While 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 US. Nevertheless, there are heaps extra of the very best locations in Louisiana that go far past the town itself.
You see, Louisiana is a reasonably large state, and you may simply go to a good few of those if you happen to’re driving on a wider US highway journey. That is precisely what we did, and we completely beloved how numerous and actually shocking Louisiana is. The state is attractive.
So, that will help you get probably the most out of your journey, I’m sharing our high locations in Louisiana you must cease at as you traverse the state. This fashion, 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 may simply spend three or 4 days there, absorbing the tradition, historical past, and, in fact, the town’s neighbourhoods.
After arriving, make sure you discover New Orleans’ French Quarter. It’s lovely and one of many metropolis’s most outstanding and oldest neighbourhoods. It contains magnificent homes which can be 300 years previous.
Should you’re planning on going to Bourbon Road, count on numerous Mardi Gras crowds. It’s a fun-fuelled road that buzzes because the solar goes down. One factor I might say about Bourbon Road is that it may well 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 guide a live performance at Preservation Corridor, a historic and intimate little venue that’s simply unbelievable.
Should you’re focused on museums, head over to the Nationwide WWII Museum. It’s an ideal place to go to if you happen to’re focused on Army historical past and offers an enormous perception into one of many world’s deadliest and most harmful wars. The “Highway to Berlin” exhibit was among the best issues concerning the Museum, it reveals an virtually sensible expertise of fully recreated battles with sounds and sight.
Oh, and don’t neglect 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’ll be able to be a part of among the swamp excursions to identify among the native wildlife (together with alligators). For among the best excursions, head over to Cajun Nation Swamp Excursions.
A go to will take round 1 hour, and it’s simply among the best locations in Louisiana to go to if you happen to’re searching for a small exercise as you drive by the state. We beloved it.
3.) Laura Plantation
Should you plan on travelling to Louisiana, you must go to the Laura Plantation. It’s positioned 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, had been integral to the operating of the plantation. It’s a stark reminder of the horrors of slavery.
Visits will take round 90 minutes and are properly 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 excellent stopping level as a part of a wider Louisiana highway journey. You see, as soon as right here, you possibly can head to the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Website and study extra concerning the historical past of the plantation, its folks and see the beautiful grounds.
Additionally, don’t neglect 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 right 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 number 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 a tremendous Gothic fashion.
It’s as related as you may get in Louisiana to a citadel. You’ll be able to 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 could find the historic web site at 305 South River Highway,
Baton Rouge. It was an energetic ship used throughout WWII. Nevertheless, it has been used to provide movies and TV reveals and is properly price visiting if you happen to’re focused on navy historical past.
Afterwards, make sure you pop by Elsie’s Plate and Pie. Their apple pie is famous.
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 another metropolis break. It’s obtained the whole lot you need from a big American metropolis, nevertheless it 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 Struggle reenactments and clarify the turbulent interval in US historical past.
Should you’re focused on artwork, go to the Alexandria Museum of Artwork. You’ll be able to simply spend an hour wandering by 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 if you happen to 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 take in the town’s vibe.
After arriving in Lafayette, be sure to go to Vermilionville. It’s a historic museum at 300 Fisher Highway, Lafayette, Louisiana. It options among the traditions of the Acadian folks as they had been between the 18th and nineteenth centuries. The talents and craftwork of the Acadian folks have been preserved by many generations. We beloved it, and it’s so fascinating to listen to concerning the lives of the First Nation folks and different populations that made their properties in Louisiana.
Additionally, don’t neglect 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 among the best 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 Middle. It options the whole lot 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 if you happen to’re visiting Shreveport with your loved ones.
Afterwards, head on over to the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. Right here, you possibly can discover Louisiana’s lengthy historical past and the folks that make up the state. It’s an effective way to study extra concerning 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 possibly can simply go to the wetlands of Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park for a morning journey from the town itself. It’s among the best 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 if you happen to 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 elements of the historic park.
10.) St. Martinville
Southeast of Lafayette, St. Martinville is properly price exploring, a number of hours’ journey from the town itself. It’s fairly epic to go to, and you may discover among the city’s historic websites that date again centuries.
Not solely that, it’s among the best locations in Louisiana to go to if you wish to discover among the state’s cultural historical past – which, in my view, makes St. Martinville properly 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 for the reason that early 1800s.
Lastly, don’t neglect 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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