• Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. New Orleans ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

New Orleans
© Courtesy of Natalia Bratslavsky - Fotolia.com

2. Baton Rouge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Baton Rouge
© Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com

3. Lafayette

Lafayette
© Courtesy of Lafayette CVB

4. Monroe

Monroe
© Courtesy of timonko - Fotolia.com

5. Lake Charles

Category: Activities
Lake Charles
© Courtesy of Jo¨rg Hackemann - Fotolia.com

6. Houma

Houma
© Courtesy of tahir - Fotolia.com

7. Bossier City

Bossier City
© Courtesy of Andrea Izzotti - Fotolia.com

8. Alexandria

Alexandria
© Courtesy of azure - Fotolia.com

9. Shreveport

Shreveport
© Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com

10. Jackson Square

Jackson Square
© Jackson Square

11. Garden District

Category: Activities
Garden District
© Courtesy of Natalia Bratslavsky - Fotolia.com

12. Audubon Park

Category: Activities
Audubon Park
© Courtesy of Fotoluminate LLC - Fotolia.com

13. Cypress Island Preserve

Category: Activities
Cypress Island Preserve
© Courtesy of milkare - Fotolia

14. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Category: Activities
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
© Courtesy of Kirubeshwaran - Fotolia.com

15. Louis Armstrong Park

Category: Activities
Louis Armstrong Park
© Courtesy of GIBLEHO - Fotolia.com

16. Lafreniere Park, Louisiana

Category: Activities
Lafreniere Park, Louisiana
© Lafreniere Park

17. Prien Lake Park for Couples

Category: Activities
Prien Lake Park for Couples
© Prien Lake Park

18. Woldenberg Riverfront Park

Category: Activities
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
© Courtesy of jovannig - Fotolia.com

19. Fontainebleau State Park

Category: Activities
Fontainebleau State Park
© Courtesy of PixAchi - Fotolia

20. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Category: Activities
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
© Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

21. Atchafalaya Basin

Atchafalaya Basin
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

22. Avery Island

Romantic Islands
Avery Island
© Courtesy of alissala - Fotolia.com

23. Venice, Louisiana

Venice, Louisiana
© Courtesy of Wirepec - Fotolia.com

24. Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge

Category: Activities
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
© Courtesy of Joze Potrebujes - Fotolia.com

25. Kisatchie National Forest

Category: Activities
Kisatchie National Forest
© Courtesy of Kirk - 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.

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.