Bordered to the south by the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana is a mix of swampland and farm country as well as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. Its capital, Baton Rouge, is home to the USS Kidd Navy destroyer, while its largest city, New Orleans, is famous for its colonial-era French Quarter and festive Mardi Gras, a raucous, city-wide party celebrated with colourful parades, loud music and outlandish floats. Louisianans share an appreciation for the good things in life as well as an outspoken enthusiasm for their state’s Creole heritage. Everywhere, the state shares a love for this joie de vivre. We’re not dropping French for fun, by the way, while the language is not a cultural component of North Louisiana, near I-10 and below it is a generation removed from the household – if it has been removed at all.
Top 5 Places to Visit in Louisiana
1. New Orleans – Of course, not a single trip to the state of Louisiana will be completed without visiting this major culture and art hub not only in the state but also in the entire country and the jazz capital of the world – New Orleans. Cultured, artsy, historical, bohemian, beautiful, atmospheric, charming – New Orleans definitely deserves all the love and attention. Also called the Big Easy, the city is an eclectic mix of Creole and Cajun culture and traditions, delicious soul food, southern friendliness and hospitality, French architecture, the annual Mardi Gras celebration, the historic St. Louise Cathedral, buzzing nightlife, and, of course, a lot of jazz.
2. Louisiana Wetlands – The majority of the state of Louisiana is made up of wetlands, the uninhabited areas that are a home to a plethora of animals. Touring the Louisiana wetlands by boat is definitely the most exciting way to explore and enjoy this different side of the state. The swampy areas of the wetlands are definitely a natural site worth visiting because of their unique atmosphere and the wonderful population of alligators, owls, snakes, herons, pelicans, otters, and turtles.
3. Oak Alley Plantation – Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, Oak Alley Plantation is an early 19th century plantation. You would like to visit it because of the beautiful setting created by the frame of centuries-old oak trees fringing and shading the alley to the Oak Alley Inn in an almost fairytale-like way. Like most of the plantations in the area, Oak Alley was in the sugarcane business and relied heavily on slave labour. Nowadays, traditional southern treats are served in the restaurant to the Oak Alley Inn including fried Louisiana oysters, smoked sausage, crawfish etouffee, and buttermilk pie for desert.
4. Lafayette – Right in the heart of the Cajun country, Lafayette is an unusual and curious destination you won’t like to miss visiting. The city is a charming and interesting opportunity to dive into and explore the Cajun culture through visiting the Acadian Cultural Center and sampling Cajun fare, gumbo, and po’boys. Since the campus of the University of Louisiana is based in Lafayette, jubilance is a major lifestyle here, plus you will enjoy a lot the buzzing nightlife and youthful atmosphere.
5. Baton Rouge – New Orleans may be the most popular city in the state, but Baton Rouge is definitely the historic capital of Louisiana. The 100-year-old campus building of the Louisiana State University is one of the major attractions in Baton Rouge, while this architectural beauty houses a few sports stadiums, Indian mounds, a Greek amphitheater, and several lakes. The other architectural and historical sites worth visiting in Baton Rouge include the Art Deco Louisiana State Capitol and the Old State Capitol from the 19th century.