Louisiana
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Louisiana lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Pelican State, from the jazz clubs and Creole cuisine of New Orleans to the magnificent Atchafalaya swamp wilderness, the extraordinary River Road plantation houses, the vibrant Cajun culture of Lafayette and the remarkable Kisatchie National Forest of central Louisiana. This route covers the complete Louisiana experience. The extraordinary French Quarter and Treme of New Orleans, the finest beignets and jazz in America, the magnificent Oak Alley and Laura Plantation on the River Road, the extraordinary Avery Island Tabasco factory, the magnificent Cajun Prairie and the extraordinary Cane River Creole heritage of Natchitoches.
Best Time To Visit
October to May. Summer is brutally hot and humid.
Getting There
Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans (MSY)
Getting Around
Streetcar in New Orleans. Rental car from Day 3 onward.
Budget Per Day
Approx $120 to $200 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking and driving
DAY 1
NEW ORLEANS
MORNING
FRENCH QUARTER, TREME AND THE HEART OF NEW ORLEANS
The French Quarter is the most extraordinary historic neighborhood in America, its extraordinary Bourbon Street, Royal Street antique galleries, Jackson Square and the 1856 St Louis Cathedral giving a cityscape unlike any other in the United States. Cafe Du Monde's beignets and chicory cafe au lait since 1862 are unmissable. The extraordinary Treme neighborhood with its Congo Square, Backstreet Cultural Museum and the oldest African American Catholic church in the US is the most extraordinary cultural experience in Louisiana. Cafe Du Monde approx $3.50. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM AND THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
The National WWII Museum is the most extraordinary museum in the American South, its extraordinary collection of WWII artifacts, immersive experiences and the Solomon Victory Theater 4D film giving the finest single museum experience in Louisiana. The Warehouse District surrounding the museum has the finest concentration of contemporary art galleries in the South. The extraordinary Ogden Museum of Southern Art gives the finest collection of Southern art in any museum. WWII Museum entry approx $30. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
GARDEN DISTRICT AND FRENCHMEN STREET
The Garden District's extraordinary oak-shaded streets of antebellum Greek Revival and Italian Renaissance mansions give the finest residential architecture in the South. Commander's Palace and Lafayette Cemetery are unmissable. Frenchmen Street in the Marigny is the most extraordinary live jazz street in America, its intimate clubs giving traditional jazz, bebop and brass band music every night. The Spotted Cat and Snug Harbor are the finest jazz venues. Most clubs free before 10pm.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mardi Gras World on the riverfront is the finest hidden attraction in New Orleans, its extraordinary working warehouse of year-round float-building artists giving the most extraordinary behind-the-scenes Carnival experience in Louisiana. Entry approx $22. Open daily. The finest hidden gem in New Orleans.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Du Monde, French Quarter The most legendary breakfast in New Orleans since 1862. Extraordinary beignets and chicory cafe au lait. | Lunch: Dooky Chase's Restaurant, Treme The most legendary Creole restaurant in New Orleans. Extraordinary fried chicken and gumbo since 1941. | Dinner: Commander's Palace, Garden District The most extraordinary restaurant in New Orleans. Extraordinary Creole cuisine. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 2
RIVER ROAD AND ATCHAFALAYA
MORNING
OAK ALLEY PLANTATION, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY OAK ALLEY IN LOUISIANA
Oak Alley Plantation is the most extraordinary antebellum plantation house in Louisiana, its extraordinary quarter-mile canopy of 28 300-year-old Southern live oak trees leading from the Mississippi River levee to the 1839 Greek Revival mansion giving the most photographed plantation view in the South. The extraordinary slave quarters interpretation gives the finest and most honest account of antebellum plantation life in Louisiana. Entry approx $25. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
LAURA PLANTATION, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CREOLE PLANTATION
Laura Plantation is the most extraordinary Creole plantation in Louisiana, its extraordinary 1805 Creole complex of the main house, four slave cabins and garconniere giving the finest insight into the Louisiana Creole culture that produced the original Brer Rabbit folk tales recorded here by Alcee Fortier in 1870. The guided tour at Laura is the finest plantation interpretation in Louisiana, giving the complete stories of four generations of Creole women who ran the plantation. Entry approx $20. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
ATCHAFALAYA BASIN AIRBOAT AND SWAMP TOUR
The Atchafalaya Basin is the most extraordinary swamp wilderness in America, its extraordinary 1.4-million-acre expanse of bald cypress and tupelo swamp alive with American alligators, great blue herons, wood ducks and river otters. An airboat tour through the bayous at dawn gives the most extraordinary alligator encounter in Louisiana. The extraordinary Atchafalaya National Heritage Area preserves the finest Cajun cultural landscape in the state. Tours approx $25.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Destrehan Plantation near New Orleans is the oldest surviving plantation house in the lower Mississippi Valley, its extraordinary 1787 West Indies-style construction predating the Greek Revival style of Oak Alley by 50 years and giving a completely different architectural experience. Entry approx $20. Far less visited than Oak Alley.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: B and C Seafood, Vacherie Outstanding River Road breakfast. Extraordinary local Louisiana seafood and strong chicory coffee. | Lunch: Oak Alley Plantation restaurant Outstanding Creole lunch at the finest plantation restaurant on the River Road. Local Louisiana ingredients. | Dinner: Cafe Des Amis, Breaux Bridge The most legendary Cajun restaurant in the Atchafalaya. Extraordinary crawfish etouffee and Cajun cuisine.
DAY 3
CAJUN COUNTRY
MORNING
BREAUX BRIDGE AND LAKE MARTIN CYPRESS SWAMP
Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge is the most extraordinary free cypress swamp in Louisiana, its extraordinary Great Blue Heron and Great Egret rookery of thousands of nesting birds in the bald cypress trees visible from the free roadside viewing area without any boat tour. The extraordinary Spanish moss draping the ancient cypress trees over the dark water is the finest Cajun Country landscape in Louisiana. The Breaux Bridge crawfish restaurants lining the bridge over the Bayou Teche are extraordinary. Free. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
AVERY ISLAND TABASCO FACTORY AND JUNGLE GARDENS
Avery Island is the most extraordinary food production site in America, its free Tabasco factory tour giving extraordinary access to the aging barrels of pepper mash and the blending process that has produced the world's most famous hot sauce since 1868. The extraordinary Jungle Gardens, 170 acres of subtropical gardens surrounding the factory, contain the remarkable Bird City great egret rookery with thousands of nesting birds in season. Gardens entry approx $8. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
LAFAYETTE AND VERMILIONVILLE
Vermilionville Living History Museum in Lafayette is the most extraordinary Cajun and Creole heritage park in Louisiana, its extraordinary recreation of an early 19th-century Cajun bayou settlement with costumed interpreters demonstrating traditional crafts, cooking and music giving the finest Cajun cultural experience in the state. The extraordinary Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette is the finest zydeco venue in the world. Vermilionville entry approx $10.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation in New Iberia is the finest hidden antebellum house in Cajun Country, its extraordinary 1834 Greek Revival mansion reflected in the still bayou waters of Bayou Teche giving the most extraordinary plantation setting in south Louisiana. Entry approx $10. Almost entirely unknown to visitors focused on the River Road plantations.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dwyer's Cafe, Lafayette The finest Cajun breakfast in Lafayette. Extraordinary boudin, grillades and grits and strong coffee. | Lunch: Cafe Des Amis, Breaux Bridge The most legendary Cajun restaurant. Extraordinary crawfish etouffee and local Louisiana craft beer. | Dinner: Prejean's Restaurant, Lafayette The finest Cajun restaurant in Lafayette. Extraordinary live Cajun music and local Gulf seafood.
DAY 4
CAJUN PRAIRIE
MORNING
MAMOU AND FRED'S LOUNGE SATURDAY ZYDECO
Fred's Lounge in Mamou is the most extraordinary live zydeco experience in America, its extraordinary Saturday morning show beginning at 8am when Fred's opens and the house band launches into the most authentic Cajun and zydeco music in the state for a crowd of locals, farmers and adventurous visitors in the finest free music experience in Louisiana. The extraordinary Cajun Prairie landscape of rice fields and crawfish ponds surrounding Mamou gives the finest rural Louisiana drive. Free. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
PRAIRIE ACADIAN CULTURAL CENTER AND EUNICE
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice is the most extraordinary Cajun heritage museum in Louisiana, its extraordinary collection of Cajun music instruments, traditional crafts and the remarkable Liberty Theater, the oldest surviving Cajun radio broadcast theater in America where the Rendezvous des Cajuns Saturday evening show has broadcast live French-language Cajun music since 1987. The Liberty Theater show is the most extraordinary free evening in Cajun Country. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
KROTZ SPRINGS AND THE ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
The Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge along the Atchafalaya River north of Morgan City is the most extraordinary river wildlife refuge in Louisiana, its extraordinary bottomland hardwood forest of cottonwood, willow and cypress along the largest river swamp in North America sheltering bald eagles, wood storks, alligators and the extraordinary Louisiana black bear. The Henderson Swamp boat launch gives the finest free view of the Atchafalaya basin. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Zydeco Extravaganza in Opelousas in May is the finest hidden music festival in Louisiana, its extraordinary gathering of the finest zydeco musicians in the world at the birthplace of zydeco music giving the most extraordinary free music experience in Cajun Country. Free entry. The finest hidden music event in Louisiana.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Fred's Lounge, Mamou The most extraordinary free zydeco breakfast in Louisiana. Cold beer, boudin and live music at 8am. | Lunch: Depau's, Eunice Outstanding Cajun Prairie lunch. Extraordinary local crawfish, boudin and strong Louisiana coffee. | Dinner: Prudhomme's Cajun Cafe, Carencro The finest Cajun restaurant near Lafayette. Extraordinary local seafood and Cajun cuisine.
DAY 5
NATCHITOCHES AND KISATCHIE
MORNING
NATCHITOCHES, THE OLDEST TOWN IN LOUISIANA
Natchitoches is the most extraordinary historic town in Louisiana, founded by the French in 1714 as the oldest permanent European settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. Its extraordinary Front Street of 18th and 19th-century brick Creole buildings overlooking Cane River Lake, the extraordinary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church dating from 1857 and the remarkable Fort St Jean Baptiste State Historic Site give the finest colonial French heritage experience in Louisiana. Town free. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
CANE RIVER CREOLE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Cane River Creole National Historical Park preserves the most extraordinary Creole plantation heritage in Louisiana, its extraordinary Oakland and Magnolia Plantations on the Cane River giving the finest insight into the unique Louisiana Creole culture that existed between French, African and Native American traditions. The extraordinary Melrose Plantation nearby, where Clementine Hunter created her remarkable primitive art paintings, is the finest hidden plantation in northern Louisiana. Entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST AND THE LONGLEAF VISTA
Kisatchie National Forest is the only national forest in Louisiana, its extraordinary 604,000 acres of longleaf pine savanna, bayou and hardwood upland giving the finest wilderness experience in central Louisiana. The Longleaf Vista recreation area gives the most extraordinary elevated view of the Kisatchie Hills landscape, a mesa of red sandstone entirely unlike the rest of Louisiana. The extraordinary Kisatchie Bayou Scenic Area is the finest hidden wilderness in the state. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Cane River Creole National Historical Park's Magnolia Plantation gin house is the finest hidden industrial heritage building in Louisiana, its extraordinary intact 1850s cotton gin mechanism the finest surviving example of antebellum cotton processing technology in America. Free with park entry. Almost entirely unknown outside Louisiana.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lasyone's Meat Pie Kitchen, Natchitoches The most legendary Natchitoches meat pie since 1959. Extraordinary crispy pastry pies and strong coffee. | Lunch: Mariner's Restaurant, Natchitoches Outstanding Cane River seafood lunch. Extraordinary local crawfish and catfish on the historic waterfront. | Dinner: Maglieaux's Lakeside Restaurant, Natchitoches The finest restaurant in Natchitoches. Extraordinary local Louisiana seafood and Creole cuisine.
Where To Stay
New Orleans, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Monteleone or The Roosevelt New Orleans. Approx $150 to $300 per night. Lafayette or Breaux Bridge, Nights 3 to 4 Hotel Juliet or Maison Des Amis. Approx $100 to $180 per night. Natchitoches, Night 5 Fleur de Lis B and B or Cane River Inn. Approx $90 to $150 per night.
Top Tips
1. Fred's Lounge in Mamou on Saturday morning at 8am is the most extraordinary free zydeco experience in Louisiana.
2. Frenchmen Street jazz starts after 9pm. Arrive before 10pm at the Spotted Cat for the finest seat in the house.
3. Oak Alley Plantation's 300-year-old live oak alley is extraordinary at dawn before the tour groups arrive.
4. Natchitoches meat pies are the finest street food in Louisiana. Lasyone's on Second Street since
1959.
5. Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge has a free roadside alligator and heron view that beats most paid swamp tours.
6. The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is the finest museum in the South. Book the Tom Hanks film in advance.
Total Budget
$120 to $200/day