14 Beautiful Places in Louisiana Beyond Just New Orleans
Louisiana held two dreams on my bucket list: to revel in the debauchery of Mardi Gras and to airboat across alligator-infested waters. Both lived up to my expectations, but while driving through the state, I discovered that there’s much more than just the wonderful New Orleans.
I learned about voodoo in Baton Rouge, crossed the longest continuous bridge over water in the world, and still made it back in time to take my marketing exam on Monday morning in St. Louis.
While New Orleans is undeniably the most well-known destination, many other places are waiting to be explored. Here are 14 beautiful places in Louisiana to visit during your next trip through the Pelican State.
1. French Quarter, New Orleans
No trip to Louisiana is complete without wandering through the French Quarter. I would even argue that no trip to America is complete without seeing New Orleans. Aside from Hawaii, this city has the strongest culture in the country.
It’s chaotic, colorful, and just fun. I dream of eating charbroiled oysters at Drago’s Seafood again. I can’t wait to throw beads from the wrought-iron balconies during another legendary Mardi Gras.
Follow the sounds of your favorite jazz melody through the Bourbon Street doorways into arty bars down colonial architecture-lined streets.
2. Atchafalaya Basin
Louisiana’s Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is the largest river swamp in the United States. Covering a massive 1.4 million acres, take an airboat tour to glide across a small portion of the swamps.
Watch your fingers while your guide points out alligators, turtles, and other creatures that live in this murky environment. The tour we took involved feeding marshmallows to alligators to bait them, which was strange, to say the least.
Right over the swamps, the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is an essential route for travelers heading to the area. Spanning 18.2 miles, it stands as one of the longest bridges in the world.
3. St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans
In the center of New Orleans’ Jackson Square, the St. Louis Cathedral is impossible to miss. Its three towering spires stick straight up and out against the blue Louisiana sky.
Even rebuilt in 1850, it’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States. Step inside to feel the weight of centuries of faith and tradition. The square outside is just as lively, filled with street performers who jump over a line of volunteers and artists painting caricatures.
4. Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie
Oak Alley Plantation is a picture of Southern elegance. A quarter-mile of massive oak trees leads up to the grand mansion, built in 1837. This Greek Revival mansion is a relic of the antebellum South.
Tours are available to learn more about the architecture and the plantation’s complicated past. The well-manicured gardens have a view of the Mississippi River in the distance. On-site, you can have a Southern comfort meal or even a bed and breakfast if you want to extend your stay.
5. Old State Capitol, Baton Rouge
The capital city of Louisiana is often overlooked by tourists, but it has a strong history of Voodoo culture and historical landmarks like the Old State Capitol.
The castle-like structure sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and has served as the seat of Louisiana’s state government from 1850 to 1932. The Gothic architecture and stained-glass dome alone are enough to warrant a visit.
Inside, you’ll find a museum with exhibits on Louisiana’s political history.
6. Lake Martin, St. Martin Parish
Lake Martin is another swampy paradise for wildlife, particularly birds. You can take a boat tour or paddle your way through the swamp on a kayak. Either way, you’ll glide through the cypress trees draped in Spanish and maybe spot a camouflaging alligator or two.
Locals love it, and tourists who stumble upon it always seem pleasantly surprised. It’s peaceful, quiet, and a little off the beaten path.
7. Avery Island
Avery Island is famous for one thing: hot sauce. The McIlhenny family has been making the world-famous Tabasco sauce here since 1868, and the factory tour is a must-do experience.
Outsie learning about how hot sauce is fermented, wander over to the Jungle Gardens and Bird City, a protected wildlife sanctuary where snowy egrets, ibis, and herons nest in the trees.
8. Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the mighty artery of Louisiana, winding over 2,300 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a lifeline for the many towns built along its banks.
Take a riverboat cruise to see the river accompanied by jazz music and Creole cuisine while experiencing the real-life scenery of Huck Finn’s and Tom Sawyer’s fictional world.
9. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
Spanning approximately 24 miles, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway holds the title of the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. Opened in 1956, the causeway was constructed to connect New Orleans with St. Tammany Parish on the north shore.
It may look like an endless stretch of concrete pillars from the ground, but if you have a drone from above, it is an impressive feat of engineering.
10. Grand Isle
Located at the southernmost tip of Louisiana’s coast, Grand Isle is a small barrier island with beaches and incredible fishing. With over seven miles of sandy shoreline, the beaches are great for a laid-back day by the water.
Anglers can cast their lines off the pier or wade into the calm waters. Nearby, explore the Grand Isle State Park to see Louisiana’s unique coastal ecosystem.
11. Horace Wilkinson Bridge, Baton Rouge
The Horace Wilkinson Bridge, a steel giant, stretches over the Mississippi River, connecting Baton Rouge to the west bank. It’s the tallest bridge on the Mississippi.
It’s a bit of a local landmark, especially for anyone who has ever driven over it during rush hour. Baton Rouge’s skyline stretches out before you as you cross, and it’s particularly stunning at sunset. It’s not exactly a tourist destination, but it’s worth noting if you find yourself passing through.
12. Lafayette’s Swamps
Lafayette’s swamps are as Louisiana as it gets. If you’ve never been on a swamp tour, this is the place to do it.
The cypress trees with their knobby knees are iconic, standing tall in the murky waters. Expect to see alligators, turtles, and more birds than you can count. The guides are usually locals, which makes the experience that much better.
13. Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve
Named after an infamous pirate, Jean Lafitte National Park is made up of six sites. You can hike through a swamp one minute and explore historic battlegrounds the next.
The Barataria Preserve is a highlight, with miles of boardwalk trails through its swamps, bayous, and forests. The Chalmette Battlefield and Cemetery offers a sobering look at the Battle of New Orleans. The park also has a visitor center that provides information about the local ecosystem and the area’s history.
14. New Orleans Garden District
The Garden District is the quieter, more refined sibling to the French Quarter. Chairs sit on massive wraparound porches of stately mansions, and the streets are lined with oak trees.
The streetcar is a fun way to travel through the town’s celebrity homes and historic landmarks. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is one of the city’s most famous cemeteries, where the above-ground tombs are works of art in themselves.
It’s a great place to wander around, especially if you need a break from the partying on Bourbon Street.
15. Caddo Lake
Bordering Texas, the tangled cypress trees and slow-moving waters of Caddo Lake is one of the most striking places in Louisiana. Unlike open lakes with wide horizons, Caddo is crisscrossed with narrow channels that wind through trees growing straight out of the lakebed.
The best way to see it is via kayak or canoe. The lake is full of winding bayous, and paddling through them puts you right in the middle of the trees. The chirping of birds and the croaking of frogs are the only things that disturb the peace.
If you have a fear of alligators, there are also boardwalks and short trails around the lake if you’d rather stay on foot.
Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.
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