If you first take into consideration visiting Louisiana, the very first thing that most likely involves my thoughts is New Orleans, which is likely one of the South’s unbelievable cities to go to in the USA. Nevertheless, there are heaps extra of the most effective locations in Louisiana that go far past the town itself.
You see, Louisiana is a fairly large state, and you may simply go to a good few of those when you’re driving on a wider US street journey. That is precisely what we did, and we completely liked 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 prime locations in Louisiana you need to 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 likely 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 to discover New Orleans’ French Quarter. It’s stunning and one of many metropolis’s most distinguished and oldest neighbourhoods. It consists of magnificent homes which are 300 years outdated.
In the event you’re planning on going to Bourbon Avenue, count on plenty of Mardi Gras crowds. It’s a fun-fuelled avenue that buzzes because the solar goes down. One factor I’d 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 little bit daunting, however you shortly acclimate to the enjoyment and ruckus. As soon as right here, be sure to ebook a live performance at Preservation Corridor, a historic and intimate little venue that’s simply unbelievable.
In the event you’re curious about museums, head over to the Nationwide WWII Museum. It’s an ideal place to go to when you’re curious about 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 probably the greatest issues concerning the Museum, it exhibits an virtually practical expertise of solely recreated battles with sounds and sight.
Oh, and don’t overlook to seize a chew 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: Finest 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 a number of the swamp excursions to identify a number of the native wildlife (together with alligators). For probably the greatest excursions, head over to Cajun Nation Swamp Excursions.
A go to will take round 1 hour, and it’s simply probably the greatest locations in Louisiana to go to when you’re searching for a small exercise as you drive by means of the state. We liked it.
3.) Laura Plantation
In the event you plan on travelling to Louisiana, you need to 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, had 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 value 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 street journey. You see, as soon as right here, you possibly can head to the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Web site and study extra concerning the historical past of the plantation, its individuals and see the beautiful grounds.
Additionally, don’t overlook to pop by the Grace Episcopal Church and seize a chew to eat at The Francis. They serve a tasty shrimp leon and it’s the proper stopping level for an informal lunch.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in New Orleans
5.) Baton Rouge
Though smaller than New Orleans and rather less vigorous, 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 surface have a tremendous Gothic model.
It’s as related as you will get in Louisiana to a citadel. You possibly can even spot the Mississippi River from the towers’ nice heights.
One other key website to go to in Baton Rouge is USS Kidd and Veterans Memorial You will discover the historic website at 305 South River Highway,
Baton Rouge. It was an energetic ship used throughout WWII. Nevertheless, it has been used to supply movies and TV exhibits and is effectively value visiting when you’re curious about navy historical past.
Afterwards, make sure to pop by Elsie’s Plate and Pie. Their apple pie is famous.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in New Orleans
6.) Alexandria
Proper within the coronary heart of the state, Alexandria is likely one of the greatest locations in Louisiana to go to for another metropolis break. It’s received all the things 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 Web site. Right here, they host Civil Warfare reenactments and clarify the turbulent interval in US historical past.
In the event you’re curious about artwork, go to the Alexandria Museum of Artwork. You possibly can simply spend an hour wandering by means of the exhibitions right here. We liked 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 when 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 sluggish, 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 Highway, Lafayette, Louisiana. It options a number of the traditions of the Acadian individuals as they had been between the 18th and nineteenth centuries. The abilities and craftwork of the Acadian individuals have been preserved by means of many generations. We liked it, and it’s so fascinating to listen to concerning the lives of the First Nation individuals 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 likely one of the largest cities within the state and probably the greatest 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 all the things 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 when you’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 those who make up the state. It’s a good 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: Finest 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 probably the greatest 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 stunning when you fancy a extra stress-free day from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans. The Barataria Protect is totally stunning.
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 effectively value exploring, a couple of hours’ journey from the town itself. It’s fairly epic to go to, and you may discover a number of the city’s historic websites that date again centuries.
Not solely that, it’s probably the greatest locations in Louisiana to go to if you wish to discover a number of the state’s cultural historical past – which, in my view, makes St. Martinville effectively value a go to.
As soon as right here, make sure to go to the Martin de Excursions Catholic Church and see Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Web site 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 most effective within the state.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in New Orleans
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