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

1. Lake Charles ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Anthony/stock.adobe.com

2. Gulfport, MS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

© Fotoluminate LLC/stock.adobe.com

3. Abita Springs

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Gecko Studio/stock.adobe.com

4. Shell Beach

Category: Relaxing Beaches
© markasia/stock.adobe.com

5. Avery Island

Romantic Islands
© CheriAlguire/stock.adobe.com

6. Baton Rouge

© Klaus Nowottnick/stock.adobe.com

7. Bayou St. John

© rmbarricarte/stock.adobe.com

8. Bush

© Mikkel H. Petersen/stock.adobe.com

9. De Soto National Forest

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Steven/stock.adobe.com

10. Global Wildlife Center

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Daniel Meunier/stock.adobe.com

11. Grand Isle

© jenniveve84/stock.adobe.com

12. Honey Island Swamp

Romantic Islands
© white_bcgrd/stock.adobe.com

13. Houma

© Mosto/stock.adobe.com

14. Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Patrick/stock.adobe.com

15. Stennis Space Center

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© RobertCoy/stock.adobe.com

16. Lafayette

© raulbaena/stock.adobe.com

17. Mandeville

© volgariver/stock.adobe.com

18. Mississippi River

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© hstiver/stock.adobe.com

19. Mobile, AL

© Fotoluminate LLC/stock.adobe.com

20. Plaquemines Parish

© Aleksei/stock.adobe.com

21. St. Bernard Parish

© salman2/stock.adobe.com

22. Atchafalaya Natural Heritage Area

© Jaynes Gallery_DanitaDelimont.com/stock.adobe.com

23. Slidell

© George Howard/stock.adobe.com

24. The Great River Road

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Zina Seletskaya/stock.adobe.com

25. Ville Platte

© Irina K./stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

  • Louisiana has much more to offer than New Orleans at Mardi Gras.
  • The state is home to a wealth of cultural history and a unique landscape of Cypress swamps, inland waterways, and forests.
  • Explore the arts and culture in places like Baton Rouge and Shreveport.
  • Learn about history and heritage in Lafayette, the Cajun Corridor Byway, and the Great River Road.
  • With coastal wetlands, birding trails, and twenty-one state parks, it’s no wonder Louisiana is referred to as a sportsman’s paradise.

Map:


Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.