Discover Southern Louisiana, the Coronary heart of Cajun Nation

Again in 2016, I went to go to a pal 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 cause, 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 the US!

There’s nowhere fairly like Southern Louisiana. That is Cajun nation, with the most important swamp forest in the US and a few of the nation’s oldest plantations. And it’s on the doorstep of New Orleans. In case you are trying to lengthen your metropolis break with historical past, nature, and vibrant tradition, learn on and study what to see and do in southern Louisiana.

Why Discover Southern Louisiana?

You possibly can spend your whole trip in New Orleans, exploring the French Quarter and completely different areas of the town. However, you probably have slightly extra time, there’s a complete different world to discover in Southern Louisiana. The world is characterised by a rare panorama, lengthy historical past, and distinctive combination of Creole and Cajun heritage.

The swamps and countryside are a nature lover’s paradise. You possibly can 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, excellent 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 flora. In case you are on a street journey you might be more likely to drive over the 18 mile (29 km) Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, which carries you excessive above the most important wetland and swamp within the U.S., a spectacular and other-worldly panorama.

The world is crisscrossed by rivers in all places; look out for footpaths and boardwalks that can 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 a lot of wildlife. There have been egrets and herons and many dragonflies. You may see fish leaping out of the water, and word the astounding number of vegetation.

There are speculated 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 automobile, you can take a guided tour or boat journey from New Orleans.

Take word that some guided excursions are extra questionable than others. They feed the alligators to ensure vacationers see them, which isn’t good for the wildlife. Go as an alternative 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 fundamental sight of the southern Louisiana countryside is the plantations. Traditionally, the Mississippi was a significant commerce route, and the river delta was dotted with plantations. These had been giant farms that grew money crops akin to sugar cane and cotton for export.

Though the plantation households — and the slave commerce that supported them — are actually consigned to the previous, you’ll nonetheless see large tracts of sugarcane fields.

As we speak it’s attainable to go to a few of the former plantation homes and discover their historical past. You possibly can do that by taking a day journey to one of many higher recognized homes akin to Oak Alley Plantation from New Orleans. Or you can 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 obligatory (nor advisable) 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 under!) as for its shows of state historical past.

Elsewhere in Baton Rouge you’ll discover an artwork museum, parks and a riverside stroll. And — in fact — 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 often called the “happiest metropolis in America.” It’s definitely a energetic 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 a lot of public artwork in Lafayette. You may discover the town’s heritage on the residing historical past museum of Vermilionville. And across the metropolis one can find 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 be taught in regards to the well-known scorching sauce.

What Else to See in Southern Louisiana

That is only a small choice of locations to go to in southern Louisiana. You possibly can additionally drive throughout the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (the longest steady bridge over water on this planet) to the parishes on the lake north of New Orleans. Or you can 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 journey to Barataria Bay, the place you possibly can see pods of dolphins and lots of 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 images by Aleah Taboclaon.

Karen Warren is a contract author, e-book reviewer and novelist. She writes about journey on her web site WorldWideWriter.

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