top tourist destinations in louisiana

15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Louisiana

Written by Lana Law Updated Jan 20, 2023

Author Lana Law has traveled around Louisiana and always enjoys a stop in New Orleans.

Even the name Louisiana evokes a feeling of sultry summer nights with cicadas chirping nearby, and the laughter of friends and family over a table groaning with tasty Southern fare. This a state where time slows down, and life is more about living than doing.

One of the best places to visit Louisiana's tourist attractions and soak up a bit of Creole culture is in New Orleans . The French Quarter celebrates the state's history and is a great place to get lost knowing that no matter where you turn, a great meal and a good time is waiting. World-famous Mardi Gras brings out the fun in people as they dress up and parade through the streets.

Just down the road is the state capital of Baton Rouge . State capitals can sometimes be stuffy places, but not Baton Rouge. This city casts that reputation aside and proudly celebrates all that it has to offer, including a capitol building with a resident ghost named Sarah.

Outdoor-minded travelers will want to stop in at Lake Charles and soak up the natural beauty and perhaps stop at one of the state's best beaches.

After you've given the cities their due, head out of town. Visit the bayous and swamplands with their ghostly silent waters inhabited by things that may like to eat you. Less adventurous visitors may find a tour through a plantation more to their liking.

Plan your visit with our list of the top attractions in Louisiana.

New Orleans' French Quarter

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The French Quarter is New Orleans' oldest and most famous neighborhood. Its beautiful buildings date back as far as 300 years, many with wrought iron balconies that extend over the tourist-filled sidewalks below. Visitors flock to the French Quarter for sightseeing, shopping, dining, and entertainment, and the area is packed during the annual Mardis Gras celebrations.

The most popular place to visit in the French Quarter is Bourbon Street , which is alive year-round with throngs of tourists and live music. North Rampart Street is less crowded but has many historic buildings and good restaurants, while Decatur Street is a popular hangout for hipsters. Jazz clubs line the pedestrian-friendly Royal Street , which is also known for its antique shops and art galleries.

Louis Armstrong Park is another popular tourist attraction, home to the historic Congo Square , where the city's African-American community once socialized before gaining freedom. The park covers 31 acres and includes trails, fountains, and a huge statue of jazz legend Louis Armstrong.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New Orleans, LA

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans offers an in-depth look at every aspect of the conflict, from the ground war in Europe to the challenges of battle at sea and in the air. One of the most impactful exhibits is "Road to Berlin," where visitors have the opportunity to be immersed in the past while seeing fully recreated battle zones complete with the sights and sounds.

Other exhibits include an exploration of the obstacles overcome by the Seabees and Merchant Marines in supporting the troops, a look at how vital support from the home front was to the effort, and details about the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

The museum's displays employ a variety of media and interactive technology that bring history to life. Exhibits are also full of personal stories and photos, as well as a large collection of artifacts, including soldiers' personal items and even a shark-faced P-40 Warhawk.

The museum added a new attraction in November 2022 titled Expressions of America. Taking place most evenings on the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground, this immersive sound and light show is designed to take you back to the war years of the early 1940s.

The show starts in the BB's Stage Door Canteen, where live performances take place. Eventually the show moves outdoors for the main show. Expressions of America is a separate attraction from the regular admission to the museum and an additional fee is charged.

Address: 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana

The biggest event on Louisiana's annual calendar is the Mardi Gras celebration that takes place in New Orleans. This colorful event is a huge undertaking with a parade, balls, and street celebrations like none other. Mardis Gras is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, but celebrations begin on the weekend leading up to Tuesday.

The event draws huge crowds who come to join in the celebrations and watch more than 1,000 floats go by on dozens of parade routes. To see the floats up close, tourists can visit Mardis Gras World , where you can watch artists and craftsmen build them. Nearly half of the celebration's floats, costumes, and props are created in this workshop.

If you're coming for Mardi Gras, plan ahead. Check the events calendar and be sure to book a hotel well in advance.

The Melrose Plantation in Natchitoches was first known as Yucca Plantation when it belonged to Marie Thérèse and Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer, freed slaves. Yucca House, found on the grounds, was built in the 1790s. The Big House is a West Indies Creole plantation house with early Greek Revival details.

At the turn of the century, Melrose became the home of John Hampton Henry and his wife Camie, a patron of the arts. Mrs Henry enlarged the garden and preserved the buildings. Many writers and artists were guests at Melrose over the years.

Address: 3533 Hwy 119, Melrose, Louisiana

The Gothic-Revival-style Old State Capitol makes a dramatic impression on visitors passing by and is equally impressive on the inside. Two huge towers flank the main entrance, and the roof is crenellated. The building, which resembles an old castle, is set on a hill overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge.

This historic landmark building now houses a political history museum , which includes artifacts, documents, and interactive exhibits that explore the state's long history.

Visitors can also learn about the building's history and significance in the "Ghost of the Castle" presentation, a 4 -D experience that is hosted by the apparition of Sarah Morgan.

Keep your wallet in your pocket, admission is free.

Address: 100 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Baton Rouge

If you've toured the Old State Capitol Building, it's definitely worthwhile touring the current State Capitol Building . Located just under a mile north, this incredible example of Art Deco architecture is, at 460 feet tall, the tallest state capitol in the United States .

Take the elevator up 350 feet to the 27th floor, where you'll find the Observation Deck. It's from this elevated perch that you'll be able to appreciate how flat and wet Louisiana truly is. For a more detailed understanding of the building, consider booking a guided tour. Admission is free.

Address: 900 North Third Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Louisiana is famous for its bayous and swamps, and fortunately you don't need to venture far from New Orleans to get into the beating heart of bayou country. In this unique environment, you'll see moss-covered trees; extensive swamplands; and an assortment of wildlife, including alligators, wild boar, wading birds, and snakes .

Tours are easily arranged. Some tours also stop at a Cajun Village, accessible only by water, where you can learn about their unique culture.

The Laura Plantation in Vacherie has been open to the public since 1994, allowing visitors to tour the 1805 building and property that was a sugarcane plantation for 180 years. The home contains original period furniture, as well as exhibits highlighting the memoirs of Laura Locoul.

The most remarkable feature of the plantation, however, is its large exhibit dedicated to the lives and personal stories of those who were enslaved on the farm. The exhibit explores the complex relationships between the owners and the slaves, as well as various aspects of daily life, form health to religion.

Collections include rare photos and documents that shed light on all-but-forgotten African-Americans who lived and worked on this Creole farm, as well as other slaves in the state. Tours run every 40 minutes all day long, beginning at 10am.

Address: 2247 Hwy 18, Vacherie, Louisiana

Vermilionville, in Lafayette, exhibits the traditions and heritage of the Acadian settlers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At this living history museum, costumed craftspeople and historians demonstrate skills and folk crafts that have been preserved and handed down from previous generations.

Artisans can be found throughout the 23-acre site, which is home to restored original Acadian homes and authentic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The property also includes exhibits that are featured on a rotating basis and explore the lives of Louisiana's indigenous peoples.

The struggle to maintain the Acadian culture and language, and a look at black history from early slavery to the civil rights movement are also topics that are covered. Other exhibits include a fascinating look at the differences in Mardi Gras traditions in cities versus rural areas.

Count on an hour and a half to fully explore this interesting site . Note that the museum is closed on Mondays, and the last admission throughout the week is at 3pm.

Address: 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette, Louisiana

Louisiana has a surprisingly good selection of beaches, and with the state's reputation as a steamy, hot place in the summer, you may be making a beeline for one in short order.

One of the best places to visit the beach in Louisiana is Holly Beach , colloquially referred to as the "Cajun Riviera." Located in the southwest corner of the state, the beach here is long, flat, and wide with golden sands. The Gulf of Mexico waters get delightfully warm in the summer, and the shallow water is ideal for children.

Just a couple of hours south of New Orleans is another popular beach destination, Grand Isle . This barrier island extends into the Gulf of Mexico, and the beach here stretches for almost the entire length. Unfortunately, the Grand Isle State Park received significant damage from Hurricane Ida and has not reopened. However, the damage to the beaches in the town of Grand Isle have been repaired and are fully open.

At the far end of Grand Isle is Port Fourchon. The beach here is a bit different, with larger waves popular with surfers.

Even closer to New Orleans is Lake Ponchartrain and Fontainbleau State Park . This beach has flat, shallow water and a wonderful sandy shoreline. Off the beach is a water playground for the kids, showers, picnic tables, and restrooms. Hurricane Ida caused significant damage to the park, but it has since reopened fully, the only exception being the camping cabins, which remain closed until further notice.

Sci-Port Discovery Center is a science and entertainment center featuring science, math, and space exhibits; an IMAX Dome Theatre; and the Sawyer SPACE DOME Planetarium. Located in Shreveport, the center is targeted mainly towards youth, and is a popular family attraction with a strong educational component, featuring hundreds of interactive exhibits.

The center's newest addition is the Power of Play Children's Museum, which encourages children to learn through hands-on play.

Address: 820 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport, Louisiana

Visitors can climb aboard a decommissioned destroyer at the USS Kidd and Veterans Memorial , located in Baton Rouge. The ship was active during WWII and has since been used in films and TV productions.

Information on the ship, as well as nautical items and memorabilia, are on display in the museum. The USS Kidd is named for Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr., who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In addition to the ship, the memorial also has an observation tower and a museum . Inside the museum are historical artifacts and a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Children and adults alike will be fascinated by the model ship collection.

For a truly unique experience, gather 20 of your closest friends and camp out overnight on the ship. You'll have the complete run of the place and can set your own schedule.

Address: 305 South River Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Rosedown Plantation is a State Historic Site known for being one of the most well preserved domestic Southern plantations. It offers a look at the lifestyles, both of plantation owners and slaves, during the mid 19th century in the South.

On the grounds are camellias, azaleas, and rare shrubs and trees. The Rosedown Gardens were created by the owners, Daniel and Martha Turnbull, in 1835. These incredible gardens span 28 acres and are one of the finest in the entire state.

The Turnbull family occupied the mansion for more than 120 years.

Address: 12501 Hwy 10, St. Francisville, Louisiana

St. Martin Catholic Church was established in 1765 in St. Martinville. The present structure was built in 1836 and has an 1883 replica of the Grotto of Lourdes. In the left wing of the church is the grave of Emmeline Labiche, thought to be the heroine of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Evangeline . A statue of Evangeline stands in the churchyard.

Of note is a beautiful statue of Saint Martin de Tours dating from 1931. The St. Martin Catholic Church is the third oldest church in Louisiana.

Address: 133 South Main Street, St. Martinville, Louisiana

The DeQuincy Railroad is located in the old Kansas City Southern Depot, which was built in 1923. This grand old building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places , now contains a variety of railroad equipment and related memorabilia.

Exhibits also include an impressive collection of museum quality Gauge 1 model steam and diesel engines created by master model craftsmen. Outside, visitors can admire the museum's 1913 steam locomotive and a 1947 Pullman passenger coach, as well as two cabooses.

This is also a great spot for train lovers to simply relax and watch the trains go by from the train-watching platform or any of the several viewing areas.

Address: 400 Lake Charles Avenue, DeQuincy, Louisiana

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23 Best Things To Do In Louisiana For Your Bucket List

September 19, 2023 //  by  Southern Trippers

Are you planning a trip to the Pelican State and looking for the best things to do in Louisiana? Look no further!

We’ve come up with the ultimate bucket list of things you can’t miss in this memorable state.

As a local Southern girl, I have spent nearly 3 decades traveling around Lousiana and checking out some of the very best.

These are the best activities in Louisiana I would suggest to a close friend, my mom, and now I will suggest them to you!

While the most popular place to visit is New Orleans , it’s a big state and there are lots of other fun places to visit in Louisiana.

Louisiana is a melting pot of European, African, and Native American cultures, creating the unique Creole and Cajun cultures. This blend has created distinct music, cuisine, and stories that have been passed down through generations.

The physical landscape of Louisiana is as varied as its cultures. Starting with the Louisiana beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, with the Mississippi River working its way down to the gulf, creates vast areas of swamp and marshland.

Southern Louisiana is known for its bayous (slow-moving or stagnant bodies of water).

Northern Louisiana has woodlands while Central Louisiana has prairies. Each area has a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, herons, deer, and turtles.

From touring the famous Louisiana swamps to visiting the National WWII Museum , there is something for everyone in Louisiana. No matter where you go, you’ll be sure to enjoy some Southern charm (and food).

Let’s dive into what to do in Louisiana!

23 Best Things To Do In Louisiana: The Ultimate Bucket List

Explore the creole nature trail.

One of the best things to do in Louisiana is to explore its unique landscapes and natural wonders.

The “Louisiana Outback” includes undeveloped marshlands, gulf beaches, and wildlife refuges which are home to hundreds of different types of wild animals.

As one of America’s “Last Great Wildernesses,” visiting the Creole Nature Trail is one of the best things to do in Lake Charles, LA .

The Creole Nature Trail is a 180-mile natural corridor that was designated an All-American Road in 2002.

This scenic byway allows you to enjoy the scenic Louisiana landscapes from the car, visiting as much or as little of it as you’d like.

If you want to get out and stretch your legs, get out at the Sabine Natural Wildlife Refuge and wander down the Wetland Walkway. From this boardwalk, you might be able to spot alligators and white ibis or roseate spoonbill birds in their natural habitats.

Scenic hiking trails in Louisiana are some of the best ways to see the state.

You could also stretch your legs at any of the gulf beaches along the coast, including Rutherford Beach and Constance Beach. Hunt for shells or dip your toes into the warm gulf water.

Eat at Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe

Since New Orleans is known for its Creole cuisine, one of the best things to do in Louisiana is visit a New Orleans restaurant.

Creole cuisine is a unique blend of African, European, and Native American foods. Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe is famous for its classic Creole dishes including gumbo, fried chicken, and bread pudding.

Li’l Dizzy’s is located in the New Orleans neighborhood of Treme, one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in New Orleans, known for its jazz clubs and soul food.

This cafe is black-owned and run by a family coming from a lineage of famous New Orleans restauranteurs.

Originally founded by the son of Eddie Baquet, Sr (of the Eddie’s 7th Ward restaurant), it is now run by grandson Wayne Baquet, Jr and his wife Arkesha.

In addition to their famous fried chicken, Li’l Dizzy’s serves up shrimp, sausage, and catfish po-boys and seafood platters.

Their food is sure to warm both your stomach and your soul! It is truly one of the best restaurants in New Orleans!

Tour the TABASCO Factory & Museum

Louisiana food is known to have a bit of a spicy kick, partially thanks to Tabasco hot sauce. One of the more unique places to visit in Louisiana is Avery Island, where Tabasco is made and bottled.

Located about a 45-minute drive away from Lafayette, Avery Island isn’t an island in the traditional sense, but rather a salt dome surrounded by bayous and marshlands.

It was here in 1868 that Edward McIlhenny first sold his concoction of capsicum frutescens peppers and vinegar. As a result, you can tour the Tabasco Factory and Museum !

Today, peppers are still picked by hand and mashed in oak barrels then aged and mixed with distilled vinegar.

Tour the factory and museum to learn more about how Tabasco sauce is made, and learn about the generations of McIlhenny family that took over the business.

After the tour, stop in the Tabasco Restaurant for a casual, authentic Cajun meal…flavored with Tabasco of course!

This is one of the best Louisiana activities for foodies!

Visit the Louisiana State Capitol Building

Baton Rouge is, of course, the state capital, and surprisingly one of the best things to do in Louisiana is visit the capitol building.

The Louisiana State Capitol Building is the largest state capitol building in all the states, towering above the surrounding area.

Completed in 1931, the Louisiana State Capitol Building is 34 stories, reaching a height of 450 feet.

It’s decorated with Art Deco details and topped with a lantern representing the “higher aspirations of Louisiana”. In 1982 it was listed as a National Historic Landmark.

The best thing about the capitol building though? It’s free to visit! There’s an observation deck on the 27th floor, from which you can see miles of Louisiana.

The gardens and grounds are also free to explore!

Hunt for Steel Magnolias Filming Locations

While it’s a different “LA,” Louisiana is a popular spot for filming movies.

From the 1951 classic A Streetcar Named Desire to X-Men’s Logan , Louisiana is no stranger to the silver screen. Visiting famous filming locations is one of the most fun things to do in Louisiana.

One of the most beloved Louisiana films is the 1989 hit Steel Magnolias , starring Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, and Dolly Parton.

Centered around a group of women living and working in Natchitoches, LA, the film (based on the stage play of the same name by Robert Harling) was shot in the real city of Natchitoches.

Many iconic scenes were shot at the Cook-Taylor House , which is now a bed & breakfast. Because of the film’s popularity, the house is now known as “The Steel Magnolias House”.

Other locations include St. Augustine Catholic Church (Shelby’s wedding) and American Cemetery on Second Street (Shelby’s funeral).

One of the best things to do in Natchitoches, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into the well-loved film.

Take a Ride on Steamboat Natchez

Feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you step aboard the Steamboat Natchez.

This authentic steamboat ride along the Mississippi River is one of the best things to do in Louisiana. Enjoy two hours of live jazz music and a meal as you cruise along the river.

Steamboats were an important part of the development of New Orleans, as they provided larger and faster transport for both people and products.

Operated by The New Orleans Steamboat Company, the current Natchez was built in the 1970s but was modeled after its 19th-century predecessors.

Cruise options above the Steamboat Natchez include just sightseeing, lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch. Enjoy a cool drink as you take in the sights from the river and the sounds of another age.

Watching the sunset over the water on a cruise is one of the top things to do in Louisiana for couples looking for a romantic date night.

Book Here: New Orleans: Day Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez

Examine the Poverty Point World Heritage Site

To learn more about some of the first people to inhabit the land, one of the best things to do in Louisiana is to visit the Poverty Point World Heritage Site .

Although named for a nearby plantation, this archeological site dates back to the 18th century BC (aka over 3,000 years ago).

The prehistoric indigenous people who lived in the Lower Mississippi Valley left behind a 402-acre earthwork, including ridges and mounds.

These C-shaped earthen ridges are divided into rows and columns, and at one point were five feet high. Were they foundations for settlements? A religious site?

The on-site museum provides historical and physical information about the mounds with displays and a movie.

When you’re ready to explore, you can drive or walk roughly two miles around the mounds.

You can even climb to the top of the largest mound to further grasp the large scale of the place. (Note, some of the mound paths are steep and not wheelchair accessible.)

Visiting the Poverty Point World Heritage Site is one of the best things to do in Pioneer, LA, and is good for all ages!

View the R.W. Norton Art Gallery

For art lovers, one of the best things to do in Louisiana is to visit the R.W. Norton Art Gallery .

Located in Shreveport, this lovely museum features works of art by American and European artists, as well as a collection of rare books. It is truly one of the best things to do in Shrevepor t !

The R.W. Norton Art Gallery holds more than 400 paintings in addition to sculptures and tapestries, spanning from the Renaissance to the Impressionists to today.

Throughout the year they host seasonal special events such as “Yuletide: Christmas Favorites from the Norton”. The gallery doesn’t charge an admission fee to view the exhibits!

Nor do they charge to visit the beautiful botanical gardens.

Surrounding the museum are 40 acres of grounds and gardens, where paths weave through outdoor sculptures, a stream, and blooming flowers.

The azaleas are the star of the gardens, with over 100 native and hybrid types. Visiting the botanical gardens is one of the best things to do in Shreveport if you want peace and quiet.

Try Local Breweries in Hammond

Located an hour outside of New Orleans, the city of Hammond has a number of excellent local breweries.

Tourists and locals alike stop by for a pint, but also to see live music, grab food, or catch up on conversation.

Visiting breweries is one of the best things to do in Louisiana for adults if you want a low-key, local experience.

Gnarley Barley Brewery opened in 2014 and has since become a Hammond staple. With an open-air taproom, you’ll be able to see the inner workings of their brewing.

Gnarley Barley’s brews include their versions of pilsner and IPA, but they also have fun special releases like “Imperial Peanut Butter Korova.”

You’ll have trouble picking what to try at Low Road Brewing as they keep 15-20 of their craft brews on tap in addition to guest taps. With their knowledgeable and friendly staff, Low Road makes you feel right at home.

Play at Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center

Those much younger than 21 years old (or those just young at heart) looking for things to do in Hammond will enjoy a visit to the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center .

With hands-on exhibits that encourage problem-solving and imagination, it’s one of the best things to do in Louisiana with kids.

The interactive exhibits at the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center are like visiting a tiny town.

There is a “restaurant” where kids can pretend to cook and serve food, a “farm” where they can learn about cows and chickens, a “vet clinic” with stuffed animals, and even an ambulance display.

Other fun exhibits include a bubble station and a creation station filled with arts and crafts supplies.

One of the best things about the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center is that you can leave and come back the same day but if you have more time it makes a great Louisiana weekend getaway.

Take a Haunted Cemetery and City Tour

Did you know that New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in the United States?

It isn’t surprising, as it’s a city with roots in voodoo and slavery, and for all New Orleans’s celebration of life, the ghosts don’t seem to want to leave.

Going on a ghost tour should definitely be on your Louisiana bucket list.

New Orleans is full of ghost tours , and it’s a fun (and creepy) way to spend an evening. One of the best things to do in Louisiana is to learn about the lively (even in the afterlife) characters and grisly happenings of New Orleans.

Take part in a walking tour that explores the city cemeteries after dark or ride in a mule-drawn carriage through the city’s most haunted neighborhoods.

In addition to ghost, crime, and voodoo tours, there are vampire tours as well…if you’re feeling brave!

You can even stay in one of the haunted hotels in New Orleans .

Book Here: New Orleans: Cemetery Bus Tour At Dark with Exclusive Access

Walk the Louisiana State Arboretum

One of the best things to do in Louisiana is to take a stroll through its unique foliage.

Located in Ville Platte, within Chicot State Park, it’s one of the best things to do near Alexandria or Lafayette as it is about an hour’s drive from both.

The Louisiana State Arboretum provides easy walking trails and arbor education for all ages.

Stop in the Arboretum visitor center to learn about the many types of flora and fauna before you head out.

Once outside, choose your path through 6 miles of trails as you walk through greenery, over wetlands, and under sycamores. You might even glimpse some four-legged friends as well, such as deer and foxes.

Established in 1961, the Louisiana State Arboretum was the first of its kind in the South. As a state preservation area, please remember to be respectful of your surroundings.

Don’t forget to check out some of my other favorite state parks in Louisia na !

Shop at Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store

For history buffs, one of the best things to do in Louisiana is to visit the state’s oldest general store.

The Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store opened in Natchitoches in 1863 and has managed to survive the American Civil War, the Great Depression, WWI, and WWII!

The Kaffie brothers were Jewish-Prussian immigrants who began by selling goods door-to-door. Little did they know that their storefront on Front Street would still be there today.

Now run by the third generation of Fredericks, the store has managed to stay relatively the same, even if the merchandise hasn’t.

Kaffie-Frederick even uses the same hand-cranked cash register, now over a hundred years old. Inside the store, you can find housewares, cookware, toys, and gifts.

Whether you’re looking to buy anything or not, it’s worth a stop in Kaffie-Frederick for the feeling of nostalgia.

Explore the Louisiana Art and Science Museum

Another of the best things to do in Baton Rouge is to visit the L ouisiana Art and Science Museum .

Located in a historic railroad depot right on the Mississippi River, the museum is now a great Louisiana attraction for all ages.

Permanent exhibits at the museum include an Ancient Egypt Gallery, with a mummy from the Ptolemaic period, and galleries exploring the solar system and universe.

The Irene W. Pennington Planetarium is the “star” attraction at the museum and features sky shows and movies. Learn about the night sky and celestial events underneath a 60-foot dome.

For those looking for things to do in Louisana with kids, the museum has hands-on exhibits like “Discovery Depot” and “Science Station”, where kids ages 7-12 will enjoy learning about sound, motion, and light.

This really is one of the cool places in Louisiana for all ages!

Have a Drink at the Carousel Bar & Lounge

There are so many interesting things to do in the French Quarter of New Orleans, but one of the most unique is grabbing a drink at the carousel bar! And yes, it really does rotate!

Located in the historic Hotel Monteleone, this stunning bar has been spinning since 1949. You’ll sit in the same seats as literary greats of the past, like playwright Tennessee Williams who was a regular.

You do not have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy the Carousel Bar, but it does get busy in the evenings so if you are visiting during a weekend in New Orleans , make sure to go a bit early.

Not only is it pretty to look at and fun to ride, but the drinks are excellent as well! The Carousel Bar has an extensive cocktail list, as well as wine and beer.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, they have live music. If you are in New Orleans, add the Carousel Bar to your list of unique things to do in Louisiana.

When you visit the New Orleans French Quarter, you should make a stop here.

Traverse the Tammany Trace Trail

If you are a cyclist or just looking for a good hiking trail, one of the top things in Louisiana is to explore the Tammany Trace Trail .

Once part of the Illinois Central Railroad, the tracks have been converted to a trail for both cycling and walking, as well as a parallel equestrian trail.

This 31-mile asphalt rail-to-trail conversion spans from a trailhead in Covington to Slidell, passing through Abita Springs, Mandeville, and Lacombe.

Tammany Trace is open year-round, whether you want to go for a stroll, run, or bike ride.

The Trace also acts as a wildlife conservation corridor, connecting different greenspaces. You can observe natural habitats as you cross bridges built on original railroad trestles over streams and wetlands.

The trailhead in Covington is a point of interest in itself if you’re looking for things to do in Covington.

Looking like a railroad station, it has a clock tower, a bandstand, and a covered waiting platform. Restrooms are also located at each trailhead.

Go on a Swamp Tour

Going on a swamp tour absolutely has to be on your Louisiana bucket list.

Swamps and bayous are such an integral part of the state’s history and culture that touring one is one of the best things you can do in Louisiana.

Enter a land of moss-covered cypress trees and alligator-filled waters where turtles sunbathe and herons take off from the reeds.

Your knowledgeable guide captains you through the water and shares what they know about the local wildlife and natural history of the swamps.

When you visit Louisiana, you must do a swamp tour!

Book Here: From Lafitte: Swamp Tours South of New Orleans by Airboat

Pay Respects at the National WWII Museum

America’s official WWII museum is located in downtown New Orleans, and it is perhaps one of the more somber things to do in Louisiana.

However, the museum does an excellent job of explaining how the war came to be fought and how it was ended, so that future generations might not repeat it.

The National WWII Museum is spread throughout four buildings, each covering different aspects of the war.

Building 1, the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, focuses on the Home Front and includes the museum’s original D-Day exhibit.

Building 2, the Solomon Victory Theater, shows a war story in a 4D experience. Next, Building 3, Campaigns of Courage, takes you through key settings in both Europe and the Pacific.

Lastly, Building 4, the Hall of Democracy, highlights the museum’s outreach initiatives.

That said, the WWII museum in New Orleans is large, so you can either take a day to see as much as possible or just pick which buildings sound most interesting.

Go Back in Time at Vermilionville Historic Village

Feel like you’ve stepped into the late 18th century at Vermilionville .

This living history museum is one of the best things to do in Louisiana to learn about what life was like in a bayou village.

At Vermilionville you can learn about the different cultures of Acadian, Creole, Native American, and African people and how those cultures blended into the 19th century.

Vermilionville features historic houses and costumed guides and artisans. Watch as people demonstrate spinning wheels and wood carving. Listen to an Avogal storyteller and tap your toes to a Creole fiddle.

There is live music on the weekends and even dance lessons if you want to join in the weekly Sunday dance. There’s also a cooking school as well as a restaurant, La Cusine de Maman, that serves authentic soul food.

Visiting Vermilionville is one of the most unique things to do in Lafayette. In fact, Lafayette used to be called Vermilionville!

If you are looking for hidden gems in Louisiana, this is one of the best!

Relax at the Rip Van Winkle Gardens

If you’re looking for stunning grounds and historic buildings, the Rip Van Winkle Gardens is one of the best things to do in Louisiana this weekend.

Located in New Iberia, the Joseph Jefferson Mansion was built in 1870 and sits on 20 acres of land. For a small fee, you can visit both the mansion and the gardens.

Joseph Jefferson was an American actor who played the character of Rip Van Winkle (who famously fell asleep for 20 years) on stage over 4,500 times.

He originally bought the land for hunting and fishing, and soon built what is now called the Joseph Jefferson Mansion on Jefferson Island.

Jefferson Island is home to 200 species of birds (including peacocks) as well as semi-tropical flowers and oak trees that are hundreds of years old.

Stroll the 15 acres of peaceful gardens…but be careful not to fall asleep!

Discover History on the African American Heritage Trail

The Louisiana African American Heritage Trail is comprised of 38 historic sites and museums throughout the state. You cannot explore Louisiana without visiting at least some of these places.

In New Orleans alone, there are six sites. If you spend 3 days in New Orleans , you should check a couple out.

These include Congo Square where enslaved people were allowed to congregate on Sundays, the St. Augustine Church which is possibly the oldest Black Catholic church in the US, and the New Orleans African American Museum.

Other sites are dotted around the state. Stop by art and history museums, universities, historic homes, and more.

Visit the birthplace of Madam C. J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in America, in Delta. The Arna Bontemps African American Museum in Alexandria is dedicated to the Harlem Renaissance poet.

Other spots to check out include the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville, the Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum in Hammond, and Grambling State University.

Photograph the St. Louis Cathedral

Head to Jackson Square in New Orleans to see one of the best cathedrals in the US!

The towering, white St. Louis Cathedral with its three steeples is one of the most iconic landmarks in NOLA. Its architectural style is a mix of Spanish Colonial, Gothic Revival, and Renaissance.

There have been three churches on this site with the current one dating back to 1789. It is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the US.

This church has experienced so much in its long history including a bombing in 1909, a visit by Pope John Paul II in 1987, and damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Step inside to admire paintings, stained glass windows, chandeliers, and the Rococo-style, gilded altar.

If you visit during Christmas in New Orleans , you can attend free holiday concerts at the church.

This cathedral is one of the best free things to do in Louisiana!

After exploring Jackson Square, you can walk a couple of blocks to Bourbon Street, one of the best places to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This is one of the prettiest New Orleans streets .

Book Here: French Quarter Walking and Storytelling Tour

Find Wildlife at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Just south of New Orleans, the 26,000-acre Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve has something for everyone!

You will find many historic and cultural sites as well as pristine nature full of wildlife all located on the Mississippi River Delta.

There are three cultural centers dedicated to Cajun life. There are great exhibits as well as music, dancing, and cooking demonstrations.

Anyone interested in American history will want to visit the Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National Cemetery.

The 1815 Battle of New Orleans took place here between future president Andrew Jackson and British forces. This was one of the last battles in the War of 1812. It resulted in an American victory.

The wetlands of the Barataria Preserve are the perfect place for wildlife viewing. Keep an eye out for alligators, turtles, snakes, and over 200 species of birds as you explore the boardwalks.

Make sure to stop by the visitors center to learn all about the swamps and marshes.

A Note About Visiting Plantations in Louisiana

Many lists of Louisiana tourist attractions include Oak Alley Plantation, Laura Plantation, Whitney Plantation, and Melrose Plantation.

We want to take a moment to say that we recommend against visiting these locations. Based on personal experience, plantations tend to glorify slavery and sugarcoat the enslaved people’s experience.

I’ve been to some of these in the past, and they really are not great.

I agree it is important to learn about the history of slavery and how it has affected our country, but there are better ways to do so.

We encourage you to make your own decisions on visiting Louisiana plantations, but please keep this in mind when planning your trip.

We hope you enjoyed this ultimate bucket list of attractions in Louisiana! Each area is unique, so definitely venture to more than just New Orleans. You’ll make some lasting Louisiana memories!

Next, check out my comprehensive guide to where to stay in New Orleans !

45 Fun Things To Do & Places To Visit In Louisiana

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Last updated: October 17, 2023

Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana is a southern state best known as a cultural melting pot of French, African, American, and Canadian peoples.

These cultures are most notably reflected in the Pelican State’s Creole and Cajun traditions.

One of its most famous cities is New Orleans which is an amalgamation of colonial-era French customs.

The Pelican State is not short on amazing sites, awesome culture, and epic fun.

If you’re looking for fun and unique things to do in Louisiana, you’ve landed in the right spot.

Louisiana attractions such as colorful Mardi Gras celebrations, historical landmarks, vibrant eateries, arts galore, and culture like no other, can be found at every turn.

Beautiful state parks, a picturesque shoreline, and museums by the mile are all fabulous options for tourism in Louisiana.

So strap in, enjoy the ride, and have a fabulous time during your stay in Louisiana.

Table of Contents

1. Royal Street

Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock

Royal Street is a shopper’s paradise in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Enveloped in the eclecticism of the French Quarter and steeped in southern charm, Royal Street presents shopping galore amid culture aplenty.

Situated just a block from famed Bourbon Street, Royal Street is a haven for antique shopping, small family-owned businesses, and small art galleries.

With so many unique places to visit in Louisiana, Royal Street should top your list for shopping.

Stretching through a few blocks of the French Quarter and a bit of the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods, Royal Street has retail and dining opportunities by the mile.

As you wander in and out of antique shops you’ll encounter some of the finest antiquities in Louisiana.

On Royal Street, you can meander boutique-style gift shops and when you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be surrounded by famed eateries serving up the best Creole in town.

One of the coolest places to see, Royal Street is a top Louisiana destination.

Address: Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

2. LSU Rural Life Museum

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The LSU Rural Life Museum is a truly unique museum situated on the campus of Louisiana State University.

Essentially, the museum documents, preserves, and shares the local history of culture, landscapes, and architecture unique to rural Louisiana and the Lower Mississippi Valley.

With a strong focus on LA’s working class throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the museum shares an interesting local perspective.

One of a handful of free things to do for children, the museum is fun and interesting for the whole family.

The museum is home to culturally rich artifacts such as historic outbuildings, a working plantation section, a folk architecture exhibit, and even a display barn.

Situated on more than 400 acres of donated land, the museum is a peaceful and beautiful place to visit.

If you’re wondering what to do in Louisiana in the way of history-rich and educational sights, be sure to check out LSU Rural Life Museum.

Address: 4560 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States

3. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

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This Greek revival mansion, built in 1840, is a must see historical establishment in Louisiana.

The property is situated on more than 35 acres adjacent to the Mississippi River.

With the mansion at the center of the property, the house is also surrounded by a plantation, gardens, lodgings, and even elegant restaurants.

The Houmas House Plantation and Gardens welcome visitors for sightseeing tours, overnight stays, and wonderful dining experiences.

If planning a visit to Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, tours give visitors a glimpse into plantation life as well as a peek at historical artifacts and structures.

Notably, tour guides are dressed in period costumes that give guests an authentic feel for life on a 19th century Louisiana plantation.

If you choose an overnight stay, the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens has lovely, quaint cottages available for rental.

Moreover, several dining options are available in the array of available dining rooms for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Of all the best Louisiana attractions, a visit to Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is highly recommended.

Address: 40136 LA-942, Darrow, LA 70725, United States

4. Frenchmen Street

Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock

If you’re looking for a place to immerse yourself in authentic New Orleans music any time of the day, then you’ll definitely want to visit Frenchmen Street .

Neon lights, jazz music aplenty, and curbside concerts at every turn, this is the place for you.

During a visit to Frenchmen Street, one of many cool things to do in Louisiana, you can expect to be surrounded by tinny sounds, bright lights, buzzing crowds, and beyond.

Frenchmen Street is essentially a cultural and artistic experience for all your senses.

Furthermore, the street is lined with an array of venues that feature live music all day long.

Jazz, blues, reggae, and rock are just a few of the music varieties you can enjoy while on Frenchmen Street.

Beyond the immersive music experience, Frenchmen Street has a slew of amazing restaurants including late-night eateries and bars by the dozen.

A wonderful nightlife for adults, Frenchmen Street is a must do.

Address: Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

Visiting New Orleans soon? Why not check out some of the things to do in New Orleans ?

5. Preservation Hall

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Preservation Hall , located in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a modest, bare-bones music venue that’s been hosting jazz and other musical shows for decades.

With concrete walls, wooden floors, and no air-conditioning, Preservation Hall is truly no-frills.

Best of all, the venue provides an intimate setting to enjoy acoustic music to all ages nearly all year long.

This famed French Quarter music hall is one of many cool things to do in LA this weekend or any day of the week.

Operating as a family-owned business, the establishment has been hosting jazz greats since the 1950s.

Today, the tradition of nightly jazz concerts continues.

Before visiting Preservation Hall, check out the events calendar and be sure to purchase tickets in advance.

Following your experience at Preservation Hall, you’ll definitely want to hit the gift shop to pick up some truly amazing merchandise to commemorate your visit.

One of many famous places to visit in Louisiana, Preservation Hall should definitely top your itinerary.

Address: 726 St Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

6. Whitney Plantation

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The Whitney Plantation is a historic Louisiana museum, situated in the town of Egard, that’s devoted to the preservation of artifacts pursuant to slavery.

The main plantation house as well as the surrounding outbuildings are seated adjacent to the Mississippi River.

Today, the museum welcomes visitors to learn about the local history of slavery as well as its ongoing legacies.

Particularly, the museum shares the narratives of the enslaved individuals who worked the sugar fields as well as the rice paddies and indigo fields on Whitney Plantation.

During your tour of Whitney Plantation, you’ll have the opportunity to tour historic structures such as slave quarters, the main house, roosting houses, and other significant buildings.

Each building has been restored to its original aesthetic and each is outfitted with historic furnishings, fixtures, and other interesting artifacts.

One of many historic places of interest in LA, the Whitney Plantation is a humbling place to visit.

Address: 5099 LA-18, Edgard, LA 70049, United States

7. Oak Alley Plantation

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Quite possibly one of the most lovely estates in one of the most beautiful states , Oak Alley Plantation is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River in Vacherie, Louisiana.

The plantation welcomes visitors to tour its many historical buildings and exhibits.

One of Oak Alley Plantation’s most beautiful things to see is the glorious landscaping.

With 28 oak trees, colorful gardens, and tons of open green space, the landscaping alone is quite the sightseeing experience.

In addition to the gorgeous landscaping, the property features an enlightening slavery exhibit that showcases the slaves kept on the plantation as well as their living conditions and their lives following emancipation.

Additionally, a tour of the “Big House” reveals the opulence in which wealthy slave owners lived.

Finally, other structures to be toured include The Sugarcane Theater and The Blacksmith’s Shop, both of which provide further insight into historic plantation life.

One of many historic points of interest to tour in Louisiana, Oak Alley Plantation is highly recommended.

Address: 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090, United States

8. Audubon Zoo

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Audubon Zoo , located in New Orleans, Louisiana, tends to animals from all over the world.

The zoo thrives on providing enriching, hands-on, and educational experiences about wildlife to all visitors.

If you’re wondering what to see with your family when visiting Louisiana, the Audubon Zoo is a must.

With presentations of recreated natural habitats, daily animal presentations, and live feeds, a visit to the zoo is one of many fun activities to do during your stay in LA.

Some of the amazing wildlife you can hope to encounter while visiting the Audubon Zoo include whooping cranes, Amur leopards, orangutans, a tiger, and even the unusual white alligator.

Other animal exhibits showcase cougars, honey bees, many bird varieties, and beyond.

In addition to all the amazing zoo exhibits, other establishment amenities include concession stands, a gift shop, and so much more.

If you’re looking for stuff to do with children, the Audubon Zoo is a wonderful choice.

Address: 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States

9. The National WWII Museum

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Formerly known as the National D-Day Museum, Louisiana’s National WWII Museum is a history-rich site that war buffs will surely enjoy visiting.

The museum maintains fascinating exhibits that expose personal narratives and artifacts germane to World War II.

Of note, the museum’s exhibits tend to be hands-on and are surely immersive.

With pronounced multi-media exhibits, a vast collection of war artifacts, and oral histories, visitors to the museum feel like they’ve walked in the shoes of real war heroes.

Some of the museum’s memorable exhibits cover the war on a global scale while others explore particular facets of World War II such as the Invasion of Normandy.

Other exhibits focus on the road to Berlin, the role of world leaders, war on the homefront, and other pertinent World War II topics.

The National WWII Museum is overflowing with so much history that it would be a shame to skip one of the top Louisiana attractions.

Address: 945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

10. Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

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This contemporary sculpture garden is situated on more than 10 acres just outside New Orleans, Louisiana.

Harmoniously combining both nature and art, Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is one of a few romantic things to do for a day date.

Comprising nearly 100 sculptures, the garden is one of the most famous places of its caliber in all of the US.

The sculptures themselves are certainly awe-inspiring, however, the setting is second to none.

While visiting the sculpture garden, visitors are treated to winding paths amid majestically landscaped acreage.

Two hundred-year-old oaks, mature pines, colorful flowers, and more all await you in the garden.

With magical sights at every turn, it’s no wonder the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden draws crowds from all over the country.

Notably, of tourist spots, the sculpture garden is one of the best places to visit in all of Louisiana.

Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124, United States

Visting other parts of Louisiana? Why not check out some of the things to do in Baton Rouge ?

11. Capitol Park Museum

Pat M2007 / flickr

The Capitol Park Museum , seated in the heart of Baton Rouge , Louisiana, is an iconic historical and art museum.

Providing visitors with a sweeping insight into the country’s most vibrant state, it’s no wonder the museum draws visitors from far and wide.

With so many things to see in one place, the Capitol Park Museum showcases exhibitions that document local culture and history.

Notably, the museum has exhibits on Louis Armstrong, Mardi Gras, the Mississippi River, life on the Gulf of Mexico, and so much more.

Other museum attributes allow visitors to explore demonstrations on life in the area for Native Americans, European colonists, slave life, and the Cajun lifestyle.

Moreover, the Capitol Park Museum permanently displays exhibits showcasing aviation, Louisiana hurricanes, and a Sports Hall of Fame among others.

If you’re on the lookout for top tourist attractions in LA, be sure to add Capitol Park Museum to your list.

Address: 660 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States

12. Ruins of Fort Macomb

Infrogmation , CC BY 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons

This 19th-century brick fort in New Orleans is one of many cool free things to do in Louisiana.

Situated adjacent to Chef Menteur Pass, the old fort is one of the US’s National Historic Sites.

Notably, the fort was constructed in 1822 and was erected to protect the area’s waterways from enemy attacks.

In recent years the fort has been rendered in disrepair thanks to the encroachment of nearby Lake Catherine.

However, the fort is still a unique site to visit.

Although the fort caught fire in 1867 and was decommissioned in 1871, visitors, especially history buffs, come from far and wide each year to visit its ruins.

In fact, the Ruins of Fort Macomb are somewhat famous in that they’ve been featured in HBO’s “True Detective” as well as “NCIS” and “Beyonce’s Lemonade.”

The ruins can be carefully explored and are a bit spooky, but a fun thing to see nonetheless.

Address: New Orleans, LA 70129, United States

13. Musical Legends Park

If you’re looking for unique things to do in LA, be sure to check out Musical Legends Park.

One of the best commemorations of jazz musicians, the park is home to lovely statues of such musicians as Fats Domino, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, Louis Prima, and Irma Thomas among many others.

The park is a lovely place to visit with family; here you can take in historic tributes to musical greats.

In addition to admiring the amazing statues, the park in which they’re set is a cozy place to meander, picnic, and lounge.

In addition to the masterpieces of art and music, the park also hosts live music, a nod to the musicians honored at the park, every day.

Centrally located in the French Quarter, the Musical Legends Park is a lovely place to escape the hubbub of New Orleans.

If you’re wondering what to do during your stay in Louisiana, be sure to add this top attraction to your itinerary.

Address: 311 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

14. Global Wildlife Center

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This free-roaming wildlife reserve in Folsom, Louisiana sits on nearly 1,000 acres and is home to more than 3,500 animals.

One of many popular places for families to visit in LA, the center brings visitors face to face with animals in their natural habitat.

Your experience at the center will be interactive, wholesome, and super fun.

One of the largest establishments of its kind, Global Wildlife Center houses exotic and endangered animals from all over the world.

When booking your tour of the Global Wildlife Center, you can choose from wagon tours during which you can feed and touch animals or private tours that bring you even closer to the animals.

The establishment also hosts safari parties which make for great birthday celebrations.

Finally, some of the incredible animals you’ll have the chance to interact with include giraffes, zebras, kangaroos, camels, bison, llamas, and so many others.

One of the most lovely places to check out in LA, be sure to visit the Global Wildlife Center.

Address: 26389 LA-40, Folsom, LA 70437, United States

15. Jungle Gardens

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Jungle Gardens is a 170-acre botanical garden and bird sanctuary situated on Avery Island in Louisiana.

Open daily, visitors are welcome to explore the property at their leisure or with a tour guide for a nominal fee.

Jungle Gardens is one of many beautiful points of interest that you should be sure to check out.

Of note, the property is home to semi-tropical gardens that are breathtaking to meander.

Vibrant flowers, verdant greenery, colorful bamboo, and many other botanical treasures stretch as far as the eye can perceive.

The gently rolling topography and abundant wildlife have drawn visitors from far and wide to Jungle Gardens.

Another big draw is the bird sanctuary.

In fact, bird tours can be scheduled by reservation; these tours are a wonderful experience for enthusiasts.

The sanctuary is home to white ibises, great blue herons, and a fantastic assortment of migratory birds.

If you’re a nature or wildlife lover, there’s no doubt that Jungle Gardens answers the pressing question of what to visit in Louisiana.

Address: Louisiana 329 &, Main Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513, United States

16. R.W. Norton Art Gallery

R.W. Norton Art Gallery

If you’re looking for fun sightseeing opportunities, be sure to check out R.W. Norton Art Gallery .

This museum, located in Shreveport , Louisiana, is set amid a lush and vibrant garden setting.

Of note, the museum houses a collection of quintessential American and European art.

Additionally, the gallery is home to a collection of rare books that any bibliophile will adore.

One of a handful of artsy points of interest in Louisiana, R.W. Norton Art Gallery is a must-see.

Furthermore, the museum is home to more than 400 paintings by over 100 artists, encompassing both renaissance and modernist works.

Additionally, besides paintings, the museum contains mediums such as sculptures, tapestries, decorative arts, and well beyond.

Some of the big names in art that the gallery showcases include Remington, Russell, and Audubon to name a few.

Finally, in addition to touring the gallery, visitors are also welcome to tour the botanical gardens which feature beautiful landscaping, wildlife aplenty, sculptures, and more.

Address: 4747 Creswell Ave, Shreveport, LA 71106, United States

17. Shreveport Aquarium

Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau / flickr

Situated adjacent to the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana, this aquarium is a fun place to visit for visitors of all ages.

Notably, admission tickets are reasonably priced, so this is an affordable attraction to boot.

A visit to Shreveport Aquarium will bring you face to face with underwater creatures you’d never otherwise have the opportunity to see so closely.

Home to more than 300 species and roughly 1,000 animals, there is so much sea life to experience in one place.

The Shreveport Aquarium will bring you just inches away from sharks, turtles, seahorses, eels, and a wide assortment of other underwater beings.

The museum has awesome interactive exhibits as well.

Hands-on feeding experiences allow visitors to touch animals like rays, moon jellies, and others.

The aquarium is also home to an indoor gem, fossil, and gold mining experience.

With so much to do under one roof, it’s on wonderful visitors to Louisiana adore Shreveport Aquarium.

Address: 601 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71101, United States

18. Millennium Park

Millennium Park

If you’re looking for free things to do with children, Millennium Park is your answer.

This beautiful lakeside park sits amid a lovely well-landscaped setting and has lots of fun for little ones.

Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the park is a wonderful place for children to stretch their legs, make new friends, enjoy outdoor recreation, and get some fresh air.

Millennium Park has lots of on-site activities for children, so pack a lunch and enjoy some sunshine.

Millennium Park has a fun fenced-in playground with colorful, pirate-themed equipment.

Swing sets, slides, climbing equipment, and more await your little one.

Furthermore, the park has a splash pad for children to cool off in on hot days.

The sprawling playground equipment is surrounded by open green space for further recreational activities.

If you’re wondering what to do with children this weekend or any time of the week, Millennium Park is a great spot to visit.

Address: 900 Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601, United States

19. Creole Nature Trail

Michael Kaercher / Shutterstock

The Creole Nature Trail in Lake Charles, Louisiana is a great way to get some exercise, explore new trails, and see new sights.

One of many top free things to do in the Pelican State, the Creole Nature Trail is situated along a 26-mile stretch of the Gulf of Mexico.

Diverse nature constructs as well as more than 400 species of wildlife can be seen along the trail.

Essentially, the trail consists of marshlands rife with wildlife, plantlife, sealife, and more.

Along the trail, visitors can hike, nature watch, fish, and crab.

In addition to fishing, bird hunting is also permitted during designated seasons.

Furthermore, the Creole Nature Trail is surrounded by lots of local eateries and accommodations.

However, visitors are also welcome to pack picnic lunches which are a lovely way to enjoy the trail.

One of many outdoor tourist attractions that visitors and locals alike adore, the Creole Nature Trail should definitely make your shortlist.

Address: 1205 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601, United States

20. Vermilionville

Vermilionville

Vermillionville is a living museum and folklife park in the city of LaFayette, Louisiana.

Dedicated to the preservation and sharing of historic Native American, African American, Creole, and Acadian culture, Vermilionville brings the cultures of these peoples to life.

Specifically, the histories of these groups are retold through and including the 1800s.

Through interpretation, conservation, and interactive exhibits, visitors to Vermilionville enjoy a step back in time.

If you’re looking for unique places to see, Vermilionville is surely one of a kind.

Situated on 23 acres along the banks of the Bayou, Vermillionville is set in one of the most beautiful Louisiana settings imaginable.

Open six days a week, this fun destination has tons of thematic things to do each day.

From dining to shopping and shows to educational programming, Vermilionville is an all-encompassing experience that is one of the coolest things to see in the whole state.

Address: 300 Fisher Rd, Lafayette, LA 70508, United States

21. Steamboat Natchez

This old-fashioned steamboat sailing out of New Orleans, Louisiana, is a super fun way for couples to spend a romantic evening.

Named for the Natchez people, this steamboat has been in operation since 1975.

The undisputed fastest steamboat on the Mississippi River, this vessel offers scenic, dinner, and entertainment tours daily.

If you’re looking for fun Louisiana attractions, Steamboat Natchez is surely worth a go.

The Steamboat Natchez is a grand paddle wheeler that takes visitors on leisurely two-hour tours of the river.

Many of the tours provide live entertainment such as Jazz Music.

Other tours include a Brunch Tour or Dinner Tour.

No matter the time of day you board Steamboat Natchez, one thing’s for sure: you’re guaranteed a good time.

An authentic New Orleans experience in all ways, the brunch/dinner cruises serve authentic Creole food, cocktails, and an all-around good time.

Address: 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

22. Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets

Michael Barera , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

One of Louisiana’s prime travel destinations for shopping, Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets is a great spot for some retail therapy.

This outdoor shopping center is located in Bossier City, Louisiana and is one of the largest shopping malls in the whole state.

Seated adjacent to the Red River, the center’s setting is as appealing as the shopping.

If you’re wondering what to do during your visit to the Pelican State, be sure to check out Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets.

Besides all of the amazing shopping, the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets also have wonderful dining opportunities.

Restaurants for every palette and price point line the boardwalk as well as bars, coffee shops, and more.

Additionally, the boardwalk has tons of entertainment like nightclubs, a cinema, a nearby casino, and even children’s amusements.

Fun for the whole family and the perfect spot to visit today or this weekend, Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets is a top Louisiana spot.

Address: 540 Boardwalk Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71111, United States

23. Shreveport Water Works Museum

Shreveport Water Works Museum

One of many interesting places to see in the Pelican State, the Shreveport Water Works Museum is a historic water pumping station.

Celebrating more than 130 years of service, the Shreveport Water Works Museum was constructed in 1887 as one of the first of its kind in the South.

Although the plant itself has evolved over the last century, its heritage is encapsulated at the Shreveport Water Works Museum.

The Shreveport Water Works Museum is not only housed in a historic building but as its name suggests, it preserves and shares historical artifacts associated with the original pumping plant.

Visitors to the museum are welcome to tour the 100-year-old building as well as the exhibits it houses.

During your tour, you’ll see the antique steam system equipment as well as water purification systems of yesteryear and today.

Notably, the museum is one of a few awesome free things to do in the Pelican State.

Address: 142 N Common St, Shreveport, LA 71101, United States

24. Museum of Death

Museum of Death

The Museum of Death has three US locations, one of which resides in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Established in 1955 as a place intended “to make people happy to be alive,” the museum is a truly unique place to visit.

Significantly, the museum has evolved from a controversial art gallery to what it is today: the largest collection of death-related artwork and artifacts in the world.

Tours of the museum are self-guided and take about an hour to complete.

Some of the interesting artifacts you’ll encounter during your tour include artwork, antique funeral equipment, coroner instruments, taxidermy, crime scene photographs, and much more.

Additionally, the museum houses serial killer and murderer memorabilia such as artifacts related to the Manson Family.

Lastly, the Museum of Death has an awesome gift shop where you can pick up true crime merchandise.

One of Louisiana’s truly unique tourist attractions, the Museum of Death is definitely worth a visit.

Address: 227 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States

25. Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo

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Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo is a tiny, boutique-style gift shop that sells oddities, rarities, and unique Louisiana souvenirs.

Specializing in talismans, voodoo dolls, and spell books, the shop is a cool place to browse and pick up interesting souvenirs.

Oils, jewelry, animal parts, books, and more can all be found donning the shelves of Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo.

Other merchandise includes apparel, magnets, shot glasses, and other gifts.

In addition to the cool selection of merchandise, Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo also specializes in psychic readings.

In fact, spiritual, psychic, and tarot card readings are all available on-site by appointment.

Gifted and reputable readers staff Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo and can provide you with a one-of-a-kind experience.

Finally, in addition to psychic services, Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo can help visitors to practice spiritual and ritual ceremonies.

One of the most unique places to see in New Orleans, you should definitely visit Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo.

Address: 739 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

26. Carousel Bar

Carousel Bar

Residing in the famous Hotel Monteleone, the Carousel Bar is a famous New Orleans watering hole.

If you’re looking for fun tourist attractions in Louisiana, be sure to check out this one.

The centerpiece of the bar, as its name suggests, is a slow-moving antique carousel; you literally belly up to the somewhat haunting carousel to enjoy spirits and good company.

Serving up great cocktails, excellent food, and live music, the bar and lounge have been a top attraction for many moons.

One of the most recognizable figures at Carousel Bar is Marvin, the resident mixologist, historian, and beloved bartender.

He, like other bartenders at this establishment, treat visitors to superb services, fabulously crafted cocktails, and a splash of local lore and history.

Since its inception in the early 1940s, the carousel Bar has certainly evolved, but its antique charm and attention to detail are what make this place something special.

One of many cool Louisiana attractions, Carousel Bar is a must-see for adults.

Address: 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

27. Old Absinthe House

4kclips / Shutterstock

Jean Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House has been a New Orleans institution since 1807.

Situated right on Bourbon Street, it’s open seven days per week in its old white historic building.

One of the top places to see in Louisiana, Old Absinthe House spent its first 40 years as an establishment concerned with the bartering of food, tobacco, and liquor.

Since its inception, it’s evolved into one of Louisiana’s greatest saloons.

Once a corner grocery store, then a coffee house, Old Absinthe House is now a New Orleans tradition that shows no signs of stopping.

Today, the Old Absinthe House stands as a speakeasy-style saloon that welcomes visitors from far and wide.

Unique cocktails, bar bites, and a full lunch/dinner menu are all available to enjoy in the historic Bourbon Street setting.

Whether you’re looking for something to do tonight or this weekend, Old Absinthe House is a fun option.

Address: 240 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States

28. Avery Island

Avery Island is a famous salt dome best known for its contribution to the widely consumed Tobasco products.

Situated in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Avery Island is one of many unique things to see in the Pelican State.

Seated about three miles offshore from the Mississippi River, the island has a small year-round population of mostly Tobasco workers.

Astoundingly, Avery island comprises over 2,000 acres sitting directly atop a salt rock.

Other unique facets of Avery Island include lush vegetation, unique geological formations, and Spanish moss.

Thought to be what remains of an ancient buried seabed, the island’s salt deposit is said to be as deep as 29,000 feet below the Earth’s surface.

Besides the island’s unique topography and ecology, it’s also home to a wildfowl refuge.

All of these interesting features can be toured by the public throughout the year.

One of the top things to do in Louisiana, a visit to Avery Island is a must.

Address: Louisiana, United States

29. Abita Mystery House

Malachi Jacobs / Shutterstock

This roadside attraction located in Abita Springs is one of many interesting places to visit in Louisiana.

This truly unique museum houses a collection of “found” art and artifacts, unique to Louisiana, that tourists come from far and wide to peruse.

With more than 1,000 works of folk art, Abita Mystery House is both intriguing and provocative.

A mixture of antiquities, rarities, oddities, and everything in between, Abita Mystery House is worth checking out.

Visitors to Abita Mystery House can explore the massive collection at their leisure.

Some of the house’s unique exhibits include a miniature Southern town operated by push-button, animated displays, old arcade machines, odd collections, and more.

The house itself is an odd aesthetic that further perpetuates the mysterious experience that visitors enjoy at Abita Mystery House.

If you’re looking for a quick and fun attraction along your route, this is the place for you.

Address: 22275 LA-36, Abita Springs, LA 70420, United States

30. Honey Island Swamp Tours

Shooty Photography / Shutterstock

Established in 1972, Honey Island Swamp Tours provides visitors with demonstrative boat tours of the Cypress Swamp.

Located in Slidell, Louisiana, Honey Island Swamp Tours is loved by locals and tourists alike.

If you’re interested in fun water activities for the whole family, Honey Island Swamp Tours is the answer.

So named for the honey bees that swarm near the island, these tours bring visitors face to face with swamp life and ecology.

During your tour, you can expect to see rich wildlife along beautiful stretches of the river and the island.

The state has a growing population of alligators, with more than one million already residing in Louisiana, some of which can be perceived during a Honey Island Swamp Tour.

Of note, tours are professionally narrated, provide ample opportunity for photography, and some of the company’s smaller boats allow for exploration in the deepest parts of the swamp.

Whether a nature-lover at heart or looking for something new and unique to experience, a Honey Island Swamp Tour is one of the coolest things to do in Louisiana.

Address: 41490 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell, LA 70461, United States

31. Fontainebleau State Park

Nathan Peachman / Shutterstock

Located in Saint Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Fontainebleau State Park provides an epic setting for tons of recreational activities.

One of many gorgeous places to visit in Louisiana, Fontainebleau State Park sits adjacent to Lake Pontchartrain and is nearly 3,000 acres in size.

Not only does the park provide an excellent setting for daily activities, but visitors also have the option of “glamping” at premium campsites or erecting tents of their own.

Either way, the diverse ecology and epic lake views are worth a stay at Fontainebleau State Park.

It’s worth mentioning that Lake Pontchartrain, at the park’s center, can be used for swimming, paddling, boating, and an assortment of other water activities.

Moreover, an old railroad track has been converted to a rail and trail system.

Best of all, interpretive signs along the trail point out tree, shrub, and plant names.

With so much to do in one beautiful setting, it’s no wonder locals and travelers alike swarm to Fontainebleau State Park all year long.

Address: 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville, LA 70448, United States

32. Grand Isle State Park

Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock

Situated on a barrier island in Jefferson Parish, Grand Isle State Park is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Louisiana.

Notably, the park is a wonderful place to spend a few hours or even a few days.

Overlooking the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Grand Isle State Park is a real hotspot during the summer months.

The park serves as a popular launching point for many fishing adventures so if you’re looking to get out on the water, Grand Isle State Park is your spot.

Swimming, sunbathing, and beach lounging are also favorite activities to enjoy at the park.

If you’re a nature enthusiast, you can revel in birdwatching, hiking, boating, crabbing, and a wide array of other outdoor recreational activities.

With the beautiful park and adjacent waterways as your setting, any activity turns into a scenic one at Grand Isle State Park.

Address: 108 Admiral Craik Dr, Grand Isle, LA 70358, United States

33. Atchafalaya Basin

LHBLLC / Shutterstock

Noted as the largest swamp and wetlands area in all of the US, Atchafalaya Basin is located in south-central Louisiana.

Stretching for nearly 150 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, Atchafalaya Basin is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Louisiana.

While exploring the Atchafalaya Basin you’ll have the opportunity to encounter 65 species of reptiles and amphibians who call the basin home.

Other species of animals that make their home in the Atchafalaya Basin include black bears, foxes, and beavers among many others.

In addition to the land animals, many species of sea life and birds call the basin their home too.

Furthermore, the basin is rife with opportunities for fun outdoor activities.

To name a few, visitors can engage in things like boating, biking, birding, camping, swamp tours, hunting, fishing, and beyond.

If you’re interested in spending some peaceful outdoor time on the Bayou, be sure to check out Atchafalaya Basin.

Address: LA 70517, United States

34. Chicot State Park

JayL / Shutterstock

One of the best things to do in Louisiana is to pay a visit to Chicot State Park , especially if you love the outdoors.

Located just outside Ville Platte, Louisiana, Chicot State Park is a wildlife reserve that sprawls across more than 6,000 acres of protected land.

Surrounded by rolling hills, a man-made lake, and breathtaking forestry, Chicot State Park is a must-see if you’re traveling with nature-lovers.

Notably, visitors to the park can even plan to spend a few days on one of the many available campsites.

The cool, clear waters of the overstocked lake are a great place to enjoy fishing for trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill among other varieties.

Other possible activities at Chicot State Park include hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, boating, swimming, and beyond.

Additionally, the park is home to child-friendly features such as a splash pad and playground.

Whether visiting with children or adults, the fact remains that Chicot State Park is a wonderful place to check out.

Address: 3469 Chicot Park Rd, Ville Platte, LA 70586, United States

35. Jackson Square

Jackson Square is a historic park in New Orleans’s French Quarter.

Named a National Historic Landmark in 1960, Jackson Square is the site where the Louisiana Purchase was settled in 1803.

Historically, the park has been a gathering place for both amateur and renowned musicians and painters.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Jackson Square emerged as a center for business.

Today, however, this historic landmark is one of the best things to see in Louisiana.

Notably, the square is flanked on all sides by historic buildings the likes of which add to the charm of Jackson Square.

Near to the park are famous breweries, restaurants, and markets.

Furthermore, Jackson Square has been the setting for many famous movie and television scenes.

A place to gather, a place to rest, a place to appreciate, a place close to so much history and culture, Jackson Square is a great place to add to your itinerary.

Address: 701 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

36. Cypress Island Preserve

CrackerClips Stock Media / Shutterstock

Cypress Island Preserve is a nearly 10,000-acre preserve in St. Martinville, Louisiana.

Surrounded by Lake Martin which is situated amid a cypress-tupelo preserve, the island is a place for nature observance and exploration.

The island represents a fish and game preserve that is open to the public all year long.

In fact, Cypress Island Preserve is the area’s largest tract of preserved hardwood forest.

If you’re looking for things to do in Louisiana that get you outdoors and enjoying nature, be sure to visit Cypress Island Preserve.

Cypress Island Preserve is characterized by spectacular views, wildlife aplenty, and even a rookery view.

Moreover, the preserve has a two-and-a-half-mile walking trail that’s suitable for all experience levels.

A boardwalk, a visitor center, and a picnic pavilion are all Cypress Island Preserve amenities that you can enjoy during your visit.

A gathering place with numerous opportunities to enjoy nature at its finest, Cypress Island Preserve is a must-see.

Address: 1264 Prairie Hwy, St Martinville, LA 70582, United States

37. Kisatchie National Forest

William Dillingham / Shutterstock

The only natural forest in all of Louisiana, Kisatchie National Forest is part of the Cenozoic uplands and features large areas of pine forest.

Established in 1930, Kisatchie National Forest is a wonderful place to enjoy time with family, friends, and best of all, nature.

If you’re looking for things to do in Louisiana, Kisatchie National Forest is a great destination to add to your list.

Of note, Kisatchie National Forest is lauded as having some of the best hunting in the whole state.

Additionally, the Kisatchie National Forest is a great place to camp, be it a tent or RV camping, for a few days or even more.

A vast hiking trail awaits hikers and bikers, a centrally located lake provides a great place for swimming, fishing, and boating.

Other fine activities that you might partake in include horseback riding, traversing scenic byways, and more.

38. St. Louis Cathedral

The oldest cathedral in all of North America, St. Louis Cathedral was established as a Catholic parish in 1720.

Situated along the banks of the Mississippi River, it is recognized as one of Louisiana’s most significant landmarks.

The cathedral’s iconic triple steeples are a marvel that towers over New Orleans, creating one of the most astounding views you’ll encounter whilst visiting the Pelican State.

What’s more, the cathedral is an architectural wonder that visitors come from all over the world to appreciate.

Remarkably, the cathedral is open to the public for daily masses.

Additionally, self-guided tours are permitted and tour brochures are available for a $1 donation.

Occasionally, cathedral staff members are available for impromptu guided tours, but these are by sheer luck.

Finally, if you’d prefer a full-guided tour, these are available by reservation only.

One of the most beautiful attractions to tour, a visit to St. Louis Cathedral is surely worth a place on your itinerary.

Address: 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

39. Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum

Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum

This small town museum is a strange coupling of historical events and pop culture nostalgia.

Located in Kentwood, Louisiana, the establishment is a no-frills establishment that pays homage to all things Louisiana, whether they seem to fit together or not.

Situated in a small, dilapidated residential home, the museum is unassuming yet intriguing.

Although the small population of Kentwood comes in at roughly 2,200 people, there are even a few celebrities who are honored at the museum.

From World War II veterans to Britney Spears, the Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum has an odd collection of historical artifacts such as a model battleship with Britney cutouts in the next room.

A visit to the museum isn’t very long but entry is free of charge so why not take a quick gander at this fun little local museum.

A curious little Louisiana museum, Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum is worth a quick visit.

Address: 204 Avenue E, Kentwood, LA 70444, United States

40. French Quarter

Known as the heart of New Orleans, this Louisiana neighborhood is a must-see when visiting the Pelican State.

Famous for its lively nightlife, colorful buildings, historical establishments, and incredible music scene, there is literally something new to see and do at every turn.

A cultural mecca for Cajun, Creole, and Bayou culture, it’s no wonder the French Quarter is the Louisiana mecca it is.

If you’re looking for incredible cultural immersion as well as memories to last a lifetime, be sure to visit the French Quarter.

Jazz clubs, speakeasy-like bars, Cajun eateries, cast-iron balconies, quiet French markets, and so many other delightful establishments line the streets of the French Quarter.

Local artists, gourmet food, boutique shopping, supernatural readers, performers galore, and beyond can all be encountered as you stroll the streets.

With so much vivacity in one central location, it’s no wonder the French Quarter is dubbed the heart of New Orleans.

Address: New Orleans, LA, United States

41. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

DimplePatel / Shutterstock

An old apothecary dating back to 1823, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is now the home of a collection of antique pharmaceuticals.

Early medicines, wild superstitions, and outlandish cures have all made a home in this rather odd establishment.

Situated in New Orleans, Louisiana, the museum resides in a historic building in the well-known Vieux Carre Historic District.

Showcasing an extensive collection as well as providing educational programming, the museum is a fun place to tour.

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum does a fine job of preserving and presenting the intriguing history of pharmaceuticals and healthcare in Louisiana.

Some of the exhibits showcase old methods of administering medicine, voodoo potions, surgical instruments, questionable practices, and a lot of other interesting tidbits.

Other exhibits show excavated medicine bottles, a spectacles collection, and even architectural specifications about the historical building itself.

Lastly, after your tour, be sure to visit the museum’s gift shop where you can purchase cool pharmacy souvenirs.

Address: 514 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

42. Mardi Gras World

legacy1995 / Shutterstock

This New Orleans tourist attraction brings visitors up close and personal with real Mardi Gras artifacts from the many years of use in the festival.

Mardi Gras World is a 300,000 square foot warehouse that stores Mardi Gras floats, balloons, and more.

The bright, colorful, and larger-than-life equipment used to make Mardi Gras so special, can be interactively enjoyed.

Located adjacent to the Mississippi River, the warehouse is just a tad off the beaten path however a free shuttle to and from is available from anywhere in the city.

Home to some of the oldest, largest, and most colorful floats in the world, the warehouse is a breathtaking place to tour.

Guided tours include an overview of the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and are followed by a showcasing of the float den as well as the artists’ workshop.

With hundreds of floats to enjoy from a direct vantage point, it’s no wonder Mardi Gras World is a Louisiana institution.

Address: 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

43. Backstreet Cultural Museum

Located in Louisiana’s Treme neighborhood, the Backstreet Cultural Museum is the only African American museum in the US.

Established in 1999, the museum showcases cultural exhibits germane to local African Americans.

It’s both a gathering place and a place to learn and appreciate Black culture and heritage.

Of note, the museum was founded by Sylvester Francis, a local legend who recognized the need for ethnic appreciation.

Significantly, the museum focuses on the many different sects of African American people living in New Orleans; some of these sects include Mandigo, Mardi Gras Indians, The Baby Dolls, Bone Gang, and others.

Within the museum, visitors are treated to artifacts such as costumes, memorabilia, photographs, films, and other items relative to African American history in New Orleans.

This colorful and unique collection is one of a kind.

If you’d enjoy learning more about this significant faction of locals, check out the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

Address: 1116 Henriette Delille St, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

44. Faulkner House Books

William A. Morgan / Shutterstock

If you’re a bibliophile who enjoys the tactile experience of brick and mortar bookstores, this one is truly special.

The Faulkner House Books resides in the former home of famed American writer, William Faulkner.

A haven for rare editions, fine selections, and real tangible books, the Faulkner House Books is one of a dying breed of small bookshops.

What’s more, the building itself was built in 1837 and is now considered a historic building.

If you’ll be strolling the French Quarter (as you likely will be if you’re in New Orleans), a lovely place to take a short time out from the hubbub of the city is the Faulkner House Books.

One of Louisiana’s hidden gems, the bookstore is a historic landmark in its own right.

The store sells both new and used literature and is a great pit stop before heading out of town on your departing flight.

Address: 624 Pirates Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

45. Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art

Jennifer Jameson / flickr

Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art is a strange place indeed.

Located in Chauvin, Louisiana, the garden is home to the curious sculptures of one Kenny Hill.

Hill, a once devout zealot, erected his sculptures on a rented tract of land.

Established in the early 1990s, Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art is a representation of Hill’s eclectic art sensibilities and his curious belief system.

One of Hill’s most confounding habits was inserting himself as the subject of his many sculptures.

Although for many years Hill resisted tourism and photography at the site, a religious crisis in the early 2000s caused him to abandon the garden and his art.

Since that time, the garden and the sculptures have been restored.

The town, probably much to Hill’s dismay, has opened the Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art to the public.

A curious tidbit of Louisiana heritage, the garden is a unique place to visit.

Start Planning Your Trip To Louisiana

Louisiana is undoubtedly a good time.

Majestic sights, nature in all of its magnificence, loads of fun, rich history, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the many reasons you’re likely planning a trip to the Pelican State.

As evidenced herein, exciting Louisiana attractions are not hard to come by.

If nothing else, you can rest assured that if you add a few of these amazing attractions to your itinerary, you’ll certainly have the best time.

So pack your bags, round up your family and friends, and get ready to make memories to last a lifetime.

Happy travels.

15 Best Places to Visit in Louisiana — Fun & Unique Places to Go!

By: Author Victoria Thompson

Posted on Published: June 18, 2021  - Last updated: July 6, 2023

Are you exhausted and worn out from work and craving for a much-desired vacation?

If you are, there is no better place for you than Louisiana, a beautiful state sitting on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Bayou State, its nickname, is a cultural mecca, offering various delicious local cuisine, jazz music, world-famous festivals, French-inspired architecture, and many other tourist hotspots.

Get a break from your mundane city life as you go on a getaway exploring its many gorgeous natural attractions, captivating museums, historic plantations, picturesque gardens, and numerous other terrific destinations.

Gather your travel buddies and prepare for a memorable excursion as you check out this list of the best places to visit in Louisiana that I handpicked for you.

1. Grand Isle

Grand Isle, LA 70358 (985) 787-2997

The Grand Isle is an oceanfront town resting on a scenic barrier island.

It offers seven miles of public beach for the perfect getaway.

Why You Should Visit This Place

When searching for what to do in Louisiana to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing escape, the Grand Isle is your ideal option.

Here, you can go on a much-needed vacation under the sun as you spend the day relaxing on a sandy coastline, fishing, birdwatching, and so on.

Attractions you can explore are the Butterfly Dome, home to hundreds of free-flying butterflies, and Wake Side Cable Park, the ideal weather sports destination offering the perfect spot to go wakeboarding, tubing, water skiing, wake surfing, and so on.

An Expert Tip Before You Go

Do not leave the town without spending time at the Grand Isle State Park.

It is one of the top attractions in the area, great for boating, fishing, swimming, working on your tan, camping, and plenty of other options.

2. Avery Island

Avery Island, LA 70513

Avery Island, encompassing roughly 2,200 acres, is widely known for being the source of the world-famous Tabasco sauce.

It has a rich history dating back to the 1830s and is on the list of the National Register of Historic Places.

Avery Island is one of the most beautiful places to visit near you, offering a picture-perfect landscape with lush greenery, towering trees, and many other breathtaking natural attractions.

This geological oddity is a salt dome and a fantastic place to take in the beauty of nature as you observe wildlife from a safe distance, like various bird species, and explore exotic plants introduced to the natural landscape, like Japanese Camellias.

A must-visit on your getaway to Avery Island is the Tabasco Brand Factory and Museum.

It is one of the main vacation spots on the island where you can learn all about its history and how it came to be an international hit.

Related: Best Things to Do in Louisiana

3. Breaux Bridge

Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 (337) 332-8500

Breaux Bridge, known as the Crawfish Capital of the World, is a small city featuring a handful of fun recreational possibilities.

If you are looking for places to travel in Louisiana to go on a quiet and peaceful retreat, Breaux Bridge is the place to be.

Spend quality time with your companions as you stroll through the streets of this lovely city, where you can try their famous cajun cuisine, shopping for antiques, jewelry, apparel, souvenirs, and the like at its various boutique stores, and so much more.

The best time to visit this city is during the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, which happens in May.

During these times, the streets come alive with live music shows, fun games for the whole family, numerous vendors selling all sorts of items, engaging contests, and many other events.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Lafayette Inn

4. Laura Plantation — Vacherie

2247 LA-18 Vacherie, LA 70090 (225) 265-7690

The Laura Plantation, constructed in 1807, is officially known as Laura Plantation: Louisiana’s Creole Heritage Site.

It spans roughly 37 acres and is one of the most popular sites in the state.

Create new memories with your companions by exploring the magnificence of the Laura Plantation.

By visiting this attraction, you can travel back in time and learn what Creole Louisiana was like, hundreds of years ago.

Sign up for a guided tour with your companions and learn about slavery at the plantation, look through photographs, and explore its various rooms and buildings, like an animal barn, three gardens, a raised basement, service rooms, and so on.

It also has a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs, like dolls, books, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, sugarcane products, and many more.

If you want to enjoy the ultimate educational experience, sign up for the Creole Thematic Tours with your travel buddies.

It is an enhanced tour offering a more in-depth discussion about the Laura Plantation.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Quality Inn Donaldsonville – Gonzales

5. New Orleans

New Orleans, LA 70128 (800) 672-6124

New Orleans, founded in 1718, is arguably one of the most famous cities in the state.

It offers a boat-load of attractions and welcomes millions of visitors annually.

Pack your bags and drive on down to one of the best cities to visit in Louisiana, New Orleans.

It is a melting pot of American, French, and African cultures and features countless tourist spots for you to explore with your companions for a memorable getaway.

Activities you can do here are listening to live jazz performers, trying local delicacies, like beignets and gumbo, enjoying drinks at a nightclub, strolling through its historic streets while shopping, attending lively festivals, learning about the art of voodoo, and so much more.

To enjoy an unforgettable experience, time your visit to New Orleans during their annual Mardi Gras festival.

It includes vibrantly colored floats, people in various costumes, live street performers, and many fun programs.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: NOPSI Hotel New Orleans

Related: Restaurants in New Orleans, LA

6. Lafayette

Lafayette, LA 70501

Lafayette , nicknamed the Hub City, rests in the southern region of the state.

It is a mecca for culture and heritage in Louisiana.

Whether you are interested in arts, food, architecture, history, music, shopping, partying, or others, Lafayette is the perfect destination for you.

It is one of the top places to go in Louisiana for an amazing vacation with your friends, partner, or family.

Have a blast as you tour a museum, dance the night away at a club, enjoy local delicacies as you explore incredible restaurants , go on an outdoor adventure at a swamp or other natural attractions, watch an orchestra at a grand theater, and endless more.

Before leaving the city, make sure to drop by the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

It is an art gallery and a performing arts theater showcasing theatrical productions, concerts, and the like.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: DoubleTree by Hilton Lafayette

7. Oak Alley Plantation — Vacherie

3645 LA-18 Vacherie, LA 70090 (225) 265-2151

The Oak Alley Plantation, constructed in 1837, encompasses 25 acres.

It was a sugarcane plantation and a National Historic Landmark.

If you are a history buff looking for the best Louisiana tourist attractions to explore with your travel buddies, the Oak Alley Plantation is the place for you.

It not only has a breathtakingly beautiful scenery but also many exhibits on slavery, the civil war, and its sugarcane history, and an old blacksmith shop, a well-manicured garden, historic dwellings, and much more.

For a more relaxing and laid-back experience, it has an onsite restaurant and cottages you can rent if you want to stay the night.

A brilliant time to visit this plantation is on weekends .

These days, it features weekend brunch specials at the restaurant starting at 11 am and ending at 3 pm.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Legacy Suites Donaldsonville

8. Natchitoches

Natchitoches, LA 71457 (800) 259-1714

Natchitoches, established in 1714, is the oldest European settlement in the area.

It was home to the original French colony and is also known as the oldest city in Louisiana.

Your getaway is not complete until you explore one of the top places to visit in Louisiana, the charming city of Natchitoches.

Do things like trying their delicious meat pie, touring historical sites that date back to the 18th century, going on a leisurely river cruise, enjoying water activities, such as hydro biking and stand-up paddleboarding, signing up for guided tours of the area, and more.

To enjoy a memorable experience that you and your travel buddies will never forget, visit during the annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival, happening from the last week of November to the first week of January.

It includes dazzling light shows, magnificent parades, enthralling firework shows, and vendors selling all sorts of tasty food, local handicrafts, and other items.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Chateau Saint Denis Downtown Natchitoches

9. Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge, LA 70801 (225) 383-1825

Baton Rouge , the capital of Louisiana, sits on the banks of the Mississippi River.

It is the second-largest city in the state and offers a plethora of recreational opportunities.

Can’t decide what to do and where to go in Louisiana with your loved ones, friends, or a special someone? Then make your way to Baton Rouge.

There are tons of fun-filled possibilities you can enjoy as you spend quality time with your companions.

For example, tour the Old State Capitol looking like a Gothic castle, visit a historic site, learn about local history at a museum, explore the wonders of nature, watch an enthralling live show at a theater, discover the grandeur of our galaxy at a plantation, and lots more.

One of the top places of interest this city has to offer you is the Baton Rouge Zoo.

It is a renowned attraction home to at least 800 animals from all over the planet.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: WATERMARK Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection

Related: Best Restaurants: Baton Rouge, LA

10. National WWII Museum — New Orleans

945 Magazine St New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 528-1944

The National WWII Museum, which opened in June 2000, is the official World War II museum of the United States.

When looking for cool and unique places to visit in Louisiana, consider this wondrous museum.

It features numerous galleries for you to explore, a state-of-the-art theater, various temporary and permanent exhibits, a gift shop, an onsite eatery, and more.

Here, you can view things like a collection of warcraft, military tanks, artifacts, old photographs, uniforms of former soldiers, weaponry, and countless others.

This museum offers a wide array of tour options for you to enjoy, one of the best being the Behind the Lines Tour.

It is an exclusive tour experience offering a curator-guided tour, a luncheon, going behind the scenes alongside a historian, and so on.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans – Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

11. Fontainebleau State Park — Mandeville

62883 LA-1089 Mandeville, LA 70448 (985) 624-4443

Fontainebleau State Park, established in 1942, spans roughly 2,800 acres.

It features at least 200 campsites, 12 rentable cabins, a playground, a beach, and other amenities.

Experience the best of Louisiana for a cheap price by spending an enjoyable day with your travel companions at this terrific state park.

Have the ultimate vacation by helping your kids make sculptures out of the sand, getting a tan, picnicking, fishing, camping, boating, kayaking, canoeing, enjoying a leisurely swim, hiking through scenic trails, biking, and plenty of other thrilling choices.

When planning a get together with your friends or family members, you can rent a pavilion for a fee.

It is easily accessible, features grills where you can cook your meals, and can hold up to 100 people.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Comfort Suites Mandeville

12. Sci-Port Discovery Center — Shreveport

820 Clyde Fant Pkwy Shreveport, LA 71101 (318) 424-3466

The Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport features three floors of more than 200 interactive exhibits, an IMAX dome theater, a planetarium, and countless other facilities.

Go on a fun and educational experience with your friends or family at the Sci-Port Discovery Center.

View exhibits like the Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium, offering spectacular shows on our universe, Power of Play, a play area catering to your kids aged eight and below, and Animal Enclosures featuring native animals, like alligators, box turtles, and snakes.

After touring this science museum, replenish your energy by dining at the BeauxJax Crafthouse.

It is a mere 6-minute drive away and offers Cajun cuisine, live music, exquisite tasting cocktails, and so on.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport

Related: Best Places to Eat in Shreveport

13. French Quarter — New Orleans

French Quarter New Orleans, LA 70130 (800) 672-6124

The French Quarter, founded in 1718, is the heart of New Orleans .

It rests on the banks of the Mississippi River and is a world-famous attraction.

Enjoy a romantic date with your significant other by strolling through the historic streets of the French Quarter.

Here, you can find numerous attractions like jazz clubs, gourmet restaurants, a bustling market selling local arts and crafts, historical buildings featuring old-world architecture, local agencies offering guided tours, and so on.

Other activities you can do are going on an intimate carriage ride, going bar hopping, going on themed tours, such as ghost hunts, and tons more.

A tourist hotspot you should visit before leaving is Marie Laveau’s House Of Voodoo.

It sells a wide array of fascinating items like talismans, spell kits, voodoo dolls, and more and also offers psychic readings.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans

14. Jungle Gardens — Avery Island

Louisiana 329 &, Main Rd Avery Island, LA 70513 (337) 369-6243

The Jungle Gardens, encompassing 170 acres, is a bird sanctuary and botanical garden.

Enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of mother nature at one of the top places to see in Louisiana, the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Jungle Gardens.

It is the ideal location for you to enjoy a quiet retreat amidst the serenity of nature as you stroll through its postcard-perfect landscape featuring plant species from all across the globe.

One of its main highlights is a Chinese Garden featuring a temple, a pond, a Buddha statue, and more.

Don’t leave without touring its onsite attraction named Bird City.

It is home to various migratory bird species, like egrets, songbirds, Louisiana herons, and many others.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Ramada by Wyndham New Iberia

15. Melrose Plantation — Melrose

3533 LA-119 Melrose, LA 71452 (318)-379-0055

The Melrose Plantation, constructed in the 1800s, is a National Historic Landmark.

It features Colonial-style architecture, a beautifully manicured landscape, and various guided tour options.

The Melrose Plantation is one of the best places to visit in Louisiana with your family, a special someone, or friends.

It is the perfect destination for you to enjoy a fun, educational, and historical experience while exploring the area on your own or with a knowledgeable guide.

It also hosts a wide array of interactive festivals throughout the year and features a gift shop selling various souvenir items and so on.

If you want to tour the historic house, you must sign up for a guided tour because the Self Guided Grounds Walk does not include access to it.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Church Street Inn

Map of Places to Visit in Louisiana

Louisiana Places to Visit: The 15 Best Places to Go for [currentyear]

• Avery Island
• Breaux Bridge
• Laura Plantation — Vacherie
• New Orleans
• Oak Alley Plantation — Vacherie
• Natchitoches
• Baton Rouge
• National WWII Museum — New Orleans
• Fontainebleau State Park — Mandeville
• Sci-Port Discovery Center — Shreveport
• French Quarter — New Orleans
• Jungle Gardens — Avery Island
• Melrose Plantation — Melrose

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The 12 best things to do in Louisiana

Get to know the Bayou State with our guide to the best things to do in Louisiana

New Orleans is obviously the #1 destination in Louisiana, and there are many great things to do  in the Crescent City. But for an equally unique experience, get out of the city and explore other parts of Louisiana. Known as the “Bayou State” and “Sportsman’s Paradise,” Louisiana is dominated by wetlands, the Gulf of Mexico, swamps, and other natural features that are excellent spots for fishing and boating. Southwest Louisiana is Cajun country - home to boudin, spicy crawfish, and Cajun and Zydeco music. North of New Orleans you’ll find many small, historic towns with beautiful oaks, moss, magnolias, and other flora. Plantation Country is a feast for the eyes, and the state capital, Baton Rouge, is worth a visit for SEC football and a view into Louisiana ’s colorful political history . After a visit to New Orleans, take some time to explore the best of the rest of Louisiana, including the city's top museums .

Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere.

Find out more about   how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best things to do in Louisiana

1.  cajun country.

What is it: Region in southwest Louisiana, home to Acadian French culture.

Why go: Just a few hours west of New Orleans, you can explore Cajun music, food, and culture in places like Eunice, Mamou, and Lafayette. The unique culture of this region descends from Acadians, French-speakers expelled from Canada by the British in 1755. You’ll find plenty of spicy Cajun food, from crawfish to boudin, throughout the region. Check out a fais-do-do at Fred’s Lounge. Spend a night in Lafayette at the Blue Moon Saloon. Or make a point to visit during the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles (dedicated to Acadian and Creole culture) or Festival International de Louisiane (celebrating connections to the Francophone world). 

2.  Plantation Country

What is it: A collection of historic plantations along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.

Why go: Follow the Great River Road and explore the history of Louisiana from centuries ago. Amidst the beautiful natural scenery, learn about early plantation life, slavery, and how the plantations fit into the history of the state. Three of the most popular plantations are Oak Alley (with its spectacular row of oaks more than 300 years old), Laura (beautifully restored and the first historic attraction in Louisiana to include stories of enslaved Africans), and Whitney (a newly-restored plantation that is a museum of slavery in the South). Take a drive to visit the plantations or choose a guided tour that will arrange transportation and entry. 

3.  Boudin

What is it: A regional specialty sausage typically consisting of pork, rice, and seasonings.

Why go: Trying boudin is a must when visiting Louisiana. Whether it’s smoked, fried as a boudin ball, or made from seafood rather than pork, there are many worthy variations. The best versions are found at gas stations and markets, like Best Stop or Billy’s, both in the town of Scott. Specialty meat markets like Don’s in Carencro offer a heart-stopping range of other meaty treats. And of course you’ll find high-end versions in restaurants like Cochon in New Orleans, but do yourself a favor and check out the real deal at some of the old-school joints throughout Cajun Country. 

4.  LSU Tigers

What is it:  Louisiana State University’s college football team, in Baton Rouge.

Why go: College football is huge in the South, and LSU has one of the biggest fan bases in the region. Tailgating on campus is a spectacle, as a sea of purple and gold takes over before games. Being in one of Tiger Stadium’s 102,000 seats provides quite the thrill, hearing the crowds roar as LSU (usually) dominates their opponents. Try to catch a night game for a lengthier tailgating experience, and make time to visit mascot Mike the Tiger’s habitat. 

5.  Natchitoches

What is it:  A charming Northwest Louisiana town, the oldest permanent settlement in the region.

Why go: If you’ve seen Steel Magnolias, you know why people visit Natchitoches, where it was filmed. This magnolia- and moss-drenched Southern town exudes hospitality. Downtown is a National Historic Landmark District with buildings dating back to the 1700s, including beautiful French Creole townhouses. The Cane River flows through the town and leads to the Oakland, Magnolia, and Melrose plantations. Be sure to grab a meat pie from Lasyone’s and stop in the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, a 19th century general store still run by the same family. In December, the town is lit up with more than 300,000 holiday lights, a nearly century-old tradition. 

6.  Honey Island Swamp Tour

What is it: Popular boat tour exploring the area’s iconic swamps.

Why go: Louisiana’s swamps are home to an abundance of wildlife - egrets, alligators, otters, herons, and more. It’s a unique landscape that has to be experienced first hand. There are dozens of swamp tours around the state, but Honey Island, a protected nature preserve near New Orleans, is a good place to start. On the tour you’ll learn about the importance of the swamps, the wildlife, and the history of the region. Best of all, you’ll get an up-close view of the wildlife in their natural habitat. 

7.  Avery Island

What is it: A salt dome in Iberia Parish, home to Tabasco and Jungle Gardens.

Why go: Avery Island is an odd geological formation, one of five “islands” of rock salt that rise above the flat coastal marshes. It’s a lush area covered with oak trees, spanish moss, and other local flora. Tour the Tabasco factory and museum to learn how the hot sauce is made, or take a culinary tour. Jungle Gardens is a beautiful bird sanctuary filled with azaleas, camellias, and bamboo. You might see alligators, deer or other wildlife too. Be on the lookout for the Chinese garden that houses a centuries-old Buddha statue. 

8.  Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival

What is it: Celebration of the ubiquitous crustacean in the Crawfish Capital of the World.

Why go: Spicy boiled crawfish are another culinary must in Louisiana. Every local has a favorite spot for crawfish (many cite their relatives as the best boilers), but a great way to sample the delicacy is at the Crawfish Festival, held the first full weekend in May. There’s a parade, Cajun and Creole music, Cajun and Zydeco dance contests, and of course crawfish cooked in a multitude of ways - boiled, fried, étouffée, bisque, boudin, pie, jambalaya, and more. 

9.  Old State Capitol

What is it: Imposing, Gothic- and Victorian-style building on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

Why go: This National Historic Landmark was Louisiana’s seat of government from 1852 until the new capitol was built in the 1930s. Perched high above the river, it looks like a medieval fortress. The architecture, cast iron staircase, and stained glass cathedral dome are impressive. The building now houses a museum interpreting Louisiana’s tumultuous and flamboyant political history. After visiting the Old State Capitol, visit the new one - it’s the tallest in the country, with an observation deck on the 27th floor.

10.  Abita Mystery House

What is it: A quirky roadside attraction in the historic small town of Abita Springs.

Why go: A visit to the Northshore - across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans - is worth a trip for a variety of reasons. Highlights include the Abita Brewery, Historic Downtown Covington, and the Tammany Trace. But a particularly intriguing stop is the Mystery House. It’s filled with folk art, found objects, and homemade inventions. Enter through a vintage gas station to explore an open air area and a 90+ year old Creole cottage to see memorabilia, miniatures, old arcade machines, and “Darrel the Dogigator.” 

11.  Grand Isle

What is it: Inhabited barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico known for beaches, fishing, and birding.

Why go: To experience some of the best of “Sportsman’s Paradise,” head to Grand Isle for fishing, either from the local pier or a fishing charter. It’s a top destination for anglers, home to more than 280 species of fish and the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, one of the premier saltwater fishing rodeos in the U.S. You’ll also find miles of well-maintained beaches with views of the Gulf, plus trails, campsites, and plenty of tasty local seafood spots. 

12.  Chauvin Sculpture Garden

What is it: Bizarre yet beautiful collection of sculptures created by a reclusive artist on Bayou Petit Caillou .

Why go: In the early 80s, Kenny Hill pitched a tent, built a house, then began filling the surrounding land with his sculptures depicting the struggles of his life. They include biblical characters and stories, celestial creatures, soldiers, cowboys, winged angels, and himself. Most prominent is 45-foot lighthouse built with 7,000 bricks, featuring figures clinging to the outside. He abruptly left in 2000, and the property has been open to the public since then. Spend an afternoon wandering through the colorful creations and visit the art center and museum to learn more. 

Ready to explore more of the best of Louisiana?

The 14 museums in louisiana you must visit.

• Things to do

Sure, Louisiana is best-known for music and food, but the state’s roster of things to do shine well outside the walls of its top restaurants and music lounges: the best museums in Louisiana are, in some ways, some of the best (and most bizarre) across the globe. 

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15 Most Beautiful Places In Louisiana, According To Locals

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Louisiana’s nickname is the Bayou State for good reason. According to the National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration’s Office for Coastal Management, 32% of the state is occupied by wetlands. And some of Louisiana’s most magical scenes can be hiding among the swamp’s bald cypresses and moss-covered oaks. Many folks have visited New Orleans and admired the ornate French Colonial architecture on display. But if you’ve ever been curious about what other wonders the state might have up its sleeve, your insight that there’s more to Louisiana than the Crescent City is entirely accurate. From the River Parishes running for 120 miles along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge to Acadiana (also known as Cajun Country or the French Louisiana region), we tasked Louisiana locals with scouring the state for its most awe-inspiring, gorgeous spots. Here are the 15 most beautiful places in Louisiana, according to locals.

• Maggie Heyn Richardson is a writer living in Baton Rouge and the author of "Hungry for Louisiana, An Omnivore's Journey."
• Chelsea Brasted is a New Orleans-born writer with over a decade of experience exploring Southern culture through food, music, travel, and entertainment.

Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

Image courtesy Explore Louisiana

This area spans 14 parishes and encompasses one of the nation’s most ecologically diverse regions. The Atchafalaya River Basin is the country’s largest river swamp. The best way to explore the area is via an airboat tour where you can encounter the region’s native flora and fauna, from water tupelo trees to alligators. Richardson says an airboat tour of the swamp is a must as there’s “no place like it on Earth.” 

atchafalaya.org ; 337-228-1094

Jungle Gardens on Avery Island

This privately owned “island” (it's surrounded on three sides by coastal marshes) is located just three miles inland from Vermilion Bay on Louisiana’s southern coast. The 2,200-acre area is the birthplace of Tobasco hot sauce and sits atop a large deposit of solid rock salt. Visitors can head to the island to see the Tabasco factory, as well as its adjoining Jungle Gardens and Bird City wildfowl refuge that’s known for lush foliage and excellent birding.

junglegardens.org ; Hwy. 329, Avery Island, LA 70513; 337-369-6243

The Cajun version of Central Park has a little something for everyone, from gondola rides on lagoons to incredible works of art in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Take a stroll around Big Lake or see what’s in bloom at the New Orleans Botanical Garden, every inch of City Park offers excitement and beauty.

neworleanscitypark.org ; 504-482-4888

Cypremort Point State Park

There may not be a more beautiful sight to take in than a sunset on the water. To see Louisiana’s best, head to Cypremort Point State Park, which is located on Vermilion Bay. Known as a mecca for watersports, everyone pauses to bask in the brilliant purples, pinks, and oranges that splash into the sky as the late afternoon transitions to evening.

lastateparks.com ; 306 Beach Lane, Cypremort Point, LA 70538; 337-867-4510

Louisiana State University

The sprawling LSU campus is open for everyone—not just students—to explore. Think roofs covered in Spanish tile, buff-colored buildings that mimic those on Stanford’s campus, and colorful murals. Surrounded by a forest of moss-draped live oaks, it doesn’t get any more idyllic than LSU’s purple-and-gold-loving campus. Worried about the toll of football season? There’s no reason for alarm: “A vigorous anti-litter program during game days makes sure it stays beautiful,” says Richardson.

Clark Creek Natural Area

Courtesy of Clark Creek State Park

This state park and natural area splits its geography between Louisiana and Mississippi. With 700 acres that are home to 50 waterfalls, the elevation change on some of its trails is unusual for south Louisiana, but the extra effort begets rewarding views of cascading falls in return.

Downtown Natchitoches

Courtesy of Natchitoches Convention And Visitors Bureau

Folks have always been fascinated with the cobblestoned streets and cast-iron balconies of New Orleans, but Natchitoches , the state’s oldest city, gives the Big Easy a big run for its money when it comes to the title of Louisiana’s most beautiful city. Pronounced NACK-a-tish, the city’s downtown (33 blocks running parallel to the Can River) has the feel of a smaller French Quarter. You’ll get all the beautiful Spanish and French influence in architecture and ambiance with far fewer crowds and mayhem.

natchitoches.com ; 780 Front Street, Suite 100, Natchitoches, LA 71457; 1-800-259-1714

Kisatchie National Forest

Located in central Louisiana, this outdoor preserve encompasses more than 600,000 acres of rolling piney forests. As one of the largest protected lands in the state, Kisatchie is open for everyone to take adventure of all the great outdoors has to offer, including fishing, birding, swimming, hiking, camping, and mountain biking. Not up for anything strenuous, see the area’s natural beauty via the Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway.

fs.usda.gov/kisatchie ; 318-473-7160

American Rose Center

If you’re a gardening or horticulture enthusiast, the American Rose Center in Shreveport might be a bucket list item. The center is the country’s largest park dedicated solely to roses and the home of the American Rose Society’s national headquarters. To see the gardens when its blooms are at their best, visit from mid April through late May or mid September through late October.

rose.org/visit-public-gardens ; 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119; 318-938-5402

Crescent Park

Part of New Orleans’s French Market District, this 20-acre urban park connects the community to the Mississippi Riverfront. The park offers bike paths, native landscaping, and multiuse pavilions, but Brasted loves it most for its views of the New Orleans skyline. She contends that the park’s vantage points are some of the best, especially its view of the Crescent City Connection bridge arcing over the river. 

crescentparknola.org ; 2300 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70117; 504-636-6400

Poverty Point World Heritage Site

One of the U.S.’s 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Poverty Point is steeped in history that dates back more than 3,400 years. The site is a series of raised earthen mounds and their accompanying channels and ridges, that were constructed by indigenous peoples between 1700 and 1100 BCE. Today, you can take a guided walking tour of the incredible relic of the past and learn more about its history in the accompanying museum.

povertypoint.us ; 6859 La. Hwy. 577 Pioneer, LA 71266; 318-926-5492

Toledo Bend Reservoir

Southerners love a lake scene, and this 185,000-acre manmade reservoir that on the Louisiana-Texas border is no exception. Nationally recognized was a top destination for bass fishing, the scenic spot is also popular with families, nature enthusiasts, and just about anyone who appreciates a nice view of the water. Two state parks, North and South Toledo Bend State Park, offer amenities and easy access to the glittering waters.

Old State Capitol

In 1845, Louisiana lawmakers gave the green light for Baton Rouge to become the state capitol. Two years later, workers began construction on the new state capitol building. Though it is no longer used by legislators, the iconic structure still has an important purpose as a museum and National Historic Landmark. Don’t just see it from outside. The stained-glass dome is a sight to behold.

louisianaoldstatecapitol.org ; 100 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70801; 225-342-0500

Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area

You’ll find unexpected ecosystems in this wildlife management area. From rugged hills to bluff to ravines, the “blufflands” of Tunica Hills are home to certain species of plants and animals not found anywhere else in the state. Choose one of three hiking trails and get ready to see an abundance of wildlife including the rare Coopers hawk and maybe even a black bear.

wlf.louisiana.gov/page/tunica-hills

Lake Martin

One of the state’s largest nesting colonies for many species of water birds, wildlife is abundant on this lake located just south of Breaux Bridge and east of Lafayette. Birders will delight in the biodiversity of this year-round rookery that brings together egrets, herons, ibises, and spoonbills. Brasted loves this spot for its “moss-draped cypress trees, calm lake, and chance to see a gator or too.”

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The 25 Best Things to do in Louisiana

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While many know Louisiana for its famous Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans and vibrant jazz scene, this swampy Southern state has a few surprises. With a rich, multi-cultural history, Louisiana is where delicious Creole and Cajun flavors , festive music, and cultural attractions combine to create one of the best places to visit in the US. 

After you’ve experienced the thrill of the historic French Quarter in New Orleans, explore Louisiana’s other destinations, such as the capital city Baton Rouge or Cajun country in Beaux Bridge. Options for outdoor adventures are endless. You can explore inviting beaches along the scenic coast or cruise along paddling trails to reach wildlife-filled bayous and swamplands. 

For a deeper look into this Southern state, head out on the road and experience the small-town charms of Louisiana and miles of Cajun country, including the picture-perfect town of Natchitoches. You can spend your extra days hopping aboard a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River or deep-sea fishing in Grand Isle. 

With so many things to see and do in the Bayou State, it’s difficult to know where to begin. So, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite activities and the best things to do in Louisiana for you. This Louisiana bucket list is full of unique adventures and includes the Bayou State’s most exciting destinations, outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and must-see sites! 

Don’t forget to check out our web story:  The 25 Best Things to do in Louisiana !

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

1. Explore the Best of the French Quarter in New Orleans

There’s no visiting Louisiana without a stop in the iconic French Quarter, which is a National Historic District and the heart of New Orleans. With buildings that date back as far as 300 years, it’s the epicenter of sightseeing, dining, and entertainment!

Lively throughout the day and night, Bourbon Street is a year-round hotspot best known for its nightlife. Running 13 blocks through the French Quarter, this is also where you’ll find revelers throwing beads during the annual Mardi Gras festival! 

Lined with street artists and jazz musicians, Jackson Square is an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll. Admire the local artists who display their work along the cast-iron fence around the square, then snap a photo of the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral with its stained-glass windows. 

Stroll to North Rampart Street to see its historic buildings and dine at its excellent restaurants, or explore the antique shops and art galleries lining the pedestrian-friendly Royal Street. You can also visit Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park or sample locally sourced foods in the covered French Market. 

2. Spend a Day in New Orleans’ Garden District 

One of the most popular areas in New Orleans, the city’s Garden District has a very different vibe than the French Quarter. Just a streetcar ride away, you’ll find elegant mansions, above-ground cemeteries, and leafy magnolia-shaded streets to explore. 

Take the St. Charles Streetcar from Canal Street and pass the Central Business District, which features buildings dating back to the 1820s. Arrive in the Garden District and stop at its most iconic structures, including the mustard-brown Rink (at the corner of Washington Avenue and Prytania Street) and the Garden District Bookstore upstairs. 

Next, visit the historic Lafayette Cemetery. Dating back to 1833, it’s one of the oldest cemeteries still standing in New Orleans! Stroll past the beautiful mansions and stop to see Colonel Short’s Villa (1448 Fourth Street), Toby’s Corner (2340 Prytania Street), and the Anne Rice House (1239 First Street). 

You can’t miss the bright blue Commander’s Palace on the corner of Washington and Coliseum Streets. It’s a great spot to recharge with traditional Cajun and Creole farm-to-table cuisine. The chef serves up gourmet dishes, including pecan-crusted lump crab, turtle soup au sherry, and corn-fried Gulf oysters.

If you’re up for a little shopping, add Magazine Street to your route. Stretching from Canal Street to Audubon Park, this retail street boasts a cluster of shops selling everything from clothes to pottery to jewelry. 

3. Listen to Live Jazz Music on Frenchmen Street

Known as a city of music and the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans boasts a long list of music venues where you can take in a live performance. It’s an experience of a lifetime and a top thing to do in the city. On any given night, you’ll find an array of both traditionalists and modern artists gracing one of the city’s many stages. 

For traditional New Orleans jazz, you can’t beat the legendary Preservation Hall in the French Quarter, which opened back in 1961. The small and intimate Spotted Cat Music Club also offers a quintessential jazz club experience and is located on Frenchmen Street. 

Also on Frenchmen Street, you can head to d.b.a for live jazz and craft beer and enjoy a variety of musical acts. Nearby, you’ll find the Blue Nile , a two-story club that is actually credited as the birthplace of the culture of live music on Frenchmen Street.

Dating back to the 1800s, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro offers live jazz and Creole cuisine in the classic jazz lounge. Last but not least, The Maison features jazz, funk, and brass bands on its center stage in a three-story venue. 

4. Sample Louisiana’s Most Iconic Local Dishes

You won’t want to visit Louisiana while on a diet, as this foodie-centric state is full of tasty eats that are worth the splurge. From beignets to crawfish to jambalaya, add these top-rated local foods to your Louisiana bucket list!

Jambalaya is the state’s classic rice and meat combo. While you’ll find it served throughout the French Quarter in New Orleans, Mother’s Restaurant does it best. Po’ boys are another firm foodie favorite in Louisiana, and Parkway Bakery & Tavern serves this sandwich staple stuffed with a heaping pile of fried shrimp! 

A plate of gumbo is sure to warm your heart, with variations spanning chicken and sausage or a seafood medley. Li’l Dizzy’s and Gumbo Shop are two local favorites. When driving through Cajun country, make sure to stop and sample boudin. One of the best places to indulge in this cooked sausage is the Best Stop market in Scott.

Crawfish boils are a must for any seafood fan and are best sampled in the capital of Cajun country, Lafayette. Of course, you can finish any meal with a plate of beignets at Cafe du Monde . Open 24 hours a day in New Orleans, they’re known for serving their pillowy fried dough treats coated in powdered sugar. 

5. Go Museum Hopping in the Big Easy 

There’s more to New Orleans than jazz clubs, tasty eats, and Mardi Gras, as the city is also home to a collection of world-class museums. From the National WWII Museum to the New Orleans Museum of Art, it’s worth taking the time to explore the cultural attractions in the Big Easy. 

For an in-depth look at World War II, head to the interactive National WWII Museum in the Warehouse District. It tells the story of the war, including why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Browse the permanent collection of artifacts, soldiers’ personal items, and an immersive submarine exhibit. 

The New Orleans Museum of Art is another must-see, featuring a five-acre sculpture garden and collection of French and American artwork. Next, stop by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art , which boasts the most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world with over 4,000 pieces from 15 states. 

If you’re a fan of music, stop by the New Orleans Jazz Museum to learn about the city’s history of jazz through interactive exhibits. For something truly unique, add the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum to your itinerary to see everything from hand-blown apothecary bottles to antique surgical instruments. 

6. Join a Riverboat Cruise on the Mississippi River

The longest river in North America, the Mississippi River is a natural wonder that spans 10 states in the US. Meeting the Gulf of Mexico in southern Louisiana, it offers a variety of ways to enjoy its scenic beauty, including riverboat cruises!

Riverboat cruises are a popular way to explore the famous river. You can enjoy the sight of the city skylines pass from the comfort of a floating vessel. In New Orleans, you’ll find various paddle wheeler tours offering a fun way to explore the waterways. 

Daily cruises on the Steamboat Natchez offer an up-close look at the port city and depart from Jackson Square. It even includes live jazz and optional Creole food and beverages. There’s also an option for Sunday Brunch cruises! 

If you prefer dinner and dancing with your river cruise, hop aboard the Creole Queen . The Creole Queen also has a Historical River Cruise with views of the French Quarter that offers a history narrator that brings the city’s sites to life. 

You can also drive the Great River Road , which is a national collection of roads following the river. One of the best drives in the US, you’ll have the chance to stop by charming river towns in Louisiana along the way. 

7. Join a Honey Island Swamp Tour in Slidell

A must on your Louisiana bucket list, a tour of the region’s iconic swamps offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for nature lovers. You can get up-close with the wildlife-filled landscapes on a Honey Island Swamp Tour , one of the state’s most popular swamp tours. 

An experience like no other, the small boats allow the group to go deep into the Honey Island Cypress Swamp. Along the two-hour tour, you’ll travel through one of the most pristine river swamps in the United States and see wildlife in their natural habitat. 

You’ll spend the day observing egrets, alligators, otters, herons, and more on this exciting tour at Honey Island, a protected nature preserve near New Orleans. It’s also an opportunity to hear about the importance of the swamps, wildlife, and the history of the region from knowledgeable guides. 

Sit back and marvel at the primitive beauty of one of the least altered river swamps in the country on this personalized narrated tour. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for nature photography and wildlife observation, with tours departing from Crawford Landing on West Pearl River in Slidell. 

8. Kayak the Waterways in Fontainebleau State Park 

If you’re looking for a relaxing outdoor adventure, head to the popular Fontainebleau State Park . Covering 2,800 acres of land on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain, this park is just 40 miles north of New Orleans and is one of the best places in Louisiana for kayaking excursions. 

For a leisurely day exploring mossy hammocks, hop in a kayak and paddle the maze of pristine streams between the giant cypress trees. There are numerous kayaking outfitters in the area, which offer guided tours and help navigate the waters. 

Along the way, you’ll learn about Fontainebleau’s past, which was once the site of a large sugar mill. Make sure to stop by the visitor center after your adventure to see historic handmade tools and furniture on display. Alternately, opt to stroll the Tammany Trace Trail that was once an old railroad line or the 1.2-mile boardwalk route with bird-watching spots.  

After an afternoon of paddling, you can walk to the pier near the visitor center and enjoy a spectacular setting for sunset viewing. There’s also a manmade beach, picnic lawns, and a seasonal water playground for the little ones. 

9. See the Largest Free-Roaming Wildlife Preserve

If you’re an animal lover, you can add this activity to your itinerary. The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom is the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the United States. It’s also a fun day trip for families with kids, as the 900-acre habitat is home to over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from across the globe. 

You can feed and touch the wildlife during one of the educational guided tours that last around one hour and 15 minutes. The Safari Wagon tour explores 900 acres of beautiful Louisiana countryside as well as the park’s 12 ponds and lakes. 

Along the way, you can expect to see a variety of animals, including free-roaming bison, giraffes, zebras, and elands. You might even have a chance to spot red kangaroos from Australia, llamas, and Bactrian camels from Asia. Options to feed the animals are also available.

If you want a more intimate experience, the center also offers private tours for up to eight guests that go places the safari wagons cannot. With this tour option, you’ll get more one-on-one time with the animals. 

10. Go Deep-Sea Fishing at Grand Isle State Park

Grand Isle State Park is one of the best places in Louisiana to enjoy the outdoors. Best known for its beaches, fishing, and birding, this barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico is connected to the mainland by a bridge just 100 miles south of New Orleans. 

The family-friendly park offers a long list of outdoor activities, including canoeing and hiking. However, it boasts excellent opportunities for deep-sea fishing, with numerous fishing charters offering the best chance to reel in a catch. 

Typically held in July, a Tarpon Rodeo attracts thousands of world-class fishermen to try for prize-worthy catches in the waters of Grand Isle. Speckled trout can be caught by surf fishers year-round, especially during spring and summer, while redfish are often found in the fall and winter. 

At Louisiana’s best-known stretch of sand, you’ll find the state’s most productive fisheries, while camping on the beach is also a popular pastime. Here you’ll have the opportunity to wake up to the sound of crashing waves, while RV sites also include barbeque grills. When it’s time to dine, you’ll find plenty of tasty local seafood spots nearby. 

11. Get a Somber Look Into the Whitney Plantation

Located less than an hour from New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the Whitney Plantation offers a somber and eye-opening look at slavery in the region. In addition to historic buildings and museum exhibits, you’ll find modern memorials and first-person slave narratives that give a voice to the enslaved people who worked and lived here. 

It’s the only plantation in Louisiana with a focus on slavery, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of the area’s working plantation. Take a self-guided tour of this site to gain a deeper understanding of the history of slavery on a southern Louisiana sugarcane plantation.

On the tour, you’ll learn about the lives of the people who were held here for over 100 years. Walk past the memorials honoring over 100,000 people held in slavery in Louisiana and get up-close with the original slave cabins, outbuildings, and the owner’s house. Learn about its grounds, which were home to a sugar, rice, and indigo plantation that dates back to 1752. 

Only a short drive away, Oak Alley is another notable plantation located on the banks of the Mississippi River. Here you can see a spectacular row of oaks leading to the plantation’s entrance that is more than 300 years old. 

12. Learn About Louisiana’s History in Baton Rouge

Sitting along the picturesque Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is Louisiana’s capital city and a popular destination for history lovers. You’ll find a variety of attractions to explore here, including the iconic State Capitol!

Start your journey at the Old State Capitol , which is a striking Gothic-Revival castle dating back to 1847. A National Historic Landmark, it looks like a medieval fortress with its stained-glass cathedral dome with an on-site museum highlighting the state’s history. Afterward, visit the Observation Deck on the 27th floor of the New State Capitol. 

Next, head to the USS Kidd Veterans Memorial . Centering around the destroyer USS Kidd, visitors can climb aboard the ship (nicknamed “Pirate of the Pacific”) to learn more about its rich history. At the USS Kidd Veterans Memorial complex, there’s also a Historic Warship & Nautical Center housing unique artifacts and a model ship collection. 

Other popular historical attractions in Baton Rouge include the Magnolia Mound Plantation , which was built in the last half of the 18th century, as well as the LSU Rural Life Museum . At this site, you can take a self-guided tour of historic buildings that showcase the lives of Louisiana’s first settlers. 

13. Cheer on LSU at Tiger Stadium

Based in Baton Rouge, seeing the LSU Tigers play at Tiger Stadium is one of the best local experiences in the state. College is huge in the South, particularly Louisiana, as it boasts one of the largest fan bases in the region. 

Tailgating for one of these games is a rite of passage for experiencing the local culture, featuring a sea of purple and gold cheering on the LSU Tigers. Sitting in one of the 102,000 seats at Tiger Stadium is a thrill for sports lovers and offers a chance to hear the roar of the crowds. 

If you can’t catch a game, the stadium (also known as “Death Valley”) can be seen on a guided tour. You can walk through the locker room, in the chute, and touch the “WIN” bar. However, no trip to the LSU campus is complete without a visit to Mike the Tiger’s habitat , which is the university’s mascot. 

Other attractions nearby include the Jack & Priscilla Andonie Museum , which features 13,000 LSU Tiger sports-related artifacts such as trophies, banners, and retired jerseys. Just a short walk from Tiger Stadium is the North Gates shopping district, which boasts an array of shops, bars, and restaurants for LSU fans. 

14. Explore the Largest Wetland and Swamp in the United States

Larger than the Florida Everglades, the Atchafalaya Basin is home to the largest wetland and swamp in the United States. Visiting this destination is one of the most unique things to do in Louisiana, as you’ll have a chance to tour the spectacular environment of hardwoods, bayous, and backwater lakes full of swamp wildlife. 

Located in the south-central part of Louisiana, the area covers around 860,000 acres and is an important habitat for more than 300 species of wildlife. It’s so unique that it’s been declared a National Heritage Neighborhood, awarded for its rich cultural and ecological features. 

Take a day trip from Lafayette or Baton Rouge to see this area. A popular way to explore the wetlands is on one of the swamp airboat tours, which launch out of the Atchafalaya Basin Landing & Marina. 

Wildlife watchers can spot some of the over 50,000 egrets, ibises, and herons that nest in the Floodway. The basin is also home to the largest nesting concentration of bald eagles in the south-central United States, as well as American alligators and 65 other species of reptiles and amphibians. 

15. Learn About Acadian Culture at Vermilionville Historic Village

Located in Lafayette, the Vermilionville Living History & Folk Life Park is a fascinating destination for history buffs. At this must-see attraction, you’ll get fully immersed in the Acadian, American Indian, and Creole culture of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Highlights at this living history museum include 19 attractions, including seven restored homes. You’ll encounter costumed guides and historians demonstrating skills and folk crafts that have been preserved for many generations. 

Within the 23-acre site, there are restored original Acadian homes and authentic buildings that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. You’ll have the chance to explore unique exhibits that showcase the lives of Louisiana’s indigenous peoples. 

It also features rotating exhibits, which highlight the Acadian culture and language and the Civil Rights movement. After touring the exhibits, enjoy traditional food and live music at the on-site La Cuisine de Maman.

While you’re in the Bayou Vermilion District, you can also enjoy the outdoors. There are multiple recreational activities to enjoy here, including fishing, boating, and canoe and paddle trails. Some of the most popular parks nearby include Southside Park, Beaver Park, and Rotary Point. 

16. Tour the Tabasco Sauce Factory on Avery Island

Avery Island is a small, salt dome island in the coastal marshes of Iberia Parish and a popular getaway in Louisiana. While the area is a unique geological formation with beautiful nature views, its biggest claim to fame is that it’s home to the Tabasco Sauce Factory . 

Considered a must thing to do in Louisiana for hot sauce fans, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tabasco factory and sample its products. Take a self-guided tour and learn more about this iconic American sauce. Afterward, stop by the gift shop and pick up a few Tabasco-related products and souvenirs. 

There’s no doubt you’ll be hungry after a tour, so stop by the on-site Tabasco Restaurant for a taste of local eats. The casual eatery serves spicy, authentic Cajun favorites and other dishes seasoned with, of course, Tabasco sauce. 

If you have extra time, add a visit to Jungle Gardens on Avery Island. Take in the serene atmosphere of the landscaped area, as the bird sanctuary offers a beautiful setting filled with azaleas, camellias, and colorful bamboo. See if you can spot the Chinese garden, which boasts a centuries-old Buddha statue! 

17. Explore Cajun Country in Breaux Bridge

If you’re a foodie at heart and wondering what to do in Louisiana, add Breaux Bridge to your itinerary. Known as the “Crawfish Capital of the World,” it’s not only home to world-famous cuisine but also the gateway to authentic Cajun culture. 

Get to know Breaux Bridge by strolling the charming downtown area, which is dotted with a selection of quaint shops and cafes. There are also several antique shops in the area where you can pick up one-of-a-kind treasures, including the Breaux Bridge Antique Mall. 

Make time to stop by some of the amazing restaurants in Breaux Bridge, including Poche’s Market for Cajun fare and boudin, Glenda’s Creole Kitchen for Creole and soul food, and Crazy ‘Bout Crawfish for fried and boiled seafood. Afterward, you can enjoy live Cajun and zydeco music at hotspots such as Pont Breaux’s , Tante Marie , and La Poussiere . 

If you time your visit right, you can also tick the world-famous Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival off your list. It’s typically held in May every year and pays homage to Louisiana’s most famous crustacean. 

18. Paddle the Canoe Trail in Chicot State Park

Get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful setting of Chicot State Park , Louisiana’s biggest state park. You can fish, hike, and enjoy wildlife watching here, while it’s also home to the Louisiana State Arboretum as well as a variety of campsites, cabins, and lodges. 

Located in the Prairie Cajun Country between the Atchafalaya Basin swamps and central Louisiana, this park boasts some of the most beautiful ecosystems in the Bayou State. At 6,400 acres, it offers plenty of room to explore, but its eight-mile Canoe Trail is one of the most popular excursions. 

You’ll find incredible paddling opportunities at this park in addition to its other outdoor activities, offering both flat bottom boat rentals and canoe rentals. Glide along the easy-to-follow paddle trail for a leisurely day out on the water, as it’s marked by bright yellow signs. 

There are three boat launches in the park, but the north landing is recommended. Launch into the clear water and you’ll see a sign for the trail that takes you past a stunning backdrop of cypress and tupelo gum trees draped in Spanish moss. Kick back and listen to the sound of various birds soaring above as you paddle the scenic trail. 

19. Drive the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure to add to your Louisiana bucket list, plan a drive along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. Dubbed “Louisiana’s Outback,” the 180-mile route showcases the natural wonders of southwest Louisiana. 

Beginning in Lake Charles and the neighboring town of Sulphur, this road trip is one of only 43 designated All-American Roads in the United States. What makes it so special is that you’ll be taken south through Louisiana’s swamplands, miles of Cajun country, and more than 26 miles of Gulf Coast beaches. 

The trail is actually a combination of pull-offs and trails that you can explore on your own, with a chance to see preserved alligator populations and up to 400 species of migratory birds. The journey is a hit with nature photographers and adventurous travelers alike. You’ll even have the chance to embark on outdoor adventures such as fishing, crabbing, and boating along the way!

Before you go into America’s “Last Great Wilderness,” head to the Adventure Point visitor center to learn more about the area. Popular stops include the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge and the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge , where you can see local wildlife in their natural habitats. 

20. Explore the Outdoors in Lake Charles 

Lake Charles is an exciting city in southwest Louisiana. It’s home to everything from nature parks to a historic district to lively casinos. Sam Houston Jones State Park is one of the best places to get outside in Lake Charles, which is the only state park in the region. 

It’s a popular spot with hikers and bird-watchers, who can discover native wildlife and beautiful flora and fauna along its five scenic trails. There’s even a historic stagecoach road! If you’re a boater or fishing enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the two boat launches with access to the Calcasieu River. 

This park is also well known for its opportunities to try disc golf, as it hosts local tournaments throughout the year. You can also pack a picnic lunch and observe the duck and geese frolicking in the ponds or see if you can spot otters and deer. If you want to stay overnight, choose from premium campsites and primitive camping areas or book a cabin. 

Other outdoor activities in Lake Charles include a trip to North Beach, Louisiana’s only white-sand inland beach. You can also join a kayak or boat tour with Lake Area Adventures to explore the local waterways. 

21. Bask in the Sunshine at Holly Beach

One of the top things to do in Louisiana is to visit the beach, especially when the weather heats up in the summer. One of the best beach destinations in the state is Holly Beach, which is often referred to as the “Cajun Riviera.” 

Located in the southwest corner of the state – about an hour south of Lake Charles and Sulphur – Holly Beach features 30 miles of golden sands that include a long, flat, and wide area for basking in the sunshine. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico warm up in the summer and offer a shallow area ideal for little ones who want to make a splash!

The landscape at this beach town features a collection of houses on stilts. Camping is allowed on the beach, while beach house vacation rentals in the area offer a chance to enjoy a beach getaway for more than just a day. 

Less than an hour away, Rutherford Beach is another hotspot for sunbathers. Located in Cameron Parish, the quiet stretch of beach is an ideal spot for shell collecting. Camping on the beach is also available. 

22. Stroll the Historic Downtown Natchitoches

Natchitoches is arguably one of the most charming towns in Louisiana and is best known as the film location for Sweet Magnolias . Founded in the early 18th century as a French colony, it’s the oldest permanent settlement in the state. 

A stroll down the historic Downtown Natchitoches reveals a collection of beautiful French Creole townhouses and 33 blocks of photogenic colonial architecture, Classic Queen Anne-style mansions, and Art Deco commercial buildings. The area is so significant that it’s been designated a National Historic Landmark District. 

You can see buildings that date back to the 1700s, with the Minor Basilica of Immaculate Conception Church being one of the most notable sites. Be sure to stop by the Kaffie-Frederick General Store , which has been family-run since the 19th century. 

The scenic setting is coupled with the Cane River, which flows through the town and leads to the Oakland , Magnolia , and Melrose plantations. Outdoor lovers can ride the Natchitoches to Alexandria bike route or kayak the saline Bayou Paddle Trail. 

When it’s time to dine, picking up a signature meat-filled pie from Lasyone ’s is considered a must on your Louisiana bucket list. If you visit at Christmas, you’ll have the chance to see the downtown district all lit up with more than 300,000 lights!

23. Admire the Vibrant Art Scene in Shreveport

Tucked away in the northwestern corner of Louisiana, Shreveport offers a mix of outdoor recreation and cultural attractions. For those who prefer to explore the art scene, you’ll find a wide variety of museums, galleries, and street art to explore. 

Start at The Agora Borealis in downtown Shreveport, where you can browse a collection of handmade local art. You can see paintings, pottery, sculptures, and more, including furniture, lighting fixtures, and jewelry. 

Another not-to-miss attraction in Shreveport is the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum . This Art Deco museum features massive frescoes and dioramas depicting life in the swamps, as well as sugarcane and rice plantations. Don’t miss the section with Native American artifacts. 

You can also opt for a visit to the R.W. Norton Art Gallery . It houses over 400 paintings of iconic American and European art, as well as a collection of rare books, tapestries, porcelain, and blown glass. It also boasts a scenic setting surrounded by lush botanical gardens. 

Alternately, a budget-friendly way of exploring the art scene in Shreveport is to drive around and see its colorful street art murals. After exploring, the family-run Herby-K’s seafood restaurant and seafood platters at Orlandeaux’s Cafe are two of the best spots to enjoy classic Louisiana cuisines in Shreveport. 

24. Explore the UNESCO-listed Poverty Point Site

One of the most important historic sites in the United States, Poverty Point is a landmark 3,400 years in the making. It’s a top thing to do in Louisiana if you love history, as this UNESCO-listed site was once an important trading hub.

American Indians built the area’s complex collection of earthen monuments hand by hand, creating a massive 72-foot-tall mound, enormous half-circles, and related earthworks. Without the use of modern instruments, these structures are considered an engineering marvel. Dating back to the time of Egyptian King Tutankhamun, this site is still largely a mystery.

Archaeologists have collected millions of artifacts here and believe it was a residential, trade, and ceremonial center. It’s now one of three archeological sites in the country with the distinction of a World Heritage Site, which makes it a must-see while exploring the state. 

At this site, visitors of all ages can enjoy guided tours to learn more about the area, as well as demonstrations and programs. There’s also a 2.6-mile hiking trail through the mounds, a museum with fascinating historic displays, and a family-friendly picnic area. 

25. Hike Barataria Preserve in Jean Lafitte

The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve offers a taste of Louisiana’s wild wetlands. With 23,000 acres of bayous, swamps, marshes, and forests, the park’s popular Barataria Preserve is home to wildlife such as alligators, deer, and over 300 species of birds. 

While adventurous travelers can explore this area by canoe or kayak, there are also boardwalk and dirt trails that wind throughout the preserve. Follow the boardwalk to the water’s edge to see Bayou des Familles, and then see the Pecan Grove with pecan orchards that are the second or third generation of the original plantings. 

Next, hike along Christmas Road, which was originally covered with shells mined from clamshells left by American Indians. Afterward, you’ll hit the Old Barataria Trail and the entrance to the picnic grounds surrounded by oak trees and the Mixed Bottomland Forest.

You can also sign up for guided walks with park rangers, which take you on the boardwalk trail through the swamp and marsh. Before your trek, stop by the visitor center to learn how the Mississippi River built Louisiana’s wetlands and other interesting facts about the region’s history. 

There you have it! 25 of the best things to do in Louisiana. What’s your favorite thing to do in The Bayou State?

Planning a trip to Louisiana? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re an animal lover, you can add this activity to your itinerary. The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom is the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the United States. It’s also a fun day trip for families with kids, as the 900-acre habitat is home to over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from across the globe.

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure to add to your Louisiana bucket list, plan a drive along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road. Dubbed “Louisiana’s Outback,” the 180-mile route showcases the natural wonders of southwest Louisiana. What makes it so special is that you’ll be taken south through Louisiana’s swamplands, miles of Cajun country, and more than 26 miles of Gulf Coast beaches.

One of the most important historic sites in the United States, Poverty Point is a landmark 3,400 years in the making. It’s a top thing to do in Louisiana if you love history, as this UNESCO-listed site was once an important trading hub. American Indians built the area’s complex collection of earthen monuments hand by hand, creating a massive 72-foot-tall mound, enormous half-circles, and related earthworks.

Grand Isle State Park is one of the best places in Louisiana to enjoy the outdoors. Best known for its beaches, fishing, and birding, this barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico is connected to the mainland by a bridge just 100 miles south of New Orleans. The family-friendly park offers a long list of outdoor activities, including canoeing and hiking. It boasts excellent opportunities for deep-sea fishing, with numerous fishing charters offering the best chance to reel in a catch.

There’s no visiting Louisiana without a stop in the iconic French Quarter, which is a National Historic District and the heart of New Orleans. With buildings that date back as far as 300 years, it’s the epicenter of sightseeing, dining, and entertainment! Lively throughout the day and night, Bourbon Street is a year-round hotspot best known for its nightlife. Running 13 blocks through the French Quarter, this is also where you’ll find revelers throwing beads during the annual Mardi Gras festival!

The longest river in North America, the Mississippi River is a natural wonder that spans 10 states in the US. Meeting the Gulf of Mexico in southern Louisiana, it offers a variety of ways to enjoy its scenic beauty, including riverboat cruises! Riverboat cruises are a popular way to explore the famous river. You can enjoy the sight of the city skylines pass from the comfort of a floating vessel. In New Orleans, you’ll find various paddle wheeler tours offering a fun way to explore the waterways.

Born and raised in Florida, Charity moved to London after college and caught the travel bug. She then traveled full-time as a digital nomad for over a decade, living in the UK, New Zealand, China, and Thailand. With around 60-ish travel stamps in her passport, her favorite memories include skydiving in Switzerland, eating sushi in Japan, island hopping in the Philippines, and camping overnight in the Sahara Desert. She’s now a freelance writer living in Portugal with her husband and son.

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47 Best & Most Delightful Things To Do In Louisiana

By: Author Travel Around

Posted on Last updated: November 23, 2022

Louisiana, a state in the Deep South and South Central US of America, is a distinctive and intriguing place.

The state, which is famous for its monikers ranging from Pelican State, Creole State, and Bayou State, is the 18th official state in the United States.

Amidst all the interesting facts you’ll find about the state, it is mostly known for its vibrant music, culture, cuisine, and, of course, Mardi Gras.

To top it all, Louisiana is also home to renowned cities like New Orleans, Shreveport , and Baton Rouge , rich in history, charm, and perhaps even ghosts.

Among the most popular attractions in the state are ghost tours, haunted hotels, and ancient cemeteries.

Literally, there are a lot of fascinating and entertaining facts about Louisiana State, including the fact that it houses the tallest dome in the entire country.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best things to do in Louisiana. Use them as a guide through your tour.

Things to do in Louisiana

1. jungle gardens.

Danedane / Flickr

Visits to gardens can turn out to be one of the best things to do on a vacation to Louisiana.

Thus, a visit to Jungle Gardens can turn out fun to do on a quiet afternoon without much to do.

Jungle Gardens , a 170-acre garden, is one of the city’s top attraction sites featuring semi-tropical foliage, extensive wildlife, and a Buddha statue that is about a century old. 

Several things about the garden are bound to keep you engaged, however, you’ll be drawn to the sweetest feelings exploring the gardens.

The garden’s rolling landscape stretches far into the city and consequently holds a ton of birds.

In a bid to introduce his collection of plants to the public, E.A. Mcllhenny opened his garden to the public.

It was set up and opened to the public in 1935 with a vast collection of azaleas, imported plants, and camellias.

Visitors to this garden can explore a ton of wildlife, ranging from alligators, bears, bobcats, deer, and several others.

Further, into the garden, you’ll find a Chinese garden and a vast bird sanctuary.

At the “Bird City”, visitors will be able to explore a home to thousands of egrets, herons, and distinct birds. 

You can also partake in custom, guided chronological, botanical and birding tours with the aid of an ornithologist and botanist.

Finally, before leaving the garden, be sure to explore the figurine of the over 900 yr. old Buddha sitting in the Temple.

All tours are educational, and you’ll enjoy them greatly.

Address: Louisiana 329 &, Main Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513, United States

2. Royal Street

Paul Arps / Flickr

Vacations in Louisiana can come out to be very fun if you know just the right place to tour. 

A tour through one of the city’s finest stretches is something that will keep you up on your toes. 

On a bright day with not a lot to do, take a stroll down Royal Street .

Just like you would suspect, it is the central hub of the city and most of the exciting parts of the city are all in this spot. 

You’ll find Royal Street on a full 13 blocks, running parallel to Bourbon Street.

Here, visitors have the opportunity to explore high-definition art galleries, charming antique stores, wrought-iron balconies, exquisite restaurants, and architecture.

Even while you get your fair share of all the amazing sights, you still get a chance to see a greater part of the city.

Decide to take a stroll through the street, vibe to the street music and just enjoy the cool night breeze.

There’s more to this street than you could possibly imagine.

3. Explore The Canal Street Line

Joseph / Flickr

There are several street lines in Louisiana, and they all have something serene to do within them.

Therefore, another top activity to do in the city is exploring the Louisiana Canal Street Line .

At the Canal Street Line, you’ll be able to stroll and hike through a 5.5-mile route into the city.

Locks and tourists to the city pick out this location and relatively take advantage of the opportunity to tour the city’s Central Business District.

Furthermore, at this same spot, you’ll be able to see the famous red Canal Streetcar Line which conveys locals and tourists around.

Around the street line, which ends at City Park Avenue, you’ll be able to explore the popular historic cemeteries or “Cities of the Dead.” 

Put on your running and strolling shoes and make your way down into some of the vibrant spots in the city.

If you look further, you’ll even find some of the greatly intriguing architecture in Louisiana.

Much further into this street line, you’ll find the popular City Park where you can spend some time out with recreation and leisurely activities.

Also around this street line is the New Orleans Museum of Art, where you can browse artworks to your heart’s content.

You’ll find treasures from Degas, Monet, Picasso, and several other astonishing artifacts. There is even a delightful sculpture garden you can stroll through for no cost.

Address: Louisiana, United States 

4. Hotel Monteleone and Carousel Bar

Dutchbaby / Flickr

Louisiana, of course, holds some of the top-notch hotels you’d think of exploring in the United States.

Since the city is quite popular for its tremendous entertainment options, it is quite easier to enjoy entertainment-related activities.

For a distinct experience, hang out at Hotel Monteleone and Carousel Bar .

Truly, it’s not enough to describe its features with words alone, not only is it one of the most beautiful, but it also has quite the age.

Hotel Monteleone, one of the most spectacular New Orleans hotels, has a narrative of housing authors.

This hotel has held top recipients in the city ranging from Ernest Hemingway, the world-famous William Faulkner.

It is also the venue of the annual Tennessee Williams Literary Festival and even has a record of holding ghosts. 

All of its features are bound to stun you, however, the Carousel Bar stands out and sure will draw your attention.

The carousel Bar, a serene rotating main bar area, offers visitors drinks and broadens the tourist experience.

If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy great jazz music while sipping on a tasty cocktail, you sure have something to boast of.

Address: 214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

5. 1850 House

Interior, 1850 House

1850 House is one of the grandest tourist attraction sites in Louisiana and represents a ton of the city’s heritage.

Quite peculiar about this house is the fact that, unlike other historical houses, this doesn’t reflect any single-family house.

It is basically the representation of what life, prosperity, and taste in the mid-19th century looked like.

The house, which offers knowledge and quite over 150 years of information on the Louisiana lifestyle, was built by Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba.

Here, visitors have the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of Louisiana’s predecessors from over 150 years ago. 

Visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of what upper-middle-class life in antebellum New Orleans was like.

Since the era was a considerably prosperous era in the city’s history, it offers distinct and one-of-a-kind art and décor that enunciate the era.

You’ll be able to see a set of John Slidell’s china, dozens of notable paintings and furnishings, Old Paris porcelain, and New Orleans silver.

Also, you’ll find many books with themes on chronology, food, hauntings, architecture, and children’s stories.

You are sure to marvel at the type of work you’ll find on display. You just have to seek them out.

Add to your list of things to do in the city of New Orleans.

Address: 523 St Ann St., New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

6. Cafe Beignet 

Navin75 / Flickr

Finding someplace that makes tasty coffee can sound exciting. Know something better?

If you stay or visit New Orleans regularly, then you definitely must have heard of Café du Monde, since they serve one of the best beignets in the city.

Surprisingly, Café Beignet serves even bigger, crispier, and more tasty beignets.

Imploring one of the best Louisiana European traditions, this restaurant offers visitors a tasty combination of coffee and beignets.

Besides, you can be quite particular about what you want. You can choose to enjoy a quiet meal in its grand indoor setting.

However, you can also choose to enjoy a meal in its outdoor eating area with begging pigeons and sparrows.

Even though these are just a few significant things about the restaurant that draw visitors to the restaurant, there are more that will keep you stunned.

One such is its music.

Sitting at wherever spot you choose, you can vibe strongly to the Traditional Jazz music of Steamboat Willie and His New Orleans Jazz Band.

You’ll also be able to try out New Orleans Cajun specialties, and delectable fried seafood.

Add to your itinerary of things to do in the city, you’ll enjoy them accordingly.

Address: 311 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States  

7. Musical Legends Park

Jan Richar / Flickr

There’s a little magical space in Louisiana created especially for jazz lovers.

Musical lovers and general jazz aficionados can enjoy a picture, music, or meeting session at the Musical Legends Park.

The Musical Legends Park is a cozy vibrant park in the city with appalling statues of jazz legends and hosting several local bands.

This beautiful park featuring a tranquil and colorful outdoor courtyard and even a patio bar seeks to see the proper preservation of the New Orleans musical culture.

Certainly, there are a ton of things to do in this place that you may get confused about which to start with.

Start with a picture session with the life-scope bronze statues of prominent local musicians in the park.

You’ll find the statues of musical legends Fats Domino, Chris Owens, Ronnie Kole, Al “Jumbo” Hirt, Pete Fountain, and Louis Prima Jr. T.

Choose to take a photo with any one of them. They are Instagram-worthy since the space itself is highly beautiful.

Afterward, you can enjoy feasting on fresh beignets, coffee, and food that are sold around the park and are really tasty.

Then march onwards and see commemorative exhibits, plaques, and paintings in the heart of the Park.

If you’re super duper lucky, you could even catch a live performance and they are absolutely free to see.

Address: 311 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

8. 400 Block

Vidiot / Flickr

Another amazing thing you should try on your visit to Louisiana is a tour of 400 Block.

Choosing to explore this block in the city is not a very new experience and certainly, you can trust it to deliver just the right amount of fun.

Several vacation tour experiences kick off from this location since it is quite serene and quiet.

Just like most places in Louisiana, it holds and features multiple Louisiana attractions.

Begin your tour experience by seeing the magnificent Louisiana Supreme Court, one of the most astonishing buildings in the city. 

It wouldn’t feel off to find such a spectacular marble Beaux arts building in Washington, DC, but for the city of Louisiana, it tingles.

 Not only do the palm trees and humid wind remind you of something peculiar, but it also unravels a particular feel.

The structure where the Louisiana Supreme Court stands was finished in 1910, however, one thing led to another and it was abandoned in 1958.

Following its abandonment, the structure was overlooked for years until its full restoration in the 1990s.

Stepping into the court, you’ll find at the front a statue of Edward Douglass White Jr., the 9th Chief Justice of the US Supreme County.

 Visitors can explore the court, move around, and even take pictures by the statue.

Since it is quite calm, you won’t have to worry about traffic hassles and just enjoy the tour experience.

9. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA

Omunene / Flickr

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA is a unique sculpture garden on about 11 acres of the New Orleans City Park.

Consequently, this park is endowed with smooth pedestrian paths and water features, all contributing to the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Gardens’ beauty. 

In fact, it is the new trending cultural destination for tourists to New Orleans and lovers of art, an intimate opportunity within art.

Literally, the garden is the result of a collaborative feat of the City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Foundation.

You’ll expect to see over 26 new works from 21st-century artists on display since it is one of New Orleans’ tricentennial.

Also, there is an outdoor amphitheater and stage where visitors can gaze at performances, concerts, and shows.

Further, into the park, you’ll find pedestrian bridges and walkways, a new promenade, and an outdoor learning environment.

Additionally, you can expect to explore diverse types of flora, including hundreds of trees, palmettos, and even shrubs.

Take walks along the lagoon and relish energizing artwork.

Stop by and take pictures of the sculptures, however, endeavor not to climb them.

Sit in the garden and hone your yoga skills, play music, or just read a book.

Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124, United States

10. Pedestrian Mall

Geetesh Bajaj / Flickr

Step out and explore the Pedestrian mall on the hurdles of Royal between St Louis and St Ann streets.

Literally, the space is converted into a Mall from 11 am to 4 pm. 

You can seize this advantage and take the time to explore the city with your feet.

You’ll move past several shopping options and dining which you may want to explore in the long run.

Add to your list of things to do in the city.

11. The National WWII Museum

Newmar / The National WWII Museum

Another beautiful place of interest in the city is the National WWII Museum .

Since its establishment on the 6th day of June 2000, this tourist attraction site has drawn over two million tourists.

If you’re a lover of history and learning or just want to unravel the circumstances behind World War II, then this is a must-see.

At this museum, you’ll find substantial images and stunning artifacts that bring to life the courage, teamwork, and sacrifice of individuals during the war.

You’ll be able to see and explore every detail from the 1930s prelude to war, the Normandy Invasion, and the combats of the Pacific Islands. 

Keep an eye out for The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, where you can find The Union Pacific Train Station.

This exhibit enables tourists to feel the sights, sounds, and emotions of going to war.

 There’s also the replica of an LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel), the Higgins boat, and a soaring Douglas C-47 aircraft.

Next is the Victory Solomon Theater Pavilion, which houses the Solomon Victory Theater.

Afterward, see The John E. Kushne which holds some of the treasures of WWII. 

You can also stroll inside the Museum vault and explore a Sherman tank.

Address: 945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

12. Trashy Diva

Trashy Diva

All the new trends in fashion may place you on the cranky side. However, some people may smile at the mere thought of vintage dresses.

Truly, this spot is mainly for ladies who want to explore chic vintage outfits while on a Louisiana tour, however, men can try too.

Looking good just has to be something you do while on a Louisiana spree, so there is just a place for you to try out something new.

At Trashy Diva, ladies can explore tremendous shopping options of 40s and 50s-inspired retro dresses.

Interestingly, it isn’t just the vintage retro dresses you’ll love about this shopping mall, there are also world-class jewelry, lingerie, and all-out fantastic clothing.

In fact, there’s an unconditional line of clothes for those with a rockabilly taste, then some corsets and other fun finds if you’re feeling adventurous.

You’ll be able to pick and make your choices of vintage clothing and even try out a lot.

Check out Jewelries and even lingerie that you may end up loving.

Overall, just check out the clothing and all the wonderful items they have in stock.

Address: 537 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

13. Audubon Zoo

Highlights at the Audubon Zoo

Animal lovers will enjoy an all-out session at the Audubon Zoo .

This zoo in Louisiana offers visitors a chance to explore the exotic diversity of animals from around the world, educational projects, and even hands-on animal encounters.

At this zoo, you’ll find a ton of the most endangered species of animals in the world, including a Louisiana Swamp and several Jaguar Jungle natural habitat exhibits. 

The zoo, which has been set up since the 1884 World Exposition, showcases over 58 acres of animals in their biological habitats. 

In fact, the zoo invariably ranks among the country’s best and draws tourists all year round.

You’ll be able to see oak trees over 100-year-old and a cast of animal characters. 

They also host an abundance of events for recreation and educational purposes. 

Furthermore, you’ll be able to access several dining and shopping choices throughout the city.

Stop by and see elephants, Jean and Panya. Inside the zoo, you’ll also be able to see the Komodo dragon and a very rare white tiger from California, King Zulu.

Take pictures of monkeys, snakes, beers, orangutans, elks, and more foreign animals.

Lastly, explore the Rocking chairs throughout the swamp and grab a drink at the onsite restaurant.

Address: 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States

14. Court of the Two Sisters 

Arienne McCracken / Flickr

Just a look at the city of Louisiana tells you that the assortment of food you’ll find in the city is bound to stun you.

For something quiet, food, and spectacular to do on a sunny day, grab a comfortable dress and make your way down to Court of the Two Sisters .

It is not quite new to find such a classical area in the city to stretch yourself and feast on a classical Creole brunch.

Creole brunches here taste quite great and the spicing matches accordingly.

However, it isn’t just the fact that they serve Creole brunch that will delight you and even convince you to make a second trip.

Apart from the tasty Creole brunches you’ll be able to enjoy, the restaurant also offers great jazz music.

That’s why even if you don’t want to enjoy creole brunches, just sitting in the room with the humming jazz music relaxes you the most.

Get dressed up and set out to enjoy the peace and satisfaction in this airy, lovely courtyard this restaurant is dubbed after. 

Bring a partner and enjoy a date night within the comfort and serenity of this restaurant.

You’ll be glad you chose to do this, an experience will convince you.

Address: 613 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

15. Preservation Hall

Tony27502 / Flickr

Preservation Hall is a top spot in Louisiana offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy jazz in a no-frills space.

This vast space is undoubtedly one of the most cozy and deluxe venues, not only in the city but in the whole world.

For more than sixty years, this hall, the Preservation Hall, has served as a home to traditional New Orleans jazz.

The building, which is a Creole mansion, was erected in the early 1800s, and since then served as a residence to artists, dramatists, and minstrels for over two centuries.

Its splendor and beauty have earned it a more preferred moniker over the years and have drawn a lot of tourists worldwide.

Therefore, if you are in the city and you’re gawking for places to host special events, nuptials, corporate symposium, gathering, blowouts, and school factions, this is ideal.

In fact, you’ll find the nicest New Orleans jazz entertainers in the city and, subsequently, the ideal venue for events.

Book a space and spend time bonding with your family or even go on a get-together with friends.

You can tour this hall at your own convenience and just spend time bonding with the environment.

Add to your list of things to do in Louisiana.

Address: 726 St Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States

16. Royal & St Peter

Alec Saunders / Flickr

All the hustle and bustle of Louisiana is likely to keep you in a bad spot, especially if it’s all noise.

That is why a stroll and tour of Royal & St. Peter is one of the fun options to consider and add to your itinerary.

It doesn’t take much to convince visitors of the fun and melodious serenity of the area, since the area itself is a hub of entertainment.

Picture an area with the noise and distress all cut out and a step into a melodious city.

Literally, that’s what you’d picture and expect to see on a tour of Royal and St. Peter.

From the Royal Street pedestrian corridor, you’ll find buckets all interlacing their trades and showing off some of the best stuff in the city.

You can decide to take a glance through them as you just enjoy the musicals and entertainment ongoing.

Additionally, since the area is one that is entertainment infested, you’ll find a handful of live musicians doing what they know how to do.

Enjoy the music and look through the various items on display as you move through the area. 

Undoubtedly, it is one of the cheapest things to do in the city, so should make it to the first place on your list.

17. Historic New Orleans Collection

Paintings at the Historic New Orleans Collection

Established in 1966, the Historic New Orleans Collection is a fascinating part of Louisiana and a top see spot in the city.

What you find in this spectacular space in Louisiana is the thriving history of the city, peculiar drama and art, glamor, and ultimately wonderful music. 

You’ll find this grand opening in the heart of the French Quarter, and functions as a museum, research center, and publisher.

Visitors to this place can enjoy and explore several guided tours, vibrant, interactive adventures, free extravaganzas, and explore an elegant house museum.

On a tour of the research center, you’ll find over 1,000,000 items documenting everyday life as well as extraordinary historical incidents traversing more than three centuries.

Additionally, on its collection are 35,000 library articles, shelves of papers and manuscripts, over 350,000 photographs, pictures, drawings, masterpieces, and other heirlooms.

Explore this research center through docent-led or cell-phone tours, depending on which seems most suitable for you.

Finally, you can discover all about the various architectural styles in one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, the Vieux Carré.

To end and finalize your tour experience, permeate into the private dwelling of THNOC’s originators, General L. Kemper and Leila Williams. 

 Address: 520 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

18. Royal & Orleans

Royal & Orleans

Who would have thought that seeing certain streets in Louisiana holds a certain charm?

However, that’s just what you would find touring most of the spots in Royal & Orleans.

From its moniker, it is quite convincing that this part of the city is one full-time activity full area.

Therefore, one of the fastest and cheapest things to do in Louisiana, and more than that, it is relatively engaging.

One notable fact about this part of Louisiana is the fact that as compared to some streets quite close to it, it is really busy.

If you’re considering a quiet stroll, then it won’t meet what you need, but you’ll enjoy the bout of nightlife and engagement.

Moreover, it is just a few walks away from the city’s major attraction points, the St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.

Visitors to this place can enjoy some of the major entertainment activities, like looking through art.

Since the majority of the artists choose to hawk their artworks around this vicinity, visitors can look through artwork and even purchase it.

You’ll be able to watch street thespians and puppeteers perform enticing acts for the public.

Additionally, you’ll find tourists moving around and checking out peculiar items.

Take a stroll and feel what it’s like to be in the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle.

19. Mardi Gras

Highlights from Mardi Gras

Carnivals are held in high esteem by most cities and, of course, you’d expect the same from a huge cultural city like Louisiana.

In fact, carnivals in the city are really flashy and one of the top things to do on a visit.

To experience and dig into the soul of Louisiana, prepare to attend Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras, a special Carnival celebration that takes place in the city, is a celebration that takes place in the city on the twelfth night.

The festival starts on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany and concludes on the day before Ash Wednesday.

Literally, the carnival features celebrations showcasing art, music, and costumed revelers on a one to a three-month range of the year.

During this period in the city, several streets and areas of the city come alive with music, art, and costumed revelers, and there are ceaseless celebrations.

On the weekends introducing Fat Tuesday, visitors are sure to find a handful of parades and performances.

Visitors will be able to see the colossal Endymion floats and thrill in the political caricature of Krewe du Vieux. 

You’ll be able to try ten distinct slices of king cake, look at community walking krewes, and overall make new friends and meet new people.

20. Gallery Burguieres  

Paintings from Gallery Burguieres

Louisiana, of course, holds a high regard for artworks and you can find almost all genres within the city.

Therefore, one of the top things to do on a tour of the state is looking at artworks.

However, you don’t have to step into museums to see exquisite art. There are some great art galleries in the city you should look forward to seeing.

One such art gallery is Gallery Burguieres .

Besides, if you’re familiar with the works of a famous artist, Ally Burguieres, or you’re just a huge fan of the artist, then this is for you.

Ally Burguieres, a popular artist and a talented one, is most recognized for her drawings and masterpieces of animals.

If you love animal drawings, paintings, and figurines, then this is just the place for you to spend.

Similarly, her works and paintings always are denoted by flashy color, wafting lines, and generally a funky tangibility that you’ll find easy to love.

Visitors can take the time to explore her collection of animal paintings and generally see everything in the gallery.

Ultimately, you can just choose to roam through the gallery on a regular day to ease off stress.

Address: 736 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

21. Louisiana State Capitol

Wayne Hsieh / Flickr

The Louisiana State Capitol is one of the amazing tourist attraction sites in Louisiana that you should look forward to seeing.

This state capital is not only one of the greatest highlights of the city but also the tallest Capitol in the United States.

Incredibly, the edifice is about 450 feet high and almost 460 feet to the tub and showcases 34 floors.

You may feel that this is all too much for a house, but that is exactly what it is, one of the most amazing structures in Louisiana.

Notably, the state capitol holds the chambers for the Louisiana State Legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Additionally, it also houses the Office of the Governor of Louisiana. 

At just the 27th floor on The Observation Deck, visitors will be able to see the entire City of Baton Rouge and see spectacular views of the Capitol gardens and the Capitol lakes.

Things to do in this state capital are plentiful, however, there are major things you could try out.

Firstly, consider catching views of the city from the observation deck.

Climb the 27th floor and carefully stick your head out, while relishing the views of the city from up above.

Afterward, you can consider touring the Capitol and checking out the vast collection of information therein.

Address: 900 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States  

22. Erzulie’s Voodoo Store 

David Berkowitz / Flickr

Not everyone believes in voodoo and trusts all the predictions of seers, however finding a good luck charm doesn’t hurt.

It may sound like it doesn’t even have much to offer, but you’ll enjoy hanging out around Erzulie’s Voodoo Store.

Not everyone may agree with this single thought, but visits to a voodoo store is one of the spectacular things to do in Louisiana.

Visitors to this voodoo store can purchase and get love potions.

Although the authenticity of these items hasn’t been verified, visitors can order or get love potions.

Apart from getting love potions, visitors also can get a psychic reading and see what their future holds.

Sounds pretty impossible to believe, however, that’s just what the voodoo shop holds in place.

You can even go as far as getting a little gris-gris to create just the perfect day with no stress 

Additionally, you can also get a fetish moppet, purchase several Goats Milk voodoo soaps, and even get a good luck charm.

To further burst your bubbles, Erzulie even supported the development of a Voodoo app that you can use on your Android phone.

Even while touring, set some time out to get your fortune read.

Address: 807 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

23. Timeout at Frenchmen Street

Music at Frenchmen Street

The nightlife in Louisiana can be quite grand if you know the best places to visit and hang out.

For so many locals, Frenchmen Street is the answer to all your curiosity.

Neon blinks, trombone slides, flashy lights, concerts, and cheers from the buzzing crowd are what you’re bound to experience on a night out.

This vibrant street of Louisiana offers one of the most convenient musical stretches of asphalt in New Orleans. 

It is at this point that you’ll be able to explore extravaganzas of live performances, loud traditional jazz, mind-blowing blues, reggae, and even rock music.

Visitors to this Louisiana street can start off their tour experience with walking tours and great photography.

Since the bright lights, chaotic atmosphere, and general entertainment features are properly represented, this street is a backdrop for great photos.

Musical calendars are also available to help you schedule yourself for the next live performances.

Clench a few friends and promenade the night away just listening to your favorite artist on performance.

If you’re seeking clubs, there are a number of them and you can access them as long as you’re 21 and older, but a few permit children until 10 pm.

24. Tresor Gallery 

Art at Tresor Gallery

Seeing great art surely is pleasing to the soul. That is why one of the best things to do in Louisiana is to see art.

Some art can be definitive, while some others hit differently; the rest can motivate, inspire and even create a picture.

This is what you should expect to see on a tour of the Tresor Gallery.

Like most galleries in the city, Tresor Gallery showcases one of the best collections of artworks.

Its reputation and vast diversity have made it a popular attraction site for most folks and visitors over time.

If you want to see some of the prime contemporary art, then you should surely visit.

To make your experience easier, the gallery is arranged accordingly, and every piece is correct.

On a tour, visitors will be able to see and study several handcrafted faux voodoo dolls.

A step further into the gallery will also present you with giclee depictions of Catholic iconic art and even tile-work of Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Literally, these artworks are at their best and you’d be surprised by what you would find.

Ready to study some more art?

Then, add this place to your itinerary.

Address: 811 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

25. Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation

A visit to the Oak Alley Plantation is one of the things to do in the city on a bright day.

For a plantation of this sort which has borne so many titles and has served different purposes, you just have to see it.

The Oak Alley Plantation, once served as a sugar plantation, at another time, was an abandoned investment property.

Also, it was at one time a cattle ranch, at another time a landscape of opposition in the face of the Army Corps of Engineers.

Presently, it is a memorable site in the city preserving and deciphering each chapter of this plantation’s recollection. 

On a guided tour, you will be able to hear fascinating stories of the residence and its annals.

Did you know Oak Alley Plantation is the most photographed plantation and is a famous setting for several motion pictures?

You’ll find its pictorial excerpts on Interview with a Vampire, Primary Colors, the wedding of Bo, and finally, Hope from the daytime soap opera, Days of our Lives.

Also, you’ll have the recourse of enjoying a picturesque view of Lake Pontchartrain as you make your way past the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

Stop by and feast your gaze on several exhibits on display.

There is the exhibit of Slavery at Oak Alley, Blacksmith Shop, East and West Gardens, and the Sugarcane Theater. 

Make a stop at the Plantation Café and enjoy a snack, salad, or even a sandwich on picnic tables or aboard a coach. 

Address: 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090, United States

26. Cafe Amelie 

Dishes from Cafe Amelie

Café Amelie holds quite a lot, especially if you are considering a date night out or just want to eat out with friends.

This romantic setting in the city offers visitors the opportunity to harness its luxurious courtyard and delicious modern Louisiana fare to their delight.

There isn’t much you can do here, however you’ll be able to eat to your heart’s content.

Bring a partner and go on a romantic date out.

Explore the café and try out meals in the serene setting. It is one of the most romantic places to be in Louisiana.

Address: 912 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

27. Explore The Riverfront Line and Loyola/UPT Line

ArchiTexty / Flickr

Street lines in Louisiana each have their expertise and different attraction points and spots.

Exploring these street lines can turn out to be the adventurous thing to do on a visit to Louisiana.

Here, visitors will be able to take advantage of six vintage red streetcars operating within the Riverfront line .

These streetcars will carry you from the quaint stores of the French Market down to the Aquarium of the Americas and even beyond. 

Visitors will be able to harness several entertainment options like shopping, feasting, and sightseeing, just a streetcar ride away. 

Apart from the shopping and feasting options which are available to tourists quite easily, you’ll also find several grand edifices.

You’ll find the Outlet Collection at the Riverwalk, several shops at Canal Place, and then finally Harrah’s Casino, for casino lovers. 

Meanwhile, the 1.6-mile Loyola Avenue/Union Passenger Terminal allows visitors who arrive newly to the city to access hotels easily.

At its stretch, you’ll find countless hotels and motels where you can pick out to pass a night or stay throughout your time in the city.

Address: Louisiana, United States

28. Fifi Mahony’s 

Wigs at Fifi Mahony’s

Looking good is a passion, and this is what you’ll love about Fifi Mahony’s .

Going on tours and outings doesn’t have to be all serious and boring. You could consider dressing up in costumes.

Fifi Mahony offers visitors the opportunity to select and pick out their own wigs in Louisiana.

They have a terrific manner of making wigs that would suit almost anyone.

To even help you, they recommend wig styles and colors if you don’t know what to select.

Address: 934 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

29. Whitney Plantation

Milam’s Musings / Whitney Plantation

Slavery was quite a huge deal in Louisiana, consequently, even with its abandonment, its history still terrifies a lot of people.

Visits to the Whitney Plantation is one of the top things to do in the city, especially if you want to hear tales or learn more about the slavery periods in the city.

In fact, to elucidate on its significance, this plantation is the only type of its kind with a focus on slavery in the city. 

You’ll find historic buildings, modern memorials, museum exhibits, and even first-person slave memoirs talking about enslaved people who labored and dwelled in Louisiana.

Also, you’ll be able to explore the arduous history of slavery in the United States for over 150 years.

On a tour, you’ll be able to saunter through the fields where slaves once harvested sugar cane and spent most of their lives laboring on.

Additionally, you’ll be able to explore the Allées Gwendolyn Midlo Hall, an open-air memorial acclaiming the 107,000 people who were clenched in enslavement in Louisiana.

Further, into the plantation, you’ll be able to see the tiny outdoor kitchen, one of the oldest in Louisiana where the cook prepared feasts for his master’s family.

Finally, you’ll be able to explore the “hot box”, a rusting metal compartment hardly broad enough to cover with arms stretched out.

It is at the hoot box that slaves waited for a sale at auction or a punishment chamber for those left to agonize in the hot sun. 

Closely, you’ll find a directory of slaves and the fees for which their lives were paid for and auctioned.

Address: 5099 LA-18, Edgard, LA 70049, United States

30. Gallier House, Louisiana  

Exterior, Gallier House, Louisiana

Visits to the Gallier House , Louisiana can turn out to be the next big thing to do in the city.

The Gallier House, one of the nicest conserved historic homes in the city, was established over 150 years ago and holds a ton of Louisiana history.

Presently the house is run as a museum alongside the Hermann-Grima House.

Visitors to this museum can explore, learn and check out the furniture and architectural details, from a time so far.

They’ll be able to learn all about the Gallier family, slaves, and domestic servants, who fostered their luxurious lifestyle.

Most of the furnishings are drill intact and seeing them helps you understand the olden times better.

Wander through the museum looking at furniture, learning of the Gallier family and their lives afterward.

Address: 1132 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

31. Take a ride on RTA Streetcars

Cliff Jones Photographs / Flickr

Rides on streetcars can be an alluring and worthwhile way to encounter the many districts of Louisiana, especially if you’re in the mood for rides.

A ride on RTA Streetcars will bring you past the French Quarter and convey you through and beyond places you may not ordinarily get to see.

One of the most notable places that the RTA Streetcars will take you through is The Saint Charles Streetcar Line.

Having existed for over 150 years, the St. Charles Streetcar has evolved into a symbol of the elegance and fantasy of New Orleans.

In fact, the murky green St. Charles streetcar is notably the rustiest continuously operating streetcar line in the whole world. 

You’ll even be able to see several vintage streetcars manufactured by the Perley A. Thomas Company still running.

Furthermore, if you choose a ride on these street cars, you’ll be able to get past several antebellum fortresses, the famous Loyola and Tulane universities, and the breathtaking Audubon Park.

Additionally, you’ll move through fine hotels, grand restaurants, and even bars as you make it past street lines. 

Ready yourself and plan a day out with Louisiana RTA Streetcars. It is one of the best things you can do in the city at any time.

32. Verti Marte 

Dave Hensley / Flickr

At the all-vibrant and grand Verti Marte , visitors can grab a bite of delectable meals.

The restaurant which serves some of the tastiest and most mouthwatering dishes is always an option for tourists and locals in the city.

Apart from the wonderful food they serve, they serve the best jazz music in Louisiana.

You’ll be able to vibe to the whole frenzy and soul-touching jazz music while you feast on some of the best dishes in the city.

On their menu, you can order tasty ham, turkey, shrimp, soft mushrooms, and melted cheese doused in spicy sauce.

Most of the meals you get to try are very delicious and affordable.

Literally, you can never go wrong with choosing to hang out at Verti Marte.

Address: 1201 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

33. Zip NOLA

Visits to the first and only swamp zipline in New Orleans, Zip NOLA is one of the top things to do in Louisiana. 

This cutting-edge facility holds one of the most cutting-edge zipline apparatuses to provide visitors with the safest experience imaginable. 

At this zipline, you’ll be able to explore some of the top New Orleans’ famous moss-covered cypress tree canopies in a totally different way.

Local guides will instruct you on the environment and wildlife of the swamp as well as the rich history, voodoo queen, and folklore of Frenier.

Your experience takes you on an hour and thirty minutes adventure involving five ziplines, two suspension bridges, and a spiral tree staircase.

Address: 301 Peavine Rd, Laplace, LA 70068, United States

34. Bennachin  

Dishes from Bennachin

It’s quite spectacular to see a place that serves tasty West African dishes in Louisiana.

For many, trying out West African cuisine may not originally be an option, but as you explore the city, this is one of the top things to do.

Bennachin is one of the distinct restaurants in the city serving great African cuisine.

Here, you’ll be able to try a variety of West African food, including sample dishes such as sauced piquant chicken over jollof rice and seasoned greens.

Besides, it also has something in store for vegans, since it is one of the first places in the city to promote vegan items on its menu.

Even if you haven’t tried West African dishes, this is a chance to begin a worthwhile adventure to the land of deliciousness.

Address: 1212 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

35. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Exterior, Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

The Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is a circa-1840 Greek revival mansion and plantation, which was formerly one of the largest sugar producers.

Presently, the plantation offers visitors the opportunity to explore gardens, lodging and visit elegant restaurants.

Notably, The Houmas Estate possessed an exposure of thirty-five acres overlooking the Mississippi River.

It subsequently contained over twelve thousand acres of the fairest quality of cultivable land and held over five hundred and fifty slaves.

Now, visitors can tour its grounds, eat out in its award-winning bistros, and even stay at The Inn at Houmas House.

Enjoy docent-led tours of the plantation, where your guide, dressed in period costumes, will bring the stories of this large place to life. 

You’ll move through several areas of the plantation, including spaces that once held the slaves and their children.

Also, you’ll walk past fields and lands on which the slaves cultivated and lay their backs to rest.

After your tour, you can saunter through the squeaky-clean gardens and relish chef-prepared banquets paired with fine wine and cocktails. 

Literally, it only takes a tour to convince you of the city’s beauty. Be sure to check it out for yourself.

Address: 40136 LA-942, Darrow, LA 70725, United States

36. Mona Lisa 

Not all Mona Lisa has to do with paintings and artworks, this is quite different from the regular since it is only a beautiful Italian restaurant.

It is just as you expect to see, an Italian restaurant with great lighting.

Its major highlight is the dim lighting emanating from candles plopped in chianti bottles.

On its walls, you’ll find portraits of the old country and similarly some of the sweetest pasta in the city. 

Moreover, unlike most Italian restaurants, this is relatively cheap and even the delicious red wine is a bonus.

Step out to see what an experience feels like in this restaurant. Truly, you’ll be able to enjoy it greatly.

37. Rip Van Winkle Gardens

Rip Van Winkle Gardens

Experience something distinct when you step into the Rip Van Winkle Gardens in style.

Established in 1870, Rip Van Winkle Gardens is one of the beauties of Louisiana, with glamor and allure at every turn.

The garden, which was built by esteemed actor Joseph Jefferson, is the ideal place in the city to explore and consequently host a wedding.

Initially, this outstanding architectural masterpiece was erected as a hunting lodge and a painting studio for Joseph Jefferson.

Since he played the role of Rip Van Winkle in the theater, the garden was named after him.

Visitors to the garden will be able to explore a large collection of Joseph’s paintings in a tranquil setting.

In addition to looking at his works, the setting brings alive the feelings of what the South was like after the Civil War. 

On a visit, explore some of the Acadian cottages, book one and stay at.

Interestingly, they come with a complimentary bottle of wine, which you can enjoy while staring at the sunset over the 1,300-acre Lake Peigneur.

They also serve delicious dishes like gumbo, salads, sandwiches, and étouffée, which you can wash down with a bottle of their best wine.

Stare into the gardens and enjoy the picturesque view while on a delicious crab meal from café Jefferson.

Address: 5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560, United States

38. LSU Rural Life Museum, Baton Rouge

Arthur Taussig

The LSU Rural Life Museum, Baton Rouge, is one of the must-see places in Louisiana.

This historical museum offers visitors a chance to explore the substantial array of architecture and artifacts reflecting Louisiana’s rich cultural heritage. 

Formerly a residence for Steele Burden and sister Pike, the museum is everything Louisiana is.

Presently, tourists to the LSU Rural Life Museum can catch a glimpse of how life was in the pastoral setting years ago.

They’ll be able to learn and study all that early Louisianans went through and assembled in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

The Museum has major highlights that should be seen by anyone visiting the place, even for the very first time.

One of the places to keep an eye out for is the Working Plantation Section.

At the Working Plantation Section, visitors will be able to explore a Post Office, Pigeon Cote, and a large collection of Outhouses. 

Not just that, on display, is also a Commissary, an open hearth kitchen, Overseer’s House, Slave Cabins, a Sick House, and a Blacksmith’s Shop.

Next, you should see The Folk Architecture Section.

Just like its name implies, this section is quite dynamic and houses a Pioneer’s Cabin with Corn Crib and Potato House, a Split-Cypress Barn, and Country Church.

Also, it holds a Shotgun House, Log House, Log Barn, Dogtrot House, and a Jail.

Finally, The Exhibit Barn houses a myriad of exhibits on Louisiana’s artistic and chronological heritage.  

Here you’ll find exhibits on the Creoles, Yeoman Farmers, Plantation South, the Industrial Revolution, Slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.  

Inside, you’ll also find a vast collection of farming tools and equipment alongside an array of 19th-century horse-drawn carriages.

Address: 4560 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States

39. Mike the Tiger Habitat

Did you think of the fact of having a living tiger or even staying quite close to one?

Yes, there is one in Louisiana and even though you may wish he was free, the tiger lives in a caged, on-campus habitat featuring a manmade pond.

Louisiana State University’s live mascot, Mike the Tiger , is one of the most interesting sites you’ll find in the city.

Within the very walls of the Louisiana State University is where you’ll find this spectacular habitat made for state-of-the-art technologies, scrutiny, preservation, and husbandry projects.

Mike the Tiger is the sole live tiger living on the college campus right between the Bernie Moore Track Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Regularly, visitors, fans, and even first-timers come from near and far to catch a glimpse of amazing Mike in his state-of-the-art habitat.

The habitat, which opened in 2005, is a 15,000 sq. ft. habitat showcasing luxuriant plantings, an enormous Live Oak tree, and a stunning waterfall.

There’s even the picturesque show of a stream unfolding from a rocky backdrop and overflowing with verdant vegetation.

On a visit, you may find Mike swimming in his pond or rolling around and playing with his ball or other playthings.

While you can come and see Mike do his thing, you can not carry pets or padded animals to his habitat.

Address: 16 N Stadium Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States

40. Laura Plantation

Robiemariew / Flickr

Learn about the lives of four generations of one Louisiana Creole family, which were both liberated and enslaved at the Laura Plantation .

The plantation, which offers visitors access to several exhibits, tells the stories of the lives of Africans living on the plantation, as slaves even into the 20th century.

Tours of the plantation cover major settings such as the Big House, several gardens, and even the actual 1840s slave cabins. 

You’ll hear the rousing personal stories of individual men, women, and children slaves and their achievements.

At one section of the plantation is the biography of Lucy, an American slave purchased as an 8-year-old girl.

She was given the sole responsibility of being the enslaved playmate for her Créole owner’s daughter.

Although things ended quite well for Lucy, who returned to Louisiana, bought a house, and got married.

Another section tells the story of Edouard, a Créole brick mason.

Edouard had run away from the plantation to battle in the Union Army.

After the Civil War and freedom, Edouard returned to the farm and to his family. 

Address: 2247 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090, United States

41. Global Wildlife Center

Global Wildlife Center

There is never a scarcity of things to do in Louisiana since the city is a hub of activities.

However, it is quite special and out of the world to explore wildlife centers.

Therefore, one of the top things to do in the city is explore the Global Wildlife Center.

The Global Wildlife Center In Louisiana offers visitors safari tours to see wildlife and animals such as camels, zebras, and giraffes.

This preserve is a great option if you are traveling with children and want to explore options of things to do with them.

Words fail to describe what this wildlife center looks like. However, you can picture this setting.

It is just like Africa, but in the Louisiana setting, and spans over 900 acres of land.

While on a visit, children can explore the safari on covered wagons which are hauled by tractors.

Meanwhile, adults can generally rent or plan a Private Pinz tour for the family specially.

You’ll be able to learn a ton about the animals’ patterns and habitats in the wild, discovered through touch since you can do basic stuff like counting the stripes of a zebra.

Moreover, you can pet the animals and even come with a souvenir cup of animal feed, especially if you want to feed them.

Overall, you’ll be able to experience something spirited as you roam through the animal pens. 

Address: 26389 LA-40, Folsom, LA 70437, United States

42. USS KIDD Veterans Museum

USS KIDD Veterans Museum

Visits to veteran museums can also turn out well to do in Louisiana on a sunny day.

At the USS KIDD Veterans Museum , you’ll be able to unravel the tales of what became of World War II.

Here, you’ll be able to stride back in time aboard the USS KIDD, the sole Fletcher-class destroyer in the city.

USS KIDD was revived to her World War II configuration and is on display at the USS KIDD Veterans Museum.

The ship which is run and conserved by the museum was named after Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, who died aboard the USS ARIZONA.

Her death, which couldn’t be held in by her crew, led to the establishment of what is now a great souvenir and attractions item in the city.

After her death, her crew sketched an image of the celebrated pirate on the ship’s smokestack, and was entitled to fly a Jolly Roger. 

Although there are many things to do on a visit to this museum, the best part is that you’ll be able to discover all about the KIDD’s battle history.

You’ll also be able to find information on a kamikaze attack in 1945 that seized the lives of 38 crew members.

Further into the museum, you’ll be able to see and touch a collection of ship models, artifacts, and memorabilia from the USS KIDD’s service.

Overall, you’ll be able to see the Louisiana Veterans Hall of Honor.

Address: 305 S River Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States

43. Louisiana State Museum Baton Rouge

Exterior, Louisiana State Museum Baton Rouge

The Louisiana State Museum Baton Rouge is a large museum in the city offering collections and educational programs on the city’s history.

Just like several museums, this museum exists to preserve and appreciate Louisiana’s eclectic history and culture.

Here, visitors will be able to get a temporary glimpse of the city’s past while discovering everything from the inception of jazz to the Battle of New Orleans.

It also houses and offers on display, online exhibits, searchable databases, durable collections, periodicals, and agenda libraries.

Literally, it doesn’t hurt to be amidst information centuries old and learn, therefore it is one of the top things to do in the city.

Roam through the museum compartment looking at books, studying history, and looking at memorabilia from years ago.

Explore rooms in absolute tranquility and listen to masterpieces of the city’s evolution, and if you can take pictures.

Along and beside the museum, you’ll find several restaurants and eating points where you can try delicacies.

Even if you don’t want to roam around the museum, you can just sit on benches around and enjoy the city’s peaceful feel.

Address: 660 N 4th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States

44. Tour Big Easy

Swamp rides with Tour Big Easy

Get to the highlight of your Louisiana adventure with a timeout with Tour Big Easy .

This facility offers small-group airboat swamp tours, medium-group airboat swamp tours, big-group airboat tours, covered swamp tour boat trips, and a swamp zipline at four swamp locations.

If what you seek to explore is free time on airboat tours, then hang out and enjoy a zipline experience with Tour Big Easy.

Address: 600 Port of New Orleans Pl Unit 14F, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

45. 13th Gate Escape, Louisiana’s Ultimate Escape Games

Captured LV Escape Room/ 13th Gate Escape, Louisiana’s Ultimate Escape Games

Escape games are fun activities you’ll enjoy in Louisiana.

Have you ever fantasized about experiencing life as a daring archaeologist like Indiana Jones or a Tomb Raider like Lara Croft? 

Yes, you can bring your fantasies all to life with a visit to the 13th Gate Escape , Louisiana’s Ultimate Escape Games.

You will be in a succession of incredibly realistic themed rooms with your friends, family, or coworkers.

Literally, you must work hand in hand with your team as you race against time to explore your surroundings.

You’ll have to use your logic, instinct, and critical thinking in order to find hidden passages, solve puzzles, decipher codes, and uncover mysteries that will ultimately lead to your escape. 

Address: 800 St Philip St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States

46. Escapology Escape Rooms Covington

Escapology Escape Rooms Covington

In Escapology Escape Rooms Covington , visitors get to pair with a group of distinct players, locked in a themed space where you have 60 minutes to escape.

To escape, you have to locate all the clues, solve a series of riddles, and escape. 

There are a variety of games here, including multiplayer virtual reality adventures to encourage good times, cooperation, and communication. 

Also, you will be able to take part in excursions that would be too risky or simply impossible to do in real life.

Can you beat the odds and make it out before the time elapses?

See for yourself at Escapology Escape Rooms Covington.

Address: 3025 Pinnacle Pkwy, Covington, LA 70433, United States

47. Louisiana Grand Isle Beach

Pristine sands at Louisiana Grand Isle Beach

Hang out at one of Louisiana’s classy beaches during your adventure.

Grand Isle is the only barrier island in Louisiana that is colonized.

What you’ll find interesting about this Louisiana Beach is the fact that it is most popular for its deep-sea fishing and birdwatching habitat. 

Visitors to the beach can take part in fishing activities and spend time reeling in fish.

At the farther end of the beach, visitors will be able to catch breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Literally making it a terrific camping, picnicking, and surfing retreat location.

Spend time with your family playing with the water, surfing, and building sand castles.

Final Remarks

Not all places are different from home, certain places still awaken that magic feeling of comfort in a new place.

That’s exactly what you should expect to see in Louisiana.

The vibrancy, charms, and rustic feel will leave you begging for more fun, however, you can only explore to an extent.

Create memories as you move past, spread joy, and make friends accordingly.

Safe Travels.

Touropia Travel

Discover the World

12 Best Things to Do in Louisiana

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

Located in the Deep South of the States, Louisiana is renowned for its captivating Cajun and Creole culture, which is infused with Acadian, French, and Spanish influences. This intoxicating mix of music, cuisines, and even languages is best explored in cities such as Lafayette and Baton Rouge – its state capital. Not to be missed is New Orleans for its fabulous French Quarter, marvelous Mardi Gras celebrations and numerous other tourist attractions.

Things to do in Louisiana include exploring a diverse mix of history, culture, and heritage as well as its lovely landscapes: the mighty Mississippi River forms its eastern boundary as it courses to the warm waters of the glittering Gulf of Mexico.

Its delightful delta is home to beautiful bayous, beaches, and barrier islands, with enormous alligators and pretty old plantations hidden among them. Offering up the perfect combination of history, nature, and culture, Louisiana’s countless charms and joie de vivre make it one of the best places to visit in the South Central United States.

12. Oak Alley Plantation

One of the most important and impressive historic sites in Louisiana, Oak Alley Plantation can be found in the southeast of the state. Set in a stunningly scenic spot on the banks of the Mississippi River, it is particularly known for the charming canopy of trees that welcome you to the property.

It’s after this 240 meter-long pretty path that the plantation is named; the double row of oak trees was planted sometime in the early 18th century. At the end of these terrific towering trees is a magnificent mansion showcasing some delightful Greek Revival architecture, with a colossal colonnade and wraparound porch looking out over the gardens.

This astounding antebellum architecture and lovely landscaping masks a painful past, with enslaved people having toiled on the plantation for decades producing sugarcane. Visitors to Oak Alley can learn all about this and more by taking a tour around the National Historic Landmark. There’s also an excellent restaurant and cosy inn on the property.

11. Grand Isle State Park

Lying at the eastern tip of the beautiful barrier island of the same name is the gorgeous Grand Isle State Park, which is sure to delight nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Set at the spot where the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet Barataria Bay and the bayous of the Mississippi, it has a range of exquisite outdoor activities for you to enjoy.

As it is home to wind-swept dunes, idyllic lagoons, and secluded shoreline, the park is a great place to go birdwatching, with many different species on show. It is, however, most well-known for its fabulous fishing: many people consider it one of the best places to go in the whole of the States.

Although it has been pulverized by numerous hurricanes in recent years and affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Grand Isle State Park retains its beauty and charm. On top of taking boat tours and going fishing and birdwatching, there is some superb sunbathing and swimming on offer, with canoeing also a popular pastime.

10. Steamboat Natchez

A wonderful way to explore New Orleans’ myriad of amazing sights is to hop on the Steamboat Natchez and take a cruise along the Mississippi River. As the city’s history is inextricably linked to the river that runs through it, there is no better way to experience its heritage and hospitality than from aboard the pretty old paddle steamer.

Remarkably, the first Natchez to transport people and goods up and down the river was built all the way back in 1823. The current model – often referred to as Natchez IX – boasts sparkling white steel sides and decks, which are based on earlier designs, with a radiantly red paddle spied at the stern.

Besides basking in the divine views on offer from its dashing decks, guests also learn fascinating facts about the boat and city as they pass through the French Quarter. In addition to sightseeing around the city, there are cruises where you can enjoy a delicious Creole dinner or listen to jazz as you go.

9. Laura Plantation

Just a short distance from Oak Alley Plantation is another of the Bayou State’s most important historical sites, the Laura Plantation. Included as part of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail, the large property can be found nestled on the west bank of the Mississippi River.

Founded in 1804, it flourished in the 19th century, with enslaved people (both Creole and American), harvesting the plantation’s sugarcane. Originally known as the Duparc Plantation, it has a recently restored Creole-style raised big house for visitors to explore, as well as several slave cabins and outbuildings.

As the property has been so well-preserved, visiting is like stepping back in time, with interesting and informative tours teaching you all about its former residents and the role of the plantation in the region.

8. Old State Capitol

Sporting a delightful and distinctive design, the Old State Capitol looks more like a castle than a historic governmental building. Located in the heart of Baton Rouge on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, it is one of the city’s standout tourist attractions.

Built between 1847 and 1852, the National Historic Landmark boasts a gorgeous Gothic Revival style: crenelations and towers are spied alongside a fantastic facade. Inside is just as striking, with a spectacular spiral staircase and stained glass dome lying at the center of many elegant halls and galleries.

After the state’s seat of government was moved to the current capitol building in 1932, ‘Louisiana Castle,’ as it is also known, was used by various veterans’ organizations for several decades. Nowadays, it hosts the marvelous Museum of Political History, which has various educational and interactive exhibits on the history, culture, and heritage of the state.

7. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Scattered across the south of the state are the six sites of the great Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Dotted about the Mississippi River Delta, they are delightfully different from one another, with some looking at Cajun culture and others preserving bayous and battlefields.

Established in 1978 to protect and promote Louisiana’s considerable cultural, historical, and natural riches, the park is named after the famous French pirate Jean Lafitte. This is because the smuggling privateer roved around the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter, made his way through the murky swamps of the Barataria Reserve, and fought on the Chalmette Battlefield.

Besides these three superb sites, there are also the excellent Arcadian Cultural Centers at Lafayette , Eunice, and Thibodaux to stop by. Through interactive and interpretive exhibits and displays, these offer a fascinating look into the people and places that have shaped the culture and identity of the state.

6. Lafayette Cemetery No 1

Known for its attractive and atmospheric tombs, mausoleums, and grounds, Lafayette Cemetery No 1 can be found in the gorgeous Garden District of New Orleans. Not to be confused with the second such named cemetery that is unkempt and unmaintained, it is a very popular and picturesque place, with lots of fantastic photos to be had of its striking statues and crumbling crypts.

Opened in 1833 in what was then a suburb of the city, its plots were quickly filled in the following decades. Some sections contain entire families, as deadly yellow fever outbreaks struck New Orleans. Many of its mausoleums date to this era; their decadent designs now look wonderfully worn and weathered among the lush undergrowth and greenery.

A place of great architectural, social, and historical importance, it has featured in numerous films and music videos over the years. In addition, author Anne Rice famously emerged out of a coffin in the Lafayette Cemetery No 1 when promoting her novel Memnoch the Devil in 1995.

5. Natchitoches

Nestled away in the northwest of the state is the small city of Natchitoches, which is most known for its handsome historic district. Full of beautiful old buildings with lots of arresting architecture and plantations on show, it is the oldest settlement in the whole of Louisiana.

Founded as a French outpost all the way back in 1714, the city lies on the banks of the charming Cane River and is named after the indigenous Natchitoches people. Due to its origins, it boasts lots of lovely French and Spanish colonial-era architecture. Its well-preserved historic center is very reminiscent of New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Strolling peacefully around the scenic city really is a treat, with its standout sights being the fabulous Fort Saint Jean Baptiste and its numerous historic plantations. Besides this, it also has lots of quaint B&Bs and boutiques dotted about, with cosy cafes and excellent restaurants also on offer.

4. Whitney Plantation

Set just 70 kilometers upriver from New Orleans is the Whitney Plantation, the only museum in Louisiana to focus exclusively on the lives of enslaved people. This is in stark contrast to most other plantation tours, which instead focus on the ‘big house’ and the slave-owning families.

Fascinating to explore, the sprawling property has barns, a blacksmith shop, and slave quarters to wander around, as well as a fantastic French Creole raised-style main house that was built in 1803. Through interesting exhibits and a moving memorial, visitors learn about the legacy of slavery and the painful past of the people who lived on the plantation.

Whitney Plantation is so well-preserved that parts of Quentin Tarantino’s film Django Unchained were shot on the property to give it an authentic look and feel. Included as part of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail, it is not to be missed for the invaluable insight it provides into the region’s history and heritage.

3. Jackson Square (New Orleans)

Lying in the historic heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is one of the most popular and picturesque places to visit in the whole of New Orleans. Full of interesting and impressive historical sites, it is widely considered one of the greatest public spaces and town squares in the States.

Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, it was in this pleasant park that the famed Louisiana Purchase took place. Fitting of such a monumental moment in history, its lovely landscaped lawns are lined by fetching facades, with the phenomenal Pontalba Buildings and the spectacular Saint Louis Cathedral overlooking its charming confines.

At its center is a superb statue of the seventh president of the US, Andrew Jackson, after whom the historic square is named. Lively yet laidback, the square is always full of street artists and music performers. Cafes, shops, and restaurants can also be found in the beautiful buildings lining the square.

2. Avery Island

Situated just 50 kilometers or so to the south of Lafayette is the attractive Avery Island, which is renowned around the world for being the birthplace of Tabasco sauce. Located just inland from Vermilion Bay, the isolated and idyllic isle is actually a vast salt dome, surrounded by bayous, marshes and swamps.

Due to its secluded and serene setting, flocks birds are attracted to its wonderful wilderness, and there is a great bird sanctuary for visitors to check out. In addition, it has a gorgeous Jungle Garden to explore; this is home to many subtropical plants, with peaceful paths winding amidst the undergrowth.

One of the main reasons people visit is for the terrific Tabasco factory, where you can learn all about how the spicy sauce is produced. After having taken a tour and visited its museum, you can sample some of the fiery hot sauce before heading off to see the rest of what Avery Island has to offer.

1. Mardi Gras

Every February or early March, the colorful and chaotic carnival of Mardi Gras is held throughout the whole of Louisiana. The most famous place to experience the mesmerizing mayhem is in New Orleans, where parades, balls, and costumed celebrations take place over the course of two weeks.

While foreigners and tourists take Mardi Gras to be the two weeks of festivities held in the run-up to Lent, locals only consider ‘Fat Tuesday’ to be the last and largest day of the carnival. This is its chaotic climax when raucous revelers in colorful costumes take to the streets alongside fabulous floats and elaborate parades.

Although the celebrations in New Orleans can certainly get quite wild, lots of fun, festive yet family-friendly versions take place throughout other cities and communities in the Cajun country. Not to be missed out on, the magnificent Mardi Gras really is one of the best times of year to visit Louisiana.

Map of Things to Do in Louisiana

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Home > Road Trip Itineraries > Southern States and Deep South > Things to Do in Louisiana: Top 10 of the Attractions in the State

Things to Do in Louisiana: Top 10 of the Attractions in the State

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Among the Southern States , Louisiana is certainly the one that can boast some of the best preserved plantations and swamps of all. Given that in the collective imagination, these are the main factors that may drive you to go on a road trip in this part of the States, I would say that it is almost a must to include the state that includes New Orleans in your itinerary.

Like all top 10 lists, this one could be accused of being extremely subjective, but I hope it might prove useful to give you a general idea of what awaits you if you decide to visit Bayou State (the nickname for the state of Louisiana). So let’s discover the best things to do in Louisiana!

New Orleans

Plantation tour, baton rouge, breaux bridge, natchitoches, avery island, bonnie and clyde ambush museum, chauvin sculpture garden.

Taking a walk around the French Quarter is definitely one of the main reasons to visit the city of New Orleans. The characteristic Bourbon Street , with its historic buildings with their decorated wooden windowsills, nightclubs, bars and pubs where you can eat the region’s typical cuisine and listen to the best live music, will surely give you the opportunity to experience a full immersion in local culture.

If you want to take a walk in nature and experience the typical atmosphere of the bayou of the south of the United States without leaving the city, you must visit City Park , which among other things includes the New Orleans Museum of Art and a beautiful botanical garden.

Other neighborhoods that are definitely worth a visit are the Garden District , where the magnolia trees and very well maintained historic buildings will make you take a real leap back in time, and the Arts District where, as you can guess from the name, art is the protagonist in all its forms.

If you love history, don’t miss a visit to The National WWII Museum , which showcases one of the largest collections of relics and vehicles used during World War II. The Confederate Memorial Hall Museum , which is housed in a Victorian-style red brick building, displays a collection of American Civil War artifacts second only to that of the American Civil War Museum in Richmond, Virginia.

To find out more in detail about what this city offers you can refer to our New Orleans Travel Guide .

This city is the heart of Cajun Country. Here, you will have many opportunities to rediscover the ancient traditions of this area of Louisiana. In fact, you can visit the Acadian Village : a typical Cajun village rebuilt as it should have been in the 1800s through the use of seven original wooden buildings of the time.

Another similar attraction is the Vermilionville Historic Village , which echoes the original name of Lafayette. Here, too, you can visit a typical village where actors in costume recreate the living conditions and customs of the people who lived in this region at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Find a hotel in Lafayette

Plantation Country: plantations in Louisiana

When one imagines something typical of the southern states, surely one of the first things that comes to mind are the typical plantation structures. Here in Louisiana you will find many of them, and very well preserved too, so much so that there is an entire area of the state that is commonly referred to as Plantation Country .

To mention all of them would be almost impossible, and certainly haphazard, so here is a selection of the most beautiful and special ones. Nowadays you can take tours inside the properties, where you can still admire the original decorations and furnishings that, for the most part, have been able to resist the passage of time.

Let’s start this tour with one of the best preserved in the United States, the Rosedown Plantation near the town of St. Francisville (12501 LA-10, St Francisville, LA 70775), also known for the beautiful gardens that surround the estate. Built in 1834 by the Turnbull family, one of the wealthiest in the nation.

Oak Alley Plantation (3645 Louisiana 18, Vacherie, LA 70090), on the other hand, is one of the most photographed plantations in Louisiana. The peculiarity of this plantation is in fact represented by the long driveway along the sides of which run dozens of oaks that contribute to creating an unmistakable landscape.

Visiting the Laura Plantation (2247 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090) is not just to see a plantation, and all the buildings connected to it, which are very well preserved, but to experience a real full immersion in the Creole culture so typical of this area of the state. The plantation tours have been designed based on a memoir that traces the history of four generations of Creole families. This attention to historical accuracy earned the title of “Best History Tour in the United States” awarded by Lonely Planet.

A tour of Whitney Plantation (5099 Louisiana Hwy 18, Edgard, LA 70049) is also recommended to understand the conditions in which slaves were forced to live since, of all those in Louisiana, it is the only one that can be called a museum plantation . This is because the places where slaves lived and worked have been reconstructed and preserved. You can experience with your own eyes what it was like to work on a cotton plantation in the early 1800s.

Houmas House Plantation (40136 Highway 942, Darrow, LA 70725) is particularly renowned for its beautiful, very large, well-manicured gardens and the cuisine that can be enjoyed at the restaurant inside. At the Nottoway Plantation (31025 LA-1, White Castle, LA 70788) you are going to visit what from a distance may even seem like the White House ! It is also the largest pre-war building to have survived intact to this day, and you may even decide to stay overnight.

Search for a room at Nottoway Plantation

Finally, thrill-seekers should not miss the opportunity to visit Myrtles Plantation (7747 U.S. 61, St Francisville), which boasts the title of one of the most haunted houses in the entire United States.

If you want to leave your rental car at rest for a day, you can consider one of these tours to visit the state’s most beautiful plantations.

• San Francisco Plantation and Houmas House small group tour from New Orleans
• Whitney Plantation tour from New Orleans
• Oak Alley and Laura Plantation small group tours from New Orleans

Louisiana Swamps

If plantations were the first thing that came to your mind when you thought of the southern states , then perhaps the second thing that came to your mind was the swamps , which are a real feature of the Louisiana landscape. As in the case of the plantations, here are just a few of the many swamps you may come across on your road trip around the state.The Atchafalaya Basin boasts the record for being the largest swamp in the entire United States, even larger than Florida ‘s Everglades Park . It has developed along the course of the Atchafalaya River, which formed near the town of Simmesport and flows for more than 140 miles until it reaches the Gulf of Mexico . More than 65 different species of reptiles and 250 of birds live within this swamp, as well as hosting the largest concentration of the characteristic American eagles (Bald Eagles) in all of Central America.

The Honey Island Swamp may not be as extensive as the previous one, but it is one of the swamps least altered by humans in the nation. Here you can enjoy nature in its most primal and pristine form. Mystery lovers will be thrilled to know that in this swamp a legend says that the Honey Island Swamp Monster, over 7 feet tall, with yellow eyes and a nauseating smell, roams around.

If you are visiting New Orleans , the most convenient solution for you will be to visit the Barataria Preserve , where you find many walkways built above the water level, or you can rent canoes to go into the forest amidst swamps and marshes. This swamp is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve complex, which contains six different parks and natural attractions that are physically separate from each other.

As with the plantations, you can also rely on convenient, pre-organized tours

• New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tours from New Orleans
• Honey Island Swamp and Bayou Tours from New Orleans
• Water slide tour of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in New Orleans

The city’s most curious and interesting attraction is definitely the LSU Rural Life Museum , which is located on the outskirts of the city. Here, a typical Louisiana town of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries has been reconstructed with 30 historical buildings. The visit takes place both outside, to understand how life was organized in a town, and inside the buildings, where you can see a remarkable collection of historical tools, clothes and accessories.

Contemporary history buffs shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the USS Kidd Museum , a Fletcher-class destroyer anchored along the banks of the Mississippi that served during World War II and the Korean War.

If you want to visit a plantation without moving too far from the city, you can opt for a tour at Magnolia Mound Plantation . Finally, why not take a stroll through the Downtown area of the city, strolling through the various local bars and restaurants that extend within walking distance of the Mississippi River .

Search for a hotel in Baton Rouge

Near the city of Lafayette, you can visit the small cluster of houses of Breaux Bridge that, besides boasting about being the capital of freshwater shrimps, is also considered the gateway to Cajun culture , the traditions, music and cuisine of South Louisiana. For this reason, do not miss a visit to one of the many typical places in the city, where you can experience very special dishes and atmospheres.

If you have not yet been able to see a typical swamp in the state, head without delay to Lake Martin and you will not be disappointed by the panorama that you will find before you. If you can, don’t miss a stay or a visit to the historic bed and breakfast Maison Madeleine .

Search for a hotel in Breaux Bridge

The foundation of this town dates back to 1714, and it is the oldest continuously inhabited urban agglomeration of the whole state. A visit to the pleasant Historic District , which develops along the course of the Cane River Lake, is recommended. Here you can admire very well-preserved buildings and historic houses dating back to the colonial period.

History buffs will also not want to miss a visit to Fort Saint Jean Baptiste , an original eighteenth-century fort, where well-preserved historical re-enactments in costume effectively illustrate what life was like for the region’s early settlers and the dangers they faced.

Search for a hotel in the area

If every time you eat something you cannot resist the temptation of adding Tabasco to your dish, then you are in the right place, because Avery Island is mainly known for being the birthplace of the famous hot sauce, the first one to be industrially produced in the United States. It is possible to visit – with tasting included – the factory, with the annexed museum, where Tabasco has been produced for more than 5 generations.

You can combine the tour of the factory with a walk along the lush Jungle Gardens, where you can see many species of animals living in their natural habitat (including alligators). The curiosity is that inside the gardens there is a statue of Buddha dating back to 1100 kept in a small temple.

The criminal adventures of Bonnie and Clyde ended in Louisiana, since there was a fatal ambush for them just near the town of Gibsland. In the place where they died, today there stands a plaque that commemorates the event, while where Rosa’s Cafe , the place where the two criminals had lunch for the last time,  once stood, there is a now museum that tells the story of their lives and exhibits a collection of memorabilia related to their criminal activity.

Some details may seem a bit gory, but if you are passionate about the history of these two famous criminals, you should definitely consider a stop to find out more about their lives, taking advantage of the availability of the museum manager, who is obviously very experienced and willing to give information.

Where to stay near the museum

We have arrived at perhaps one of the strangest and most curious attractions in the state. Everything was born from the mind of Kenny Hill, a mason who in 1990 began his personal journey into spirituality by building several statues inspired by religious themes. This is one of those places that one would expect to find perhaps while traveling along Route 66 , but in this case we are in Louisiana and for this reason maybe it has had a little less success.

Standing out above all the other sculptures is the representation of a lighthouse accompanied by the most disparate figures, ranging from angels to cowboys, who almost seem to want to climb the entire structure. You can take a real trip in this place that mixes kitsch and religiosity inside the garden, which is now cared for by Nicholls State University.

Filippo Nardelli

I have a degree in History of North America and have always been fascinated by the United States.

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Louisiana (LA) » 26 Amazing Hidden Gems in Louisiana

26 Amazing Hidden Gems in Louisiana

Home of the annual Mardi Gras celebration, Louisiana is located in the southern region of the United States of America, and, is the only state in the nation which doesn’t have counties but “parishes!”

Neighbored by Arkansas (north), Mississippi (east), Texas (west), and the Gulf of Mexico (south), the state has mostly shaped from deposits that washed ashore the Mississippi River. As a result, the state is highly rich in marshlands, swamps, huge estuaries, and a diverse variety of flora and fauna.

Officially called the Pelican State after the state bird, The Eastern Brown Pelican, Louisiana was named after King Louis XIV (King of France, 1643 – 1715) and was known as ‘La Louisiana’ at the time, meaning “Land of Louis.”

While the state has a lot to flaunt – Breaux Bridge the Crawfish Capital of the World, Dubach the Dog Trot capital of the World, Mamou the Cajun Music Capital of the World, Crowley the Rice Capital of the World, and much more, it is perhaps most famous as the birthplace of Paul Prudhomme, the celebrity chef often regarded as the inventor of Turducken (it’s chicken inside a duck inside a turkey recipe)!

A state with several cards up its sleeves and more nicknames than its number of ‘parishes’, Louisiana has much to offer in terms of secret spots and ultimate discoveries. Let’s take a look at some of the hidden gems in Louisiana and dive into the many amusements that await us.

1. Frenier Cemetery, Laplace

Julia Brown, considered a faith healer and a voodoo priestess (depending on the varied needs of the town residents), predicted the end of Laplace long before it happened, but, no one took the admonition seriously. Unfortunately, for them, the only remaining thing in Laplace, Louisiana today is a cemetery full of graves.

Julia lived in the town during the early 20th century, and, even though people believed her to be an oracle, they kept their distance from her for the same supernatural reasons. One day, sitting on her front porch, Julia, in her most gloomy tone, hummed, “One day I’m going to die and take the whole town with me.”

The town attended Julia’s funeral on September 29th, 1915 – the same day that the New Orleans Hurricane of 1915 wiped Laplace off of Louisiana’s map. All but two residents were killed; the two survivors were out of town on the day.

Now, Julia and the whole town rest six feet under the grounds of Frenier Cemetery.

2. The Eiffel Tower of New Orleans, New Orleans

On the streets of St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana stands the Restaurant de La Tour Eiffel, the former celebrated restaurant that once stood atop the real Eiffel Tower.

In 1981, restoration work at the most-visited paid monument in the world established that the restaurant needed to be taken down for it was too heavy to be sitting atop the edifice. Heartbreakingly, the restaurant was torn down piece by piece and stored in boxes.

When Daniel Bonnot, a prominent French Chef, and his partner, John Onorio heard news of the event, they jumped at the idea of acquiring the parts. The duo paid $1.5 million to have it shipped to New Orleans, where the restaurant was rewarded with a (short-lived) second chance. Even though the restaurant opened with a grand crowd, the restaurant had to be shut down within three years due to financial stress.

Several attempts were made to transform it into nightclubs and eateries, but, nothing lasted.

At present, the construction serves as an event space and museum known as the Eiffel Society.

3. Lake Peigneur, Erath

A simple workplace mistake can create an enormous whirlpool of regret, literally.

Lake Peigneur, until the late 1980s, was a small freshwater lake that covered 1,300 acres of land and was popular for recreation and fishing. However, on November 20th, 1980, everything changed dramatically.

At the time, Texaco was drilling the land underneath the lake for oil, but, a miscalculation by the workers led them to drill through the ceiling of the salt mine that laid below the lake. While the workers escaped in time (from the drill site as well as the mine), what unfolded in front of them was perhaps one of the biggest man-made whirlpools in history!

The ground around the lake shook frantically, and in no time, the 10-feet-deep Lake Peigneur had consumed everything that surrounded her – 65 acres of land, eleven barges, houses, forests, and a 150-foot-tall rig. Not only did the effect result in the (temporary) tallest waterfall in the state, it was also the only moment in the history of mankind that the Gulf of Mexico flowed North!

So, the next time your boss looks at you funny for missing a simple deadline – you know which story to tell him, don’t you?

4. Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum, Kentwood

The town of Kentwood has very little to celebrate except that this is where the alleged ‘queen of pop’, Britney Spears, was born.

As a token of love for their beloved singer, the residents have established a small exhibition, known as the Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum, that commemorates the singing career and life journey of Britney Spears. Four rooms dedicated to plentiful fan photos, artifacts, a case filled with her awards, and a light-up Britney are one of the two major attractions in the museum.

The second attraction, drastically different than the first, is an homage to the heroic, local soldiers who fought World War II. A machine gun from the time, few trinkets that the soldiers brought back home, and a dummy battleship narrates the history of the town.

5. Abandoned Jazzland, New Orleans

Six Flags is regarded as the largest regional theme park company in the world. With around 18 sites across North America, it is by far one of the most popular of its kind anywhere. Jazzland, in New Orleans, was one of the Six Flag Parks that served the city for over five years before Hurricane Katrina rendered it abandoned and silenced on August 29th, 2005.

Once a major attraction, the Park was hit by Hurricane Katrina when it struck the Gulf of Mexico. Water that flooded Jazzland rose to six-feet high and turned the whole site upside down.

When restoration work began in the town, the amusement park was considered too expensive to be restored and thus, was scheduled to be torn down.

The remnants of the amusement park are closed to the public, but, urban explorers, on a quest to quench their thirst for adventure, trespass to experience the once-thriving-now-post Apocalyptic wonderland.

6. Grace Episcopal Church, St. Francisville

The American Civil War, one of the gravest in the nation’s history, lasted till May 9th, 1865, however, for a brief period of time in the history of St. Francisville, the Confederates stood shoulder to shoulder with the Union soldiers in honor of Lt. Commander John E. Hart, the commander of Union warship, U.S.S. Albatross.

In the first half of 1863, the war between the two groups was at its peak. U.S.S. Albatross, led by Lt. Commander Hart, was one of the two Union ships that breached the Confederate blockade around Port Hudson, a community 12 miles far from St. Francisville. Grace Episcopal Church was an easy mark and was continually targeted by the Union soldiers.

However, on June 12th, 1863, the firings stopped unexpectedly. The commander, who was insanely unwell, had taken his own life. To the absolute disbelief of the Confederates, a small boat with a white flag approached them, requesting an honorable Masonic funeral service in the churchyard for Hart.

Considering Hart was a practicing Mason, W.W. Leake, the Confederate Officer, a fellow Mason, and the warden of the state’s oldest chapter of Masons in St. Francisville, arranged for the burial. And, in a moment of bizarre circumstances, the Civil War Stopped for the two sides – at least momentarily.

7. The Singing Oak, New Orleans

Across the street from the New Orleans Museum of Art stands a local artist’s masterpiece that is often overlooked by passers-by, unless they take a minute to stand near the giant Oak that stands at the middle of City Park.

The Signing Oak aka the Chime Tree is known, by the few who have experienced it, not only for the relief that it offers from the blazing sun but also for the enchanting music that it creates as the wind blows through it.

Local Artist Jim Hart strung several wind chimes onto the branches of the Oaktree, which, when blown by the wind, produce a melodious symphony. The chimes have been all painted black to merge with the color of the tree branches.

The tallest wind chime on the tree is 14-feet-long!

8. Abita Mystery House, Abita Springs

Unusual Collections and Mini-town (UCM) Museum aka Abita Mystery House was created by a local painter, John Preble, who drew his inspiration from New Mexico’s Tinkertown Museum and began collecting all possible junk and scrap material that he could get his hands on.

Crafted out of numerous discarded items, found objects, and peculiar handmade creations, Abita Mystery House comprises not one but many buildings, each filled with a different kind of idiosyncrasy – art cars, arcade machines, mosaic tiles, creole cottage, and miniature towns.

You could also attend a push-button activated “jazz funeral”, or, befriend Darrell, the dogigator (well, what else would you name a half-dog half-alligator?).

9. Saint Roch Chapel, New Orleans

When yellow fever struck the Gulf Coast in 1817, New Orleans alone suffered a loss of 40,000 residents. Reverend Peter Thevis couldn’t bear the loss anymore, and, in 1867, he decided to dedicate his prayers to Saint Roch, Patron Saint of Good Health.

Saint Roch had reportedly saved many lives from the wrath of plague and several other untreatable diseases.

When he was banished from his parish due to contraction of black death, Saint Roch went into hiding in a nearby forest. A dog, who belonged to a local, brought him bread and licked his wounds.

As the rest of the story goes, the licking healed the Saint, after which the dog owner found him and became his disciple.

It is believed that Reverend Thevis and his community suffered no losses during the epidemic of yellow fever.

Today, believers continue to pray to Saint Roch for good health and leave their dental plates, polio braces, and other prosthetic body parts as offerings.

10. The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville

Speculation has been made that the Myrtle Plantation is built over a cemetery. While this may or may not be true, there are certainly other (true) stories that make this present-day B&B one of the most haunted houses in the United States of America.

As the oldest tale goes, the property was owned and constructed by David Bradford in 1796. “Whiskey Dave” was a notable personality in Pennsylvania’s Whiskey Rebellion and his home was a real-time plantation with several slaves working for him. Chloe was one of the slaves who worked at the property, but, was banished due to some minor differences with her employer.

To restore her work status, Chloe tried to cure Bradford’s ill grandchildren with a herbal remedy which, inopportunely, ended up taking their lives. As a punishment, Chloe was hung from a tree at the plantation yard and later thrown into the Mississippi River.

The property changed several owners, and inexplicably, a lot of children passed away from different diseases.

11. Fort Proctor, St. Bernard Parish

A castle-like fort intended to protect New Orleans from its enemies, Fort Proctor was erected after the city was attacked by the British Army in 1814. Floating amidst Lake Borgne in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, the citadel, regrettably, was destroyed in a hurricane soon after it was completed.

By the time reconstruction could begin on Fort Proctor, Civil War had taken over America, and, consequently, all attention was diverted to the war at hand. When the battle was finally over, all that was left of the fortress was an obsolete, rotten edifice which wasn’t of any use to anyone.

Today, the Fort is accessible by kayaks or small boats only, and, is a great site for urban explorers to navigate around the submerged foundations and collapsed walls.

12. Séance Room at Muriel’s Jackson Square, New Orleans

Muriel’s Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana is not like your usual restaurant. And, we mean it! Where else in the world can you get to relish a plate of your Creole delicacy next to a séance room which is dedicated to the ghosts of the city’s past?

Originally a holding facility for slaves, the building was partially destroyed in 1788 in the Great New Orleans Fire. Later, the new owner, Pierre Lepardi Jourdan, restored the building and moved here with his family.

Unfortunately, Jourdan lost the house in a game of poker in 1814, and, before he could be forced out of his own home, he committed suicide on the second floor.

Several owners later, the building was open to the public once again in 2001, this time as a restaurant, but, it preserved much of the original structure. A séance room was created on the second floor after several accounts of paranormal activities were reported.

Every night, a table at the restaurant with offerings of wine and bread is reserved for Jourdan.

13. Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum, Gibsland

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, two names that redefined the image of criminals from shabby and mean villains to extremely glamorous and sexy personalities, will forever be remembered in the history of America as a “power couple” who dominated the nation’s crime scene during the Great Depression.

When they weren’t traveling around the country or taking photos, they liked to rob and steal (and occasionally shoot their way out of a confrontation). A story that strangely reminds us of a roguish Romeo and Juliet, the tale of Bonnie and Clyde ended pretty much the Shakespearean way – bullets and bloodshed.

Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum commemorates the spot where the epic “couple” died in a car after being fired at by six police officers. Owner L.J. Hinton, son of Ted Hinton (one of the officers at the shooting), has stored several related artifacts from the scene – firearms, windshield from the “car” (the actual automobile is in Vegas), replicas of their tombstone, and Bonnie’s red hat!

14. Museum of Death, New Orleans

Originally established in California by J.D. Healy and Catherine Schultz, this one-of-a-kind collection was brought to New Orleans in 1995. A compilation of autopsy videos, letters and paintings by serial killers, shrunken heads, and all such death-related oddities line the rows at the Museum of Death in the French Quarter.

Definitely not for the faint-hearted or people with weak guts, the exhibits at the museum can sometimes be considered extremely graphic.

Among the peculiar yet intriguing objects on display are a business card from Jack “Sparky” Ruby who killed Lee Harvey Oswald (who killed President Kennedy), paintings by serial killer John Wayne Gacy aka the “Killer Clown”, letters from serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer aka the “Milwaukee Cannibal” and Ted Kaczynski aka the “Unabomber”, Manson family photos, and, more significantly, the Thanatron – a euthanasia device invented by Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

Though there is no age restriction on visitors, the elaborative details at the facility can be hard to digest sometimes. Don’t worry though. If you aren’t as strong as you thought you are, and, you faint on our tour of the museum, you get a free t-shirt that commemorates your “passing out and living to talk about it” glory.

15. Angola Prison Rodeo, St. Francisville

For the last 50 years, Angola State Penitentiary has been conducting a one-of-a-kind event which, although seems barbaric and precarious to spectators, gives inmates a sense of freedom and power that they otherwise lack in their daily lives.

Open to the public since 1967, the Angola Prison Rodeo is an annual event that takes place in the month of October (Sundays) and for one weekend in April. While it’s not the only of its kind, it is the longest-running prison rodeo in the country. Hosted in a stadium that holds 10,000 onlookers, the Prison Rodeo is full of exciting, daring events.

Bull riding, wild cow milking, and bareback riding are some of the traditional events at the Rodeo, while a few less-traditional sports such as bull poker (for those of you who are unaware – it requires four men to sit at a poker table while a raging bull makes his way towards them; the last man at the table wins) are held as well.

16. Holt Cemetery, New Orleans

New Orleans is often regarded as one giant necropolis, and rightly so. A town with most of its dead buried above ground, Holt Cemetery, a burial site filled with hand-made graves and grave markers, sets itself apart by being one of the very few which has 99% of its deceased buried underground.

Unofficially used as a potter’s grave for several years, the Cemetery was formally established in 1879 by Dr. Joseph Holt. As long as the family members and next generations of the deceased manage and maintain the site, the Cemetery remains with them. Mostly used by African Americans, the departed are buried in wooden caskets which decompose faster than usual and allows for the sites to be reused.

Unlike the eerie vibe that a place of such kind reflects, the handmade tombstones, teddy bears, plastic flowers, and other such touching decorations make the Holt Cemetery a rather loving place for the dead to rest.

17. Avery Island Tabasco Museum and Factory, New Iberia

Avery Island in New Iberia, Louisiana is known for two things – one, that the island is made of salt, and, two, that it is home to the McIlhenny Company, a family-owned business that has been producing Tabasco for the last five generations!

The island, also known as a “salt dome” due to its distinctive geological formation, has fields full of a one-off red pepper which is used to create the popular hot sauce. And, since 1868, the founders of the McIlhenny Company have been doing just that and much more.

Originally, just a factory where gallons and gallons of Tabasco were produced, the family business now manages a restaurant, a museum, and a country store. A recipe that has been used for over 150 years, Tabasco is not only a household name in the United States but the whole world.

Avery Island also houses the Jungle Gardens, a wildlife reserve founded by Edward McIlhenny who is the son of Edmund McIlhenny, the creator of Tabasco.

18. Bonfires on the Levee for Papa Noel, Lutcher

Come December, the locals of St. James Parish in Lutcher, Louisiana come together to build innumerable pyres of different shapes and sizes, sometimes designed to signify a historic moment of that year, which are burnt every day throughout the month until the finale on Christmas Eve.

Essentially, the pyres mostly resemble a teepee or a pyramid, but, quite often, they have been designed in the shape of trains, beer bottles, or other such markers of Louisiana. One pyre is lit every day until Christmas eve when all the remaining pyres are ignited, followed by fireworks.

Though it is hard to tell why and when the traditions started, a recent explanation entails that the celebrations are hosted by the region’s populous French population in honor of Papa Noel, the legendary Santa Claus of France and other French-speaking countries.

19. Cottage Plantation, St. Francisville

For southern America, much like the rest of the country, a lot changed during the Civil War period. The tension was so much and so deep that it caused a ripple effect for many years even after the war ended. Consequently, much of America changed and is now divided into two eras – pre-War and post-War.

Very less remains from the pre-war period now, except for the occasional war memorials, battlefield stories, museums, and a few relics here and there. But, in Cottage Plantation, St. Francisville, not much seems to have changed. A common plantation as it seems at first glance, the striking feature of this plantation is its ability to remain intact – lands, constructions, furniture, slave cabins, greenhouses, and even the cemetery.

Once home to Thomas Butler, the notable local Judge, Cottage Plantation claims to have hosted Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, who reportedly recovered here after being injured in the Battle of New Orleans.

Now a Bed and Breakfast, the property allows you to stay in his room as well as explore the plantation that still looks like it’s stuck in the 1800s.

20. Fort Livingston, Grand Isle

There are several pirate stories haunting the barrier islands of Louisiana and the Grand Isle is no different. Once inhabited by pirate captain Jean Lafitte and his group, Fort Livingston was built into what it is in 1834 after the government freed the land from under the control of the pirate community who lived there.

Construction at the Fort couldn’t be completed due to the outbreak of Civil War, nonetheless, much of the structure was already built and used by the Confederate soldiers who took refuge within the unfinished walls of the citadel. The soldiers left after New Orleans was taken, and, it was given over to a small group before being completely abandoned after a hurricane in 1872.

Even after a century, Fort Livingston remains more intact than you could imagine. Accessible only by a boat or a kayak, explorers can visit the fort and observe the wildlife living in and around it.

21. Bayou St. John Confederate Submarine, Baton Rouge

While workers cleared the Bayou St. John in 1878, they stumbled over something strange, a Submarine with no clear history.

Allegedly, the “supposed” Confederate Submarine was built sometime in 1862. After several years of being left stranded at the shore, the submarine was exhibited at the Spanish Fort park museum, where it was mistakenly identified as the Pioneer, another Civil War Era Submarine.

The 20-feet-long watercraft is constructed out of riveted iron and has a hand-cranked propeller.

Though the origin and story of the submarine remain unidentified till date, it is now on display at the Louisiana State Museum.

22. Rayne Frog Festival, Rayne

Among the many names that are attributed to Louisiana and its towns, Rayne’s is perhaps the strangest one. After all, where else do you think you can find a town known as the “Frog Capital of the World?”

Louisiana was known for its flourishing frog industry since the 1880s when a Frenchman named Donat Pucheu started trading frog legs in New Orleans. Home of the Louisiana Frog Company Plant at the time, Rayne is known to have exported around 500,000 frogs in 1937, some of which weighed as much as three pounds.

When the industry faced a substantial decline in the 1970s, the locals of Rayne decided to throw a Frog Festival. Since the first carnival in 1973, the town has been hosting the festival every year in November.

Themed pageants, long parades, and kissing of live frogs are some of the events that take place during the festival. The concluding finale, however, is a night full of gorging on frog leg delicacies!

23. Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum, Haughton

Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum is a family-owned collection of curious collectibles that has been entertaining visitors in the United States since it was first established in 1981.

A roadside attraction, the Museum houses over one thousand stuffed animals and mounted animal skins which are displayed against a painted simulation of their natural habitats.

Some of the animals on exhibit are zebras, gorillas, tigers, deer, snow leopard, and a skulk of foxes.

Among other non-taxidermy related demonstrations are war memorabilia and a collection dedicated to pop-culture miscellanies like Star Trek and Bonnie and Clyde.

A section on American Indian dioramas are under construction, but, they have already been put on display so visitors can observe the artists as they create the artifacts.

24. Ignatius J. Reilly Statue, New Orleans

Outside the Hyatt Centric in New Orleans, Louisiana is the statue of Ignatius J. Reilly, a character who is known for his lead role in John Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer-prize winning comic novel, A Confederacy of Dunces.

In Toole’s story, Reilly wanders around the streets of a slightly-fictional New Orleans in search of employment. The novel’s and the novel writer’s strong ties to the city led to the erection of the statue outside the former D.H. Holmes Department Store, where, as per the story, Reilly waits for his mother.

The novel was published 11 years after the famed author committed suicide (of depression and paranoia that stemmed from the rejection his literary work during his lifetime). A joined effort of Toole’s mother and Walker Percy, another American author, A Confederacy of Dunces became an instant hit and a cult classic and earned Toole his first and only award, a Pulitzer!

25. Manchac Swamp Bridge, Ponchatoula

Manchac Swamp Bridge, a 22.8-mile-long concrete overpass constructed over the Manchac Swamp, is as striking a construction as the stories that haunt the area it is built around.

The second largest channel of its kind in the world, Manchac Swamp Bridge was erected in 1975 to serve the traffic in the area. Crafted out of concrete, the overpass sees a substantial number of passers-by daily. While most of those are only here to cross the swamp, some arrive following the legend trails surrounding the area.

Several rumors are associated with the Manchac Swamps, but, two of them stand out. The first tale is that of Aunt Julia Brown, a voodoo priestess and an alleged Oracle, who once predicted that the town she lived in, Laplace, would perish with her on the day she was buried. And, so it did. A hurricane took over the town in 1915 on the day she was being buried.

Reportedly, the original bridge from 1975 collapsed only a year later, but, thankfully the new construction has been able to keep away from the hex so far.

Another tale involves a Rougarou, a shape-shifting Cajun werewolf monster who roams around the swamp and infects others. Believers say that if you are infected by the beast or look into his eye, you will turn into a werewolf on the next full moon, and, the curse will stay with you for as long as you don’t pass it on. The easiest way to get rid of it, however, is to stay quiet about it for 101 days!

Whether the above stories are true or not is up to your imagination, but, the green-eyed, man-eating alligators traversing the swamps are very, very real.

26. House of Broel, New Orleans

Louisiana, especially New Orleans, knows how to perfect the art of “weirdness,” and, there is barely any other place in the world which can master the strangeness as well as the city does. Doubt us? Well, could you name anything that weddings, dollhouses, and canned frog legs may have in common?

House of Broel, owned and managed by celebrated fashion designer Bonnie Broel, is a Victorian mansion located on the streets of St. Charles Avenue which is dedicated to the artist’s lifelong admiration with weddings, dollhouses, and her father’s role in the creation of Louisiana Frog Farm.

Allegedly claimed to be the largest miniature exhibition in the world made by a single person, the “Dollhouse Museum,” found on the second floor of the mansion, is Broel’s private collection.

There are over 60 pieces in the collection, each significantly different from one another. What stands out the most about the dollhouses are their extraordinary detailing and historical precision.

Housed on the same floor is also Broel’s compilation of exhibits devoted to Louisiana’s frog trade. Inspired by her father’s work, the artist has skilfully displayed several frog-themed memorabilia such as vintage canned frogs.

26 Amazing Hidden Gems in Louisiana:

• Frenier Cemetery, Laplace
• The Eiffel Tower of New Orleans, New Orleans
• Lake Peigneur, Erath
• Kentwood Historical and Cultural Arts Museum, Kentwood
• Abandoned Jazzland, New Orleans
• Grace Episcopal Church, St. Francisville
• The Singing Oak, New Orleans
• Abita Mystery House, Abita Springs
• Saint Roch Chapel, New Orleans
• The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville
• Fort Proctor, St. Bernard Parish
• Séance Room at Muriel's Jackson Square, New Orleans
• Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum, Gibsland
• Museum of Death, New Orleans
• Angola Prison Rodeo, St. Francisville
• Holt Cemetery, New Orleans
• Avery Island Tabasco Museum and Factory, New Iberia
• Bonfires on the Levee for Papa Noel, Lutcher
• Cottage Plantation, St. Francisville
• Fort Livingston, Grand Isle
• Bayou St. John Confederate Submarine, Baton Rouge
• Rayne Frog Festival, Rayne
• Touchstone Wildlife and Art Museum, Haughton
• Ignatius J. Reilly Statue, New Orleans
• Manchac Swamp Bridge, Ponchatoula
• House of Broel, New Orleans

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

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30 Must Visit Places In Opelousas

Published: August 24, 2024

by Bryana Farris

Looking for a unique travel experience in the United States? Opelousas might be just the place for you. Known as the third-oldest city in Louisiana, this charming destination offers a rich blend of history, culture, and Southern hospitality. From its vibrant music scene to its delicious Creole cuisine, Opelousas has something for everyone. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just someone looking to explore a new place, this city won't disappoint. Get ready to uncover hidden gems, enjoy local festivals, and immerse yourself in the warm, welcoming atmosphere of Opelousas .

Historical Landmarks

Opelousas, Louisiana, is a city rich in history and culture. From ancient architecture to significant sites, there's plenty to explore.

St. Landry Catholic Church This historic church, built in 1774, showcases stunning architecture and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can admire the intricate stained glass windows and the serene garden surrounding the church.

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino A blend of history and entertainment, this racetrack has been a staple since 1966. Enjoy horse racing, try your luck at the casino, or dine at one of the many restaurants.

Le Vieux Village Step back in time at this recreated 19th-century village. Wander through historic buildings, including a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and general store, to get a feel for life in early Opelousas.

Louisiana Orphan Train Museum Learn about the orphan train movement that brought children from New York to Louisiana between 1854 and 1929. The museum offers exhibits and personal stories that shed light on this unique piece of history.

Jim Bowie Oak Named after the famous frontiersman, this ancient oak tree is a living piece of history. Legend has it that Jim Bowie himself once rested under its branches.

Cultural Attractions

Opelousas boasts a vibrant cultural scene with museums, galleries, and theaters that celebrate the city's diverse heritage.

Creole Heritage & Folklife Center This center preserves and promotes Creole culture through exhibits, workshops, and events. Discover traditional crafts, music, and cuisine that define Creole heritage.

Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center Dive into the city's past with exhibits on everything from Native American artifacts to Civil War memorabilia. The museum also hosts rotating exhibits and educational programs.

Acadiana Center for the Arts A hub for local artists, this center features galleries, performance spaces, and workshops. Catch a live show, browse the latest exhibit, or take a class to unleash your creativity.

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center This modern facility offers interactive exhibits on the area's history, culture, and natural beauty. It's a great starting point for any visit to Opelousas.

Delta Grand Theatre This historic theater, built in 1934, hosts a variety of performances, from plays and concerts to film screenings. Its beautifully restored interior adds to the charm of any event.

Outdoor Activities

For those who love the great outdoors, Opelousas offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature and stay active.

South City Park This expansive park features walking trails, picnic areas, and sports facilities. It's a perfect spot for a family outing or a leisurely stroll.

Indian Hills Country Club Golf enthusiasts will appreciate this well-maintained course with its challenging layout and scenic views. The club also offers tennis courts and a swimming pool.

Opelousas Historic District Take a self-guided walking tour through this charming district, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admire the well-preserved homes and buildings that date back to the 19th century.

Lakeview Park & Beach Enjoy a day of swimming, fishing, or boating at this picturesque park. The sandy beach and clear waters make it a popular spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Cajun Country Swamp Tours Experience the beauty and mystery of Louisiana's swamps with a guided tour. Learn about the local wildlife and ecosystem as you glide through the waterways.

Festivals and Events

Opelousas is known for its lively festivals and events that celebrate the city's unique culture and traditions.

Yambilee Festival Held every October, this festival celebrates the sweet potato harvest with parades, live music, and delicious food . It's a fun event for the whole family.

Holy Ghost Creole Festival This annual festival, held in November, features Creole music, food, and dancing. It's a great way to experience the vibrant Creole culture of Opelousas.

Zydeco Festival Celebrate the unique sounds of Zydeco music at this lively festival. Enjoy performances by local musicians, dance lessons, and plenty of delicious Cajun food.

St. Landry Parish Mardi Gras Experience the excitement of Mardi Gras with parades, costumes, and traditional Cajun music. This family-friendly event offers a taste of Louisiana's famous celebration.

Opelousas Spice & Music Festival Held in September, this festival features live music, cooking competitions, and plenty of spicy food. It's a must-visit for foodies and music lovers alike.

Unique Experiences

For those looking for something a little different, Opelousas offers unique experiences that you won't find anywhere else.

Steamboat Warehouse Restaurant Dine in a historic steamboat warehouse that dates back to the 1820s. The restaurant offers a menu of Cajun and Creole dishes, along with stunning views of Bayou Courtableau.

Chretien Point Plantation Visit this historic plantation home, which dates back to 1831. Take a guided tour to learn about its history and the role it played in the Civil War.

Opelousas Little Theatre Catch a performance at this community theater, which has been entertaining audiences since 1939. The theater offers a variety of shows, from classic plays to modern productions.

Savoie's Sausage Kitchen Get a behind-the-scenes look at how traditional Cajun sausage is made. The kitchen offers tours and tastings, so you can sample some of the best sausage in Louisiana .

Stelly's Supermarket This local grocery store is famous for its homemade boudin, a traditional Cajun sausage. Stop by to pick up some boudin and other local specialties.

Family-Friendly Activities

Opelousas offers plenty of activities that are perfect for families with children.

Opelousas Children's Museum This interactive museum offers hands-on exhibits that are both fun and educational. Kids can learn about science, art, and history through play.

Skate Zone Enjoy a day of roller skating at this family-friendly rink. The Skate Zone offers skate rentals, a snack bar, and plenty of music to keep everyone entertained.

Opelousas Public Library The library offers a variety of programs and activities for children, including storytime, crafts, and educational workshops. It's a great place to spend a rainy day.

Pelican Park This park features playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails. It's a great spot for a family picnic or a game of soccer.

Evangeline Downs Kid Zone Located at the racetrack, this kid-friendly area offers games, rides, and activities for children of all ages. It's a fun way to keep the little ones entertained while the adults enjoy the races.

Opelousas Awaits Your Adventure

Opelousas offers a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. From the vibrant Creole Heritage to the serene Evangeline Downs , there's something for everyone. Stroll through the Historic District , savor the local cuisine, or enjoy the lively festivals that bring the community together. Don't miss the chance to explore the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum or take a peaceful walk in South City Park .

Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just looking for a relaxing getaway, Opelousas has it all. The city's unique charm and warm hospitality will make your visit unforgettable. Pack your bags, hit the road, and discover the hidden gems of Opelousas. Your adventure in this charming Louisiana city is just beginning.

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Top 7 destinations trending for fall travel, according to new report.

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Indianapolis is one of the trendiest destinations to visit this fall.

Move over, New England. While the northeast is typically associated with fall travel, several under-the-radar destinations are drawing visitors this autumn, according to Expedia.

In its new Fall Travel Outlook , Expedia analyzed data on searches for accommodations in various places to figure out which destinations in the U.S. are seeing an uptick in interest this fall. It found that travelers are shaking up their usual getaway plans and planning to visit destinations where colorful foliage, pumpkin patches, and crisp air aren’t the only attractions.

Here are the top 7 trending fall destinations for 2024, according to Expedia.

1. Indianapolis, Indiana

Searches for lodging in Indianapolis are up 120% this fall.

Indianapolis is one of the top destinations travelers plan to visit this fall. Searches for lodging for fall trips to the city have surged a whopping 120% compared to last year.

So which travelers have Indianapolis in their “Wildest Dreams” for a fall getaway? It’s none other than Taylor Swift fans, who are flocking to the city on Nov. 1, 2, and 3 for the final U.S. dates of the Eras Tour. The city is embracing the invasion of the Swifties with a range of promotions and events, like a friendship bracelet-making workshop at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Eras-themed cider at Ash & Elm , and the “Champagne Problems Package” at The Alexander hotel.

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Secret service puts $2.5 million bounty on most wanted hacker’s head, apple iphone 16 and iphone 16 plus: everything we know so far, 2. cape may, new jersey.

Interest in visiting Cape May this fall has increased by 60%.

While summer is high season in Cape May, the charming beach town is quickly becoming a top destination for fall getaways, too. Expedia found that searches for lodging in Cape May are up 60% this fall compared to the same time last year.

With fewer crowds and a relaxed coastal vibe, Cape May in the fall is the ideal travel destination for those looking to experience the season’s beauty by the sea. Plus, there’s plenty of exciting events filling the town’s calendar. Cape May’s Annual Victorian Weekend (Oct. 11-14) draws visitors with a vintage baseball game, historic home tours, and guided architectural tours of the Historic District. Savor multi-course meals at the town’s best restaurants during Cape May Restaurant Weekend (Oct. 31-Nov. 3). For those who can’t resist a good scare during spooky season, Cape May’s haunted history comes alive with paranormal tours at the Cherry House, immersive mystery events at the Emlen Physick Estate, and the ghosts of Cape May trolley tour.

3. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Searches for fall lodging in Ann Arbor have climbed by 55%

Ann Arbor is having a moment this fall, with searches for lodging up 55% compared to autumn 2023, per Expedia. This charming college town may be best known for its spirited game days at the University of Michigan, but there’s much more on tap this season. Sip the flavors of the season at Dexter Cider Mil l, Michigan’s oldest continuously operating cider mill, located about 10 miles northwest of Ann Arbor. Surround yourself with beautiful fall colors on miles of trails at Gallup Park and see why Ann Arbor is nicknamed “Tree Town.” And check out the famous giant pumpkins at Wing Farms .

4. South Lake Tahoe, California

South Lake Tahoe has seen 50% more searches for lodging this fall.

South Lake Tahoe continues to draw tourists in the fall, with lodging searches increasing by 50% compared to last year.

Fall in South Lake Tahoe offers a mix of outdoor adventure and relaxation. Visitors can hike along scenic ridge lines on Mount Tallac, see stunning cascades at Eagle Falls, or take a leisurely bike ride along Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Soak up panoramic views of Lake Tahoe with a ride on the Heavenly Mountain Gondola. Cozy up with a drink near a fire pit at Basecamp Tahoe South or Lakeview Social . Take a hot air balloon ride that launches from the deck of a boat. Or get pampered at Tahoe Forest Baths , one of the only places in the U.S. where you can take an authentic Japanese cedar enzyme detox bath.

5. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Searches for lodging in Green Bay has increased by 50% this fall.

Green Bay, Wisconsin, is seeing a rise in fall tourism, with lodging searches up 50% compared to last year. It has everything you could want from a classic fall getaway: football, foliage, and festive fun. Cheer on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the NFL’s oldest continually operating stadium, or take a tour of the venue . Take in the stunning fall colors at the Green Bay Botanical Garden or on a bike ride on the Fox River State Trail . There’s also a robust line-up of Oktoberfest events, but if you miss ‘em, you can always sample the local suds on your own through Green Bay’s growing craft beer industry.

6. Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland has experienced a 45% increase in searches for lodging this fall.

Cleveland is on the radar of travelers seeking a fall getaway. The city has seen a 45% increase in searches for lodging this fall compared to last. The city offers an exciting blend of cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and local charm that make it a perfect autumn destination.

If football is your idea of fall fun, you can feel the energy of the home crowd at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Wander through the Cleveland Cultural Gardens , where fallen leaves in deep shades of orange and red create a stunning fall backdrop for photos at 36 dedicated gardens. See the seasonal beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park from a vintage rail car on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad . In between activities, refuel at Cleveland’s buzzy food scene—you won’t want to miss a scoop of a seasonal flavor, like pumpkin spice or caramel apple, at Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream.

7. New Orleans, Louisiana

Lodging searches for fall trips to New Orleans have climbed 40% higher than last year.

New Orleans steps into the spotlight this fall, with lodging searches up 40% from last year. The Big Easy’s spooky side makes it an essential destination to visit this time of year. Dive into the spooky side of NOLA with haunted walking tours through the French Quarter or a spine-chilling visit to the Museum of Death. See the mansions on St. Charles Avenue decked out with Halloween decorations. Celebrate spooky family fun with the animals at Audubon Zoo for the three-day Boo at the Zoo event (Oct. 18-20). And spend the night in a haunted hotel, like the Pontchartrain Hotel or the Andrew Jackson Hotel, if you dare.

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