Luisiana

You came, you saw, you mardi gras’d: There’s no visiting Louisiana without a trip to the iconic community that acts as the crossroads for so many cultures and traditions. Explore this National Historic District’s unbeatable food scene, museums, music and notorious thoroughfare, Bourbon Street.

Consider this 290-kilometer path through the marshlands and coastline of Louisiana a drive right into the heart of Cajun culture. You’ll encounter gators, beaches, crabbing, fishermen, wildflowers and plenty of chances to sample the seafood along this scenic path.

This small, salt dome island in Iberia Parish is home to TABASCO, where you can take a tour and sample the products and then explore the lovely environment. Visit Jungle Gardens to take in the serenity of the island as well as its wildlife.

The basin here is the USA’s largest river swamp, home to hardwoods, bayous, backwater lakes and teeming with swamp wildlife (including crawfish). Don’t miss a tour of the water heritage trail in this spectacular environment; it tells the richly complex story of the water, land and people of the area.

In Lafayette, this folk life park illustrates Acadian, American Indian and Creole culture of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Highlights include 19 attractions, seven restored homes, costumed guides and local artisans.

The very picture of a historic antebellum home, a tour of Oak Alley takes you through the Big House, a Civil War Encampment Exhibit and Slave Quarter Exhibit. A Cajun/Creole lunch buffet is also available, as well as the “Spirits” Bar and a shop.

The USA’s oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use presides over Jackson Square. Tours of the historic landmark are self-guided, and you’ll want to follow up with a stop at the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center and at the Old Ursuline Convent’s museum. Afterwards, explore Jackson Square, the iconic French Quarter park bursting with character.

There’s no better place to catch classic New Orleans live jazz than here, where they’ve been keeping the tradition alive since 1961. Get tickets for a show any night; past performances have even included rock, country and hip-hop styles.

See the 22-meter tall mound, concentric half-circles and other earth works, built by hand 3,400 years ago by American Indians. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is in Pioneer.

Five of the nine museums in the statewide system are in the French Quarter: Cabildo, Presbytere, 1850 House, Madame John’s Legacy and New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint. Visit one or all.