2022-12-24 06:13:13
In South Louisiana, we don’t just make history, we create legends. Our food, like our music, makes you dance. The expression “joie de vivre” defines us. EXPLORE THE SOUTHERN REGION! Southern Louisiana vacations aren’t about getting “away,” but getting “to” all the fun things there are to see and do in this lively part of the state. For more than 300 years – with all her beads, beignets, crawfish boils and brass bands – New Orleans has had the world worshipping at her colorful shotgun stoop. Like Louis Armstrong once sang, “What a Wonderful World!” Take the Great River Road to Baton Rouge and climb to the top of the art deco Louisiana State Capitol for an astonishing view of the Mississippi River. On a plantation tour, hear stories of the Slave Revolt of 1811, the original Civil Rights march. Around Lafayette, pull over for boudin balls and cracklins, plus plenty of Cajun and Zydeco music. Fly through a swamp on an airboat, then head west toward Lake Charles and hit a casino. Explore more at LouisianaTravel.com/Cities-Regions DELIGHT YOUR SENSES IN NEW ORLEANS Wander the historic French Quarter to taste why New Orleans earns its reputation as a top dining spot. Enjoy shopping on Magazine Street, then explore Audubon Nature Institute or City Park. Ride the streetcar to museums, gardens, attractions and more. NEW HOTELS HIT THE SCENE IN NEW ORLEANS Check out these new and renovated hotels in New Orleans. The city’s first Four Seasons property is now open in the former World Trade Center building along the Mississippi riverfront. The 34-story property features 341 rooms, plus luxury condos, two restaurants, a spa and lobby bar. Its Vue Orleans rooftop on the 34th floor offers sweeping panoramic views of the city. Canopy by Hilton New Orleans Downtown opened just a 10-minute walk from Bourbon Street and other French Quarter attractions. Meeting space, fitness and business centers, 176 rooms and the Ginger Roux restaurant await guests. On the edge of the French Quarter, Hotel Indigo New Orleans opened in 2022 with 143 rooms, the Common Interest restaurant and bar, meeting rooms and a fitness center. Completing a full-blown makeover, New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District is re-welcoming guests to its 19th century building now replete with updated rooms featuring a modern motif that mirrors the area's artsy vibe. Virgin Hotels New Orleans in the city’s Warehouse District features more than 200 rooms with multiple dining and drinking options, a rooftop pool, 13th floor cocktail spot and a funky coffee shop. One11 Hotel, the first hotel to open in the city’s French Quarter in 50 years, is now welcoming guests. Located inside a former sugar factory, it offers plenty of sweet amenities. WADE THROUGH LOCAL HISTORY The massive body of water between New Orleans and Louisiana’s Northshore is teeming with outdoor activity. Whether on a kayak, paddleboard or sailboat, Lake Pontchartrain is the perfect playground to enjoy a day on the water. Then explore the urban outdoors in New Orleans. Pick up a kayak and an expert guide at Kayak-iti-Yat and paddle through Bayou St. John for a unique view of the city. DON’T MISS THESE MUST-SEE MUSEUMS In New Orleans, you’ll find treasures like the experiential pop-up JAMNOLA and the New Orleans Jazz Museum, as well as smaller but equally fascinating attractions like the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. One of your favorite stops will be the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Tremé, where you can see colorful and elaborate hand-sewn Mardi Gras Indian costumes. FOLLOW ALONG THIS TASTY TRAIL Just outside New Orleans, you’ll find one of the tastiest trails around, the Louisiana Oyster Trail, which weaves its way throughout Jefferson Parish. A bit further down the road, you can visit the site of the historic Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield. And you’re sure to catch a red fish or two when you head out on one of St. Bernard Parish’s many bayous. EXPLORE THE NORTHSHORE Shop and stroll through charming towns, then explore the outdoors by touring the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, tubing on the Bogue Chitto River or biking along Tammany Trace. Savor the diverse flavors found at restaurants in Covington, Mandeville, Slidell and Madisonville, then catch live music at a roadhouse, winery or festival. Plus, you’re only an hour away from New Orleans, Baton Rouge and the Mississippi Gulf Coast! FOLLOW THE RIVER ROAD Connecting Baton Rouge and New Orleans, this is where you can follow the Andouille Trail and explore plantations. Historic Donaldsonville is home to charming riverfront restaurants and Sorrento offers boutiques in Cajun Village. ENJOY A CAPITAL EXPERIENCE While you’ve been able to tour Louisiana’s Old State Capitol for a while, you can now explore the Louisiana State Capitol, which is the tallest state capitol building in the country! You can also find outdoor adventure in the city at BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, then get your fill of history, art and culture at several museums. Afterward, branch out to explore False River Historical Trail in Pointe Coupée Parish or Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area near St. Francisville. TAKE A TOUR BACK IN TIME Ready for a sweet fact? West Baton Rouge Museum is the only museum in the country showcasing the history of sugar agriculture. Situated on four acres, seven historic structures illustrate life on a sugar plantation from the 1800s. Just beyond Baton Rouge, you’ll find the perfect blend of history and culture in Iberville Parish. VISIT A REAL “HOT” SPOT Know what’s really hot in Southern Louisiana? Tours of Avery Island, where TABASCO® Hot Sauce has been made since 1868. (It’s amazing to think the Bloody Mary wasn’t invented until the 1920s!) DIVE INTO HISTORY, ABOVE AND BELOW Bayou Teche runs through downtown New Iberia, where you’ll find its museum, lush Rip Van Winkle Gardens and charming historic buildings. In Morgan City, watch the sun set over the Atchafalaya Swamp. Learn more about two different aspects of the state’s rich history at the combo Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum in Patterson. SOAK UP THE ARTS & CULTURE Dive into food, music and history that are uniquely Louisiana. Soak up public art downtown and explore the Lafayette Science Museum, the Acadiana Center for the Arts and the Acadian Cultural Center. HEAD ON OVER TO HOUMA In this region rich in history and natural beauty, explore the heart of Bayou Country in Houma and see the swamps at their wildest with airboat swamp tours at places like Greenwood Gator Farm. Afterwards, entertain the kids at the Bayou Country Children’s Museum in Thibodaux. LIVE THE LAKE LIFE A mix of cosmopolitan comforts and backcountry adventure is situated around Lake Charles, southwest Louisiana's largest city. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum offers cultural programs throughout the year, while the nearby Charpentier Historic District features spectacular Victorian homes.
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