Hey y’all!! If I didn’t start this post that way, would I really be from Louisiana? I am a Louisiana native and have spent every day of my life living here. I am from the south which is completely different from the rest of the state. I love my Louisiana heritage and all-things Louisiana that make me who I am! I spent 3 years away from home in North Louisiana for college and believe me, it felt like a completely different world.
Louisiana is so different from many other states in the U.S. and not typically what people think of when they think of the United States. That’s a huge shame. There is SO much culture down here and the food is to die for! While the state doesn’t have a whole lot of sights concentrated in one area, there are many places worth visiting. Here is my honest and comprehensive list of 5 places to visit in Louisiana.
New Orleans, Louisiana
If I don’t start my list with New Orleans, then I guess I am doing this great state a huge disservice. New Orleans is the place that brings in so much tourism which is an industry that our state relies on. I personally, feel like New Orleans is not a bucket list city to visit, but I guess we all have our own opinions. On the other-hand, I do enjoy a nice day trip to New Orleans for some shopping, sight seeing, and good food. You’ll find all of that and more in this eccentric city. This is where you will find a plethora of cultures meshed into one. New Orleans is so different from the rest of the state in general. I suppose you could spend a solid weekend visiting this city, but don’t completely forget about the rest of the state! Most people recognize this city for the annual Mardi Gras celebration. I’ll be honest, I have never attended a Mardi Gras parade in NOLA and don’t find that at the top of my bucket list.
Look here for my list of things to do in New Orleans.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
This is my home. I live in the suburbs of Baton Rouge and my whole life has been shaped through living in this city. Baton Rouge is busy and full of traffic, but I truly do love living outside of the city. TONS of trendy dining options have popped up all over the city in the past few years. You’ll never run out of restaurants to try when you visit. Baton Rouge is our state’s capitol and hosts the tallest capitol building in the United States. That happened on purpose. Take a stroll along the river, visit the many museums, or walk around the campus of the flagship University of the state. Louisiana State University, the largest university in the state is full of beautiful oak trees and architecture. I grew up being an LSU Tigers fan, so Geaux Tigers! If you even get the chance, visit the old state capitol building which is considered the Louisiana Castle. Ask me for more recommendations when visiting my city!
Louisiana Wetlands
Louisiana is divided up into different categories based on the most popular industry. North Louisiana is known for being the Sportsman’s Paradise region full of lakes, but the most beautiful side of Louisiana are its wetlands in the south. These areas are mostly uninhabited by people as they flood with the changing of the seasons. There are many swamp tours advertised and while I’ve never taken one (who am I???), they provide visitors with an opportunity to see an incredible side of Louisiana. The wetlands are what come to mind when I think of my state. Full of cypress knees and moss, they make for beautiful pictures. There is a plethora of wild animals living in these swamps. Be prepared to see alligators, pelicans, nutria, snakes, herons, and owls. This for sure should be on your Louisiana bucket list.
Plantation Country
This region of Louisiana is where I live! There is SO much history that you can find visiting these historic plantations. Visit the historic Myrtles Plantation for a haunting sleepover, if you dare. Some of my favorite plantations are truly spread out in this region and it would take a couple of days to visit them all. When I was younger, we would spend the weekends visiting these plantations, I still haven’t been to them all. Over the years, more have been restored and opened up to the public than before. There are still some that are privately owned. Some plantations even host events on their ground.
Here are my 5 favorite plantations in Louisiana (this was hard to narrow down):
Most of these, if not all are B&B’s and accommodate overnight guests. I have personally never stayed in one overnight, but a highly rated experience can be found at the previously mentioned Myrtles Plantation.
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Alright, good luck saying this one, unless you are from Louisiana. Na-kuh-tuhsh is the best I can do for y’all. Natchitoches is the oldest settlement in Louisiana. Talk about history. This city boasts plenty of French and Spanish architecture. Founded by the French in the 18th century, Natchitoches is popular for its historical district. I have personally only visited the historical district once, but I will say that is my favorite part of the city. There are plenty of shops and good restaurants on the brick street that runs along Cane River Lake. This is a great place for history lovers and this city also boasts a fair amount of B&Bs. Many people in Louisiana actually think of Natchitoches are their famous meat pies which are quite easy to find when you spend the day here! Set off on a walking tour, or just explore the city yourself. Natchitoches makes for a great weekend getaway!
Visiting the Louisiana Travel site to further plan your trip to Louisiana! I would love to give any recommendations on other places to visit while you’re in Louisiana. Here are some honorable mentions:
- Grand Isle
- Avery Island
- Lafayette
- Ruston– my former college town
- Poverty Point (our very own UNESCO World Heritage Site)