• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Joze Potrebujes - Fotolia.com

2. Kisatchie National Forest ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Kirk - Fotolia.com

3. Venice, Louisiana

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4. Avery Island

Romantic Islands
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5. Atchafalaya Basin

© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

6. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

7. Fontainebleau State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of PixAchi - Fotolia

8. Woldenberg Riverfront Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of jovannig - Fotolia.com

9. Prien Lake Park for Couples

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Prien Lake Park

10. Lafreniere Park, Louisiana

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors

11. Louis Armstrong Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of GIBLEHO - Fotolia.com

12. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Kirubeshwaran - Fotolia.com

13. Cypress Island Preserve

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of milkare - Fotolia

14. Audubon Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Fotoluminate LLC - Fotolia.com

15. Garden District

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Natalia Bratslavsky - Fotolia.com

16. Jackson Square

© Jackson Square

17. Shreveport

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18. Alexandria

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19. Bossier City

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20. Houma

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21. Lake Charles

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Courtesy of Jo¨rg Hackemann - Fotolia.com

22. Monroe

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23. Lafayette

© Courtesy of Lafayette CVB

24. Baton Rouge

© Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com

25. New Orleans

© Courtesy of Natalia Bratslavsky - Fotolia.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

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

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