Louisiana's Top Fall Attractions & Things to Do

Looking for things to do in fall in Louisiana? We recommend getting inspired by state parks and preserves, wandering historic sites and letting loose at a sports game or fall festival. These only-in-Louisiana experiences will feed your soul and relax and refresh you as you journey to places full of natural beauty, imagination and hometown charm. From artsy attractions and historic homes to haunted houses and spooky Halloween celebrations, discover top things to do and see this fall in Louisiana.

Nature & Outdoor Activities

Leaf Peeping in Louisiana

While Louisiana might not be the first place that comes to mind for fall foliage, you might be surprised by our stunning autumnal colors — particularly in the northernmost part of the state. Leaves usually begin changing colors in late October, reaching their peak beauty in mid- to late November.

Kisatchie National Forest, the only designated national forest in Louisiana, covers seven parishes and more than 600,000 acres. Known for its exceptional fishing, hunting and camping, Kisatchie is also a great place to see fall foliage. In fact, it was recently voted one of the top 100 spots in the country to go leaf peeping. Traverse the Longleaf Trail Byway for the best views.

In Chatham, Jimmie Davis State Park is known for its gorgeous scenery, featuring a hilly upland pine and hardwood forest, plus views of Caney Lake. Explore the park’s trails as you enjoy beautiful fall colors, and stay the night in one of the waterfront cabins.

Farther north is Chemin-A-Haut State Park, situated on a high bluff overlooking the North Louisiana woodlands — prime leaf-peeping country. Bring a picnic to one of the 35 family sites with grills and tables, or book a night at a lakeside cabin.

Birding in the Fall

Fall makes for exceptional birding in Louisiana, thanks to the state’s position along the Mississippi Flyway. As millions of birds head south for the winter, they pass through Louisiana’s forests and wetlands, including the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge and Tickfaw State Park.

Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

The cooler months bring ample opportunities to get outdoors and explore what's referred to as "America's Foreign Country." Imagine paddling through the morning fog, floating past cypress knees (knobby, above-ground roots) and keeping a lookout for creatures both above — bald eagles, ibises, cranes and roseate spoonbills — and below. Alligators call the region home, but it's safe to view these shy creatures from a distance — or on a swamp tour from Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tours.

The Atchafalaya Heritage Area is massive, spanning 14 parishes and encompassing one of the nation's most ecologically diverse regions. In addition to the numerous hiking, biking and birding trails through the swamp, there are innumerable streams that are perfect for exploring via kayak or canoe.

Poverty Point World Heritage Site

Head to the northern part of the state to discover the Poverty Point World Heritage Site. This true Louisiana marvel has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — alongside wonders like the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty. It was only the 22nd place in America to receive the distinction.

Poverty Point was home to an enormous Native American settlement, and this ancient city still holds engineering marvels, artworks and earthen monuments that fill curious travelers with wonder and awe. Want to make a weekend out of your trip? Cozy up in a waterfront cabin at nearby Poverty Point Reservoir State Park, where you can catch the sunrise by kayak. 

Historical Sites & Museums

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol

Head to Baton Rouge to check out this Gothic Revival-style building that was created to look like a medieval castle. The Old State Capitol building's eye-catcher is its gorgeous stained-glass dome. It's a kaleidoscope of color (and a great photo op), and the ornate spiral staircase inside the building is a sight to behold. They say it’s haunted by Civil War-era woman Sarah Morgan, so take a tour and see the “Ghost of the Castle” show, then decide for yourself if the rumors are true.

Great River Road

Driving this 70-mile stretch between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is like traveling through time. The Great River Road is lined with gorgeous oak trees and Southern Spanish moss that are a feast for the eyes, and along the way you can stop to snap photos of historic homes and natural beauty.

The sugar plantations and landmarks bordering the Mississippi River have inspired travelers and history buffs for years, and the famous writer Mark Twain even wrote about the experience of traveling through this corridor. You can tour several of the plantations, including Oak Alley, Houmas House and Laura Plantation, to gain a deeper understanding of the history and stories behind some of the iconic homes.

Chauvin Sculpture Garden

In Chauvin, located southeast of Houma in the southern part of the state, curious, art-loving travelers can stroll through a folk-art treasure created by reclusive artist Kenny Hill, a bricklayer who left behind more than 100 sculptures on his bayou property. The Chauvin Sculpture Garden is a whimsical sight that includes colorful Cajun-style artworks that chronicle moments from the artist’s life, including a 45-foot-tall lighthouse made out of 7,000 bricks. There's a small museum on site, and you can take in Hill’s life story while discovering some of the region’s most fascinating folk art.

Frogmore Plantation & Gins

Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gins is an 1,800-acre working cotton farm and museum. Take a tour to learn about historical cotton-harvesting methods and their effects on enslaved workers, and see the farm alive today. From mid-July through April, visitors can pick their own cotton using historical sacks. And during the fall, the 900 bales-per-day cotton gin operates, giving guests the opportunity to explore a modern American cotton manufacturer.

Homer & Herbert S. Ford Museum

Homer, just 45 minutes northwest of Ruston, offers outdoor adventure, cultural activities and comfort food in spades. Homer was recently named the perfect small town for a fall day trip by Only in Your State, garnering acclaim for its pre-Civil War courthouse, local history museum and state park.

The local history museum, the Herbert S. Ford Memorial Museum, is housed in the circa-1890 Hotel Claiborne, a historic building in itself. Discover the story of Claiborne Parish from its time as home to the Caddo Nation through the Civil War to the Roaring ‘20s and modern day.

Festivals & Events

There’s something to celebrate in every season in Louisiana, and fall is no exception. From egg-centric celebrations to film festivals, discover our state’s top fall events.

Sugar Cane Festival

Louisiana’s sweetest festival started as a way for farmers to honor a successful harvest and has evolved into a beloved annual tradition for locals and visitors. The Sugar Cane Festival features a 5K, a blessing of the sugarcane fields, a Cajun dance party with live music, and plenty of sweets and sugary deliciousness to go around!

Red River Revel Arts Festival

The Red River Revel in Shreveport features two weekends filled with food, art, culture and music. Vendors serve fair favorites like fresh funnel cakes and Louisiana classics (think Natchitoches meat pies, and chicken and waffles), while a spectacular lineup of musicians perform across multiple stages.

State Fair of Louisiana

Also in Shreveport, the State Fair of Louisiana is held annually in October and November. Expect thrilling carnival rides, laugh-out-loud performances, showstopping live music and endless family fun. A few highlights: watch the All-American High Dive Show, ride a camel and sample cookie-dough bites, deep-fried bread pudding or pizza on a stick.

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles

Each October, Louisiana’s Cajun capital of Lafayette hosts this beloved annual cultural celebration. Featuring both a food festival and a music festival, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles truly combines the best of Louisiana's both worlds. Sample favorites like crawfish étouffée, boudin balls and blackened alligator tacos, then hit the main stage for top names in Cajun and zydeco music.

Sports & Tailgating

Real Louisianians know fall begins with cheers of “Who Dat!” and the sounds of the Southern University Marching Band, dubbed the Human Jukebox. Whether you’re an alumnus rooting for your college team or a visitor heading to Caesars Superdome to watch the New Orleans Saints, there’s no better way to enjoy football than with a tailgate.

Discover our top tailgating tips, what to pack for your Louisiana tailgate and more things to do in Baton Rouge.

Other Fall Must-Dos in Louisiana

Pumpkin Patches

Pumpkin patches in Louisiana? We’ve got ‘em!

Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch in Hammond features a field full of pumpkins and a corn maze, plus a nature trail, face painting and plenty of backyard games. In Baton Rouge, Magnolia Mound Museum hosts a pumpkin patch each October. Visitors can enjoy a free walk through the historic house and grounds, and kiddos can go on a scavenger hunt, paint their pumpkins and make their own corn-husk dolls. Just north of Lake Charles, CM Farms in Dry Creek celebrates Fall on the Farm, where families can get lost in a giant corn maze, pet baby animals and pick the perfect pumpkin from their patch.

Halloween Activities & Events

Searching for something scarier? Louisiana’s long and complicated history lends itself to paranormal activities, which make for great stories and even better haunted attractions.

In New Orleans, take a tour of the city’s oldest cemetery, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, rumored to be haunted by voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. Also in New Orleans, visit The Mortuary, a mansion that operated for nearly a century as an actual mortuary. Now it operates as a haunted house with a different theme each year.

In DeRidder, the infamous Gothic Jail gets even spookier during October. Visitors can roam the jail’s haunted halls during Gothic Jail After Dark. And if you’d like to learn more about the jail before dark, daytime tours are also available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fall like in Louisiana?

While Louisiana’s weather typically varies across the state (cooler in the north, warmer and rainier in the south), fall tends to be mild. Temperatures hover between 76°F and 62°F in New Orleans, while Shreveport can see lows of 52°F. Many consider fall the perfect season for outdoor recreation; the humidity drops, and temporary cold fronts are ideal for hunting and fishing seasons.

What are the best fall festivals in Louisiana?

You can find fall festivals and fairs in nearly every corner of the state during the fall. Food festivals include the Giant Omelette Celebration in Abbeville, the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival in New Orleans and the Zwolle Tamale Festival. Enjoy live music at the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival, and the Acadia Music Fest in Thibodaux offers family-friendly entertainment. Learn about the legend of the swamp’s werewolf-like creature at the Rougarou Fest in Houma, and celebrate Halloween with New Orleans’ Krewe of Boo parade.

Where can I see fall foliage in Louisiana?

Fall foliage is most commonly found in North Louisiana. Head to Kisatchie National Forest to enjoy panoramic views on the Longleaf Trail Byway. Jimmie Davis State Park is known for its stunning pine and hardwood forest, and Chemin-A-Haut is situated on a high bluff overlooking the North Louisiana woodlands — prime leaf-peeping country.

Is fall a good time to visit Louisiana?

Absolutely — fall is one of the best times to visit Louisiana! The weather cools down, the air feels less humid and bugs aren’t as bothersome, making it perfect for getting outside. You can hike, camp or paddle through scenic spots like Kisatchie National Forest, where the leaves start to change. It’s also a popular season for fishing and hunting, and festivals are happening almost every weekend, so there’s always something to do.

There are incredible destinations all across Louisiana that fulfill any curious traveler’s quest for discovery, history, natural beauty and culture — and plenty of great food along the way. Start planning your itinerary to explore Louisiana’s hot spots and hidden gems.