Top Things to do in Louisiana
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What to do and see in Louisiana, United States: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
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. The National WWII Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29,577 reviews
The National WWII Museum is the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S., and an unforgettable way to experience World War II—from industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American servicemember abroad. Offering a compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail, the Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories to take visitors inside the story of the war: why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Beyond the galleries, the Museum offers unique access to experiential history, including an opportunity to tour and ride on an authentically restored PT-boat, tours behind the scenes to handle artifacts alongside Museum curators, and an impressive collection of restored and working macro-artifacts to discover. Open early through 1/2/18, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Reviewed By J7140OOpauln - Sacramento, United States
The New Orleans National World War 2 Museum brings so much history to life and tells the stories so well that the time flies past. The museum tells the bigger picture of the war and also shows the personal side and the tragic costs of this war, The museum is several very large building with exhibits such as the Road to Berlin and the Road to Tokyo as well as a large exhibit of D-Day. The exhibits are all very well done and the staff is helpful and knowledgable. Please allow at least a full day to see this museum, you will not regret the time spent at this treasure. The optional movie, Beyond All Boundaries is also very well done and worth the time to see. Very highly recommended.
2. R. W. Norton Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 366 reviews
Museum chronicles more than four centuries of American and European art featuring the works of Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. The springtime sees more than 10,000 azaleas bloom in the museum's garden.
Reviewed By jkj01
So glad we sought this museum out and visited! Beautiful art. My husband appreciated the gun collection. A special section of art for children. The setting is another destination not to be missed. Grounds are immaculately manicured with a walking trail to enjoy. We cannot wait to return to see hundreds of azaleas in full bloom!
3. Chennault Aviation and Military Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 137 reviews
Located in one of the last standing buildings from the World War II Selman Field Army Air Corps Navigation School, the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum highlights northeast Louisiana's impact on aviation and military history. Admission is always free. Exhibits feature weaponry, uniforms, photographs, documents and other artifacts. A growing collection of military aircraft is located outside. All branches of the U.S. military are featured, from World War I through the present day, and there are also exhibits on Selman Field (which trained over 15,000 navigators) and Delta Airlines (which was born in Monroe from a regional crop dusting service). An extensive exhibit is dedicated to the life and times of Gen. Claire L. Chennault (a northeast Louisiana native) and his Flying Tigers fighter group.
Reviewed By A6943GEmariar
Housed in one of the last remaining school buildings that comprised the largest navigation school in the United States during World War II, the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is definitely a must see. More than 11,000 artifacts are on display, with many personal stories from local veterans. The museum docents are extremely personable and knowledgeable as they relate the story of General Chennault, the Selman Navigational School, and the birthplace of one of the largest airline companies, Delta Airlines. The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is truly a fascinating place to visit. And admission is free, too!
4. Regional Military Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 81 reviews
Our museum is dedicated to the brave men and women throughout our country’s history who have defended our great nation, at home and abroad. The goal of the Regional Military Museum is to commemorate their sacrifices made in behalf of all Americans – past, present, and future. Please visit our website to learn more or stop in for a visit.
Reviewed By V8826FJTraveler - Culver, United States
We really enjoyed our visit to this regional museum. Our guide, Ben, was turning 13 the week we were there and his knowledge and enthusiasm were fantastic. Please don’t skip this site. You’ll be glad you visited this museum.
5. Knock Knock Children's Museum
6. Preservation Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,774 reviews
New Orleans' Preservation Hall was established in 1961 to honor one of America's truest art forms - Traditional New Orleans Jazz. Operating as a music venue, a touring band, and a non-profit organization, Preservation Hall continues its mission today as a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture. Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Peter Street, the Preservation Hall venue presents intimate, acoustic New Orleans Jazz concerts over 350 nights a year featuring ensembles from a current collective of 100+ local master practitioners. On any given night, audiences bear joyful witness to the evolution of this venerable and living tradition.
Reviewed By 226tandyc - Six Mile, United States
Preservation Hall was a lot smaller and more intimate than I had envisioned, but it was perfect, and we loved our experience. We booked tickets ahead of time, which was fortunate since the line of people waiting to get in was extraordinarily long, and those without reservations who were able to buy on-site tickets had to sit on the floor or stand at the back. We sat on a bench at the front; the wooden benches are probably original, hard and unpadded (for those with bad backs). Surprisingly, there are no bathrooms inside; they send people to the bar next door. You can bring food and drinks inside. The musicians are gifted, funny, and engaging. The whole experience was memory-making. So glad we booked this piece of historic New Orleans.
7. Cathedral of St John the Evangelist
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 403 reviews
This quasi-Romanesque brick cathedral in Lafayette is worth a look.
Reviewed By sallyhZ267CK - Youngsville, United States
We were led to grounds of St John’s Cathedral in our downtown Lafayette scavenger hunt. We happened to see the cathedral the day before Easter. Unbelievably beautiful!
8. Louisiana State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 724 reviews
This art deco masterpiece has been the site of a bombing, an assassination and the infinite machinations of state kingpins and politicos.
Reviewed By edieann - Denver, United States
Having been very disappointed by the Florida capitol “skyscraper” I had few expectations for the tallest of the capitol buildings: Louisiana. I was pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous art deco rotunda, House and Senate. We were lucky to arrive at the start time of a tour. Without our tour guide Bernard we would have missed out on the history, creation and stories of the current capitol building and the governor who created the building and was also shot there, Huey Long. We spent more than an hour touring the first floor, marveling at the incredible beauty of the marble, depiction of Louisiana’s history in bas relief just below the ceiling circling the rotunda, and in the solid bronze doors leading to the chambers. Not to mention the statuary, ceiling patterns and pencil like wood shard imbedded in the ceiling of the senate, a reminder of the dynamite bomb that had been planted and detonated in 1970. We also heard a number of conspiracy theories regarding the shooting of Governor Long plus got to see the two unfilled bullet holes left from the shooting.
9. Louisiana's Old State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 693 reviews
Louisiana's Old State Capitol sits on a hill overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge. Completed in 1849, the castle-like fortress has been restored to its original grandeur. It houses both traditional and state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and a multi-media film presentation. Audio tours available in English, French, German and Spanish. Free admission.
Reviewed By BHartMich - Northville, United States
We walked in on a whim, and enjoyed a short time walking around the old state capitol. Upon entry we were greeted by a guide who gave us an quick overview, and then gave us a sheet enabling us to do a self guided tour. We could have spent longer than the 20 minutes we did, but we wanted to walk around the city a bit more. It is a beautiful building inside and out, with some very interesting history, and well worth stopping by.
10. Lafayette Science Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
The cultural heritage of Southwestern Louisiana is preserved at this combination museum and planetarium, which houses over 1,000 paintings, prints and sculpture of Louisiana artists and regularly changing exhibits and planetarium programs.
Reviewed By kellymB5695PA - Opp, United States
Downtown Lafayette so it's within walking distance of parking and other places to visit. Admission prices are reasonable, staff is very friendly and helpful. Lot's of hands on activities and interesting exhibits. Loved the Acadiana 360 virtual reality experience and the big screen that put you in the picture (forgot what the exhibit was called). A must do when in downtown Lafayette.
