If you first take into consideration visiting Louisiana, the very first thing that in all probability involves my thoughts is New Orleans, which is among the South’s incredible cities to go to in the US. Nevertheless, there are heaps extra of the most effective locations in Louisiana that go far past town itself.
You see, Louisiana is a fairly large state, and you’ll simply go to a good few of those when you’re driving on a wider US highway journey. That is precisely what we did, and we completely cherished how numerous and actually shocking Louisiana is. The state is beautiful.
So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your journey, I’m sharing our prime locations in Louisiana you must cease at as you traverse the state. This fashion, you’ll profit from your time exploring the state with out getting slowed down with the planning.
Have essentially the most superb journey to Louisiana.
1.) New Orleans
New Orleans is among the most unique cities in 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, town’s neighbourhoods.
After arriving, you should definitely discover New Orleans’ French Quarter. It’s stunning and one of many metropolis’s most distinguished and oldest neighbourhoods. It contains magnificent homes which can be 300 years outdated.
For those who’re planning on going to Bourbon Road, count on 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 Road is that it may possibly 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 slightly daunting, however you shortly acclimate to the enjoyment and ruckus. As soon as right here, ensure to e-book a live performance at Preservation Hall, a historic and intimate little venue that’s simply unbelievable.
For those who’re excited about museums, head over to the Nationwide WWII Museum. It’s an ideal place to go to when you’re excited about Army historical past and offers an enormous perception into one of many world’s deadliest and most harmful wars. The “Street to Berlin” exhibit was the most effective issues in regards to the Museum, it exhibits an nearly reasonable expertise of totally 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.
Read more: Best things 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 may be a part of a number of the swamp excursions to identify a number of the native wildlife (together with alligators). For the most effective excursions, head over to Cajun Country Swamp Tours.
A go to will take round 1 hour, and it’s simply the most effective locations in Louisiana to go to when you’re in search of a small exercise as you drive via the state. We cherished it.
3.) Laura Plantation
For those who 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 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 may head to the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Web site and be taught extra in regards to the historical past of the plantation, its individuals 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.
Read more: Best things to do in New Orleans
5.) Baton Rouge
Though smaller than New Orleans and rather less energetic, Baton Rouge is the state capital of Louisiana and an ideal place to spend a couple of days.
As soon as right here, ensure to go to the Previous 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 may 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’ll find 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 supply movies and TV exhibits and is effectively price visiting when you’re excited about army historical past.
Afterwards, you should definitely pop by Elsie’s Plate and Pie. Their apple pie is known.
Read more: Best things to do in New Orleans
6.) Alexandria
Proper within the coronary heart of the state, Alexandria is among the finest locations in Louisiana to go to for another metropolis break. It’s obtained every little thing you need from a big American metropolis, however it additionally has that small-town vibe (if that is smart).
When you’re right here, go to Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site. Right here, they host Civil Warfare reenactments and clarify the turbulent interval in US historical past.
For those who’re excited about artwork, go to the Alexandria Museum of Art. You may simply spend an hour wandering via the exhibitions right here. We cherished 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 gradual, keep in a single day and take in town’s vibe.
After arriving in Lafayette, ensure to go to Vermilionville. It’s a historic museum at 300 Fisher Street, Lafayette, Louisiana. It options a number of the traditions of the Acadian individuals as they had been between the 18th and nineteenth centuries. The talents and craftwork of the Acadian individuals have been preserved via many generations. We cherished it, and it’s so fascinating to listen to in regards to the lives of the First Nation individuals and different populations that made their properties in Louisiana.
Additionally, don’t overlook to go to the Hilliard Art Museum. It has many seasonal reveals that change all year long.
8.) Shreveport
Shreveport is among 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, ensure to pop into the Sci-Port Discovery Center. 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 when you’re visiting Shreveport with your loved ones.
Afterwards, head on over to the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. Right here, you may discover Louisiana’s lengthy historical past and the those who make up the state. It’s a good way to be taught 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.
Read more: Best things to do in New Orleans
9.) Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park
Simply shy of New Orleans, you may simply go to the wetlands of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park for a morning journey from 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 stunning when you fancy a extra stress-free day from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans. The Barataria Protect is totally stunning.
Nevertheless, ensure 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 price exploring, a couple of hours’ journey from town itself. It’s fairly epic to go to, and you’ll discover a number of 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 a number of the state’s cultural historical past – which, for my part, makes St. Martinville effectively price a go to.
As soon as right here, you should definitely go to the Martin de Excursions Catholic Church and see Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site which has been round for the reason that early 1800s.
Lastly, don’t overlook to pop into St. John Restaurant for his or her superb seafood. Their catfish strips are the most effective within the state.
Read more: Best things to do in New Orleans
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