Only One Louisiana Town Makes ‘Most Romantic’ Small Towns List

When the weather gets cool in Louisiana we start thinking of two things. We think about gumbo because that's what you eat when the weather gets cool. And we think about snuggling, you know getting cozy with our special someone. But those special romantic moments sometimes require special romantic places. And we have happened to come across a list of 140 places that more than a few people find to be romantic.

The team of travel experts at New York Travel Guides put together a study of romance and romantic places and they have developed a list of 140 small towns across the United States that they have deemed "Most Romantic".

The criteria the New York Travel Guides used were based on four categories. The first was romantic places to stay. The second involved romantic activities. The third factor the New York Travel Guides used in creating their list was historic architecture and scenery. And, the final piece of the puzzle involved cozy coffee shops and restaurants.

Now that you know what the "judges" were looking for take just a minute and consider all of those things, the romantic places to stay, the activities, the architecture, and the cozy restaurants, what town did you come up with?

Before we reveal the only town in Louisiana that made the list you might be interested to know that the top vote-getter in the New York Travel Guides study was Carmel-by-the-Sea in California. Clint Eastwood used to be their mayor. It's a pretty pricey place to visit, so this wouldn't qualify as "most romantic on a budget" but the scenery is amazing.

Rounding out the top five was Sedona, Arizona at number two. St. Augustine Florida was number three followed by Aspen, Colorado at four. The number five entry on the list was Laguna Beach California.

Some other notable destinations you might have heard of that made the list included Gatlinburg Tennessee at number 10; Natchez, Mississippi at number 16; Fairhope, Alabama at number 105; Oxford Mississippi at 129; Orange Beach, Alabama at 131; and Ocean Springs Mississippi at number 140.

Louisiana's only entry on the New York Travel Guides list was the town of Covington. The St. Tammany Parish community boasts about 12,000 residents and is considered to be a suburb of New Orleans on the Northshore. We consulted Trip Advisor for things to do in Covington and let's just say the romance is real.

The top activity listed in Covington, Louisiana? The Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery. Nothing says romance quite like the breeding of reptiles. There's also the Tammany Trace Hiking Trail, several antique stores and markets, an escape room, and some craft breweries too. Trip Advisor included axe throwing in their top ten but I am not sure if that's a romantic activity or a post-romantic activity.

For the complete list of the New York Travel Guides Top 140 Most Romantic Small Towns in America list, you can find that right here. And if you have a suggestion for next year's list, I am sure they would love to hear from you.