Places to Visit in Louisiana

Louisiana

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What makes Louisiana a special place to visit?
- Louisiana is diverse and beautiful.
What is the landscape like in southern Louisiana?
- The southern half of the state along the Gulf of Mexico is a wild and unique land of lakes, swamps, bayou life, and alligators.
What is the landscape like in northern Louisiana?
- The northern part of the state is comprised of prairies and farmland.
What is the largest city in Louisiana known for?
- The largest city, New Orleans, is famous around the world for its Mardi Gras festival.
What makes New Orleans unique?
- New Orleans is also known for its colonial-era French Quarter, world-class jazz music, and uniquely regional Cajun and Creole food.

Best Time to Visit Louisiana

February to April – Mild weather, blooming azaleas, and festive Mardi Gras celebrations.
October to November – Comfortable temps, fewer crowds, and fall food and music festivals.
May & September – Shoulder season with manageable heat and fewer tourists.
June to August – Hot, humid, and rainy but packed with summer concerts and events.
Late February – Ideal for Mardi Gras parades, live music, and vibrant street life.

New Orleans

Explore vibrant neighborhoods and savor jazz on an exciting weekend trip.

New Orleans

Where is New Orleans located?
- New Orleans is located on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico.
What is New Orleans known for?
- Nicknamed the Big Easy, the city is well known as a nightlife destination. Partiers from around the nation flock to this party haven.
What is the cultural significance of New Orleans?
- The city has a vibrant history in the performing arts and a robust live music scene. Culturally and historically, New Orleans has been a melting pot of several cultures, including African, European, American, and French.
What is Mardi Gras?
- The world-famous Mardi Gras festival happens annually in late winter and is known for wild, costumed parades and round-the-clock parties.
What are some popular tourist attractions in New Orleans?
- Some of the most popular tourist attractions include the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, the National WWII Museum, and Jackson Square.

Baton Rouge

Visit historic sites and walk along the Mississippi River on an easy getaway.

Baton Rouge

What is the capital of Louisiana?
- Baton Rouge is the capital city of Louisiana and the state’s second-largest city.
What family activities are available in Baton Rouge?
- Family activities include a water park called Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin’ and the Baton Rouge Zoo.
Can visitors tour government buildings in Baton Rouge?
- Visitors can tour both the current working capitol building as well as the former capitol building, which now operates as a museum.
What historical sites can be visited in Baton Rouge?
- Visitors can tour the USS Kidd, a retired Navy destroyer.
What museums and cultural sites are in Baton Rouge?
- Baton Rouge features several museums and historic sites such as the Baton Rouge Gallery, the Magnolia Mound Plantation House, and the LSU Rural Life Museum, which tells the story of life in 19th-century Louisiana.
What natural attractions are near Baton Rouge?
- The Atchafalaya Basin, the largest swamp in the United States, is located nearby and offers many recreational opportunities.

Lafayette

Enjoy Cajun cuisine and dance to zydeco on an affordable cultural trip.

Lafayette

Where is Lafayette located?
- Lafayette is a city on the Vermillion River in southwestern Louisiana.
What is Acadiana?
- Lafayette is located in the center of Acadiana, an area with a high concentration of Cajun and Creole culture.
What is Acadian Village?
- Acadian Village provides perhaps the best opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. It is a reconstructed Cajun community that showcases authentic furnishings and historical homes from nearby bayou communities.
What are some cultural attractions in Lafayette?
- Other interesting cultural attractions include the Alexandre Mouton House Museum, the Lafayette Science Museum, and the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum.
What sports and entertainment venues are in Lafayette?
- Lafayette is home to the Cajundome and Cajun Field, which host sports and entertainment events.

Monroe

Tour local museums and stroll scenic gardens during a quick, relaxing weekend.

Monroe

Where are Monroe and West Monroe located?
- The twin cities of Monroe and West Monroe are educational, economic, and medical hubs in the northeastern part of Louisiana.
What is Monroe known for in aviation history?
- Monroe is well known among aviation enthusiasts as the birthplace of the legacy carrier Delta Airlines.
What can visitors learn at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum?
- The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum educates visitors about the military career of General Claire Chennault as well as other regional and national military and aviation history.
What dining and shopping options are available in Monroe and West Monroe?
- There are many local restaurants, unique shops, and neighborhood taverns for visitors to explore.
What are some popular family attractions in Monroe?
- The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo and the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens attract visitors from all over the state and country and are especially popular with families.

Lake Charles

Try your luck at casinos and enjoy lakefront views on a fun trip.

Lake Charles

Where is Lake Charles located?
- Lake Charles is a town in southwestern Louisiana.
What gambling opportunities are available in Lake Charles?
- Lake Charles is popular for its gambling opportunities and is home to four casino properties as well as a racetrack.
What cultural attractions can visitors experience in Lake Charles?
- The area is rich in Cajun culture, music, and food. Visitors can explore Louisiana’s Outback on the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, which offers a unique Cajun cultural experience.
What activities are available along the Creole Nature Trail?
- The Trail features over 26 miles of natural, undeveloped beaches, fishing, crabbing, and opportunities to explore the marshlands. Wildlife encounters, including alligators, are common.
What water activities can visitors enjoy in Lake Charles?
- Several tour companies offer guided fishing trips, paddle boarding, and kayaking on Prien Lake or the Calcasieu River.

Houma

Discover bayou beauty and savor seafood on an unusual Louisiana adventure.

Houma

What makes Houma a popular destination?
- Houma is a popular destination known for its cultural and outdoor recreation.
What unique activity does Houma offer for visitors?
- Houma is one of only 50 places worldwide that offers GeoTours. The area features over 50 geocache locations for visitors to explore.
What types of tours are available in Houma?
- Tour experiences in Houma highlight the area’s swamps and wetlands, as well as its Cajun culture, local plantations, and historic sites.
What kinds of activities can visitors enjoy in Houma?
- Tour companies offer experiences by land, water, and air. Visitors can also charter a fishing trip, visit a local swimming hole, or play a round of golf.
How can visitors experience Cajun culture in Houma?
- The food and culture of the area offer an opportunity to experience Cajun life. The town also hosts several popular events and festivals throughout the year, including Mardi Gras.

Bossier City

Catch live shows and explore riverfront attractions on a cheap weekend escape.

Bossier City

Where is Bossier City located?
- Bossier City is located just across the river from Shreveport.
What casino attractions are in Bossier City?
- Many visitors cross the river to visit the Horseshoe Bossier City casino resort, which features a wide range of casino gambling options as well as world-class dining and a swimming pool.
What can visitors see at the Barksdale Global Power Museum?
- Located inside Barksdale Air Force Base, the Barksdale Global Power Museum displays vintage aircraft as well as several exhibits related to the history of the Air Force.
What outdoor activities are available near Bossier City?
- The nearby Red River National Wildlife Refuge offers ample opportunities to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The refuge features an area of conserved nature as well as an interpretive visitor center.
What activities can visitors enjoy at Red River National Wildlife Refuge?
- Popular activities at the refuge include hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and birding.

Alexandria

Visit art museums and admire historic architecture during an easy day trip.

Alexandria

Where is Alexandria located?
- The town of Alexandria is located on the south banks of the Red River in central Louisiana.
What cultural attractions are in Alexandria?
- Alexandria is home to several cultural attractions, including the Arna Bontemps African American Museum.
What can visitors see at the Arna Bontemps African American Museum?
- The museum is the birthplace of Arna Bontemps and serves as a home museum, displaying his works, historical photographs, and other artifacts.
What historical attractions are in Alexandria?
- The Louisiana History Museum features interesting displays related to local and state history.
What family-friendly attractions are in Alexandria?
- Families with children and animal lovers should visit the Alexandria Zoological Park, which is home to many species of wildlife in free-roaming, naturalistic habitats.

Shreveport

Walk along the Red River and enjoy downtown sights on a spring getaway.

Shreveport

Where is Shreveport located?
- Shreveport is the third-largest city in Louisiana, located near the Red River.
What cultural attractions are in Shreveport?
- The city offers several interesting cultural and recreational activities. The R.W. Norton Art Gallery is a museum that features American and European Art from several decades.
Where can visitors enjoy live music and entertainment in Shreveport?
- Visitors can check out a concert or musical performance at the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium or attend a hockey game or concert at the multi-purpose Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.
What historic sites can visitors explore in Shreveport?
- The historic Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a Romanesque Revival cathedral and a beautiful example of historic architecture.
What shopping options are available in Shreveport?
- Strolling the riverfront shops or visiting the large Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets makes Shreveport a perfect shopping destination.

Jackson Square

See street performers and explore iconic landmarks on a lively family outing.

Jackson Square

What is Jackson Square?
- Jackson Square is a popular historic park in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
What historical significance does Jackson Square have?
- The park is famously known as the site where Louisiana was made a territory of the United States in the Louisiana Purchase.
Who is Jackson Square named after?
- The park is named after Andrew Jackson, a hero in the Battle of New Orleans, who is immortalized by a statue in the park.
What historic buildings surround Jackson Square?
- The park is surrounded by several historic buildings, including:
  - Saint Louis Cathedral
  - Presbytere and Cabildo, which house the Louisiana State Museums
  - Upper and Lower Pontalba Apartments, the oldest apartment buildings in the United States
What can visitors find at the Pontalba Apartments?
- The ground floor of the apartments is home to retail shops, restaurants, and galleries.
What is the artistic significance of Jackson Square?
- Jackson Square has been home to an open-air artist colony for more than 50 years. Local artists display their works on the iron fence that surrounds the square.

Plan Your Trip

Table of Contents:

1. New Orleans
2. Baton Rouge
3. Lafayette
4. Monroe
5. Lake Charles
6. Houma
7. Bossier City
8. Alexandria
9. Shreveport
10. Jackson Square