Louisiana, which is located in the United States’ Deep South, is known for its enthralling Cajun and Creole culture, which is influenced by Acadian, French, and Spanish elements. This seductive blend of music, cuisines and even languages is best experienced in locations like Lafayette and Baton Rouge, the state capital. New Orleans, with its wonderful French Quarter, fantastic Mardi Gras events, and several other tourist attractions, is a must-see.
Exploring a rich mix of history, culture, and tradition, as well as its gorgeous landscapes, are among the things to do in Louisiana. The great Mississippi River forms the state’s eastern boundary as it flows to the warm waters of the sparkling Gulf of Mexico.
Its lovely delta is home to magnificent bayous, beaches, and barrier islands, as well as massive alligators and charming ancient plantations. Louisiana’s myriad attractions and joie de vivre make it one of the best destinations to visit in the South Central United States, offering the right combination of history, nature, and culture.
1: Mardi Gras
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Mardi Gras is a colorful and rowdy carnival that takes place across Louisiana every February or early March. The most famous location to witness the hypnotic mayhem is New Orleans, where two weeks of parades, balls, and costumed parties are held.
While Europeans and visitors think of Mardi Gras as the two weeks of celebrations leading up to Lent, locals-only think of ‘Fat Tuesday’ as the final and most important day of the carnival. This is when rowdy revelers dressed in bright costumes, along with beautiful floats and extravagant parades, come to the streets.
2: Avery Island
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Avery Island, about 50 kilometers south of Lafayette, is known around the world for being the birthplace of Tabasco sauce. The secluded and picturesque isle, located just inland from Vermilion Bay, is actually a large salt dome surrounded by bayous, marshes, and swamps.
Birds come to the amazing wilderness because of its remote and serene setting, and there is a great bird sanctuary for tourists to check out. It also includes a lovely Jungle Garden to visit, which is home to numerous subtropical flora and features tranquil walkways snaking through the foliage.
3: Jackson Square
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Jackson Square, located in the historic core of the French Quarter, is one of New Orleans’ most popular and gorgeous tourist attractions. It is known as one of the best public areas and town squares in the United States, with a wealth of interesting and spectacular historical sites.
The famous Louisiana Purchase took place in this attractive park, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Its lovely planted lawns are surrounded by attractive facades, with the astonishing Pontalba Buildings and the spectacular Saint Louis Cathedral overlooking its exquisite limits, as befitting such a historic occasion. Also read Best Things to Do in Curacao.
4: Lafayette Cemetery
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Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is located in New Orleans’ beautiful Garden District and is known for its beautiful and atmospheric tombs, mausoleums, and grounds. It should not be mistaken with the second similarly titled cemetery, which is unkempt and unmaintained, but it is a highly popular and scenic location with plenty of opportunities for amazing shots of its striking statues and decaying crypts.
Its plots were swiftly occupied in the following decades after it opened in 1833 in what was then a suburb of the city. As devastating yellow fever epidemics hit New Orleans, some portions contain entire families. Many of the mausoleums in the area are from this time period, and their extravagant designs now blend in beautifully with the dense undergrowth and foliage.
5: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
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The six sites of the famous Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve are strewn across the southern part of Louisiana. They’re strewn over the Mississippi River Delta, each one charmingly different, with some focusing on Cajun culture and others protecting bayous and battlefields.
The park was named after the famed French pirate Jean Lafitte and was established in 1978 to safeguard and promote Louisiana’s significant cultural, historical, and natural assets. This is because of the fact that the contraband privateer wandered the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter, passed through the swamps of the Barataria Reserve and fought in the Chalmette Battlefield. Also read Best Things to Do in Las Vegas.
6: Old State Capitol
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The Old State Capitol has a charming and distinctive style that makes it look more like a castle than a historic government building. It is the most popular tourist attraction, situated on a cliff overlooking the Mississippi River in the middle of Baton Rouge.
The National Historic Landmark, which was constructed between 1847 and 1852, has beautiful Gothic Revival architecture with crenelations and towers, as well as a stunning facade. The inside is equally impressive, with a magnificent spiral staircase and stained glass dome at the heart of several exquisite rooms and galleries.
7: Oak Alley Plantation
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Oak Alley Plantation, one of Louisiana’s most important and impressive historic sites, is located in the state’s southeast corner. It is noted for the gorgeous canopy of trees that greet you to the property, which is set in a stunningly scenic place on the banks of the Mississippi River.
The plantation is called after this 240-meter-long lovely route; the double row of oak trees was established in the early 18th century. A wonderful mansion showing some delightful Greek Revival architecture, with a massive colonnade and wraparound balcony looking out over the gardens, stands at the end of these fantastic towering trees. Also. read Best Things to do in Anchorage.
8: Grand Isle State Park
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Grand Isle State Park, located on the eastern extremity of the magnificent barrier island of the same name, is sure to thrill nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It is located where the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet Barataria Bay and the Mississippi Bayous, and it offers a variety of magnificent outdoor activities.
The park is an excellent area to go birdwatching, with many diverse species on display, thanks to its wind-swept dunes, picturesque lagoons, and quiet shoreline. It is, however, most renowned for its fantastic fishing, which many people consider to be one of the best in the United States.