Best vacation places in louisiana
Vacations are meant to be about relaxing, resting and of course travelling. If you need some help finding the best vacation places in louisiana we can help with all of that.
This article is composed in such a way that it will guide you to the best vacation places in Louisiana.The State of Louisiana is known for its mouthwatering food, from its gulf shrimp to oyster po-boys. It offers some of the best people-watching opportunities in the country. The state’s splendors of the past are evident although signs of new life are emerging in all areas at an exciting pace.
Vacationing in Louisiana isn’t any different from the rest of the country. Except for some distinctively charming points of interest, this state has so much to offer both its tourists and locals. Given below is a list that would be of immense help if you have, or intend to come here soon.
The best vacation destinations in Louisiana are scattered throughout the state, so you can find the right spot for you. Here are a few of our favorites:
New Orleans – The Big Easy has something for everyone, from amazing music venues to delicious restaurants to famous Mardi Gras celebrations.
Baton Rouge – If you’re looking for a more low-key experience, try this city with its quaint downtown area and beautiful botanical gardens.
Lafayette – This small town is home to some of the best Cajun food around!
Louisiana is a state of contrasts. It’s home to New Orleans, the Big Easy, a city that’s known for its love of music and food, where the city’s residents don’t seem to sleep. Louisiana is also home to some of America’s most enchanting wildlife sanctuaries, including the Audubon Nature Institute and the Baton Rouge Zoo.
You can find all kinds of things to do in Louisiana: sightsee at the world-famous Louisiana Children’s Museum or explore the history of jazz music at The National World War II Museum. If you’re looking for adventure, head over to Mardi Gras World in New Orleans or go parasailing on Lake Pontchartrain. If you want something more relaxing, you can enjoy a day at one of the many spas and resorts around the state.
If you’re looking for a vacation spot with great food and culture but aren’t quite sure where exactly you should go in Louisiana, we’ve got you covered! Here are 5 places that will make your trip one for the books:
1) New Orleans (obviously!) – This city is known as “The Big Easy” because it’s easygoing and fun—and also because it has so many great restaurants! You’ll never get bored here;
1. New Orleans
New Orleans is one of the top vacation spots in Louisiana for its non-stop activity and more than 300 years of history, culture, unique experiences, and unforgettable food. Head out on one of the New Orleans streetcars to explore the French Quarter and other neighborhoods. There are four streetcar lines – the Saint Charles Streetcar Line is the oldest in the world and has operated for more than 150 years.
In addition to wandering the French Quarter make a stop to Vieux Carre, where you can see some of the iconic landmarks, like Jackson Square, and tour the St. Louis Cathedral.
Some of the other top experiences to cover during your New Orleans weekend include a visit to the famous Café du Monde for beignets, getting your fortune read, and a stop at the French Market. This open-air market covers five blocks and is a New Orleans tradition with specialty shops and a community flea market, dining, and music. If you have a spare afternoon, visit some of the unique cemeteries in New Orleans or the National World War II Museum.
A visit to New Orleans is not complete without experiencing some of the local live music with an evening on Bourbon Street. Plan at least one dinner at Antoine’s Restaurant, owned by the same family for 179 years, for some delicious New Orleans cuisine. There are many hotels in New Orleans, but one of the most unique is the Hotel Monteleone, which has had famous residents like Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and John Grisham.
Accommodation: Best Resorts in New Orleans
2. Plantation Country
About an hour outside of New Orleans is Plantation Country, a quiet getaway that is especially nice for couples. This historic region is home to dozens of sprawling plantations that you can tour, and it is the birthplace of Louisiana’s famous andouille, a staple ingredient in Southern food.
Some of the most notable places to visit include the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens; the Laura Plantation; and the Oak Alley Plantation, which was the filming location for several feature films. Some of the plantations, like the Ormond Plantation, Houmas House, and Oak Alley have dining and lodging available if you want to plan an extra special stay.
Beyond the plantations, you can spend a day taking in the culture. Take a kayak, pontoon, or airboat swamp tour to learn about local wildlife and the Cajuns and Native Americans that originally inhabited the area. Plan an afternoon to take in some of the Cajun cuisine made in Plantation Country, or visit a smokehouse making fresh andouille for locals and restaurants to add to their dishes.
3. Lafayette
If you want a getaway that puts you in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun country, Lafayette should top your list. It is known as the “Happiest City in America,” where you can experience a well-rounded weekend Cajun experience in terms of culture, food, and music.
Eat your way through Lafayette with traditional Cajun cuisine or by trying some of the creative twists on the signature culinary favorite at one of the many restaurants in the city. One of the best ways to try the creole, Cajun, and seafood that makes the food here so great is by taking a food tour where you can sample the best bites.
There is no shortage of live music venues, where you can sample the rich and lively sounds of the accordion, dulcimer, and fiddle, and feel the local scene. Fred’s Lounge in Mamou is a great place to experience the unique sounds of Zydeco music or live performances at the Blue Moon Saloon, which feature the toe-tapping musical combinations of the dulcimer, accordion, and fiddle.
Since the Lafayette area is located near the Atchafalaya Basin, this should be on the itinerary. The basin area is the largest river-basin swamp, with 850,000 acres of swamps, lakes, and water prairies. The best way to experience the basin is to get out on it by taking a swamp tour. The basin is just a short drive from Lafayette and makes for a great day trip.
There are quite a few bed-and-breakfasts in Lafayette, including the Mouton Plantation Bed & Breakfast and T’Frere’s Bed & Breakfast, which are stunning historic homes.
4. Natchitoches
The oldest settlement in Louisiana is the small town of Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish), which is a fun and historic getaway. Of particular interest in this town is the National Historic District, where you can spend a day strolling from the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, an old-fashioned general store that opened in 1863, to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum.
Wrap up at the popular Cane River Lake waterfront restaurant Maglieaux’s on the Cane. For a post-lunch or dinner excursion head down a block to Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports, which rents out gear to go floating on the Cane River.
Remember the movie Steel Magnolias? It was filmed entirely in Natchitoches, so you will find many places to visit that you might recognize from the movie, which featured Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, and Olympia Dukakis. Steel Magnolia tours are available, and you can even stay overnight at the Steel Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast, where a significant portion of the movie was filmed.
One of the main draws for visitors is the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, which showcases regional history. You can visit two plantation museums, Oakland and Magnolia, which are part of the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. The entire Cane River National Heritage Area has many sites to visit, including the Prudhomme-Rouquier House (open by appointment) and others, so you will want to plan ahead to make the most of your time.
For a bite of famous local fare go to Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant for a famous Natchitoches meat pie.
5. Baton Rouge
For an urban getaway consider the Louisiana capital of Baton Rouge. Start your visit at the Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest capitol building in the United States, with 34 stories. Be sure to experience the 27th-floor observation deck, which overlooks spectacular gardens.
Then visit Louisiana’s Old State Capitol to see why the castle-like Gothic architecture is one of the most photographed sites in the city. You can take a tour of this National Historic Landmark, which sits on a bluff above the Mississippi River.
To add to your historic exploration, visit the Capitol Park Museum. It has collections of artifacts ranging from Louis Armstrong’s childhood horn to a 48-foot shrimp trawler. Once you have a base of Baton Rouge history get a sense of its culture through the food. Some options to try are the Cecelia Creole Bistro; Elsie’s Plate & Pie; the White Star Market, a nine-vendor food hall; and The Gregory, an upscale Southern food restaurant inside a converted bank building that is now the luxury Watermark Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection hotel.
A day exploring the Mississippi River should be on your itinerary. Take a walk along the 4.3-mile biking/walking trail on top of the levee for some of the best views in the area. Also located along the trail is the World War II-era destroyer USS Kidd, where you can take a tour.