So you're planning a trip to Louisiana? Good choice. I've lost count how many times I've driven down I-10 into this crazy beautiful state. From accidentally joining a second line parade in New Orleans to getting hopelessly lost in a Cajun fishing village, trust me - you won't run out of things to do in Louisiana. This isn't some generic listicle. I'm giving you the real deal, warts and all, including that overpriced swamp tour I regret taking last spring.
New Orleans: More Than Just Bourbon Street
Let's get this straight - if you only do Bourbon Street, you've missed Louisiana entirely. Sure, go have a hurricane drink, but then get out. The real magic? It's in the hidden courtyards and neighborhood joints.
French Quarter Must-Dos
Jackson Square (700 Decatur St) wakes up around 9 AM when artists start setting up. No entrance fee, but bring cash for street performers. Pro tip: Cafe du Monde (800 Decatur) opens 24/7 - avoid the midday rush and go at 10 PM for beignets still hot enough to burn your tongue. Last time I went, the line was out the door at 3 PM but only 10 minutes at midnight.
| Attraction | Cost | Hours | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preservation Hall Jazz (726 St Peter St) | $25-50 | Shows at 5 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM, 10 PM | Buy tickets online 2 weeks ahead - they sell out fast |
| St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 | $25 (guided tour only) | 9 AM-3 PM Tue-Sat | Don't even try going without a guide - they turned me away |
| French Market (1008 N Peters St) | Free entry | 9 AM-6 PM daily | Best gumbo at Meals From the Heart Cafe ($12) |
Honestly? The Garden District impressed me more than the Quarter. You can spend hours just gawking at those ridiculous mansions. The Buckner Mansion (1410 Jackson St) - that's the one from American Horror Story - looks even creepier in person. Free walking tours start daily at 10 AM from Lafayette Cemetery gate.
Beyond New Orleans: Louisiana's Hidden Gems
My biggest mistake on my first trip? Staying only in New Orleans. Louisiana's soul lives in its smaller towns.
Cajun Country Adventures
Lafayette is where I finally understood Cajun culture. Saturday mornings at Vermilionville (300 Fisher Rd) they have live fiddle lessons. Admission's $10, open 10 AM-4 PM Tue-Sun. But the real action? Head to Randol's Restaurant (2320 Kaliste Saloom Rd) for their 7 PM Cajun dance nights - no cover charge if you order dinner.
| Swamp Tour Company | Price | Duration | What You'll See |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cajun Encounters (Houma) | $35 adult | 2 hours | Gators, herons, raccoons |
| Champagne's Swamp Tours (Breaux Bridge) | $25 adult | 1.5 hours | Closer wildlife encounters, smaller boats |
| Atchafalaya Basin Landing (Lafayette) | $45 adult | 2.5 hours | Sunset tours available |
Fair warning: Some swamp tours feel like gator zoos. I took one near Slidell where they fed marshmallows to gators - felt kinda wrong. Do your homework.
Plantation Alley Along River Road
Driving River Road between Baton Rouge and New Orleans? Prepare for serious history whiplash. Oak Alley (3645 LA-18) is postcard-perfect but packed ($25 entry, 9 AM-5 PM). For something different, Whitney Plantation (5099 LA-18) focuses entirely on enslaved people's stories - heavy but essential ($25, 10 AM-4 PM Wed-Mon).
Local Tip: Avoid weekend afternoons at plantations - tour buses arrive around 1 PM. Go right at opening time for peaceful photos.
Festival Frenzy: Timing Your Visit
Louisiana has over 400 festivals yearly. I accidentally stumbled upon the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival once - best $7 strawberry shortcake of my life. Here's when to come:
| Season | Top Events | Why Go |
|---|---|---|
| Feb-Mar | Mardi Gras (statewide) | Parades & king cake - but hotels triple in price |
| Apr-May | Festival International (Lafayette), Jazz Fest (NOLA) | Perfect weather, crawfish season peaks |
| Oct-Nov | State Fair (Shreveport), Voodoo Fest (NOLA) | Fewer crowds, cheaper lodging |
| Dec-Jan | Christmas bonfires (River Parishes) | Unique Cajun traditions along the Mississippi |
Mardi Gras confession: I found smaller town celebrations like Lafayette's Courir de Mardi Gras more authentic than New Orleans' tourist crush. You haven't lived till you've chased a chicken in Cajun country.
Food: Where to Eat Like a Local
Forget fancy restaurants. Louisiana's best meals come from hole-in-the-wall spots. In New Orleans, Parkway Bakery (538 Hagan Ave) has po'boys so big they barely fit in the bag ($15 for shrimp, cash only). Over in Breaux Bridge, Cafe Des Amis (140 E Bridge St) does zydeco breakfasts that'll fuel you till dinner ($12 for eggs cochon).
Must-Try Louisiana Dishes
- Gumbo: Dark roux version at Prejean's (3480 I-49 N, Lafayette) - $8 cup
- Boudin: Best at Billy's (1142 E Laurel Ave, Scott) - $3/link
- Po'boys: Domilise's (5240 Annunciation St, NOLA) - cash only, $14 fully dressed
- Beignets: Skip Cafe du Monde queues - Morning Call (5 Canal St, NOLA) same quality, less crowd
That fancy Creole place everyone recommends? Probably overrated. My worst meal was at a French Quarter "institution" charging $42 for rubbery shrimp Creole. Follow the pickup trucks - if you see three work trucks parked outside a joint at lunch, get in there.
Practical Tips for Your Louisiana Visit
Summer heat here is no joke. I learned the hard way touring plantations in August - nearly passed out at Laura Plantation. Hydrate constantly.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Budget Option | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | State park cabins ($65/night) | Garden District B&B ($140) | French Quarter hotel ($300+) |
| Meals | Po'boys & grocery ($25/day) | Casual restaurants ($50/day) | Fine dining ($100+/meal) |
| Attractions | Free walking tours, parks | 1 paid tour daily ($25) | VIP experiences ($75+) |
Renting a car? Essential outside New Orleans. I used Enterprise at MSY airport - about $45/day. But be warned: Louisiana roads have potholes that could swallow a Smart car whole.
Louisiana Travel FAQs
Is Louisiana safe for tourists?
Most tourist areas are fine, but be smart. In New Orleans, avoid dark side streets in the Quarter at night. I felt completely safe in Cajun country towns.
What's the best month for things to do in Louisiana?
April-May or October-November. Avoid July-August unless you enjoy 95°F with 90% humidity.
How many days do I need?
At least 5: 2 days New Orleans, 1 day plantations, 2 days Cajun country. I did 10 days last fall and still missed things.
Can I do Louisiana on a budget?
Absolutely. Free music on Frenchmen St, cheap po'boys, and state parks with $3 entry fees. My cheapest day was $35 including a hostel bed.
Is the swamp tour worth it?
Yes, but pick wisely. Smaller operators like McGee's (315 Henderson Levee Rd) give more personal experiences. Avoid the huge boats.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking shoes (those French Quarter cobblestones are brutal), light rain jacket, and layers - restaurant AC blows Arctic air.
Any hidden gem towns?
St. Francisville has stunning antebellum homes without crowds. Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish) has gorgeous historic districts and meat pies worth the drive.
Is driving difficult?
Highways are easy, but rural roads might flood after rain. Always check road closures at 511la.org.
Honestly, my first Louisiana trip was a mess - missed reservations, got sunburned at a swamp tour, ate questionable gas station boudin. But that's how you learn. The magic here isn't in perfect planning; it's in the smoky jazz clubs where you lose track of time, the unexpected parade that blocks your car for an hour, the grandma who teaches you to peel crawfish properly. That's the real list of things to do in Louisiana: show up hungry, bring comfortable shoes, and say "yes" to the weird stuff.
Still planning things to do in Louisiana? Don't overthink it. Book the flight, rent the car, and prepare for sensory overload. Just maybe avoid August unless you're part lizard.
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