2023-01-13 04:22:30
SCENIC BYWAYS: FIVE TO DRIVE Is there any greater freedom than exploring fascinating stops while on a fun road trip? There are 19 official scenic byways and trails winding throughout the state, full of plenty of spots to explore along the way. You’ll want to discover them all at LouisianaByways.com, but here are five fun ones to drive this year! 1. Get your fill of little museums filled with big personalities along the 137-mile Boom or Bust National Scenic Byway. The towns along these sleepy bayous and rolling hills tell the tales of the dramatic ups and downs in the oil and gas, lumber, transportation, farming and entertainment industries. See meadows dotted with oil derricks, the historic Caddo Lake Drawbridge and the Vivian Railroad Museum. 2. What’s the difference between Cajun and Creole? A tour on the 71-mile Cane River National Heritage Trail will clear it all up for you. This road will take you to the Cane River Creole National Historic Park, comprised of Oakland and Magnolia plantations. Stand in awe (or kneel) in old Catholic churches such as St. Augustine and St. John’s. Explore the first permanent European settlement in the territory later known as the Louisiana Purchase at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site in Natchitoches. 3. A drive along the 180-mile Creole Nature Trail All-American Road lets you experience Louisiana’s diverse landscape and wildlife up close. (Be on the lookout for those gator crossings!) You’ll discover four wildlife refuges, wetland walkways, small fishing villages and 26 miles of unspoiled Gulf of Mexico beaches. The views change around every bend and there are plenty of opportunities to savor fresh seafood along the way. Explore the region’s mining history in Sulphur, 700,000 acres of wetlands in Cameron Parish, plentiful waterfowl at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, shell-hunting at Holly Beach, and an exciting mix of city life and outdoor adventure in Lake Charles. 4. “Teche” is the Chitimacha Indian world for “snake” and you’ll be nothing short of charmed by the 183-mile Bayou Teche National Scenic Byway. Sweet-yet-spicy towns will call to you along the way, including Breaux Bridge (the crawfish capital), St. Martinville (home of the Evangeline Oak, immortalized in Longfellow’s tragic poem, “Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie”) and New Iberia (where the Tabasco factory tour and restaurant are popular stops). 5. Follow the Mississippi along the 773-mile Louisiana River Road – All-American Road. There’s a story around every bend and some of the best can be heard at the Louisiana State Cotton Museum up north, through The Great River Road Museum at Houmas House, at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans and beyond. Regional Road Trips Looking for the best arts and culture in North Louisiana? Only have 24 hours in Lake Charles? We got you. Visit LouisianaTravel.com/RoadTrip for suggested trips featuring things to see, what to eat and where to stay throughout the state. Covering topics from small-town day trips to the ultimate New Orleans vacation, you’ll find a ready-made trip for you! Explore all 19 Trails and Byways! Plan your road trip off the be aten path and get more details at Byways.LouisianaTravel.com!
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Scenic Drives
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