Best Louisiana Tours & Trips

A Brief Overview of Louisiana Travel Guides

Best Time to Travel to Louisiana

The state has a subtropical climate,meaning summers are hot and humid,while winters are generally mild.

Spring,from February to May,is the best time to visit the state,when the weather is very pleasant,with temperatures ranging from the low 60s to the high 80s Fahrenheit.If you want to experience Mardi Gras,plan for February or early March.The weeks following Mardi Gras offer quieter streets and blooming gardens,perfect for walking tours.

Next comes autumn from October to November,when humidity is lower,and the weather becomes more comfortable and dry.

Top Places to Travel in Louisiana: Cities & Attractions

New Orleans

New Orleans is the first stop for most visitors to Louisiana and the cultural heart of the state. It's best to spend 4 days exploring here.

The French Quarter:This is the historic center of the city. While Bourbon Street is famous for nightlife, Royal Street offers a better daytime experience with antique shops, art galleries, and street performers. Be sure to walk through Jackson Square to see the St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo.

The National WWII Museum:Located in the Warehouse District, this massive campus is one of the top-rated museums in the world. It features immersive exhibits on the European and Pacific theaters.

The Garden District:Accessible via the St. Charles Streetcar line, this neighborhood features well-preserved antebellum mansions and oak-lined streets. It offers a quiet contrast to the French Quarter and includes the famous Lafayette Cemetery No.1.

Swamp Tours:While technically outside the city limits, New Orleans is the primary departure point for Louisiana day trips to the wetlands. Tour operators pick up passengers from downtown hotels and transport them to Honey Island Swamp or Jean Lafitte National Historical Park to see alligators and cypress forests.

Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is the capital city of Louisiana, located about an hour's drive northwest of New Orleans. Here, visitors can gain deep insights into the state's political history and industrial culture.

Old State Capitol:This Gothic Revival castle overlooks the Mississippi River. It serves as a museum of political history.

USS Kidd Veterans Museum:You can tour this Fletcher-class destroyer docked on the river. It is the only destroyer still in its World War II configuration and offers a hands-on look at naval history.

Natchitoches

Established in 1714,Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. It is located in the central part of the state.

Front Street:The downtown historic district features brick streets and wrought-iron balconies facing the Cane River Lake. It is a walkable area filled with shops and restaurants serving meat pies,a local culinary staple.

Cane River Creole National Historical Park:This park preserves the cultural landscape of the Cane River region,including the Oakland and Magnolia Plantations,highlighting the history of the Creole people who lived and worked the land for generations.

Getting Around Louisiana

Nearby Popular Sights

Louisiana is a gateway to the broader American South.If you have extra time,consider extending your trip:

Mississippi Coast:The beaches of Biloxi and Gulfport are only about 90 minutes from New Orleans.

Texas:Houston is a roughly five-hour drive west of I-10,connecting you to major space centers and museums.

Memphis/Natchez:Following the Mississippi River north takes you through historic river towns like Natchez,MS,eventually leading to Memphis,TN.