Once you first take into consideration visiting Louisiana, the very first thing that most likely involves my thoughts is New Orleans, which is without doubt one of the South’s unbelievable cities to go to in the USA. Nevertheless, there are heaps extra of the very best locations in Louisiana that go far past the town itself.
You see, Louisiana is a fairly large state, and you’ll simply go to a good few of those in the event you’re driving on a wider US highway journey. That is precisely what we did, and we completely beloved how numerous and truthfully shocking Louisiana is. The state is attractive.
So, that will help you get probably the most out of your journey, I’m sharing our prime locations in Louisiana you must cease at as you traverse the state. This manner, you’ll take advantage of your time exploring the state with out getting slowed down with the planning.
Have probably the most wonderful journey to Louisiana.
1.) New Orleans
New Orleans is without doubt one of the most distinctive cities within the US to go to. It’s simply unbelievable, and you’ll simply spend three or 4 days there, absorbing the tradition, historical past, and, after all, the town’s neighbourhoods.
After arriving, make sure you discover New Orleans’ French Quarter. It’s lovely and one of many metropolis’s most distinguished and oldest neighbourhoods. It contains magnificent homes which are 300 years outdated.
When you’re planning on going to Bourbon Avenue, anticipate plenty of Mardi Gras crowds. It’s a fun-fuelled road that buzzes because the solar goes down. One factor I might say about Bourbon Avenue is that it might probably take some getting used to. We first ventured right here within the early night, and it was as busy because it will get.
As a first-time customer to New Orleans, this felt a bit of daunting, however you shortly acclimate to the enjoyment and ruckus. As soon as right here, be sure to e book a live performance at Preservation Corridor, a historic and intimate little venue that’s simply unbelievable.
When you’re eager about museums, head over to the Nationwide WWII Museum. It’s an ideal place to go to in the event you’re eager about Navy historical past and provides an enormous perception into one of many world’s deadliest and most damaging wars. The “Street to Berlin” exhibit was the most effective issues in regards to the Museum, it exhibits an nearly lifelike expertise of fully recreated battles with sounds and sight.
Oh, and don’t overlook to seize a chunk at Antonie’s Restaurant. It’s the oldest restaurant in New Orleans, and the meals is scrumptious. Their fish amandine is so yummy.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in New Orleans
2.) Lake Martin
Lake Martin is a swamp space round a 2-hour drive from New Orleans. Though small, it’s fairly epic to go to. You possibly can be a part of among the swamp excursions to identify among the native wildlife (together with alligators). For the most effective excursions, head over to Cajun Nation Swamp Excursions.
A go to will take round 1 hour, and it’s simply the most effective locations in Louisiana to go to in the event you’re in search of a small exercise as you drive via the state. We beloved it.
3.) Laura Plantation
When you plan on travelling to Louisiana, you must go to the Laura Plantation. It’s situated at 2247 Hwy 18, Vacherie, Louisiana, and has been open to guests since 1994.
This plantation was used to reap sugarcane for over 180 years. The constructing nonetheless has furnishings from the unique interval, and it’s fairly pertinent to go to. The tour additionally focuses on the tales of enslaved individuals who, as we all know, have been integral to the working of the plantation. It’s a stark reminder of the horrors of slavery.
Visits will take round 90 minutes and are effectively price visiting as you drive west from New Orleans.
4.) St. Francisville
Simply north of Baton Rouge, St. Francisville is a comparatively small city however the good stopping level as a part of a wider Louisiana highway journey. You see, as soon as right here, you’ll be able to head to the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Website and study extra in regards to the historical past of the plantation, its folks and see the gorgeous grounds.
Additionally, don’t overlook to pop by the Grace Episcopal Church and seize a chunk to eat at The Francis. They serve a tasty shrimp leon and it’s the proper stopping level for an informal lunch.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in New Orleans
5.) Baton Rouge
Though smaller than New Orleans and rather less full of life, Baton Rouge is the state capital of Louisiana and an ideal place to spend a couple of days.
As soon as right here, be sure to go to the Outdated State Capitol constructing. This landmark construction is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 100 North Blvd. Each the within design and the skin have an incredible Gothic fashion.
It’s as related as you may get in Louisiana to a citadel. You possibly can even spot the Mississippi River from the towers’ nice heights.
One other key web site to go to in Baton Rouge is USS Kidd and Veterans Memorial You will discover the historic web site at 305 South River Street,
Baton Rouge. It was an lively ship used throughout WWII. Nevertheless, it has been used to provide movies and TV exhibits and is effectively price visiting in the event you’re eager about army historical past.
Afterwards, make sure you pop by Elsie’s Plate and Pie. Their apple pie is known.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in New Orleans
6.) Alexandria
Proper within the coronary heart of the state, Alexandria is without doubt one of the greatest locations in Louisiana to go to for an alternate metropolis break. It’s received every little thing you need from a big American metropolis, but it surely additionally has that small-town vibe (if that is sensible).
When you’re right here, go to Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Website. Right here, they host Civil Battle reenactments and clarify the turbulent interval in US historical past.
When you’re eager about artwork, go to the Alexandria Museum of Artwork. You possibly can simply spend an hour wandering via the exhibitions right here. We beloved it.
Additionally, for some tasty boiled shrimp, head on over to Debarge’s Crawfish. It’s nothing fancy, however the meals is so good for a lunch in Alexandria.
7.) Lafayette
West of New Orleans, Lafayette is one other gem to go to in Louisiana in the event you drive throughout the state. It’s sufficiently small {that a} day’s go to is simply sufficient. Nevertheless, if you wish to take issues gradual, keep in a single day and absorb the town’s vibe.
After arriving in Lafayette, be sure to go to Vermilionville. It’s a historic museum at 300 Fisher Street, Lafayette, Louisiana. It options among the traditions of the Acadian folks as they have been between the 18th and nineteenth centuries. The talents and craftwork of the Acadian folks have been preserved via many generations. We beloved it, and it’s so fascinating to listen to in regards to the lives of the First Nation folks and different populations that made their houses in Louisiana.
Additionally, don’t overlook to go to the Hilliard Artwork Museum. It has many seasonal displays that change all year long.
8.) Shreveport
Shreveport is without doubt one of the largest cities within the state and the most effective locations in Louisiana to go to and spend a weekend away.
As soon as right here, be sure to pop into the Sci-Port Discovery Heart. It options every little thing and something associated to science, which makes it enjoyable for the entire household. Visits take round 90 minutes, and it’s an ideal morning exercise in the event you’re visiting Shreveport with your loved ones.
Afterwards, head on over to the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. Right here, you’ll be able to discover Louisiana’s lengthy historical past and the those who make up the state. It’s a good way to study extra in regards to the state’s historical past.
Oh, and pop into The Blind Tiger for his or her seafood gumbeaux. It’s a yummy and informal spot for lunch, and scrumptious.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in New Orleans
9.) Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park
Simply shy of New Orleans, you’ll be able to simply go to the wetlands of Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park for a morning journey from the town itself. It’s the most effective locations in Louisiana to go to if you wish to discover the distinctive geographical historical past of the state’s coastlines.
Plus, it’s completely lovely in the event you fancy a extra stress-free day from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans. The Barataria Protect is completely lovely.
Nevertheless, be sure to take some sunscreen with you; there’s little or no shade in some components of the historic park.
10.) St. Martinville
Southeast of Lafayette, St. Martinville is effectively price exploring, a couple of hours’ journey from the town itself. It’s fairly epic to go to, and you’ll discover among the city’s historic websites that date again centuries.
Not solely that, it’s the most effective locations in Louisiana to go to if you wish to discover among the state’s cultural historical past – which, for my part, makes St. Martinville effectively price a go to.
As soon as right here, make sure you go to the Martin de Excursions Catholic Church and see Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Website which has been round because the early 1800s.
Lastly, don’t overlook to pop into St. John Restaurant for his or her wonderful seafood. Their catfish strips are the very best within the state.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in New Orleans
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