Everywhere you turn in the great state of Louisiana you’ll find fun, adventure, history, and hospitality. When planning an epic trip, it’s hard to figure out exactly where to set the navigation.
To help you streamline your itinerary, this list has the 18 best places to visit in Louisiana. It’s got everything from the no-brainers like New Orleans and the hidden gems like Chicot State Park.
It will make sure you eat a beignet at Café Du Monde and sample the hot sauce at the TABASCO factory. And of course, this list will have you cruisin’ the bayou in no time.
Okay, let’s delve into this Louisiana bucket list!
18 Places to Visit in Louisiana
New Orleans
At the top of the list of the best places to visit in Louisiana is obviously New Orleans.
A major bucket list destination, everyone must experience the greatness that is NOLA.
If you can make it there during Mardi Gras, fabulous! But the truth is any other time of year is still an insanely good time in this party city.
You’ll love checking out the bars and restaurants in the French Quarter, hanging out at Frenchmen Street for live music, riding the streetcar through the Garden District, and eating a beignet at Café Du Monde.
Lafayette
At the heart of it, Lafayette is a fun place to be. You’re guaranteed to fall in love with this charming city full of Cajun and Creole culture and southern hospitality.
The food alone is worthy of a trip to Lafayette. It’s where you’ll find some of the best Cajun cuisine around.
But you can burn those calories away with a night of dancing at Blue Moon Saloon afterwards.
In Lafayette they always seem to find a reason to celebrate and you can take part in one of the many annual festivals in Lafayette.
Definitely consider visiting in October during the Festivals Acadiens et Creoles for a celebration of everything Cajun and Creole as well as Black Pot Festival for fabulous food and music.
April is also a great time to visit Lafayette for the amazing Festival International de Louisiane, a celebration of music, art, and food. It is a spectacular 5-day event!
Peak festival season in Lafayette is definitely one of the best times to visit Louisiana.
Check out our itinerary for a week in Lafayette
Rip Van Winkle Gardens (New Iberia)
You’ll have an enchanted time at the Rip Van Winkle Gardens.
The gardens are a spectacular place where the 15 acres are filled with semi-tropical plants making it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Louisiana.
It’s a delight to stroll the grounds exploring it all. You can tour the mansion and even spend the night in the quaint bed and breakfast.
This gorgeous, Victorian home was built in 1870 by the actor Joseph Jefferson who played Rip Van Winkle, hence the name.
Breaux Bridge
The quiet city is the perfect place to visit in Louisiana at just about any time of year.
Known as the Crawfish Capital of the World, the food is incredible. Check out Buck & Johnny’s, Poche’s Market and Restaurant, and Le Café.
And if you love donuts don’t miss Cajun Market Donut Company and World Donuts and Kolaches. Which one is best? You decide :)
You’ll love strolling the shops in town after you’ve had your fill of delicious Cajun food (and donuts).
One of the best times to visit Breaux Bridge is during the Crawfish Festival in May.
The whole town comes alive with food, music, fun, and games making it one of the best things to do in Louisiana!
And Breaux Bridge is also one of the best day trips from Lafayette
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park
The first thing to know is that the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park is actually 6 different sites throughout southern Louisiana.
Sites vary from exploring the Louisiana wetlands like at the Barataria Preserve to the French Quarter of downtown New Orleans.
There’s even a historical site at the Chalmette Battlefield and Cemetery.
No matter which site you visit, you’ll be in for an experience of fun, learning, and exploring. Each one is an interesting place to visit in Louisiana so you’ll want to put a few on your things to do list.
Eunice
Eunice is the place to go if you’re looking for Cajun food, Cajun, music, and Cajun pride.
Clearly making it one of the best places to visit in Louisiana for all things Cajun and Creole.
Start your visit off with a trip to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center to brush up on your Cajun culture and history. It’s actually one of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park sites.
Also, pop into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame to catch up on some local legends.
The best time to stop into Savoy Music Center is on Saturday mornings when musicians have a Cajun music session. This is one of the most fun and unique things to do in Louisiana.
Lake Martin
For fun in the Louisiana swamps set a course for Lake Martin.
This is a fantastic place to get out on the water and paddle around exploring. You’re bound to see tons of birds and other wildlife, including alligators.
Lake Martin is one of the best places for kayaking in the US. The birds and wildlife (you will likely see alligators!) make it a magical outdoor adventure.
If the idea of paddling among gators isn’t your thing, consider taking a swamp tour.
That way you’ll have a professional guide show you around and point out the wildlife from a safe distance.
Fontainebleau State Park
Outdoor adventure awaits at Fontainebleau State Park.
Just across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans you’ll have fun hiking, biking, and enjoying the sandy lake shore.
Fontainebleau is a great place to spend the night.
They offer every type of camping situation you could want from primitive campsites to those with water and electric hookup and even pull-throughs with sewer hookups. They even offer glamping!
No worries if you can’t make it an overnight trip, Fontainebleau is truly one of the most fabulous day trips from New Orleans.
Baton Rouge
When making a list of the best places to visit in Louisiana, it goes without saying that the state capital, Baton Rouge, should be on the list.
You’ll love visiting the Old State Building (which looks like an old-world castle) and the LSU Rural Life Museum.
Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge
You’ll be able to see tons of wildlife in their own element at the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge.
This special place preserves the area to save and protect the many creatures that call it home. Today, we are able to enjoy Atchafalaya too.
The Refuge is made up of bayous, oxbow lakes, swamps, and hardwood forests which all make for a great place to hike, paddle, and fish.
Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best Louisiana attractions for outdoor enthusiasts.
Avery Island
Avery Island is a unique place in Louisiana.
Situated on a salt dome, it’s thought to be an ancient seabed pushed to the surface.
Lucky for us, it’s a beautiful part of the state that’s one of the best places to visit in Louisiana.
A must-do is visiting the TABASCO Factory on Avery Island. Take a tour and check out the museum to learn how they make their world-famous hot sauces.
Don’t miss exploring the beauty of the Jungle Gardens and its bird sanctuary.
Lake Charles
Lake Charles is a charming town that’s a super interesting and fun destination.
Downtown is perfect for strolling through the shops and grabbing a bite to eat.
Discover the party at the Mardi Gras Museum in Lake Charles.
Be sure to check out the giant Sallier Oak Tree. It’s said to be over 375 years old.
After admiring the magnificent tree, head into the Imperial Calcasieu Museum to learn about local history and art.
Chicot State Park
Chicot State Park is the best place to visit in Louisiana for freshwater fishermen. This man-made lake is a perfect place to throw a line.
On land, hiking trails will take you around the entire lake.
For a special treat head to the State Arboretum in Chicot. There you’ll find a beech-magnolia forest and tons of plants native to Louisiana.
Chicot has a water playground, a great place for the little ones to cool off.
Grand Isle
Grand Isle is a perfect getaway if you’re looking for a relaxing time on the water.
Located on a barrier island, it has 7 miles of beautiful public beaches to enjoy.
If you’re looking to have a bit of adventure head to the Wake Side Cable Park where you’ll be set up to do awesome water sports like wakeboarding and water skiing.
Grand Isle State Park is a great destination for nature lovers too.
Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge
Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge is yet another example of how the natural inhabitants of the landscape are protected in Louisiana. So cool!
Birders will love visiting Lacassine because it’s a favorite for migrating waterfowl.
Consider driving the 3-mile auto tour at the Lacassine Pool.
You’re likely to see amazing birds like the Roseate Spoonbill, Long-billed Dowitcher, and different types of Egrets during the winter months.
Houma
Getting deep into bayou country makes Houma one of the best places to visit in Louisiana.
Here you can really get into southern Louisiana culture, experiencing the food, music, and adventures.
Definitely take a swamp tour in Houma. You’re bound to see the beautiful landscape and its wildlife inhabitants including alligators.
Head out on a chartered fishing trip out in open water or inland. If you’re craving to know even more check out the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum.
Shreveport
In Shreveport, you’ll find everything from fabulous Cajun food to fun places to learn and explore.
A major destination in Shreveport is the Sci-Port Discovery Center. Exhibitions and shows in the planetarium and IMAX are fun for the whole family.
It’s definitely one of the reasons Shreveport is one of the coolest places to visit in Louisiana for families.
Another awesome place to check out in Shreveport is the art-deco design of the Louisiana State Exhibition Museum.
Caddo Lake
You’ll love the natural feel of Caddo Lake. As the largest freshwater lake in the south, it’s definitely something special.
Located on the Texas border, it’s the perfect place to paddle through the water and view local wildlife.
You’ll love the cypress trees covered in Spanish moss. They grow straight out of the lake!
On land you can hike and even camp at Caddo Lake, making it one of the best places to visit in Louisiana.
Final Thoughts on Louisiana Places to Visit
There you have it. The 18 best places to visit in Louisiana. It’s easy to see why a trip to the Pelican State is so exciting. You’ll have a crazy good time paddling through the bayous, going on swamp tours, and enjoying everything Cajun.