Top Things to do in Louisiana
6 Battlefields in Louisiana That You Shouldn't Miss
Louisiana tourism is centered on New Orleans and the North Shore region in the southeastern corner of the state near the Florida border. West of New Orleans is the Great River Road, with the I-10 running to the Mississippi River port capital city of Baton Rogue. West of New Orleans along the Gulf of Mexico, the I-10 cuts through Lafayette and Lake Charles on its way past Abbeville to Texas. Central Louisiana is Lake Country, and home to cities like Alexandria and Natchitoches. In northern Louisiana, the I-20 runs west from Monroe to Bossier City, Shreveport, and East Texas. Unless Louisiana is very familiar and frequent territory, New Orleans will be the top choice for a Louisiana vacation. Though Mardi Gras, music, and the winning ways of the New Orleans Saints football team get the spotlight, there is much more to explore in New Orleans. Within New Orleans choose among Bourbon Street, Royal Street, the Upper and Lower French Quarters, the Warehouse and Central Business District, the Garden District and Uptown, and Mid-City. With street car lines linking the French Quarter to the Garden District, Convention Center, and everywhere else, it is easy for the whole family to get around. If long walks are your exercise, explore the scenic city on foot. An easy two-hour drive from New Orleans brings you to Baton Rogue, Natchitoches and Lake Country. Explore old Beauregard Town in downtown Baton Rogue, the historic homes of the Baton Rogue Garden District, and tour one or several working plantations. Walk the 33-block Historic Landmark District and tour the historic homes and churches of Natchitoches. Relive Spanish Empire history in Louisiana at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site. Heading west from New Orleans is Cajun Country and Lafayette with its mix of French, French Canadian (Acadian), Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. Besides Cajun and Creole cookery, explore the Civil War heritage at the Lafayette Museum. Stop by Abbeville to view the courthouse designed by Hayes Town, St. Mary Magdalen Church, and have a seafood meal. With 75 annual festivals Lake Charles is Louisiana's Festival City, and home to the Creole Nature Trail Scenic Byway. Shreveport and Bossier City in northwest Louisiana are casino and entertainment centers. Shreveport is renowned for hosting the Louisiana State Fair in the fall. Plus floral centers, art galleries, and museums. Monroe in the northeast also has notable gardens.
Restaurants in Louisiana
1. Chalmette National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
This is where Andrew Jackson and his troops fought the Battle of New Orleans, which was bloody and decisively ended the war of 1812. Closed due to damage suffered in Hurricane Katrina.
Reviewed By MarineAir10 - Vancouver, United States
This is the site of the famous Battle of New Orleans. Read about the battle first and it will help your understanding. It’s a short trip from New Orleans.
2. Mansfield State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By ericbrownfield
This is a small but very well thought out museum. The artifacts, the stories they tell, and the beautiful grounds are all worth your time. Aaron, the interpreter there when we visited, was very friendly and knowledgeable. You should watch the video first, tour the museum, then take in the somber and serene grounds by walking the General Mouton Trail. History is alive here, and you would do well to experience it.
3. Rene Beauregard House
4. Grant's canal
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Grant's Canal is one of the most interesting and bizarre stories of the Civil War. As part of his campaign to capture the vital Mississippi River fortress of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Union Army General Ulysses S. Grant ordered a project to alter the course of the river in order to bypass the Confederate guns at Vicksburg by constructing a canal through De Soto Point in Louisiana, across the river from Vicksburg. The project was begun on June 27, 1862 and finally abandoned in February 1863 when Grant found another way to get his troops past Vicksburg. But the project did achieve one goal: it kept Grant's troops occupied during the laborious maneuvering required to begin the battle. Today, most of the canal path has been destroyed by agriculture. But a small section remains. The tract was donated to the National Park Service and added to Vicksburg National Military Park in 1990. At the site is a commemoration for the Union Army's African American soldiers who fought at the battles of Milliken's Bend and Goodrich's Landing. Also a monument to the 9th Connecticut Infantry Regiment was decided at the site in 2008. To get to the site of Grant's Canal, take I-20 west of Vicksburg across the Mississippi River into Louisiana, take exit 186 to Delta, Louisiana, take a right turn at the stop sign and go to the intersection with LA-3218. Take a right and follow the road to the intersection with Old Highway 80 East. Turn right to go under I-20. The historical markers are on your left.
5. Pleasant Hill Battlefield
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
Public Park on a portion of the 1864 Pleasant Hill Battlefield. Monuments tell of the battle as well as the old town-site of Pleasant Hill. The Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery holds the remains of Union and Confederate dead as well as notable citizens of the town. A reenactment is held every year, the second weekend in April.
6. Chalmette Battlefield
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By budgettraveller1987
I've been here twice. A couple of years ago I drove here with my husband during our time in NOLA. This time I took one of the river boats and took in the story with a park ranger. Both were good trips and gave me a better understanding of the Battle of New Orleans. Since it's free, found it a great value! Worth the time if you are in New Orleans.
