Again in 2016, I went to go to a buddy in New Orleans for 2 weeks and I ended up staying for five months (I left as a result of I used to be supplied a press journey in India!). For some purpose, Louisiana — and particularly, New Orleans — resonated with me. I nonetheless dream of proudly owning a shotgun home sometime. In any case, a fellow journey blogger supplied this text and I grabbed it. I’ll at all times advocate visiting that a part of america!
There may be nowhere fairly like Southern Louisiana. That is Cajun nation, with the biggest swamp forest in america and among the nation’s oldest plantations. And it’s on the doorstep of New Orleans. If you’re seeking to lengthen your metropolis break with historical past, nature, and vibrant tradition, learn on and find out about what to see and do in southern Louisiana.
Why Discover Southern Louisiana?
You could possibly spend your whole trip in New Orleans, exploring the French Quarter and totally different areas of the town. However, if in case you have just a little extra time, there’s a entire different world to discover in Southern Louisiana. The realm is characterised by a unprecedented panorama, lengthy historical past, and distinctive combination of Creole and Cajun heritage.
The swamps and countryside are a nature lover’s paradise. You could possibly simply spend days exploring the area’s plantations and studying about southern tradition, historical past, and delicacies. Then there are the cities, every with their very own character. Each Lafayette and Baton Rouge are a straightforward drive from New Orleans, good locations for a weekend getaway.
Swamps, Countryside, and Nature
Louisiana is thought for its swamps (or “bayous”), superb sights in themselves, and residential to many several types of animal and flowers. If you’re on a highway journey you’re more likely to drive over the 18 mile (29 km) Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, which carries you excessive above the biggest wetland and swamp within the U.S., a spectacular and other-worldly panorama.
The realm is crisscrossed by rivers in every single place; look out for footpaths and boardwalks that may take you thru the swamps.
Within the Houma on the Terrebonne basin, the place a nature stroll led to a viewing platform over a big bayou with numerous wildlife. There have been egrets and herons and plenty of dragonflies. You possibly can see fish leaping out of the water, and notice the astounding number of crops.
There are imagined to be alligators right here, though you possibly can’t at all times be fortunate sufficient to see them. If you wish to get a style of Louisiana’s swamps with out hiring a automotive, you could possibly take a guided tour or boat trip from New Orleans.
Take notice that some guided excursions are extra questionable than others. They feed the alligators to verify vacationers see them, which isn’t good for the wildlife. Go as a substitute for small firms like Misplaced Lands Excursions, which take small teams solely and by no means feed the gators.
Historic Plantations of Southern Louisiana
The opposite essential sight of the southern Louisiana countryside is the plantations. Traditionally, the Mississippi was a serious commerce route, and the river delta was dotted with plantations. These had been giant farms that grew money crops equivalent to sugar cane and cotton for export.
Though the plantation households — and the slave commerce that supported them — at the moment are consigned to the previous, you’ll nonetheless see enormous tracts of sugarcane fields.
Immediately it’s potential to go to among the former plantation homes and discover their historical past. You could possibly do that by taking a day journey to one of many higher recognized homes equivalent to Oak Alley Plantation from New Orleans. Or you could possibly journey independently to take a tour and even keep in a single day at one of many mansions.
The Nottaway Plantation, which claims to be the “South’s Largest Antebellum Mansion,” had a peaceable location by the Mississippi River. The home and the small show about slavery are very attention-grabbing, however it’s not crucial (nor really helpful) to remain there in a single day.
Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, located on the Mississippi River, halfway between New Orleans and Lafayette. This can be a historic metropolis based by French settlers in 1721, and two sights to not miss are the Outdated Governor’s Mansion and the Outdated State Capitol Museum. The latter is exceptional as a lot for its luxurious Artwork Deco inside (see picture beneath!) as for its shows of state historical past.
Elsewhere in Baton Rouge you’ll discover an artwork museum, parks and a riverside stroll. And — after all — there are many locations to take pleasure in conventional southern delicacies.
Lafayette
On the coronary heart of Cajun and Creole nation, round 135 miles (217 km) from New Orleans, Lafayette is typically generally known as the “happiest metropolis in America.” It’s definitely a vigorous place, with music and festivals seemingly taking place all year long.
As you may anticipate, Mardi Gras is a crucial pageant, however you’ll additionally discover occasions celebrating native music and delicacies. And the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in October brings collectively native music, meals, and crafts in a three-day extravaganza.
In addition to the music, you’ll discover numerous public artwork in Lafayette. You possibly can discover the town’s heritage on the residing historical past museum of Vermilionville. And across the metropolis you can see parks such because the Acadiana Park Nature Station with woodland and nature trails.
Round 30 miles (48 km) south of Lafayette is Avery Island, the house of Tabasco sauce. Right here you possibly can take pleasure in nature and countryside and study concerning the well-known sizzling sauce.
What Else to See in Southern Louisiana
That is only a small number of locations to go to in southern Louisiana. You could possibly additionally drive throughout the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (the longest steady bridge over water on the planet) to the parishes on the lake north of New Orleans. Or you could possibly head south to Jefferson Parish with its historic websites and pure locations beside the Gulf of Mexico.
Aleah additionally extremely recommends you go on a ship trip to Barataria Bay, the place you possibly can see pods of dolphins and a whole lot of pelicans simply chilling on Queen Bess Island. Certainly, nothing actually beats Louisiana for its pure magnificence, tradition, scrumptious delicacies!
Textual content by Karen Warren. All pictures by Aleah Taboclaon.
