Different cultures and societies have their own unique ways of celebrating the time after marriage. The idea of a honeymoon, or traveling together after the wedding, was initially borrowed from India and has long since been adopted in Western culture. With that said, a honeymoon should be planned carefully – after all, it’s usually a one-off occasion and is, ideally, a time of intimacy, peace, enjoyment and even seclusion. There are, of course, many destinations that are worth visiting and NOLA is certainly one of them.
NOLA is one of the most romantic places in the U.S. It simply has an atmosphere that is imbued with soul, with romance, with love and allure. At the same time, it also has loads of the so-called Cajun joie de vivre (joy of living) which is simply contagious and will make you want to dance and sing all day and night. If you’re planning on visiting NOLA during your honeymoon, here are some suggestions and tips about what you could do and where you could go.
Hotels and Restaurants
Located on Canal Street at the edge of the French Quarter, Maison Orleans is one of the best places in town to accommodate you during your honeymoon. With hard wooden floors, fireplaces, oil-paintings, 24-hour butler service, luxury rooms and delicious food you will certainly be well taken care of.
Another excellent option is The Roosevelt (a Waldorf Astoria Hotel), located on Baronne street. With its crystal chandeliers and golden columns, the Roosevelt is the premier luxury hotel in NOLA. In it you can also find the Guerlain Spa, a world-renowned luxury spa, one of three to be found in the U.S.
There is a long list of restaurants, cafés, bistros, bars and clubs that deserve to be visited. You could, for example, visit the Cafe Degas, named after the 19th century French Impressionist Edgar Degas who visited NOLA in 1872. Cafe Degas offers a genuine French atmosphere, delicious food and wines, and was announced French restaurant of the year in 2010.
If you’re into jazz, you’ll probably appreciate visiting the Palm Court Jazz Cafe, located in the French Quarter and housed in a restored 19th century building. The café is the place for live jazz concerts in the French Quarter and has retained some of the traditional and authentic atmosphere of old New Orleans.
Taking a Walk
If you feel like taking a walk away from all the hustle and bustle, there are plenty of venues to do so. Consider the Mississippi riverfront which provides you with great views and a relaxing atmosphere created by the river, as it lazily moves along. You could, for example, take the Moon Walk, a walkway that has a very mystical and intimate quality to it and will take you down to the river. Next to the Moon Walk, there’s Woldenberg Park, which runs along the riverfront.
You could also take a stroll through the City Park which has the largest stand of Live Oak trees in the world. The Botanical Gardens are also located in the City Park, filled with beautiful plants, flowers and trees – ideal for a walk with your loved one. Finally, there’s also Audubon Park which is somewhat more secluded and intimate. There are benches next to the many lagoons, where you can sit down and quietly enjoy the surroundings.
Festivals and Concerts
There’s always something happening in New Orleans. Each week and each month there are festivals and concerts, cultural events and exhibitions. June, for instance, will see the annual Creole Tomato Festival, mentioned in our previous blog post, while July will feature the annual Running of the Bulls in the French Quarter. The Running is a reenactment of the Spanish bull run which does not feature real bulls and is on the fun side of things, rather than the dramatic, like its Spanish counterpart. Make sure to check the list of upcoming events if you’d like to enjoy some social time during your honeymoon as well.
If you need someone to help you find your way around, take you to your hotel on a tour around the city, or anywhere else you’d like to go, we are at your disposition. Just give us a call at (877) 592-2226 and one of our limos will come to pick you up.