(content by Gerry S.)
Louisiana is a melting pot of French, African, American, and Canadian cultures. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, this Southern state has something for everyone; a rich culture steeped in culture, pristine beaches, art galleries, historical landmarks, luscious parks, and shopping meccas. It is also home to one of the most incredible mardi gras celebrations in the world.
Louisiana, also known as the Pelican State, proudly boasts Creole and Cajun traditions. Perhaps the most famous city in Louisiana is New Orleans, a city with strong French customs, a music scene like no other, and world-class food. Whether you’re a Louisiana native or planning your next visit, the Pelican State is packed with color, vibrancy, and bustling streets.
In this article, we take you on a tour of 8 fun things to do in Louisiana.
1. Visit the Pristine Louisiana beaches
Louisiana is on the border of the Gulf Coast making it an ideal beach destination. You can find a wide array of stunning beaches with white sand and crystal clear waters where you can swim, catch some rays, or try out some watersports.
Holly Beach, also known as the Cajun Rivera is one of the best-loved stretches of coastline in the Pelican State. Spanning thirty miles, this stretch of beaches and marshes is the perfect spot do a spot of bird watching, fishing, or crabbing. The Cajun Riviera is situated in Cameron Parish and is a wildlife lover’s paradise. Idyllic.
2. Feed your Soul on Frenchmen street
New Orleans is the perfect city to get lost in. There’s an abundance of places to eat delicious local cuisine, soak in the artistic culture, and listen to incredible live music. No trip to New Orleans is complete without a stroll down Frenchmen Street. A music lover’s dream, the world-famous Frenchmen street is jam-packed with jazz music, buzzing neon lights, and curbside concerts that will take your breath away.
Frenchmen Street is a hive of stellar dining establishments, quirky bars, and immersive music experiences. Whether you’re a fan of rock, reggae, jazz, or the blues, you’ll feel at home on Frenchmen Street.
3. Visit the Musical Legends Park
The Louisiana music scene is the stuff of legends and the Musical Legends pays tribute to the musical legacy of the state. The park is filled with statues to commemorate some of the country’s best-known jazz legends including Pete Fountain, Louis Prima, and Fats Domino.
Located right in the middle of the French Quater of New Orleans, this pretty park is a wonderful place to take a picnic and enjoy the daily live music. An ideal way to escape the hustle and bustle of New Orleans for a couple of hours on a sunny afternoon.
4. Get up close and personal with nature at Global Wildlife center
Folsom, Louisiana is home to one of the largest wildlife reserves of its kind. Spanning almost 1,000 acres and home to over 3,500 animals, the Global Wildlife Center has created a natural habitat for endangered and exotic animals from all across the globe. It’s a great place for a fun and immersive family day out.
There are different tour options available, including wagon tours that allow visitors to feed and even touch some of the animals such as giraffes, camels, kangaroos, and zebras to name but a few. If you have a birthday coming up, the center also hosts safari parties for fun and original celebration surrounded by wildlife.
5. Amble around the stunning Jungle Gardens
If you’re a bird lover, you must certainly add Jungle Gardens to your Louisiana itinerary. Even if you aren’t, this 170-acre botanical garden is seriously worth a visit. Jungle Gardens is located on Avery Island and is home to a bird sanctuary. The bird sanctuary offers tours where you can marvel at the beauty of the great blue herons, white ibises, and other extraordinary birds that call it home.
Brimming with wildlife, these perfectly-kept semi-tropical gardens are a magnificent way to spend an afternoon. Visitors can explore the gardens or take a tour. Expect to see luscious green trees, bamboo in an array of colors, and vibrant flowers such as hot pink azaleas. A little slice of paradise.
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6. Revel in Art at the R.W Norton Art Gallery
Louisiana has a hiving art scene just waiting to be discovered. The R.W Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport, Louisiana is a love letter to the state’s rich artistic heritage. Set in lush botanic gardens, the museum-cum-gardens houses some thrilling American and European art. If art and nature aren’t enough for you, you will also find a rare book collection onsite to peruse after you have admired the over-400 paintings that hang in the gallery. The gallery boasts work by over 100 artists and exhibits renaissance and modernist paintings as well as sculptures, and other forms of decorative art. It’s a wonderful way to familiarise yourself with the artistic legacy of Louisiana.
7. Get outdoors on the Creole Nature Trail
Get out in the great outdoors by exploring the Creole Nature Trail in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The trail stretches 26 miles along the Gulf of Mexico and is the perfect place to get some fresh air, hike a nature trail, and do some exercise. As an added bonus, the trail is home to over 400 different wildlife species. The trail is set on marshlands, making it an ideal location to go fishing or crabbing, do some bird watching, or take a hike in the beautiful surroundings.
After a long day of hiking, there are plenty of restaurants nearby where you can refuel and savor some local delicacies.
8. Make a stop at The Museum of Death
If you’re looking for an unconventional activity to do in Louisiana, then pay a visit to the magnificently macabre Museum of Death. This quirky museum has a mission “to make people happy to be alive” and has three locations in the US including one in New Orleans, Louisiana. It started out as an art gallery and has since evolved into the biggest collection of death-related art in the world. Take a walk on the dark side with a self-guided tour where you will marvel at the wide array of antiques, art, and crime scene artifacts such as photographs. In amongst the taxidermy, funeral equipment, and coroner tools you will find memorabilia from some of the US’s most infamous serial killers including the Manson Family. Dark, disturbing, and controversial, this museum may not be for everyone but it’s a must-see for true-crime fanatics and those who want a deliciously gruesome activity in Louisiana.
Final Thoughts
Louisiana is full of southern charm and plenty to do for every type of visitor. With breathtaking nature, a rich culture, stellar dining experiences, and an exhilarating arts scene, Louisiana is the perfect destination for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a fun trip away with friends. There really is something for everyone in the magical Pelican State.
(Photos courtesy Pixabay)
