Things to Do in Louisiana

In Louisiana, music spills into the streets, celebrations feel endless and flavors delight. From over-the-top Mardi Gras parades to soulful French Quarter jazz clubs, the state offers unforgettable moments in every season. Dive deep into Cajun and Creole culture, sample world-famous dishes like gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish étouffée during our Year of Food, and experience the warmth of Louisiana hospitality that makes every trip memorable.

Beyond the festivals and food, Louisiana’s gorgeous outdoors invite exploration. Venture into the bayous on a swamp tour, paddle through cypress-lined waterways or cast a line on a fishing trip. Love history and heritage? Explore grand historic homes, storied cemeteries and the marvels of Poverty Point — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whether you’re planning a solo summer trip, a once-in-a-lifetime wedding or a family getaway, Louisiana’s authentic nature makes for the perfect destination. 

Things to Do by Season

What is there to do in Louisiana in the spring?

In spring, Louisiana’s festival season is in full bloom. Experience the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula, Kite Fest Louisiane' in Baton Rouge or one of our many longstanding crawfish boils, like the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge. Love nature? Marvel at fresh blooms at Afton Villa Gardens in St. Francisville, the American Rose Center Gardens in Shreveport, the Jungle Gardens in Avery Island or the Rip Van Winkle Gardens in New Iberia.

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What is there to do in Louisiana in the summer?

Louisiana offers a mix of high-energy festivals and water sports, like canoeing and kayaking, in summer. Sample the sweet-tart flavors of fresh fruit at Ruston Peach Fest in Ruston or see the best in contemporary jazz at Satchmo Summerfest in New Orleans. For outdoor fun, fish for redfish along the Gulf in Venice, or surf-fish for trout in Grand Isle. Prefer a swamp tour? Jet across cypress-lined bayous in iconic destinations like the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area in Henderson or the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Marrero. When you need to cool off, explore one of our fascinating museums. Learn about Louisiana's star athletes and coaches at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, or trace the state's enduring Civil Rights legacy at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge.

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What is there to do in Louisiana in the fall?

When the first autumn leaves fall, cozy up with fairs and harvest festivals, like Jambalaya Fest in Gonzales and Festivals Acadiens et Creoles in Lafayette. Wind through pristine byways, like the Toledo Bend Scenic Byway, where you can gaze at towering hardwood pines and mossy bluffs from Mansfield to Anacoco. Or drive the Wetlands Cultural Trail, which connects close-knit, culturally rich fishing communities from Thibodaux to Chauvin. Love watching players sprint across the gridiron? Join the electric energy of tailgates and football games.

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What is there to do in Louisiana in the winter?

In winter, Louisiana’s festive spirit shines. Check the Holiday Trail of Lights off of your bucket list, or warm up at a Christmas Eve bonfire in Lutcher or Algiers. Gear up for Mardi Gras celebrations, which you'll find across the state. Love wildlife? Enjoy birdwatching — winter is prime time to see our migratory bird species. Spot bald eagles and brown pelicans at Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Lacombe, and red-shouldered hawks and little blue herons at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park in St. Martinville.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Louisiana with little kids? 

Families love the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. See endangered species like whooping cranes and laughing thrushes in unique, natural habitats, or grab a sticky-sweet sno-ball before viewing white alligators at the award-winning Louisiana Swamp Exhibit. In Thibodaux, the hands-on Bayou Country Children’s Museum inspires recreational play through a kid-sized farmers market, shrimp boat and duck blind. Love Mardi Gras? See the annual Childrens Parade in Lafayette, Family Gras in Metairie or the four-legged Mystic Krewe of Barkus parade in Lake Charles.

Is Louisiana worth visiting in the summer?

Yes! While summer is hot, the season offers exciting water sports. Tube along the Bogue Chitto River in Franklinton, or kayak beneath thick canopies of emerald pine trees at North Toledo Bend State Park in Zwolle. Paddle across relaxing lakes, like Lake D’Arbonne State Park in Farmerville and Lake Claiborne in Homer, or catch a waterfront sunset at Grand Isle Beach in Grand Isle and Holly Beach near Cameron. Cool off with live music in historical indoor venues like the Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette or Preservation Hall in New Orleans.

What food is Louisiana best known for?

Louisiana's vast food culture makes for an excellent meal. Signature dishes include gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys and beignets, which you can sample at local restaurants across the state. Love a dish with a story? In Shreveport, sink your teeth into stuffed shrimp at Orlandeaux’s Café, the country’s oldest, continuously Black-owned business, or swing by Marilynn's Place for beignets and coffee, which the café has been serving for nearly a century. In New Orleans, spoon up spicy red beans and rice at historical Dooky Chase's Restaurant, where figures like James Baldwin and Barack Obama have dined, or savor a creamy, caramelized bananas Foster at Brennan's.

Louisiana's libations are as storied as its food. Wind down with a strawberry lager from Abita Brewing Company — Louisiana's oldest and largest brewery — in Abita Springs, or sip a cocktail infused with rum made from Louisiana sugarcane at Wildcat Brothers Distilling in Lafayette. Love local wine? Have a glass on the cozy front porch of Landry Vineyards in Monroe, overlooking acres of muscadines.

Looking for more food-focused activities? Many of our farms and orchards hold pick-your-own days throughout the year, or seasonal farmers markets — like Mitcham Farms in Ruston — offer fresh produce, pastries, jams and spices.

How many days should I spend in Louisiana?

A long weekend is enough to explore major cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, but a week allows time to explore one or more regions of the state. 

Things to Do in Louisiana for Foodies

Become an expert in andouille, boudin or crawfish along one of our food trails, stopping at quintessential locations like Spuddy's Cajun Foods in Vacherie and Boudreau & Thibodaux's in Houma. Our culinary experiences range from food-focused events like the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival in Lake Charles to cooking classes at the Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge or the Mardi Gras School of Cooking in New Orleans. Stock your pantry with fresh fruit and vegetables, which you can use to recreate your favorite Louisiana dish, from one of our farmers markets.

Outdoor Things to Do in Louisiana 

Whether you love to bike, camp or explore state parks, Louisiana's landscapes inspire. Paddle through the cypress-studded Bayou Bartholomew at Chemin-A-Haut State Park in Bastrop, or hike the forested trails of Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area in St. Francisville. Along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road in Southwest Louisiana, spot alligators, migratory birds and coastal horizons. Love to camp? Unwind under the stars near Alexandria at the Kisatchie National Forest, the state’s only national forest.

Things to Do in Louisiana for History & Culture Lovers

Louisiana’s story is deeply shaped by Cajun, Creole, Indigenous and Black communities, whose traditions, resilience and creativity continue to define our culture. Walk the Cane River Creole National Heritage Area in Natchitoches, or explore the indigenous earthworks of Poverty Point, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Pioneer. Immerse yourself in Louisiana’s diverse heritage at Vermilionville, a living history museum in Lafayette, or discover the rich traditions of Zydeco music at the Creole Heritage Folklife Center in Opelousas. Love learning about revolutionaries? Follow the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail to learn the stories of the leaders and communities who shaped the Civil Rights Movement.