According to a 2015 study by The Knot, about 40 percent of couples get engaged between the months of November and February-a period sometimes reffered to as "proposal season." During this time, you can expect all of your social media timelines to be filled with engagement ring closeups and "she said yes" hashtags. Sean Payton recently joined in on the fun by proposing to his girlfriend of several years at Longway Tavern in the French Quarter. Aside from the element of surprise and the elaborate planning many put into how they propose, location is often key. Locals and tourists alike have come to appreciate New Orleans for its picturesque and old-world charm-making it the perfect city to propose in.
Best Places in the City to Propose:
1. City rooftops
The New Orleans skyline serves as a gorgeous backdrop for photos while taking in the open air high off the ground. Nopsi Hotel has a spacious rooftop bar as well as a small courtyard with heated lamps. The Jackson Brewery balcony, after a lazy day of shopping, is a great frontrunner as well as the rooftop terrace at the Catahoula Hotel.
2. Crescent Park
First was constructed in February 2014. this $30 million project stretching from Elysian Fields Avenue to Mazant Street has miles of intricate landscaping that line the walking path and picnic areas. There's also an open pier overlooking the Mississippi River that can serve as an area to propose as well as a possible site for the wedding reception.
3. Round trip on the ferry
What was once a free boat ride connecting the French Quarter to Algiers will now set you back about $2 per person. Sunset would be a wonderful time to embark on this smooth ride across the Mississippi River. After the deed is done, walk along the levy in Historic Algiers point or hit up one of the bars along Leake Street to get away from the busyness of the city. An alternative could be buying tickets to the Creole Queen, which has seven unique tours and cruises along the river-fitting for a luxurious and romantic experience.
4. Bike ride through City Park's
Sculpture Garden
You can't go wrong with a bike ride through what was recently named one of the 6 Best Urban Parks by Travel Trivia. While the 1,300-acre park has numerous areas to pop the question, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a magically designed space of manicured greenery with over 90 sculptures. It's free to enter and is open seven days a week. The Alu Tress Star, made of milled aluminum, and the Mirror Labyrinth are two pieces that would make for a particularly jaw-dropping picture background.
5. A B&B Courtyard
Courtyards in New Orleans are often tucked away behind brick walls or iron gates. They usually consist of a central focal point, such as a water fountain, and are filled with trees and lush landscaping. Many bed and breakfast spots carry a distinctive history along with a quiet courtyard, such as the Banana Courtyard, 30 yards outside of the French Quarter. The Parisian Courtyard Inn, with its spiral staircase and three courtyards, is famous for hosting weddings. Creole Gardens, located on Prytania Street, is a 19th-century antebellum mansion that hosts a courtyard filled with banana trees. The complimentary southern-style breakfast is just what the doctor ordered for the newly engaged couple after a night on the town.
6. Bayou St. John
The once-rusted Magnolia Bridge overlooking Bayou St. John was recently reopened after a series of renovations. Built in 1908, it stands as a walking bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. The bayou itself is an important landmark, serving as a meeting place for Mardi Gras Indian tribes, and its banks hold some of the oldest residencies in the city. The bridge is a beautiful spot for an engagement, a picnic, or both at the
same time.
7. The steps at Jackson Square
Anytime you can capture the historical St. Louis Cathedral as a photo backdrop is a win, but using the steps adds an unmatched level of anticipation to an engagement proposal. During the day, you can often find a concentration of street performers and artists drawing in the crowd. At night, however, it's pretty quiet. The balcony overlooking the steps is the perfect place to have your families lying low, waiting for the big question as you and your honey stroll across from dinner at Muriel's.
