The Best Places to Propose in New Orleans in 2026
If you are looking for a romantic proposal destination then New Orleans has got you covered. With French Quarter courtyards filled with jasmine, sprawling parks filled with moss-draped oaks, picturesque Victorian mansions behind wrought-iron gates, and live music always in the air, New Orleans has romantic ambiance covered.
Finding things to do in New Orleans is easy- you can’t walk two blocks without stumbling upon incredible food and world class music. But how do you find the best places to pop the question?
I’ve got you covered! After witnessing more than 250 New Orleans proposals, I know all of the best spots. Here are my top five picks for where I think you should get engaged in New Orleans in 2026.
5. Propose in New Orleans City Park
If you want a proposal location that not only stays lush and green year-round but also has that unmistakably Southern look, you want to pop the question in New Orleans City Park. It has cute cobblestone bridges, gorgeous brass fountains, and several band-stands and gazebos. But my favorite part of City Park has to be its Oak Grove. These trees are hundreds of years old with branches arcing down to the ground. If you time it just right, the sun lights up the moss in the most magical way.
A happy couple posing for an engagement photo following their City Park proposal.
4. Propose in a French Quarter Courtyard
I am obsessed with brick courtyards and honestly, you should be too. A private French Quarter courtyard offers an intimate setting just steps away from the 24 hour party outside. With vines growing up brick walls, delicate ironwork, archways, and babbling fountains, French Quarter courtyards are a perfect setting for a romantic proposal. Just make sure it isn’t haunted (unless that’s your thing… then check out the next spot on the list!).
An excited couple kissing after she said “yes!” during their French Quarter courtyard surprise proposal.
3. Propose in a New Orleans Cemetery
Speaking of haunted proposal locations, you won’t find one more haunted than a New Orleans Cemetery. New Orleans is known for its iconic, above-ground cemeteries filled with ornate mausoleums and stone statues. You’ll often see them featured on the silver screen- so why not create your own cinematic moment inside the iron gates of a New Orleans Cemetery? You may want to visit ahead of time and ask the spirits if they’re cool with you decorating their grave… but if you’re cool chances are they will be, too.
A man kisses his fiancé on the cheek following their romantic cemetery surprise proposal in New Orleans.
2. Propose in a New Orleans Mansion
New Orleans is filled with iconic backdrops but it also sees more than its share of hot, rainy, muggy weather. If you are planning to propose in New Orleans between May and October, you may want to go for an indoor location (or risk heat exhaustion/being carried away by mosquitoes). Plan to propose inside of an Historic New Orleans Mansion and not only will the weather not be an issue but you’ll get to pop the question inside a space so stunning it will look like you stepped into a fairytale. These Mansions are often well over 100 years old (some more than 200 years old!) and have been carefully looked after for generations. Make the space your own with your partner’s favorite flowers, candles (LED, of course, open flames are a no-no in old houses!), and a violinist playing your favorite love song. You’ll create a moment that adds to the rich history of the walls you’re standing in.
A couple shares a sweet moment in front of the romantic goth decor for their surprise proposal in a French Quarter mansion.
1.Propose in New Orleans Jackson Square
I would be remiss if Jackson Square did not make the list. While it may feel a bit cliché to propose where many others have before you, this location has been used many times for good reason. The St. Louis Cathedral is the perfect backdrop if you want your photos to scream “We got engaged in New Orleans!” There is no backdrop as iconic or unmistakeable (well, except for the people who think it’s Cinderella’s castle but we’re not worried about them). Plus if your partner is a fan of Christmas, they always deck out the square for the Holidays with a big, twinkling tree and lots of red bows. You can easily hop in a carriage after and take a celebratory sunset ride through the French Quarter. This isn’t where you want to go if you’re hoping for an intimate, private proposal. But if you want your proposal to feel BIG and LOUD then this is definitely the spot.
A couple shares a champagne toast after their surprise engagement overlooking Jackson Square in New Orleans.
No matter where you decide to propose in New Orleans, one thing is always going to be true:
You only have one chance to get this right.
Don’t trust your proposal to anyone but the best- work with the most experienced proposal pros local to New Orleans. My team and I will guide you through planning every detail- including the best location for your proposal- and always be one step ahead of whatever chaos New Orleans throws our way. We’ve created the best and know how to prevent the worst so that the love of your life gets the picture perfect moment they deserve.