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Louisiana holiday - 'Parade float, Mardi Gras World, New Orleans, USA' - courtesy Paul Mannix - CC-BY

New Orleans we already know.  But there is a lot more to Louisiana than the “Big Easy” with its high spot being the Carnival (Mardi Gras), which was introduced by French settlers.

And if you don’t get enough Mardi Gras in New Orleans, or are looking for a Carnival celebration that is more ‘family friendly,’ try Mardi Gras Baton Rouge. The Capital city boasts of parades that are as just as much fun as the krewes in New Orleans, but much more family friendly.

You can sample spicy boiled crawfish in Lafayette, go birdwatching in Kisatchie or hit a blackjack in Shreveport.

Louisiana hosts a mix of cultures and the results are found in the food, music and architecture. Between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the Mississippi is lined with magnificent estates including Oak Alley, Nottoway, Myrtles Plantation, and Greenwood. In addition to the French speaking Cajuns (Acadians: descendants of the French settlers who were expelled from Nova Scotia in the 18th c.), Louisiana’s population includes Creoles, Italian, Irish and German immigrants and descendants of black slaves.

Jazz is not the only form of entertainment in Louisiana. From operas and symphonies to classical ballets and works of art, you’ll find superb examples of the fine arts in Louisiana too.  Try the New Orleans Museum of Art to spend a quiet day in the city.

In Lafayette, there is a recreated 1800’s Cajun village called Vermillionville that is highly recommended. Just East of Lafayette is Whiskey River Landing on the edge of the Atchafalaya Swamp where you can get a swamp tour.

Northern Louisiana is known as a destination for the outdoor enthusiast, with activities and recreational facilities. Campers, hunters, hikers and birdwatchers flock there to enjoy the outdoors in the year-round mild climate.

This article only skims the surface of what there is to see and do in Louisiana.

For more information about Louisiana travel and tourism