Top Things to do in Louisiana
Things to do in Louisiana, United States: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
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. St. Alphonsus
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
St. Alphonsus, located at 2025 Constance Street, was originally built in 1855 by the Redemptorist Fathers to serve the religious and social needs of the Irish Catholic immigrants who began settling in an area upriver from the French Quarter known as Lafayette City in the 1840s. It was one of a number of buildings forming a religious complex that once occupied five adjacent city blocks. Often referred to as "Ecclesiastical Square", the complex included an orphanage, nine school buildings, a gymnasium, three churches, the priests' residence and gardens, two convents, stables, a laundry and other supporting buildings. The post-World War II migration to the suburbs, in addition to the development of low-income housing within the neighborhood, diminished the church's congregation. Steadily rising operating and maintenance costs led the Redemptorists to close St. Alphonsus in the late 1970s. The Friends of St. Alphonsus (FOSA) was formed in 1990 after a small group of concerned citizens entered the abandoned church to view the splendid F. X. Zettler stained glass windows (c. 1870). Noting the serious deterioration and benign neglect of this magnificent and beautiful historic structure, Blanche Comiskey and Susan Levy successfully petitioned the Archdiocese of New Orleans to lease the building to the newly formed FOSA. Since that time, FOSA has held a number of successful fund raisers that have included concerts, auctions, and tours of the building. In 1996, the building was declared a National Historic Landmark through efforts of the Friends, helping to insure its survival. Because of the efforts of FOSA, the building has been made available to the community once again, albeit on a limited basis. Collaboration of these dedicated volunteers with other civic and private organziations has yielded a number of activities which have benefitted the community. St. Alphonsus Art and Cultural Center is located at 2025 Constance Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. Open to the public every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 pm.On-site parking is available.
2. St Joseph Church
3. St. Mary's Assumption Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
A grandly baroque church that also happens to be where Fr. Francis Seelos, the hero of the yellow fever epidemic of 1867, lies buried.
4. Immaculate Conception Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 515 reviews
Reviewed By PatC703 - Baton Rouge, United States
As group of us visited the church for the 3:15 tour offered on Saturday. An excellent docent told us of the history of the church, pointing out the beautiful stained glass windows, mosaics, statues, wrought iron pews and altar. This church is of the old European style, much nicer than the Cathedral!
5. St. Landry Catholic Church
6. First United Methodist Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By mljack - Austin, United States
The First United Methodist Church was built 1913. It has a very interesting location at Common Street and Texas Street. My husband and I were touring the Shreveport riverfront then turned onto Texas Street. We immediately saw the First United Methodist Church in the middle of the road 8 blocks away. It was a pretty sight. The stain glass windows and building architecture was beautiful. We did not attempt to go in. It is certain worth a drive by.
7. St. Joseph Co-Cathedral
8. Saint Alban's Chapel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
