Louisiana
If you’re looking for new, exciting adventures and enough memories to last a lifetime, you’ll find them in Louisiana. No two trips are alike. Whether it’s the great outdoors with paddling, hiking, and biking through cypress trees and bayous. A culinary adventure sampling fresh, delicious seafood with classic Creole and Cajun flavours. The sounds of Jazz in New Orleans and Cajun fiddles, accordions, and washboards to get you up dancing. The rich Civil Rights history and vibrant cultural heritage. Or Louisiana’s Mardi Gras celebrations and over 400 festivals a year. Come find your Louisiana…and #OnlyLouisiana
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Baton Rouge & New Orleans with Houmas House Tour
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Getting There
New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport is Louisiana’s main airport and is situated 10 miles west of New Orleans. The airport hosts 16 airlines serving 50 non-stop destinations around the world. There are direct flights available five days a week from London Heathrow to New Orleans aboard British Airways; with onward connections available by public transport, car hire, and taxis around Louisiana.
New Orleans
New Orleans is unique when it comes to culture, food, historic architecture, joie de vivre, and tourism options. Delight in the French Creole elegance of the Vieux Carré (French Quarter) and experience the opulence of a streetcar ride through the Garden District and Uptown. Relish the Crescent City’s live music, amazing Creole and Cajun cuisine, fresh seafood, farmers markets, shopping, nightlife, and more.
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Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge blends political history, vibrant culture, and Southern charm. Stop by any of Baton Rouge’s historical landmarks and museums, including the Louisiana State Capitol and USS Kidd Museum. Enjoy Baton Rouge’s culinary scene, from fine dining to bold Louisiana flavors, plus a rising craft beer movement with local breweries worth a stop. Baton Rouge combines refreshing local charm with modern sights and amenities, ensuring a warm welcome for any visitor.
St Francisville
Discover a charming small-town feel packed with history, culture, and beautiful views!
St Francisville sits just 30 miles north of Baton Rouge. Nestled amongst beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife in the hills of West Feliciana Parish, it’s the perfect spot for outdoor adventures. Explore the downtown historic district’s 100-year-old homes, eclectic shopping, and award-winning eateries. Step back in time at Myrtles Plantation or take a hike along the Tunica Hills Trail.
Lafayette
Experience the ‘Happiest City in America’!
Lafayette mixes all the amenities of urban life with the unmistakable influence of the region's Cajun and Creole cultures. Discover the area's roots at one of its historical sites or museums, such as the Vermilionville Historic Village. Lafayette boasts a variety of locally owned restaurants with many specializing in distinctive seafood-laden regional cuisine. Music clubs showcase home-grown talent with traditional and contemporary Cajun and Zydeco performers.
Lake Charles
Lake Charles is a city of contrasts that magically work together in total harmony - the best of Louisiana infused into something irresistible. Discover the quiet greens of award-winning golf courses or hunting and fishing adventures. Experience over 75 festivals, a vibrant performing arts scene, diverse museums, and charming galleries. Drive along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, teeming with wildlife. Stroll through the Charpentier Historic District and top things off with headlining entertainment at the glitzy casino resorts.
Natchitoches
Natchitoches is Louisiana’s oldest town, and full of Southern charm you can’t find anywhere else. Take a stroll along the brick-lined streets of the historic downtown, bordering the Cane River Lake. For a local bite, don’t miss the city’s famous meat pies. If you’re planning a wintertime trip, explore the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, which brings dazzling light shows and Christmas spirit throughout December.
Shreveport
Set along the Red River, offers riverboat casinos, a thriving music scene, and culinary gems. Visit cultural treasures like the R.W. Norton Art Gallery or stop by the Shreveport Aquarium for family fun. The Red River Revel and Mudbug Madness festivals offer visitors a special slice of Northern Louisiana culture, and celebration is never far from any one of Shreveport’s famous casinos.
Outdoors
You can experience Louisiana’s natural beauty and outdoor experiences up close by traveling any one of 17 Scenic Byways that crisscross every region of the state.
Louisiana’s Byways are a perfect way to see every corner of the state and allow access to thousands of hiking and biking trails, beautiful State Parks, and one of the largest game preserves in the United States.
Cast a line in any of Louisiana’s premier fishing spots, including the Toledo Bend Reservoir, famous for its bass fishing.
Louisiana’s Byways also allow for easy travel, be it by RV or car, to the hidden gems of this state. From the thousands of hiking and biking trails, to State parks that offer an up-close look at the bayou and its inhabitants, you can see it all.
Food and Drink
If you’re short on time, curated food tours offer a bite of everything this state has to offer. Try out local eats on a restaurant tour or take a piece of Louisiana home with you through a Cajun cooking class. In any town you stop by, don’t miss the farmer’s markets and seafood shacks for sustainable, local meals and regional specialties.
Things to See & Do
New Orleans lets you make friends with giraffes and zebras at Audubon Nature Institute and savour a café au lait and a beignet at the French Quarter’s iconic Café Du Monde. Go crabbing in Cameron Parish, cast a line into the Toledo Bend Reservoir or Gulf of Mexico in Venice and Grand Isle to catch the best fish and seafood. Glide through waters populated by alligators on a tour of Honey Island Swamp, Manchac Swamp, and Atchafalaya Basin. Explore Louisiana’s craft beer renaissance on a tasting tour of Baton Rouge’s Tin Roof Brewing Company and Shreveport’s Great Raft Brewing.
Entertainment
Louisiana has a year-round festival culture, and there’s something to celebrate in every corner of the state. With 400+ festivals happening annually – from Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette to Jazz Fest in New Orleans – there’s always something to experience.
Experience Louisiana’s unique sports culture with a trip to Louisiana State University’s football stadium Death Valley. Come fall, experience a once in a lifetime Football game, visit LSU live mascot Mike the Tiger or take a trip around LSU’s campus to get a taste of Louisiana tailgati
What is the currency used here?
Louisiana uses the US dollar as its currency.
What is there to do in Louisiana?
- Explore Royal Street. This is a perfect street for those looking to go shopping in New Orleans. Such things that can be found here are art galleries, family owned shop, antique shops and dining spot. This is a must for those visiting New Orleans to see a glimpse of the local history and culture.
- Visit The National WWII Museum. An amazing spot for history lovers as this museum is home to many artifacts and historical recounting of the events of World War 2. They have section dedicated to the road to Berlin and the Invasion of Normandy
- Experience The Global Wildlife Centre. This exciting spot is home to over 3500 animals that free roam over 1000 acres. A perfect experience for animals lovers if they want to get up and close to the wildlife. You can even feed them.
- See the St. Louis Cathedral. This interesting piece of architecture is North Americas oldest cathedral which was established in 1720. It is open to the public for daily masses and has the option to donate some money to have a guided tour.
When is the best time of the year to visit?
The best time to visit is during the end of winter to spring. Most of the festivals, activities and shops will be open at this time making it the perfect time to visit this state if you want to experience the local culture. The weather should be just right and a great place to go to leave winter behind.
What are the popular locations to visit?
New Orleans:
An amazing city full of history and culture. When visiting this state, New Orleans is a must especially for its famous Mardi Gras celebrations. The French quarter is a great area in New Orleans to visit as many historical spots such as St. Louis Cathedral, Bourbon Street and Jackson Square. Bourbon Street is a great spot for the night life as it is home to spots to drink and listen to live music.
The Louisiana Wetlands:
The wetlands are home to most of Louisiana and other a unique experience for all. These spots of amazing nature is home to many wildlife which could have the chance of spotting. This can be explored by the many guided swamp tours which can be on air boats and if you prefer a quieter experience these wetlands can be explored by canoe or kayak.
Natchitoches:
This spot is perfect for history lovers as it is home to many artifacts as this place was originally a French settlement. While here you can see many French and Spanish colonial time architecture when walking along the road that goes along the cane river lake. Some of these buildings offer bed and breakfast and quaint accommodation for afternoon teas. A popular activity that happens here is a reenactment of military life at Fort Saint Jean Baptiste.
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