Winnsboro

Few American cities can boast the sort of patriotism that's on display in Winnsboro. Its Patriot Square lives up to the name, with more stars and stripes in the wind than you’re likely to see anywhere else. A clean, quiet and friendly town, it may be the closest thing to Mayberry you’ll find in Louisiana.

Winnsboro was founded on cotton, and it remains an agriculturally based community to this day. But it’s not all about the fields. In April, the biggest event on the social calendar —and one of the biggest events in North Louisiana — hits the town. About 5,000 pounds of catfish are cooked during the Franklin Parish Catfish Festival, giving you an idea of the importance of that whiskered fish.

The immediate natural surroundings offer great fishing, and Winnsboro supplies a generous collection of public parks, perfect for a lazy afternoon picnic.