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In this region you’ll find the Louisiana capital of Baton Rouge as well as New Orleans — one of the nation’s top cultural destinations — and a myriad of historic neighborhoods and buildings that share some of the history of the state. Tying it all together is the Mississippi River, tracing a path for explorers of iconic landscapes and urban attractions. You’ll also hear the buzz of an airboat engine revving, the salty scent of crawfish spices, the beat of a zydeco musician playing his heart out. The southwest part of this region is dominated by coastal swamps and some of the richest fishing waters in the Gulf, with the kinds of attractions you’ll find nowhere else in Louisiana. From Grand Isle beaches to Lake Charles casino resorts, there’s a world of Louisiana charm awaiting you here. Baton Rouge Area You can still find outdoor adventure in the heart of the city at the BREC Bluebonnet Swamp, which captures the original landscape of this urban center. Get your fill of history, art and culture at the LSU Museum of Art, the West Baton Rouge Museum, the LSU Rural Life Museum, or the Capitol Park Museum. Buckle up for a ride down the False River Historical Trail in Pointe Coupée Parish or go on an outdoor adventure in Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area. For dinner, enjoy the city’s many dining options and view the sunset over the Mississippi River and the Old State Capitol from the roof of the Shaw Center for the Arts. River Road Area Bridging the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas is Louisiana’s Great River Road. Taste your way down the Andouille Trail and learn about this staple of the German Coast. Walk the grounds of Louisiana’s plantations and learn of the fortunes made and lives lost. Oak Alley and Houmas House demonstrate the distinct architecture for which these historic locations are famous. Laura Plantation: Louisiana’s Creole Heritage Site interprets the experience of the Louisiana Creole. Whitney Plantation focuses on the lives of enslaved men, women and children over the span of 110 years. Historic Donaldsonville is home to a bricklined river walk that offers awesome views of the Mississippi, and in Sorrento you’ll find the boutique stores of Cajun Village. Northshore Area North of Lake Pontchartrain, visitors find a relaxed pace, with charming small towns and outdoor attractions. Examples include Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, where kangaroos and giraffes roam, and tubing on the Bogue Chitto River. Cycle the Tammany Trace or rent a kayak from Bayou Adventure in Lacombe and explore scenic Cane Bayou. Check out the vibrant, diverse flavors in the culinary scenes of Covington, Mandeville, Slidell and Madisonville, and savor locally grown produce and regional specialties in the area farmers markets. While you’re on the Northshore, make time for a tour of Blue Harvest Farms in Bush, or any of the area’s other pick-your-own farms. A CULINARY CALENDAR LIKE NO OTHER. In New Orleans, our favorite foods change with the season. We kick off the year with King Cake and crawfish - two culinary staples of Carnival. Indulge in catfish, redfish, and boiled shrimp until the end of Lent. Muffulettas in March, jazz brunchin’ through April, and sno-balls all summer long. When September rolls around, oysters are back in town, and temperature drops call for gumbo pots! Not to mention red beans every Monday throughout the year. We invite you to experience the flavor of New Orleans with a culinary adventure like no other. From longstanding iconic eateries specializing in traditional Cajun and Creole cuisines, to modern fusion restaurants featuring globally-inspired dishes - nobody does dining quite like NOLA. WITH AN APPETITE FOR ADVENTURE TO MATCH. Our unique neighborhoods are home to endless adventures and possibilities. A streetcar ride along the historic St. Charles Avenue leads to an afternoon at Audubon Zoo. Or trail through Treme, discovering the culture of the Crescent City at the Backstreet Cultural Museum. Soak up the sunset in Mid City for a kayak ride on Bayou St. John. Close out the day with a horsedrawn carriage ride under the stars at Jackson Square - the heart of the French Quarter. Whether you’re in the mood for just a starter or an entire spread, we’ve got the activities to curb your appetite for adventure and fun! Greater New Orleans Area Begin your journey through this famous city in the historic French Quarter, where dishes at Brennan’s and Cane & Table give New Orleans its reputation as America’s best dining destination. And don’t miss our music — on the famous Frenchmen Street. Find out where the wild things are at the Audubon Nature Institute. Ride the Canal streetcar to see New Orleans’ natural side at City Park (home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, family-friendly Carousel Gardens and Botanical Garden). The National WWII Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, is one of the top-ranked TripAdvisor attractions in the nation. Dine your way down the Jefferson Parish Oyster Trail, and fish with one of the dozens of inland and offshore charter boat captains in Jean Lafitte and Barataria. Lake Charles Area Lake Charles is a mix of cosmopolitan comforts and backcountry adventure. It’s also southwest Louisiana’s largest city. Check out Lake Charles’ beautiful downtown, Bill’s Bar & Burger on the beach at Golden Nugget Lake Charles and L’Auberge Casino Resort. Take time to walk around the city itself. The Imperial Calcasieu Museum celebrates local arts — note the 375-year-old Sallier Oak on the museum’s grounds, too — and the nearby Charpentier Historic District is a collection of some spectacular Victorian homes. Attractions beyond the city limits include the W.H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum and Zigler Art Museum in Jennings, and outdoor outfitters such as Grosse Savanne Lodge. Lafayette Area Lafayette is the capital of Cajun Country, and proudly so. Sink your teeth into Cajun culture at T-Coon’s Restaurant, Louisiana Crawfish Time and Johnson’s Boucaniere. Follow up your meal with some shopping and public art sightseeing in downtown Lafayette, while walking from the Lafayette Science Museum to the Acadiana Center for the Arts. Learn all about the region’s history at the Acadian Cultural Center and Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park in Lafayette, and, up the road in Opelousas, Le Vieux Village Heritage Park. New Iberia- Morgan City Area Bayou Teche runs through downtown New Iberia, where you’ll find the Bayou Teche Museum, Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation and charming, historic buildings and restaurants. Other blasts from the Cajun past is the Jeanerette Bicentennial Park and Museum and the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum in Patterson. In Morgan City you can watch the sun set over the Atchafalaya Swamp, and near the waterfront you’ll find cozy restaurants such as Rita Mae’s Kitchen. Visit the International Petroleum Museum & Exposition to see “Mr. Charlie” - the first transportable, submersible drilling rig that revolutionized the offshore oil industry. Houma-Thibodaux-Area This region is rich in the kind of history and natural beauty you’ll only find in South Louisiana. Learn how the area came to be at the E.D. White State Historic Site in Thibodaux, and then see the swamps up close and at their wildest by scheduling a swamp tour with Airboat Swamp Tours — led by RJ Molinere from the History Channel’s “Swamp People.” The Bayou Country Children’s Museum in Thibodaux offers south Louisianastyle family fun. Visit the International Petroleum Museum & Exposition to see “Mr. Charlie” — the first transportable, submersible drilling rig that revolutionized the offshore oil industry.
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