miles of swamps and wetlands. Canals holding old shrimp boats run between streets of the town, and destinations such as the Southdown Plantation and Museum are the perfect place to capture some Valentine’s photos. Wondering where to go in Houma for some adventure? Book a boat tour through Terrebonne Bayou or Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge to gaze at moss-covered cypress trees and great blue herons before returning to your secluded vacation home. Don’t forget to stop by the Chauvin sculpture garden featuring more than 100 sculptures for a romantic afternoon.
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