2022-02-23 09:38:54
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 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 – the wroughtiron wonderland of 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, be inspired by 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. Wherever you go in South Louisiana, you’ll hit the jackpot. Explore more at LouisianaTravel.com/Cities-Regions Baton Rouge Area Find outdoor adventure in the city at BREC Bluebonnet Swamp, 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. Hungry? Fill up at Bergeron’s Boudin & Cajun Meats in Port Allen. River Road Area 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. Northshore Area Discover charming towns and outdoor fun like exploring the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, tubing on the Bogue Chitto River or biking Tammany Trace. Afterwards, savor the diverse flavors of Covington, Mandeville, Slidell and Madisonville. Greater New Orleans Area 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. Follow the Jefferson Parish Oyster Trail and book a fishing trip in Jean Lafitte or Barataria. Lake Charles Area This mix of cosmopolitan comforts and backcountry adventure is situated around 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. Lafayette Area 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. New Iberia-Morgan City Area Bayou Teche runs through downtown New Iberia, where you’ll find its museum, lush Rip Van Winkle Gardens and charming historic buildings. Another blast from the Cajun past here is Jeanerette Bicentennial Park and Museum. 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. Houma-Thibodaux Area 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. Meanwhile, back in the Big Easy … Check out these new hotel openings in Louisiana’s largest city. • The city’s first Four Seasons property is now open in the former World Trade Center building along the Mississippi riverfront. The 34-story development houses 341 rooms, plus luxury condos, two restaurants, a spa, rooftop bar and more. • One11, 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. • Offering tradition with a twist, the new Kimpton Hotel Fontenot features a flamboyant Peacock Room for fun gatherings, plus Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats to fuel you up. • Virgin Hotels New Orleans in the Warehouse District features more than 200 rooms with multiple dining and drinking options, a rooftop pool and lounge, gym and event spaces. 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 Antebellum Period (1830-1860) through Reconstruction (1870-1880) to the Civil Rights Era in the 1960s. You’ll see furnishings and utensils from each time period, while museum guides tell fascinating stories of the work that took place here. 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!) Built on a salt dome, this beautiful place offers tours of the hot sauce factory, a fun restaurant and Jungle Gardens, a refuge for hundreds of thousands of snowy egrets and other wildlife. Hidden Gem Years after visiting Abita Mystery House on the Northshore you may wonder if you dreamed it all up or had one too many delicious Abita beers. This quirky roadside attraction in Abita Springs, also known as the UCM Museum, houses thousands of strangely fascinating objects, homemade inventions and fun folk-art pieces. And you thought it couldn’t get any better than the “World’s Largest Ball of Twine.” Nature Escapes The 600 acres at Louisiana State Arboretum in Ville Platte showcase almost every Louisiana landscape. As you quietly wander the nature trails, you’ll discover sycamores, maples, beeches, magnolias and crane fly orchids. Take your time and be on the lookout for the whitetail deer and migratory birds that call this site home. There’s even an on-site naturalist who can take you on a guided hike. A Bit of 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. Check into the cabins at Little River Bluff in Folsom for a cozy overnight stay just steps away from the Tchefuncte River. 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. 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. (Don’t miss the jar of live leeches!) 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.
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