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
1. Royal Street, New Orleans
Rating: ★★★★★
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
2. 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
3. Rip Van Winkle Gardens, New Iberia
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
4. Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site
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:
5. Mike the Tiger's Habitat, Baton Rouge
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
6. Houmas House
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:
7. 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:
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
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