Let’s face it, those of us in New Orleans are probably more focused on Carnival season 2021 than we are on celebrating amour. If you are partnered up, or even if you just have a friend who needs some extra loving this year, you’re in one of the most romantic cities on Earth and here are some ways you can take advantage.

 

Valentine’s Day will close out the Floats in the Oaks event in City Park. You and your beloved (or your

valentines) can opt for a self-powered day cruise aboard one of the duck boats or get your tickets now for the final night of Floats in the Oaks, where you can stationary floats positioned throughout the park.
For more information and tickets, click here.

Valentine’s Day and Trixie Minx go together like peanut butter and jelly. Don’t miss Trixie’s super sexy burlesque performance streaming from the Stage It app from the d.b.a. stage. Get your tickets here. Bring your own champagne.

Get out in the garden – there is outdoor dining at New Orleans Botanical Garden. Chef Patrick White, Kitchen in the Garden’s own in-house chef, invites guests to a special sit-down brunch this Valentine’s Day. A Mardi Gras-themed menu will be served alongside musical entertainment on this traditional Bacchus Sunday. Chef White’s menu includes fried chicken biscuits with honey hot sauce, shrimp & hearts of palm salad with fig vinaigrette, bacon and goat cheese-wrapped dates, smoked deviled eggs, wine poached pears with whipped ricotta, and king cake bread pudding with strawberry compote. Chocolate and banana foster king cakes will be provided by Gracious Bakery. Bottomless mimosas and Mardi Gras Mash daiquiris will also be served. Tickets are $150 per couple. For tickets and information on the February 14 event, click here. 

 

Ooh la la. French is the most romantic of all languages, no? This Valentine’s Day you and your sweetheart can enroll in an online course with Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans. There are also plenty of Francophile events planned for fevrier including the celebration of the French cultural holiday of La Chandeleur, a day that consists of, among other traditions, making and consuming crêpes! Learn more about crêpes with your cutie here.

Valentine’s Day is all about sexiness and what’s sexier than vampires? Be sure to drop in on the French Quarter’s newest haunt, The Vampire Café and have a cocktail suited to your blood type. The velvety and voluptuous decor is sure to make your pulse race and heart beat faster.

Did you know that the origins of Valentine’s Day are rooted in the pagan celebration of Lupercalia? In Ancient Rome orgies were held in the streets and wolves were venerated on February 14 and 15. While you can’t pet the wolves of Wolf Hollow Preserve in Mississippi (they are now closed to the public for the safety of the animals), you can give your beloved the gift of adopting a senior wolf through sponsorship! Visit their page to learn more.

And if you prefer animal friends without fangs, you can visit giraffes and various creatures at Global Wildlife Center. Check them out by scheduling a safari at the Global Wildlife Center, only an hour north of New Orleans. Appointments are required for safari tours. Learn more here.

Is there really anything more romantic than sitting at home listening to vinyls together? Thanks to New Orleans Vinyl Club, the answer is yes! This year you can give your sweetheart the gift of Sweets and Beats, a vinyl subscription service that comes with sweet new vinyl drops paired with candies from local New Orleans confectioners. Sign up here.

What’s cuter than getting up close and cuddly with a penguin? Good thing the folks at the Audubon Aquarium had the same thought. This year get the animal lover in your life the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet a penguin! Check it out here. 

The way to many people’s heart is through their stomach so what better way to spend the evening than cooking with the one you love? Sign up for an in-person class at The Mardi Gras School of Cooking and ask your partner to kiss the chef.