6 Romantic Small Towns In Louisiana For A 3-Day Weekend
Romance in Louisiana often unfolds in quiet lakeside towns, along shaded bayous, and within historic districts where time seems to slow down. Across the state, small communities offer experiences that feel personal and unhurried, like swamp tours guided by locals, peaceful bike trails, candlelit Cajun and Creole dinners, and overnight stays in restored inns and plantation homes. These six towns combine natural beauty, rich history, and Southern hospitality, making them ideal for a romantic three-day escape.
Breaux Bridge
Breaux Bridge, just outside of Lafayette, is home to Lake Martin. This phenomenal lake offers abundant, stunning wildlife, including herons, frogs, and alligators, as well as several miles of scenic nature trails. There are also a plethora of swamp tour companies in Breaux Bridge, like Champagne’s Cajun Swamp Tours, if you wish to take along someone who knows the area.
Breaux Bridge is home to several fine restaurants and a variety of overnight lodging options. Cafe Sydnie Mae and Chez Jacqueline are two of the best dining options in town, both serving delicious Cajun-Creole cuisine in elegant settings. And Au Bayou Teche B&B is just down the street. Also known as the Old Hotel, this beautiful bed & breakfast inn offers cozy, comfortable rooms with private baths.
Covington
The town of Covington is perfect for a weekend getaway with someone special. Along with Bogue Falaya Wayside Park, featuring a pavilion, numerous picnic tables, and ample shade, Covington is home to the Chimes Restaurant, ideal for an elegant dinner. The Southern Hotel is also in Covington, offering quaint rooms and suites with genuine southern hospitality and charm.
North of Lake Pontchartrain, Covington is also home to the Tammany Trace. This 31-mile scenic bike trail allows you to begin in Covington, travel through Abita Springs, Mandeville, and Lacombe, and finish in Slidell. Insta-Gator Ranch is also located just outside of downtown Covington. Guests can see hundreds of alligators, all from protected walkways.
Minden
The picturesque small town of Minden is quaint and charming, despite having over 13,000 permanent residents. Home to several romantic attributes, including coffee shops like the Broken Bean, restaurants like Roma Italian Bistro, and great antique shops like Heavenly Treasures, this small town is the place for romance.
If you wish for more natural attractions, Minden has that covered as well. Along with some great parks, like Babb Park, Minden is home to Bayou Dorcheat Preserve. This excellent preserve offers calm canoeing through tranquil waters. And, when you are ready to retire for the evening, the Huffman Manor Inn offers all the amenities of a B&B inn within a 1910 historic home.
St. Francisville
Hidden along a bend in the Mississippi River, the tiny town of St. Francisville is home to several historic plantations, including the Myrtles Plantation. Not only is this end-of-the-18th-century antebellum plantation rumored to be haunted by many sources, but it is also a hotel with accompanying cottages. Guests can either stay in a suite or a room, or in a quaint cottage, like the Caretaker’s Cottage.
And, if you prefer a lodging choice not rumored to be haunted, St. Francisville is also home to the St. Francisville Inn. This fantastic inn is situated downtown, close to several excellent dining options, including the on-site St. Francisville Inn Restaurant and the Magnolia Cafe. Afton Villa Gardens is also situated in St. Francisville. This is a perfect venue for a romantic stroll with that someone special.
Houma
Fifty miles southwest of Metairie, Louisiana, the town of Houma has a plethora of attractions that cater to romance. From kayaking on Bayou Black to the many gaming centers and casinos, like the Ball Park and Cash Magic, to the Southdown Plantation House and a visit to the Terrebonne Historical & Cultural Society, the town of Houma has you covered.
There are also some fabulous romantic dining options in the town of Houma. Cristiano Ristorante offers some delectable Italian cuisine, while Bayou Delight Restaurant offers more American fare. The Plantation Inn offers simple rooms and great service, while Twelve Oaks Plantation Bed & Breakfast offers so much more, being on a 750-acre working sugar-cane plantation.
Tallulah
Home of the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, the tiny town of Tellulah is ideal for getting away to nature and beauty. From two dedicated nature trails, the Rainey Lake Trail and Hollow Cypress Boardwalk, to the opportunity to photograph an abundance of wildlife, the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge is the place to visit.
If you prefer to stay closer to town, the town of Tellulah is home to several fine restaurants, museums, and lodging choices. Los Parrilleros has some tasty Mexican cuisine. Southern Heritage Air Foundation offers airplane rides in one of five different planes, including an AT-6 Texan and a P-51 Mustang. The Holiday Capri Motel has great service and clean, comfortable rooms.
The great southern state of Louisiana has an abundance of romantic attractions. So, whether you want an elegant dining choice, like Cafe Sydnie Mae in Breaux Bridge, or a romantic lodging option, like the Hoffman Manor Inn in Minden, or an exciting airplane ride in a P-51 Mustang in Tallulah, all of these can be achieved in Louisiana. From Covington to St. Francisville, and from Houma to Minden, the six towns above are just some of the fabulous small towns in Louisiana, especially for a romantic three-day weekend.
