Top Things to do in Louisiana
What to do and see in Louisiana, United States: The Best Nature & Parks
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. Atchafalaya Basin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. Lake Martin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 382 reviews
This small lake contains an enormous amount and variety of wild animals and birds.
Reviewed By HELUIN - Norfolk, United States
A quiet and interesting boat trip alongside alligators, blue herons, aigrettes and nutria! I recommend at sunset especially for pictures.
3. Kiroli Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By Alphonso66
This is a great park with lakes for fishing or feeding ducks, walking trails, tennis courts, play grounds, pavilions and so much more!
4. Millennium Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By mvanden - Humble, United States
The kids loved the play structure and I loved the safety features. Our toddler is a bit more adventurous so preferred the big kid area over the toddler corner, but that looked nice for the little ones.
5. New Orleans City Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,252 reviews
One of the largest urban parks in the country, City Park has golf, tennis and horseback riding.
Reviewed By marion542017 - Manchester, United Kingdom
New Orleans City Park has plenty of art and nature attractions: wonderful Oak trees dripping in Spanish Moss and a beautiful lake; New Orleans Botanical Garden; Storyland; Carousel Gardens Amusement Park; City Putt; Louisiana Children’s Museum; New Orleans Museum of Art and The Sydney and Walda Besthoff; Sculpture Garden; Train Garden; City Park Birding Corridor. The park has plenty of scope for recreational activities too: Bayou Oaks Golf; City Park / Pepsi Tennis Center: 2019 Outstanding Facility Award recipient; Big Lake; NOLA City Bark Dog Park; City Park Snoballs; Boating & Biking; Couturie Forest; Playgrounds; Festival Grounds; Fishing; Birding; Equest Farm; Disc Golf; Sports Fields; Walk, Bike or Run. There are regular featured events: Thursdays at Twilight; Garden Concert Series and Celebration in The Oaks. If you are in need of refreshment, I can recommend the Cafe Du Monde, located in the Park's Casino Building, for traditional New Orleans beignets and coffee. The Casino Building also has a Park gift shop and public restrooms.
6. Jungle Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 648 reviews
Avery Island, home of TABASCO® Pepper Sauce, is also home to a 170-acre botanical treasure known as Jungle Gardens! Take a self-guided tour through southern Louisiana marshes and bayous inhabited by indigenous wildlife. Visitors can walk, bike, hike or drive the 3-mile garden trail with multiple stops to view alligators, a White Egret rookery, live oak gardens and more!
Reviewed By 1949hodad - Gambier, United States
You probably came to see the Tabasco factory, but the Jungle Gardens is the real star of the show. The layout is informal and welcoming. The overall result is wondrous. Big oaks, bamboo stands, herons, Spanish moss, gators and waterways blend together in an amazing tapestry. The round trip is about 3 miles and can be done by walking or by car. We drove and with numerous stops it was about a relaxing 45 minutes. I would like to do a walk-around next time.
