Craving live jazz, spicy cuisine, and cultural fusion? Head to Louisiana! From the French Quarter of New Orleans to the bayous of Cajun Country and the history of plantation trails, Louisiana offers an unforgettable mix of music, food, and southern hospitality. Whether you're here for Mardi Gras, a swamp tour, or the soul of Creole cooking, Louisiana delivers with heart and rhythm.

Louisiana Highlights:

  • For Music Lovers: Experience Frenchmen Street in New Orleans – Dive into jazz, brass, and blues in intimate live music venues every night of the week.
  • For Foodies: Indulge in Cajun and Creole cuisine – Gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, and po’boys served in iconic eateries and roadside joints.
  • For History Buffs: Tour the plantations along River Road – Explore grand antebellum homes and learn complex histories.
  • For Nature Enthusiasts: Take a swamp tour in the Atchafalaya Basin – Glide past cypress trees and spot alligators, herons, and turtles.
  • For Culture Seekers: Visit the Louisiana State Museum – Discover exhibits on Mardi Gras, colonial history, and local folkways.

Best Time to Visit Louisiana

The best time to visit Louisiana is in the spring (February–May) and fall (September–November). Spring brings festival season, including Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, while fall offers pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summers are hot and humid, ideal for indoor museums and river cruises.

How to Get to Louisiana

  • By Air: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) are major gateways.
  • By Car: I-10 and I-20 provide east-west access, while I-49 and I-55 run north-south.
  • By Train: Amtrak’s City of New Orleans route connects Chicago to New Orleans with stops in Jackson, MS and Memphis.

Where to Stay in Louisiana

  • For French Quarter Charm: Hotel Monteleone (New Orleans) – Historic hotel with elegant decor and the famous Carousel Bar.
  • For a Swamp Escape: Cypress Cove Lodge (Pierre Part) – Rustic lodge with bayou views and boat tour access.
  • For Budget Travelers: The Heron Hotel (Lafayette) – Modern amenities in the heart of Cajun Country.

Best Things to Do in Louisiana

Royal Street, New Orleans


Walk past historic architecture and explore galleries on a romantic stroll.

Royal Street, New Orleans

© Courtesy of Calee Allen - Fotolia.com

Situated right next to Bourbon Street, Royal Street is New Orleans' local art hub. Some of the city's most historic architecture can be found on this street, making it an excellent destination for photographers. There are also quite a few art galleries where visitors can find everything from sculptures to paintings to mixed media.

The street is an excellent place to go shopping for antiques as well; many elegant items from the area's most luxurious 19th and 20th century estates have ended up for sale here. Visitors can also choose from a wide selection of boutiques, restaurants, and accommodation options. Map

Ogden Museum of Southern Art


See vibrant Southern art and discover regional stories on a cultural trip.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

© Ogden Museum of Southern Art

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art in downtown New Orleans specializes in promoting the culture of the South of the United States. Located in the Warehouse Art District of the city, the museum is composed of two main buildings, established in 1999 and 2003.

The culture of the American South is displayed in the institution through a variety of permanent and rotating galleries, educational programs, and public events. The mission of the museum is to provide innovative and educational programs to bring a diverse audience together to learn about the cultural identities in the South through art. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art strives to educate visitors by broadening the sphere of the history, appreciation, and interpretation of the visual arts.

925 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130, (504) 539-9650, Map

Rip Van Winkle Gardens, New Iberia


Walk lush gardens and see peacocks in bloom during spring.

Rip Van Winkle Gardens, New Iberia

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The beautiful Rip Van Winkle Gardens are located on top of a salt dome on Lake Peigneur, 75 feet above sea level. The semi-tropical gardens are 20 acres in size and surround the historic Joseph Jefferson Mansion that dates back to 1870. The gorgeous home has 22 rooms, and it is decorated with a rich variety of period furnishings.

Tours are offered at certain times. Visitors can also enjoy lunch at the on-site cafe or spend the night in one of the garden's cottages.

5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560, Phone: 337-359-8525, Map

Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site


Explore Creole culture and walk through powerful history

Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site

© Courtesy of Zina Seletskaya - Fotolia.com

Located on the Mississippi River, the Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site includes 12 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The property is home to a recently restored 19th century Creole-style main house as well as several outbuildings, including six slave cabins that were built in 1840. There is also a 200-year-old sugar plantation homestead that has three gardens.

A guided tour of the house and grounds is included in the admission, and tours are offered at certain times. Reservations are required for groups of 20 or more people.

2247 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090, Phone: 888-799-7690, Map

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Mike the Tiger's Habitat, Baton Rouge


Visit LSU's live mascot and explore the surrounding campus with kids.

Mike the Tiger's Habitat, Baton Rouge

© Mike the Tiger's Habitat

Mike the Tiger is the official mascot of Louisiana State University, and the university has had a live tiger on campus since 1936. In 2005, a multi-million habitat was built to give Mike a luxurious 15,000 square feet of living space that includes lush vegetation, rocky plateaus, and a number of beautiful water features.

The backdrop of the space is an Italian-style tower, which was built to visually link the habitat with the architecture on the rest of the campus. Overall, the habitat is one of the largest and best tiger preserves in the United States.

Things to Do in Louisiana: Mike the Tiger's Habitat, 16 N Stadium Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, (225) 578-4823, Map

Houmas House


See elegant gardens and explore grand halls for a scenic retirement experience.

Houmas House

© Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Houmas House was established in the late 1700s. The main house is known as the "Sugar Palace" and consists of 16 rooms filled with period furnishings and Louisiana artwork.

Outside, visitors can enjoy 38 acres of gardens, several ponds, and an elegant lane lined with magnificent old oak trees. Guided tours of the house and grounds are available, and guests can arrange to be picked up in the French Quarter for an additional fee.

40136 LA-942, Darrow, LA 70725, Phone: 225-473-9380, Map

If you are a photographer, don't miss:

Frenchmen Street


Go dancing to live jazz and explore local bars on a couples night.

Frenchmen Street

© Frenchmen Street

Located within walking distance of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Frenchmen Street is where the locals go to listen to live music. The street is also home to the Frenchmen Art Market, which is an excellent place to find authentic local art. The music clubs here are some of the best in the city, and they play almost every genre imaginable.

Admission to the clubs is typically cheap or even free, but it's a good idea to give the bands a generous tip. There are also plenty of restaurants on Frenchmen Street, many of which are open late.

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

RTA - Streetcars


Ride historic lines and explore neighborhoods on a cheap day out.

RTA - Streetcars

© RTA - Streetcars

Streetcars are part of the history of New Orleans, and today they offer a great way to see and experience the charm of the city. There are three lines: the St. Charles line, the Canal Street line, and the Riverfront line.

The St. Charles line is particularly popular with visitors as it begins at the edge of the French Quarter and offers views of leafy green streets, historic buildings, and a number of restaurants and boutiques. Exact change is required unless using a day pass or month pass. Map

Preservation Hall


See intimate jazz shows and soak in music history on a soulful trip.

Preservation Hall

© Preservation Hall

Established in 1961, Preservation Hall is a cornerstone of the New Orleans music scene that was created to preserve and protect traditional New Orleans Jazz. Every night, the hall hosts acoustic jazz concerts that offer visitors and locals some of the best music in the city.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, and guests are advised to arrive 30-45 minutes in advance to ensure they get a seat. A limited number of reserved tickets are also available that guarantee the best seats in the house. The performances are open to people of all ages.

Things to Do in Louisiana: Preservation Hall, 726 St Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 504-522-2841

Whitney Plantation


Explore plantation grounds and discover stories of the enslaved for a powerful fall visit.

Whitney Plantation

© Whitney Plantation

Originally called the Haydel Plantation, the Whitney Plantation is the only plantation museum in Louisiana with a focus on slavery. The French-Creole Big House is one of the best-preserved Creole plantation houses in the area, and the detached kitchen on the property is the oldest in Louisiana.

There are a number of other buildings on the property as well, including a barn, a blacksmith shop, a church, a pigeon roosting house, and seven slave cabins. Other points of interest include a memorial dedicated to the people who were enslaved on the plantation and there are 40 statues of slave children.

5099 LA-18, Edgard, LA 70049, Phone: 225-265-3300, Map

Where to Eat in Louisiana

  • For Classic Cajun: Prejean’s (Lafayette) – Crawfish etouffee, zydeco music, and rustic décor set the mood.
  • For Creole Excellence: Commander’s Palace (New Orleans) – Iconic dining in the Garden District with refined Southern dishes.
  • For Casual Bites: Mother’s Restaurant (New Orleans) – A beloved spot for po’boys and jambalaya since 1938.

If You Are Interested in Local Events:

  • For Festival-Goers: Mardi Gras (February–March) – Parades, music, beads, and costumed revelry across the state.
  • For Music Fans: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April–May) – Multiple stages of jazz, blues, funk, and folk with local cuisine galore.
  • For Francophone Culture: Festival International de Louisiane (April, Lafayette) – Free multicultural music festival with French-speaking performers from around the world.

Day Trip Itineraries Within Louisiana:

  • For History: Nottoway Plantation (1.5 hrs from New Orleans) – Largest antebellum mansion in the South with guided tours and gardens.
  • For Cajun Culture: Lafayette (2 hrs from New Orleans) – Explore Cajun music, language, and food at local museums and restaurants.
  • For Wildlife: Lake Martin Swamp (near Breaux Bridge) – Birdwatching, kayaking, and sunset photography in a protected wetland.
  • For River Views: Baton Rouge (1.5 hrs from New Orleans) – Historic downtown, USS Kidd warship, and beautiful State Capitol grounds.
  • For Architecture: St. Francisville (2 hrs from New Orleans) – Home to historic homes like Rosedown and Myrtles Plantation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What is Louisiana known for?
    • Many people associate Louisiana with the party atmosphere of New Orleans, but there are plenty of other things to see and do as well.
  • What are some attractions in Louisiana?
    • There are a number of educational museums, stunning lakes, beautiful gardens, art galleries, and historic buildings that make Louisiana a perfect vacation destination.

At a Glance:

Best Time to Visit Places to Stay Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures, blooming flowers, and fewer tourists. The Roosevelt New Orleans – Luxury accommodations in the heart of New Orleans with historic charm. Explore the French Quarter – Discover the vibrant culture, music, and dining of this iconic neighborhood.
Summer (June-August) – Warm weather, ideal for festivals and enjoying the lively atmosphere of the state. Hotel Monteleone – A historic hotel in the French Quarter with luxurious rooms and a famous carousel bar. Attend the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Enjoy music, food, and culture at this world-renowned festival.
Fall (September-November) – Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and the start of festival season. The Windsor Court Hotel – Elegant accommodations with exceptional service and close proximity to major attractions. Take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River – See the city from a different perspective while enjoying local history and culture.
Winter (December-February) – Cool temperatures, ideal for a cozy retreat and experiencing festive events. Hotel Saint Cecilia – A chic, modern boutique hotel offering privacy and comfort. Experience Mardi Gras – Participate in parades, balls, and celebrations during New Orleans' most famous event.

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