When you first take into consideration visiting Louisiana, the very first thing that most likely involves my thoughts is New Orleans, which is among the South’s unimaginable cities to go to within the United States. However, 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 in the event you’re driving on a wider US street journey. This is precisely what we did, and we completely liked how numerous and actually shocking Louisiana is. The state is beautiful.
So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your journey, I’m sharing our high locations in Louisiana you need to cease at as you traverse the state. This means, you’ll benefit 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 distinctive cities within the US to go to. It’s simply unimaginable, and you may simply spend three or 4 days there, absorbing the tradition, historical past, and, in fact, the town’s neighbourhoods.
After arriving, remember to discover New Orleans’ French Quarter. It’s stunning and one of many metropolis’s most outstanding and oldest neighbourhoods. It contains magnificent homes which might be 300 years outdated.
If you’re planning on going to Bourbon Street, count on plenty of Mardi Gras crowds. It’s a fun-fuelled road that buzzes because the solar goes down. One factor I’d say about Bourbon Street 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. Once right here, be sure to guide a live performance at Preservation Hall, a historic and intimate little venue that’s simply unimaginable.
If you’re excited about museums, head over to the National WWII Museum. It’s an ideal place to go to in the event you’re excited about Military historical past and offers an enormous perception into one of many world’s deadliest and most harmful wars. The “Road to Berlin” exhibit was top-of-the-line issues in regards to the Museum, it reveals an virtually sensible expertise of completely 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.
Read extra: Best issues to do in New Orleans
2.) Lake Martin
Lake Martin is a swamp space round a 2-hour drive from New Orleans. Although small, it’s fairly epic to go to. You can be a part of a number of the swamp excursions to identify a number of the native wildlife (together with alligators). For top-of-the-line excursions, head over to Cajun Country Swamp Tours.
A go to will take round 1 hour, and it’s simply top-of-the-line locations in Louisiana to go to in the event you’re on the lookout for a small exercise as you drive by way of the state. We liked it.
3.) Laura Plantation
If you intend on travelling to Louisiana, you need to go to the Laura Plantation. It is 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 working of the plantation. It’s a stark reminder of the horrors of slavery.
Visits will take round 90 minutes and are nicely value visiting as you drive west from New Orleans.
4.) St. Francisville
Just north of Baton Rouge, St. Francisville is a comparatively small city however the good stopping level as a part of a wider Louisiana street journey. You see, as soon as right here, you may head to the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site and study extra in regards to the historical past of the plantation, its folks and see the beautiful grounds.
Also, 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 off-the-cuff lunch.
Read extra: Best issues to do in New Orleans
5.) Baton Rouge
Although 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.
Once right here, be sure to go to the Old State Capitol constructing. This landmark construction is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 100 North Blvd. Both the within design and the skin have a tremendous Gothic fashion.
It is as comparable as you will get in Louisiana to a fort. You may even spot the Mississippi River from the towers’ nice heights.
Another key website to go to in Baton Rouge is USS Kidd and Veterans Memorial You can discover the historic website at 305 South River Road,
Baton Rouge. It was an energetic ship used throughout WWII. However, it has been used to supply movies and TV reveals and is nicely value visiting in the event you’re excited about army historical past.
Afterwards, remember to pop by Elsie’s Plate and Pie. Their apple pie is known.
Read extra: Best issues to do in New Orleans
6.) Alexandria
Right within the coronary heart of the state, Alexandria is among the greatest locations in Louisiana to go to for an alternate 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 smart).
Once you’re right here, go to Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site. Here, they host Civil War reenactments and clarify the turbulent interval in US historical past.
If you’re excited about artwork, go to the Alexandria Museum of Art. You can simply spend an hour wandering by way of the exhibitions right here. We liked it.
Also, 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. However, 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 Road, Lafayette, Louisiana. It options a number of the traditions of the Acadian folks as they had been between the 18th and nineteenth centuries. The expertise and craftwork of the Acadian folks have been preserved by way of many generations. We liked 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 properties in Louisiana.
Also, don’t neglect 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 top-of-the-line locations in Louisiana to go to and spend a weekend away.
Once right here, be sure to pop into the Sci-Port Discovery Center. 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 in the event you’re visiting Shreveport with your loved ones.
Afterwards, head on over to the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. Here, you may discover Louisiana’s lengthy historical past and the people 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.
Read extra: Best issues to do in New Orleans
9.) Jean Lafitte National Historical Park
Just shy of New Orleans, you may simply go to the wetlands of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park for a morning journey from the town itself. It’s top-of-the-line 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 in the event you fancy a extra stress-free day from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans. The Barataria Preserve is totally stunning.
However, 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 nicely 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 top-of-the-line 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 nicely value a go to.
Once right here, remember to go to the Martin de Tours Catholic Church and see Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site which has been round for the reason that early 1800s.
Finally, don’t neglect to pop into St. John Restaurant for his or her superb seafood. Their catfish strips are the most effective within the state.
Read extra: Best issues to do in New Orleans
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