Louisiana is a must-visit state on any street journey across the Deep South and isn’t to be missed.
Packed filled with historical past and tradition, New Orleans is likely one of the oldest states making it some of the culturally wealthy cities within the US. Louisiana has masses to supply guests.
I’ve at all times wished to go to New Orleans, residence to jazz music and Bourbon Avenue. Uncover Lafayette, residence to the Cajun Nation. Discover the Swamplands of the Atchafalaya Basin and go to Avery Island, residence to the world-famous Tabasco Manufacturing unit.
Inside this weblog put up, I’ll share with you a number of the highlights from my go to to the state of Louisiana.
Listed below are my suggestions on what to do on a street journey round Louisiana.
Embody Louisiana in your street journey across the Deep South
This street journey information round Louisiana is a component of a bigger street journey across the Deep South of the US that I undertook along with Scott Tisson from Intrepid Escape.
The street journey that we did took us to the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee to cowl the entire Deep South space.
I might advocate one week for the Louisiana part of the street journey, which would be the focus of this weblog put up.
Making the whole street journey together with the opposite states will take you round a month to finish.
So you may simply do that one-week suggestion, mix two states and do two weeks, or go to all 4 states within the Deep South in a month.
When you’ve got extra time, you possibly can lengthen your journey to 6 weeks to present your self more room and time in every state, however a great week in every state might be sufficient to cowl every little thing talked about on this article.
New Orleans is a well-liked hub and gives a collection of direct flights from the UK so this may be a great suggestion as a place to begin in your street journey across the Deep South in addition to a great place to type out your rental automobile for the journey.
Welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana is a metropolis that wants no introduction. It’s world well-known for its Mardi Gras and jazz music scene. When you like to maneuver to the rhythm then that is simply the town for you!
New Orleans is internationally referred to as a centre of enjoyable, festivity and positive eating, in addition to a great deal of historical past to discover.
New Orleans is filled with well-liked landmarks and distinctive traditionally vital structure abounds. When you see the model of New Orleans structure you’ll really feel at residence. A well-recognized model that has been replicated across the globe.
In your journey by means of New Orleans, you’ll discover eating places and golf equipment well-known world wide and listen to a number of the greatest genuine New Orleans jazz round.
Journey in model on the New Orleans Streetcar
One of the simplest ways to get round New Orleans is by taking a trip on its expansive community of iconic streetcars. You should definitely choose up and use a Jazzy Cross to navigate the town of New Orleans in model.
This basic mode of transport has been serving New Orleans since 1835 and is an excellent a part of the town’s historical past.
Keep at Virgin Inns New Orleans
Test in on the Virgin Lodge. Positioned in New Orleans’ energetic Warehouse District, Virgin Hotels New Orleans mixes a ardour for meals and beverage with music and tradition that fuses with the Crescent Metropolis’s distinctive persona, offering an inclusive setting for travellers and locals alike.
Don’t miss out on The Pool Membership, situated on the highest flooring. Chill across the rooftop pool, bar and terrace with sweeping metropolis skyline views of New Orleans. Good spot to take pleasure in a frozen cocktail as nicely and relax.
Virgin Inns New Orleans is located in an incredible location. You’re solely a brief stroll to your favorite points of interest together with the French Quarter.
Begin your New Orleans meals journey at Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar
Get able to bask in a number of the most scrumptious meals you’ll ever style. New Orleans boasts an array of unbelievable eating institutions ready to be explored. Begin your culinary journey off robust on the Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar.
Take the St. Charles streetcar uptown to succeed in Napoleon Avenue the place you’ll discover Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar. It’s the perfect spot to start out your night off in model, providing the proper setting in your first-night dinner within the metropolis.
Set inside an old-school tiled house with views of historic uptown St. Charles Avenue, Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar gives seafood-focused Creole fare.
When you can, see if it’s doable to dine on the Oyster Bar itself, the proper spot for solo eating. Right here you possibly can watch the Oyster Shucker get to work on the orders.
Although they make it look all really easy, it comes from years of expertise and information on learn how to shuck an oyster appropriately to keep up the standard.
I dived proper in and acquired half a dozen of regionally sourced Gulf Coast oysters to start out and as we’re in Louisiana, loaded them up with a touch of Tabasco so as to add that kick of flavour.
Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar menus boasting the freshest components of our impressed tackle Louisiana classics, Superior Seafood is a fascinating location for vacationers and locals alike.
I used to be additionally impressed with the blackened catfish Napolean which was cooked to perfection and had an unbelievable gravy sauce that paired nicely with the sweetcorn.
Additionally washed all of it down with a frozen French 75 which was simply the ticket. Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar was an expertise I might like to return to and a good way to kick-start the meals journey in NOLA.
Try the swamp life and hit the excessive ropes at ZipNola
For the journey seeker, seize a switch over to ZipNola, New Orleans Swamp Zipline Adventure, situated on the outskirts of New Orleans. This location provides you an opportunity to expertise the swamp lands on the outskirts, not too far-off from the town.
ZipNola is the world’s first totally aquatic swamp zipline. Sure, that does imply you’ll be ziplining throughout swamps with the potential of recognizing alligators of their pure habitat beneath.
At ZipNola you will see that 5 totally different zipline adventures, together with two sky bridges for exploring the swamp beneath. Moreover, there’s an elevated spectating deck, picnic tables and animal enclosures.
Transport to and from the town of New Orleans may also be organized and could be booked prematurely of your go to.
For an added tour, think about reserving the Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour, which could be included within the metropolis switch in the event you need to mix each experiences and enrich your day journey to the world.
Preservation Corridor
When you’re visiting New Orleans, my prime advice could be to guide tickets prematurely for Preservation Hall.
This historic music venue, situated within the French Quarter, gives leisure for all ages and holds a major place in jazz historical past. Set in a no-frills house with wood flooring and no air-conditioning, Preservation Corridor has remained unchanged since its opening in 1961 and continues to host conventional New Orleans jazz performances.
This was certainly the spotlight of my journey, an actual wild card expertise.
I like the truth that video or pictures just isn’t allowed inside Preservation Corridor throughout stay performances. Everybody switches off and focuses on having fun with the present, permitting you to focus on the unbelievable stay efficiency.
See in the event you can guide the home band or an All-Stars Live performance at Preservation Corridor – you gained’t be disillusioned.
Step again in time and revel in dinner at Tujague’s restaurant
Tujague’s is the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana and is one to not be missed.
Sustaining its status for delivering an unforgettable eating expertise, Tujague’s has been a favorite for greater than 165 years, delighting French Quarter patrons with its strong choices.
A go to to Tujague’s isn’t full with out beginning with a Sazerac. This rye whiskey-based cocktail is believed to be one of many first ever invented and is a signature drink of New Orleans.
Should-try dishes embody sea scallops or shrimp and grits – two Louisiana specialties which are certain to fulfill. Moreover, the pan-seared duck is ready excellently.
Save room for the pleasant Banana Bread Pudding to spherical off your meal.
Lastly, finish your night with a Grasshopper, the signature cocktail created at Tujague’s. This brandy-based cream concoction serves as the proper finale to your eating expertise.
Tour New Orleans in model on a FreeWheelin’ Bike Excursions
When you’re in search of a distinct technique to head out on a tour of New Orleans neighbourhoods, make sure you take a look at FreeWheelin’ Bike Tours.
These state-of-the-art electrical fats bikes supply a enjoyable and easy technique to navigate the town.
You have got the choice to both hire bikes from FreeWheelin’ Bike Excursions and observe one among their mapped excursions, or be a part of a guided tour led by a educated native information, who will convey the neighbourhoods to life with their insider insights.
In the course of the tour, you’ll go to numerous spots round New Orleans, together with the French Quarter & New Orleans Historical past, the Marigny Neighborhood, Frenchmen Avenue, St. Louis Cemetery – Tombs & Burial Practices, The Creole Mansion & Oak-Lined Esplanade Avenue aka ‘Avenue of the Creoles’ & ‘Millionaire’s Row’, 1,000 12 months Outdated Oak Tree Grove in Metropolis Park, ‘Huge Lake’ in Metropolis Park, Treme’ Neighborhood, Louis Armstrong Park, Congo Sq. – The Birthplace of Jazz Music, Bayou St. John Waterway & Neighborhood and Magnolia Bridge aka ‘Blue Bridge’.
I loved the FreeWheelin’ Bike Tour, particularly having a neighborhood information from the world added that additional factor of data that you simply wouldn’t get in the event you did it your self.
It’s a good way to discover the town and acquire a deeper understanding of all of the totally different areas round New Orleans.
Expertise historical past because it involves life in Vue Orleans
Vue Orleans is situated within the former World Commerce Middle constructing that’s now residence to the 4 Seasons Lodge New Orleans and Residences.
Vue Orleans takes the customer on a deep dive into New Orleans’s historical past, music and tradition by way of a multi-level interactive cultural expertise that brings New Orleans into sharp focus.
The attraction gives a novel 4D expertise with 9 totally different authentic movies, seven interactive displays and the town’s solely rooftop 360-degree panoramic viewing platform.
Vue Orleans pairs model with substance, utilizing expertise to shine a centered highlight on the huge array of artwork, music, meals, historical past and tradition discovered solely in New Orleans.
An effective way to convey New Orleans historical past to life on this visible show.
Cease by Cochon Restaurant
At Cochon Restaurant, Chef Donald Hyperlink has embraced his culinary heritage by serving conventional Cajun Southern dishes that replicate the flavours of his upbringing.
Set in a captivating, historic dig, this restaurant is the proper native selection, specialising in pork dishes and imaginative Cajun delicacies.
Chef Hyperlink is working with regionally sourced pork, recent produce and seafood, specializing in conventional strategies and creating genuine flavours of Cajun Nation.
Something pork is nice right here, and the shrimp is grilled completely too. The spotlight for me was the ribs, cooked flawlessly. I additionally couldn’t get sufficient of the sensational pork crackling. Cochon Restaurant is a improbable and pleasing spot to dine in NOLA, particularly for these desirous to discover the colourful Cajun flavours.
Stroll round Bourbon Avenue and soak all of it in
A go to to New Orleans, wouldn’t be full with out strolling down Bourbon Street.
Lined with a great deal of enjoyable bars to take a look at, you possibly can simply find yourself right here by the top of each evening.
Hours of enjoyable with a great deal of stay performers and infinite bars to discover. See the place the evening takes you!
Then you possibly can head over to Frenchmen Street, additionally a preferred space with a great deal of enjoyable bars. I might advocate heading over to the Noticed Cat Music Membership for some nice stay music and a few enjoyable cat-themed cocktails.
Discover the Atchafalaya basin on an Airboat Swamp Tour
In your technique to Lafayette, why not cease off alongside the way in which and discover the Atchafalaya basin on an Airboat Swamp Tour?
Time to hit the swamps for an exhilarating trip by means of the Atchafalaya basin – the nation’s largest freshwater swamp.
The spotlight of the tour must be going by means of the bald cypress bushes you’ll find across the swamp lands. They’re fairly spectacular to see up shut from the water.
We did preserve our eyes open for some alligators however we solely managed to see some from a distance which was in all probability a great factor.
An Airboat Swamp Tour is a good way to expertise life on the swamps in Louisiana.
Try the town of Lafayette, Lousiana
Welcome to Lafayette, the guts of Cajun Nation! This area of South Louisiana was settled by the Acadians after their expulsion from Canada.
You’ll discover traces of their tradition woven into each facet of life right here. The accents might sound a bit totally different, and also you may even catch snippets of Cajun French being spoken!
Seize lunch at Adopted Canine Brewing
Adopted Canine Brewing is the one brewery situated within the metropolis of Lafayette and can proudly serve craft beer brewed in-house whereas providing a meals menu to enrich the number of beers accessible.
Right here you will see that well-liked American dishes comparable to burgers, pizzas and salads. The IPA was positively value a attempt.
Discover Downtown Lafayette
Head out on a self-guided strolling tour of Downtown Lafayette. Listed below are some advised locations value trying out:
Beausoleil Books & Whisper Room, Cajun Hatter, Genterie Provide, Cathedral of St. John Sans Paquet, Parish Ink, Pavy Design Studio.
For a dessert cease, take a look at Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe. Open seven days per week, it gives a full old-school diner expertise, nonetheless serving soda the old style manner. An unbelievable collection of ice lotions can be accessible, good for these with a candy tooth.
Downtown Lafayette supplies a wealthy and distinctive expertise for teams, giant or small.
Whether or not your curiosity lies in visiting, purchasing, eating or taking part in, Downtown has one thing for everybody, from galleries to eating places and every little thing in between.
The range in Louisiana’s tradition and customs is mirrored within the architectural kinds that flourish all through the village.
These seven main architectural influences are Caribbean, French, American Colonial, Creole, Acadian, Spanish and Neoclassical Revival.
Every model has its distinct character and persona, but all work collectively to offer selection and curiosity all through the various neighbourhoods.
Hangout on the Rhythms on the River
Base your self at SpringHill Suites Lafayette South at River Ranch after which head to Rhythms on the River for a music and dinner particular.
Rhythms on the River is a free live performance collection that takes place at River Ranch’s City Sq. in Lafayette on Thursdays in the course of the spring and fall.
Native musicians carry out underneath the city centre’s gazebo whereas residents and guests dance and revel in meals and drinks from native distributors.
Go to Avery Island, residence to the Tabasco Manufacturing unit
Positioned inside driving distance of Lafayette is Avery Island, residence to the Tabasco factory.
Avery Island itself is a salt dome greatest referred to as the supply of Tabasco sauce.
It’s situated in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States, about three miles inland from Vermilion Bay, which opens onto the Gulf of Mexico.
You should definitely tour the Tabasco Sauce Manufacturing unit, the museum, the greenhouse, the barrel-making room, the bottling plant and the storage warehouse. There’s masses to see, do and be taught as you stroll by means of all of the totally different levels of the Tabasco bottling course of.
Be sure you depart a while to go to the Tabasco manufacturing facility reward store promoting an entire host of Tabasco items.
You may also have lunch at Restaurant 1868, serving up basic dishes that use Tobasco as the primary inspiration. It is a great place to attempt a neighborhood favorite, such because the Louisiana basic, a shrimp po’ boy, which fits moderately nicely with some splashes of Tabasco.
When you’ve got some additional time, make sure you drive round the entire island and discover the unbelievable chicken life in Fowl Metropolis and the Jungle Gardens nature reserve. The island is an attractive place to discover.
Thanks for studying my weblog put up about my street journey to Louisiana
Thanks for visiting my weblog put up and studying about my street journey across the state of Louisiana.
I hope you discovered all the knowledge tremendous helpful in the direction of your journey planning, and I want you a tremendous journey to Louisiana.
This journey was a part of a much bigger street journey across the Deep South. You should definitely go to the opposite weblog posts overlaying Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Try my information to Mississippi to proceed the journey after visiting Louisiana.
Wishing you a beautiful journey to Louisiana and the Deep South of the US.
When you’ve got any additional questions, please be happy to contact me, and I might be more than pleased to assist.
This text was executed in collaboration with TTM and the State of Louisiana to advertise street journeys within the Deep South.