There are so many possibilities when arranging a weekend getaway in Louisiana that it can be helpful to begin your search by thinking about the kind of trip you want to take, whether it be a family vacation, a romantic retreat, a solo excursion, or something else.
Then, account for your starting point. Since you want to make the most of your weekend, the driving or flight time will have an impact on how much time you spend on the ground. Since Louisiana has a wide geographic range, the last thing you should decide is the area you wish to visit.
For its cuisine and culture, Cajun Country in the southwest of the state is one of the most well-liked destinations, but the Greater New Orleans Region is also a hot spot that will keep you busy and possibly necessitate an extended weekend. The area known as Plantation Country, which is located in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana's capital, can be of interest to those who are interested in Deep South history and the plantation era.
The more northern parts, known as the Crossroads and Sportsman's Paradise, are best if you're seeking for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and bird-watching. With this list of the top weekend getaways in Louisiana, you can start organising your upcoming brief escape.
1.New Orleans
Due to its non-stop activity, more than 300 years of history, culture, one-of-a-kind experiences, and incomparable cuisine, New Orleans is one of the top tourist destinations in Louisiana. Take a ride on a streetcar in New Orleans to visit the French Quarter and other areas. There are four streetcar lines, the oldest of which, the Saint Charles Streetcar Line, has been in operation for more than 150 years.
Along with seeing the French Quarter, stop in Vieux Carre to visit some of the city's most well-known attractions, including Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral.
A trip to the renowned Café du Monde for beignets, getting your fortune told, and making a stop at the French Market are a few additional must-do activities for your New Orleans weekend. This five-block, open-air market is a New Orleans institution and features specialty stores, a local flea market, food, and entertainment. Visit the National World War II Museum or one of the interesting cemeteries in New Orleans if you have an afternoon to spare.
Without spending a night on Bourbon Street listening to some of the local live music, a trip to New Orleans would be incomplete. Make reservations at least once for dinner at Antoine's Restaurant, which has been run by the same family for 179 years and serves delectable New Orleans fare. The Hotel Monteleone, which has hosted notable guests like Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and John Grisham, is among the city's most distinctive hotels.
2. The Plantation States
Plantation Country is a peaceful hideaway that is particularly good for couples, located about an hour outside of New Orleans. It is also the birthplace of Louisiana's famous andouille, a key element in Southern cuisine, and is home to hundreds of expansive plantations that you may tour.
The Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, the Laura Plantation, and the Oak Alley Plantation, which served as the backdrop for several major motion pictures, are a few of the most renowned locations to visit. If you wish to arrange a very memorable stay, you can find meals and lodging at several of the plantations, like the Ormond Plantation, Houmas House, and Oak Alley.
You can spend a day learning about the culture in addition to the plantations. Learn about the local fauna and the Cajuns and Native Americans who first occupied the area by taking a kayak, pontoon, or airboat swamp tour. Plan an afternoon to sample some of the Cajun food served in Plantation Country or go see a smokehouse that produces fresh andouille for consumption by locals and addition to meals at restaurants.
3. Lafayette
Lafayette should be at the top of your list if you're looking for a retreat that puts you in the middle of Cajun country in Louisiana. It is referred to as the "Happiest City in America," where you may have a weekend Cajun experience that is well-rounded in terms of culture, cuisine, and music.
Eat your way through Lafayette by visiting one of the many restaurants the city has to offer and sampling authentic Cajun food or one of the many inventive takes on the city's hallmark dish. A cuisine tour where you may sample the best dishes is one of the best ways to experience the creole, Cajun, and seafood that make the food here so fantastic.
There are plenty of places to hear live music where you may experience the vibrant and rich sounds of the accordion, dulcimer, and fiddle and get a sense of the local scene. The Blue Moon Saloon in Mamou hosts live performances that feature the foot-tapping musical combinations of the dulcimer, accordion, and fiddle. Fred's Lounge in Mamou is an excellent spot to experience the distinctive sounds of Zydeco music.
This should be on the itinerary because the Lafayette region is close to the Atchafalaya Basin. With 850,000 acres of lakes, water prairies, and swamps, the basin area is the largest river-basin swamp. Take a swamp tour to get out on the basin and experience it for yourself. The basin is easily accessible from Lafayette and is a fantastic day trip.
In Lafayette, there are many bed-and-breakfast establishments, including the magnificent historic residences T'Frere's Bed & Breakfast and the Mouton Plantation Bed & Breakfast.
4. Natchitoches
The quaint village of Natchitoches, which is pronounced "Nack-a-tish," is the oldest community in Louisiana. The National Historic District, which is where you may spend a day strolling from the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum to the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, an antique general store founded in 1863, is of particular significance in this town.
Finish up at Maglieaux's on the Cane, a well-known waterfront restaurant on Cane River Lake. Head down a street to Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports, which lends out equipment to go floating on the Cane River, for an after-lunch or after-dinner expedition.
Do you recall the film Steel Magnolias? You may visit numerous locations that you might recognise from the film, which starred Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, and Olympia Dukakis, because it was fully filmed in Natchitoches. Tours of the Steel Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast, where a sizable amount of the movie was shot, are offered, and you can even spend the night there.
The Cane River Creole National Historical Park, which highlights local history, is one of the key attractions for tourists. The Louisiana African American Heritage Trail includes two plantation museums, Oakland and Magnolia, which you can visit. To make the most of your time, develop a plan to see as many of the sites in the Cane River National Heritage Area as you can, such as the Prudhomme-Rouquier House (open by appointment).
Visit Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant for a taste of renowned regional delicacies like a Natchitoches meat pie.
5. Louisiana
Consider visiting Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, for an urban vacation. Start your journey in the Louisiana State Capitol, which has 34 storeys and is the tallest capitol building in the country. Make sure to visit the observation deck on the 27th floor, which looks out over magnificent gardens.
Visit Louisiana's Old State Capitol to see why the city's most popular photo location is the building's castle-like Gothic design. This National Historic Landmark, which is located on a bluff above the Mississippi River, is open for tours.
Visit the Capitol Park Museum to round off your historical exploration. Its collections of artefacts include everything from a 48-foot shrimp trawler to Louis Armstrong's boyhood horn. Get a sense of Baton Rouge's culture through its cuisine once you have a foundation in its history. Try the Cecelia Creole Bistro, Elsie's Plate & Pie, the White Star Market, a nine-vendor food market, and The Gregory, an elegant Southern restaurant inside the Watermark Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection hotel, which was formerly a bank.
You should include a day of Mississippi River exploration in your agenda. For some of the area's greatest vistas, take a stroll along the 4.3-mile biking/walking track on top of the levee. You can take a tour of the World War II-era destroyer USS Kidd, which is also near the route.
6. Toledo Bend Reservoir,
You might wish to visit Toledo Bend Reservoir in North Toledo Bend State Park for an outdoor break in Louisiana. The reservoir, the largest man-made lake in the south, is regarded as one of the best fishing locations in the state and has received recognition on a national level for its fishing chances for amateur and even seasoned fisherman. You can bring your own rod and reel or go on a guided fishing trip on the lake.
Choose outdoor activities that will fill your time and adrenaline needs, from bicycling and hiking to water sports and year-round golf. The park offers day-use rentals of flat-bottom boats, canoes, and kayaks. With more than 900 acres to explore in search of local and migratory species, Toledo Bend Reservoir is also a fantastic place for birdwatching.
The state park offers a variety of camping options, including wilderness and rustic campsites as well as luxury campgrounds. There are cabins with cookware that can accommodate up to six people. There are additional lodges available that can accommodate larger groups for families travelling together.
7. Lake Charles
Southwest Louisiana's Lake Charles is an enjoyable weekend getaway location. It combines elements of deep southern culture with upmarket lodgings and eating options that attract A-list performers. The area's spas and golf courses are perfect for those seeking a luxurious retreat. In Lake Charles, there are six public golf courses that are encircled by the breathtaking local landscape.
You can explore downtown Lake Charles for the majority of a day. The downtown area spans more than 40 blocks. One of Louisiana's outstanding collections of Victorian buildings, ranging from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, may be found in the Charpentier Historic District. The majority of the homes were created and constructed by carpenter architects, hence the name Charpentier (carpenter in French).
The Creole Nature Trail offers some of Lake Charles' best attractions. The 180-mile track, often known as Louisiana's Outback, spans its entirety. You can follow either one of two pre-planned routes that will take you across the trail's east or west sides. An app that is accessible through iTunes and Google Play allows you to choose a section of the trail that is tailored to your interests and available time, making it one of the simplest ways to follow the trail.
The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu is another magnificent site to see while in Lake Charles. With six rooms filled with intricate masks, details on the festival's history, king cakes, and a parade float that you may board to experience the magic of Mardi Gras, it features the greatest Mardi Gras costume display in the entire world.
Don't forget to sample some Southern Cajun cuisine. Check out Darrell's for the best po' boy experience in the region if you're looking for sandwiches.
8. West Monroe and Monroe
Due in part to its location on the banks of the Ouachita River, the northwest section of Monroe and West Monroe is scenic. You can begin your excursion by going to Monroe's Biedenharn Museum and Gardens. The historical Biedenharn residence, the Bible Museum, the ELSong Gardens, and the Coke Museum are the four distinct areas of the museum.
Another great weekend in the Louisiana marshes. These trips will never get old pic.twitter.com/xDNmKGrB9l
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If the name is unfamiliar, you will be familiar with Joseph A. Biedenharn's contributions to American culture. As well as being one of the earliest investors in Delta Airlines, Biedenharn was the first person to bottle Coca-Cola. You can have a guided tour of the house, and you are welcome to wander the gardens on your own.
The Coke Museum tells the tale of how Coca-Cola was initially bottled, and the Bible Museum features collections of ancient Bibles and works of religious art. While you are here, don't forget to purchase a five-cent Coke.
The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum of Louisiana has displays on the beginning of Delta Airlines here in 1926 as a crop-dusting business, so make time to go there for more history.
West Monroe's Antique Alley is yet another fantastic activity. The best boutiques, antique stores, and unusual souvenirs may all be found here.
The Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center must be seen before leaving Monroe and West Monroe. It is a 5,300-acre reserve that offers homes to many different kinds of plants and animals. As you search for alligators, turtles, ducks, fish, and many bird species, schedule a half-day or full-day hike. Even better, you may hire a boat or kayak and tour the reserve that way.
Save room in your stomach for some Louisiana food from one of the more than 100 independently owned restaurants in the neighbourhood.
9. Northshore
The cities of Abita Springs, Mandeville, Madisonville, Covington, and Slidell are all part of Louisiana's Northshore. The communities are all situated around 30 minutes outside of New Orleans, north of Lake Pontchartrain. During your getaway, you can hit all the towns and have some impromptu exploring while keeping the schedule flexible.
The Old Town Soda Shop from Norman Rockwell's iconic painting of America is located in Slidell. Take a Honey Island Swamp Tour if you want to spend some time outside and see some of the local alligators up close.
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Bike up the St. Tammany Trace on the way to Abita Springs. Bring your swimwear because while you're here, you can go tubing down the Bogue Chitto River. Visit the Abita Mystery House, commonly known as the UCM Museum, once you are back on dry land. There are thousands of oddities and intriguing gems inside.
On Columbia Street, Lee Lane, and Boston Street in Covington, you may visit some fantastic art galleries and antique shops.
10. Central Louisiana
The Central Louisiana-Solomon Northup Trail in Alexandria & Marksville is the destination of your central Louisiana getaway. If you want to mix historical exploration and outdoor adventure, this is a fantastic excursion. Visitors can go along the path Solomon Northup took during his twelve years as a slave in the area thanks to the Solomon Northup Trail. After Northup's adventure, the Academy Award-winning film 12 Years a Slave was produced.
You will hear about Solomon Northup along the way. Northup was abducted and held captive for twelve years before being sold into servitude on plantations to play his violin in a travelling circus.
The Oscar-winning film and the novel are both honoured in The Northup Trail. You can visit places like the Edwin Epps House and the Marksville Parish Courthouse, where Northup was liberated, as well as other plantations where Solomon was held captive.
Plan a visit to or a stay at the opulent Hotel Bentley while you are in Alexandria. Built in 1907, this luxury hotel has been preserved and is renowned for its restored architectural characteristics. Try the Diamond Grill, located in a former jewellery store from the 1930s, or the Sentry Grill, a classic diner, for a fun dining experience.
11. Shreveport
For those who enjoy festivals and music, the Shreveport region in northeast Louisiana is the ideal weekend getaway. Begin at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, where you can take a backstage tour to discover more about the biographies and musical tastes of the famous people who have performed there. The Louisiana Hayride, which originally took place in the auditorium, launched the careers of several musicians, including Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Johnny Horton.
Spend an evening at the Robinson Film Center, a non-profit theatre that serves as a regional centre for filmmaking education. You can stay for dinner on the balcony overlooking the tent, and the decor is amusing.
You can spend some time at the American Rose Center if the weekend is a special one for two people. The gardens' more than 20,000 different rose kinds are complemented by sculptures and fountains. If you still want more excitement, consider going to Gators and Friends Adventure Park, where you can zipline over the alligators and ponds there.
12. Kisatchie National Forest,
The Kisatchie National Forest contains the ideal outdoor weekend escape in Louisiana. You may hike and take in some of the most beautiful views in the state on the more than 600,000 acres of forested hills. The Kisatchie National Forest is referred to as the "Little Grand Canyon" in the neighbourhood. There are defined routes that wind through the forest, ranging in length from half a mile to 30 miles and requiring backpacking.
The forest offers a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, and water sports. Even just going for a scenic drive is common. Visit the sandstone bluffs and panoramic vistas at Longleaf Vista Recreation Area by driving there, or check out the rapids in Kisatchie Bayou Recreation Area.
The Wild Azalea Trail, a popular trail for mountain bikers and hikers, and the Hayes E Daze ranch, which offers horseback riding excursions across Kisatchie, might also be highlights of your trip.
13. Avery Island
Avery Island in Louisiana is famous for its birds and for being the birthplace of Tabasco pepper sauce. Both are compelling arguments for making this trip a weekend break. Avery Island's 2,200 acres of live oaks covered in Spanish moss decorate the coastal wetlands of Louisiana, making the island's view alone worth the trip.
In the Jungle Gardens botanical garden, there are numerous birds and other animals. To learn about the background and main attractions of this natural wonderland, you can arrange a tour of the gardens. It is well-known for its wildlife sanctuary, Bird City, which is devoted to the preservation of migratory snowy white egrets that return to breed each year. In addition to the numerous bird species that live on the island, you can also spot alligators, coyotes, muskrats, and armadillos there.
The open-to-the-public Tabasco Factory is another feature of Avery Island. On Avery Island in 1868, Edmund McIlhenny developed the original Tabasco recipe. The well-known red pepper sauce manufacturer is still a family-run business today.
Three miles inland from Vermilion Bay and close to the Gulf of Mexico is Avery Island, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
14. St. Francisville,
A weekend trip to St. Francisville will provide a small-town backdrop for some of Louisiana's historic homes and buildings. If you want to explore some of Louisiana's less well-known regions while taking it easy, this is a wonderful vacation to take into account.
The ideal place to begin your journey is at St. Francisville's historic downtown, which is listed on the Register of Historic Significant Sites. As you move through downtown, stop by the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum to pick up a guide that highlights the district's noteworthy buildings and architecture. The abundance of churches situated in the historic neighborhood, many of which date back to the 1800s, is particularly noteworthy.
In the vicinity of St. Francisville and West Feliciana Parish, five plantation homes are open for public tours. On the grounds of the Rosedown Plantation are historical structures and gardens. It is currently a state park and historic site.
The Louisiana State Penitentiary's Angola Museum, which you may explore to learn about the site's rich history as the state's largest maximum-security prison and its influence on rehabilitation and reform through the years, is another significant landmark in St. Francisville.
Visit Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge while you are in St. Francisville for a trek, bird watching, or just to snap a photo of the national bald-cypress tree that is maintained there.
15. Slidell
One of the best sites to experience the Louisiana marshes, which are a defining feature of the state's identity, is in Slidell, which is located on the northern beaches of Lake Pontchartrain. The focus of a weekend in Slidell will undoubtedly be on water sports like canoeing and fishing.
You will spend some time on Honey Island near Slidell admiring part of the 250 square miles of swampland. One of the best-kept and naturally protected marshes in the country is this one.
You can reserve a spot on a swamp trip to observe alligators, various ducks, wild boars, and other animals. A slower-paced ancient town with antique stores, quaint eateries serving traditional Louisiana cuisine, and a rich history is Slidell.
Since New Orleans is only 20 minutes away from Slidell, you can arrange to spend the day or the night there to give your getaway a little more Louisiana flair.
16. Grand Isle
The sole populated barrier island in the state is Grand Isle, a seven-mile paradise in the Gulf of Mexico. To take in the scenery and relax on the Gulf of Mexico's white sand beaches, a weekend break is ideal.
Split your time between birding to seek for migratory songbirds and other outdoor activities like boat excursions and beachcombing to make the most of the wildlife opportunities on Grand Isle.
You should spend some time in Grand Isle State Park over the course of the weekend, where you can kayak through the bayous and get up up and personal with roseate spoonbills and other wildlife. You may stroll along a 400-foot-long fishing pier to take in the sunsets or watch neighbourhood fisherman capture some of the several fish species that live in the area's waterways.
Grand Isle will provide a tranquil weekend by the lake, but there are also lots of outdoor activities you may participate in. You may explore the area at your own speed with activities like paddleboarding and kiteboarding as well as bicycle rentals. During your visit to Grand Isle, you might want to think about renting a golf cart for a convenient means of transportation.