Everything you need for a relaxing and interesting weekend break can be found in Louisiana.
This state features wonderful white sand beaches, historical areas, vast forests, and great architecture. And the culture is a harmonic fusion of Southern, Creole, and Cajun traditions.
But with so many destination alternatives, where do you even begin?
Below is a listing of the best weekend getaway options in Louisiana, along with descriptions of their attractions and the many reasons why you should make the trip.
The following recommendations will get you started on your trip to Louisiana and make the planning process a breeze.
1. New Orleans
The Big Easy is a must-see on any trip to Louisiana.
The culture and history of the area, which dates back more than 300 years, are celebrated and extolled rather than downplayed in this highly popular tourist destination.
Take a trip on one of the historic streetcar lines (the Saint Charles Line is the oldest in the world at almost 150 years old) and take in the sights and sounds of vibrant districts like the French Quarter.
Visit Vieux Carre to see well-known attractions like St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, or go for a more relaxed adventure to the French Market, which has a flea market, live music, unique boutiques, and delicious food.
Oh, and don’t forget to stop into a jazz club for a delightful evening!
2. Xtreme Beachside RV Resort
Situated just a stone’s throw away from the Gulf of Mexico, Xtreme Beachside RV Resort stands as one of the few remaining RV parks located on the beachside of Grand Isle.
The resort offers fully equipped sites that offer scenic views of the ocean, along with a covered pavilion ideal for family gatherings and cookouts, all within a warm and inviting ambiance. Despite its simple amenities, the RV resort is meticulously maintained and offers a range of engaging activities for guests to enjoy.
Notably, the resort is renowned for its exceptional fishing opportunities, with local waters teeming with speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and crab. Adventure enthusiasts can indulge in thrilling kayaking experiences on the other side of Grand Isle. For those seeking culinary delights, a plethora of restaurants await, providing a delectable array of dining options and refreshing beverages.
Xtreme Beachside RV Resort serves as an idyllic choice for avid fishing enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking for a perfect weekend getaway in Louisiana State.
3. Plantation Country
High on this list is a popular destination for couples seeking peace and quiet in Louisiana; it’s about an hour from New Orleans and has beautiful plantation land that stretches as far as the eye can see.
Plantation tours are a necessity, but a day can also be spent discovering the fascinating history and culture of this region.
In addition to the Ormond Plantation and the Laura Plantation, there are also the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens and the Oak Alley Plantation, all of which are popular filming locations for Hollywood.
Stop by any of the local smokehouses to get an up-close look at the process of making and smoking Louisiana’s renowned andouille sausages.
4. Lafayette
Lafayette, located smack dab in the middle of Cajun country, should be at the top of your list of Louisiana vacation ideas if you want to immerse yourself in Cajun culture, music, cuisine, and history.
If you’re the kind to “live to eat,” you won’t go hungry in Lafayette. The city’s restaurants expertly blend Cajun history with contemporary flair.
There’s no shortage of live music places like the Blue Moon bar and Zydeco for all music lovers. The engrossing and upbeat soundtrack makes the time fly by.
While you’re there, take a tour of the Atchafalaya Basin, which offers 850,000 acres of water prairies, lakes, and swamps, where you can explore the wetlands and learn about the local flora and wildlife.
5. Natchitoches
If you’re a fan of history and culture, you’ll find this very modest city (where the movie Steel Magnolias was shot) has an old-fashioned European flavor that dates back to its establishment as an original French Colony in 1714.
The Cane River National Historical Park is a must-see if you’re in this area, which is Louisiana’s oldest community.
If you’re interested in learning more about the region’s history after visiting the park, the Magnolia and Oakland museums are also on the African-American Heritage Trail in Louisiana. The Cane River National Heritage Area has several attractions, including the Prudhomme-Rouquier House. Take a walk around the National Historic District, or, even better, go on the Steel Magnolias tour to lift your spirits.
6. Avery Island
Although Avery Island is famous all over the globe because of the locally produced McIlhenny Tabasco Sauce, few people realize that the island also serves as a fantastic weekend getaway destination amid Louisiana’s coastal marshlands.
You’ll find a wide variety of attractions spread throughout the 2,200 acres of picturesque oak and Spanish moss, many of which have nothing to do with tabasco sauce at all.
At the McIlhenny Tobasco factory, you can enjoy a self-guided tour that includes stops at the Tabasco Museum and the Greenhouse, where the highly sought peppers are cultivated and used to make the sauce.
Also worth seeing is the 170-acre Jungle Gardens, which is home to a diverse range of native and exotic plant and animal species.
7. Reunion Lake RV Resort – Best for Kids
Situated along the I-12 corridor at Exit 47 in Robert, Louisiana, lies an opulent RV camping resort that epitomizes luxury.
This esteemed resort specializes in delivering a harmonious blend of relaxation and communion with nature, resulting in an unparalleled getaway experience. It proudly stands as a premier RV park, seamlessly merging the joys of an idyllic lakeside park with the lavish amenities found in a high-end resort. With a focus on creating a family-friendly, tranquil, and secure environment, this resort serves as an ideal sanctuary for visitors seeking solace and rejuvenation.
Guests are treated to an array of exceptional amenities that include a lazy river, a poolside bar, a grill for delectable poolside dining, enticing lake attractions, a mini-golf course, a swim-up tiki bar, and an array of other captivating features.
Indulge in the splendors of this luxury RV camping resort, where nature and opulence coexist, offering a perfect haven for your well-deserved escape.
8. Lake Charles
Lake Charles (the city, not the lake) is a great weekend escape in southwest Louisiana, where luxury, Southern culture, art, nature, and golf all come together in one fantastic destination.
Lake Charles’s downtown spans more than 40 blocks and is home to attractions, including the Charpentier Historic District, a beautiful collection of Victorian buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu is a joy to visit and has the world’s greatest collection of Mardi Gras costumes.
If a relaxing round of golf sounds more appealing than the chaos of Mardi Gras, the city is home to six public courses with pristine greens and breathtaking scenery.
The Creole Nature Trail, often known as Louisiana’s Outback, is a must for nature lovers and those who like road vacations. The whole length of this treasure trove is a little over 180 miles; you can choose to take a guided trip along the east or west side, follow a pre-planned schedule, or just strike off on your own.