10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Louisiana

Author Lana Law enjoys visiting New Orleans while travelling around Louisiana.

Even the term Louisiana brings up memories of steamy summer nights with cicadas chirping nearby and family and friends laughing around a table piled high with delectable Southern fare. In this state, time moves more slowly and doing takes precedence over existing.

One of the greatest places to enjoy some Creole culture and Louisiana's tourism attractions is New Orleans. In addition to paying homage to the state's heritage, the French Quarter is a great place to get lost while knowing that amazing food and good times are around every turn. During the famous Mardi Gras, people enjoy dressing up and parading around the streets.

The state's capital, Baton Rouge, is conveniently close by. State capitals can occasionally be stuffy places, but not in Baton Rouge. Although this city's capitol building is home to a ghost by the name of Sarah, it proudly touts all of its other features instead.

Outdoor enthusiasts should visit Lake Charles to enjoy the scenery and possibly take a break at one of the state's best beaches.

Leave the city once you've given the cities what they merit. Visit the swamps and bayous, where the waterways are teeming with grotesque creatures that could wish to eat you. Less adventurous visitors might choose taking a plantation tour.

You could use our list of Louisiana's top attractions to help you organise your vacation.

1. New Orleans' French Quarter

The French Quarter is the oldest and most well-known neighbourhood in New Orleans. Wrought iron balconies that hang over the heavily travelled sidewalks below are found on many of the city's beautiful buildings, some of which are more than 300 years old. For tourists looking to sightsee, shop, eat, and have fun, the French Quarter is a popular choice. Even more individuals visit the neighbourhood for the Mardi Gras festivities.

Bourbon Street, which is constantly packed with people and live music, is the French Quarter's busiest tourist site. North Rampart Street is less crowded but nonetheless home to numerous historic buildings and top-notch restaurants, whereas Decatur Street is a favourite hangout for hipsters. Jazz clubs surround the pedestrian-friendly Royal Street, which is home to art galleries and antique shops.

Louis Armstrong Park, which contains the renowned Congo Square and was once the gathering place for the city's African-American residents before they achieved independence, is another well-liked tourist destination. There are fountains, walking walkways, and a huge statue of jazz legend Louis Armstrong in the 31-acre park.

2. World War Memorial

Every aspect of the conflict is thoroughly covered in the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, from the challenges of warfare at sea and in the air to the ground war in Europe. One of the most compelling exhibits, "Road to Berlin," allows visitors to immerse themselves in history while experiencing painstakingly recreated battlegrounds complete with the sights and sounds.

The difficulties the Seabees and Merchant Marines had in aiding the troops, the value of home front support, and the intricacies of the D-Day invasion of Normandy are all covered in other exhibitions.

The museum's exhibitions combine a variety of media and interactive technology to make history come to life. The exhibits feature a sizable collection of relics, including military personal effects and even a shark-faced P-40 Warhawk, together with recollections, photos, and other memorabilia.

The museum opened a brand-new exhibition titled Expressions of America in November 2022. The Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground regularly hosts an immersive sound and light show that aims to take viewers to the early 1940s during the war.

Before the show starts, live performances take place in the BB's Stage Door Canteen. The main performance eventually happens outside. Expressions of America is an additional attraction that is separate from the museum's free admission.

In Louisiana's New Orleans, at 945 Magazine Street

3.Carnival .

The biggest event on Louisiana's yearly calendar is the Mardi Gras festival, which takes place in New Orleans. It takes a lot of work to put on this vivacious festival, which include a parade, balls, and street parties unlike any other. Even though Mardi Gras is on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the celebrations begin the previous weekend.

Huge crowds attend the event to partake in the festivities and watch more than 1,000 floats parade along dozens of routes. For a close-up look at the floats and to see how they are made, go to Mardis Gras World. More over half of the parade's floats, costumes and accessories are made in this studio.

If you're coming for Mardi Gras, make plans in advance. Look out the event schedule and make sure you book a hotel well in advance.

No. 4 Melrose Plantation

The Natchitoches property was first known as Yucca Plantation before being renamed Melrose Plantation by Marie Thérèse and Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer, freed slaves. Yucca House, which was built in the 1790s, is situated on the site. The Big home is a West Indies Creole-style plantation home with early Greek Revival elements.

Thomas Hampton Around the turn of the century, Henry, an admirer of the arts, and his wife Camie settled in Melrose. Mrs. Henry extended the garden while keeping the buildings in place. Many writers and artists have visited Melrose over the years as visitors.

Location: 3533 Highway 119, Melrose, Louisiana

5. The Old State House.

The Old State Capitol's Gothic-Revival architecture greatly impresses passersby, and its interior is equally stunning. Two huge towers flank th mn entrance and the roof is crenellated. The structure, which resembles a castle, is located on a hill in the centre of Baton Rouge and offers views of the Mississippi River.

This historically noteworthy structure is now home to a political history museum that explores the state's lengthy history through artefacts, documents, and interactive exhibits.

The "Ghost of the Castle" exhibit, a 4-D experience presented by Sarah Morgan's ghost, tells visitors more about the significance and background of the structure.

Considering that admission is free, leave your wallet at home.

At 100 North Boulevard, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

6. The State Capitol Building

If you have already seen the Old State Capitol Building, it is unquestionably worthwhile to visit the contemporary State Capitol Building. The highest state capitol in the US at 460 feet is this outstanding example of an Art Deco structure, which is located a little less than a mile to the north.

350 feet up the lift to the 27th level, you'll find the Observation Deck. From this high vantage point, you can see how flat and wet Louisiana actually is. To get a deeper understanding of the building, think about scheduling a visit with a guide. Free admission is provided.

In Louisiana's Baton Rouge, at 900 North Third Street

7. Swamp excursions

Fortunately, entering the heart of bayou country isn't very far away from New Orleans. The marshes and bayous of Louisiana are famous. In this strange setting, you might see moss-covered trees, enormous swamplands, and a diversity of wildlife, including alligators, wild pigs, wading birds, and snakes.

One of the greatest tours is a two-hour boat tour conducted by a knowledgeable and friendly guide who will enlighten you with tales of the Honey Island Swamp and point out the different species that reside there, both little and large. Tours may be easily organised. The tour also stops at a Cajun village where you can wander around and discover more about their unique way of life.

8. Lavender Plantation.

The Laura Plantation in Vacherie has allowed visitors to see the 1805 building and grounds that were a sugarcane plantation for 180 years ever since it opened to the public in 1994. Both genuine period furniture and items illustrating Laura Locoul's memoirs are present in the home.

The most notable aspect of the plantation, however, is its sizable museum that chronicles the lives and unique stories of those who were kept as slaves there. The exhibition explores a variety of contemporary issues, including religion and health, as well as the complex relationships between the slaves' owners and themselves.

The archives include rare photos and documents from the slave population in the state as well as the African Americans who resided and worked on this Creole plantation. Starting at 10am and continuing throughout the day, tours are provided every 40 minutes.

Louisiana's 2247 Highway 18 in Vacherie

9. Vermilionville.

In Vermilionville in Lafayette, you may see the traditions and heritage of the Acadian settlers from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This living history museum showcases folk crafts and abilities that have been handed down from prior generations by costumed artisans and historians.

The 23-acre complex, which houses craftsmen, consists of restored original Acadian homes and historic structures from the 18th and 19th centuries. On the grounds, there are also rotating displays that explore the indigenous peoples of Louisiana.

The struggle to maintain Acadian culture and language and an examination of black history from the earliest periods of slavery through the civil rights movement are among the other topics discussed. Other exhibits offer an insightful look at how Mardi Gras traditions differ between urban and rural areas.

Spend an hour and a half exploring this fascinating place in detail. Remember that the museum shuts on Mondays and that access is prohibited daily after 3 p.m.

At 300 Fisher Road in Lafayette, Louisiana

10. Spend the day at a beach in Louisiana

You might find yourself rushing to one of the state's many beaches because Louisiana is notorious for being a humid, sweltering region in the summer.

Holly Beach, also referred to as the "Cajun Riviera," is one of Louisiana's most beautiful beaches. A beach with long, flat, and wide stretches of golden sand may be found in the southwest of the state. Children enjoy playing in the shallow water when the Gulf of Mexico waters warm up in the summer.

A well-known beach resort called Grand Isle is just a few hours south of New Orleans. This barrier island that juts out into the Gulf of Mexico has a beach that extends almost its whole length. Unfortunately, Grand Isle State Park sustained significant damage from Hurricane Ida and has not yet been reopened. The beaches of the Grand Isle town, however, have been completely repaired and are now undamaged.

The furthest point of Grand Isle is where Port Fourchon is situated. There are stronger waves at this beach, which is a little unusual and popular with surfers.

Even easier to get from New Orleans are Fontainbleau State Park and Lake Ponchartrain. Beautiful sandy shorelines and shallow, flat water may be seen at this beach. Away from the beach, there are picnic tables, showers, restrooms, and a water playground for kids. With the exception of the camping cottages, which are still closed as of the time of this writing, the park was severely damaged by Hurricane Ida but has since undergone full reconstruction.