Discover the heart and soul of Louisiana through a captivating interview with Maria Manzella of the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Maria unveils the state's irresistible allure, from its rich musical heritage to its delectable cuisine and boundless outdoor adventures. Highlighting the diversity of Louisiana's cultures and the warmth of its people, she showcases the state's penchant for celebration with an astonishing 400 festivals annually. With its unique blend of history, culture, and hospitality, Louisiana stands as a beacon for travelers seeking unforgettable experiences. Explore the magic of Louisiana at every turn, guided by Maria's expert insights.  

  Diana Hernandez from New Orleans Tourism vividly depicts the city's allure. Described as one of the world's most welcoming destinations, New Orleans embraces diversity, offering a non-judgmental atmosphere where visitors can truly be themselves. With its rich cultural tapestry, from urban exploration to renowned cuisine, the city captivates travelers of all ages and backgrounds. Recognized globally as a top food destination and the birthplace of jazz, blues, and the cocktail, New Orleans boasts a vibrant cultural scene. Through www.neworleans.com, travelers can access curated itineraries and event calendars, ensuring an unforgettable experience in this dynamic city.  

  Eugenie Mitchell, VP of Tourism Sales Lafayette Convention & Visitor Commission, paints a vivid picture of the city's cultural richness and natural beauty. From the unique Cajun and Creole heritage to the vibrant music scene pulsating through venues like the Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette promises a sensory journey like no other. Mitchell highlights the significance of food in local culture, inviting visitors to savor the flavors of gumbo and boudin sausage. Additionally, Lafayette's outdoor offerings, including swamp tours and wildlife encounters, underscore the city's allure for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. Dive into Lafayette's enchanting world through Mitchell's captivating insights.  

  Embark on a journey to the enchanting town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, as Devon Corbello shares insights into its allure. Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, this hidden gem offers a blend of scenic beauty, historical intrigue, and culinary delights. From captivating hiking trails adorned with waterfalls to the renowned Myrtles Plantation, known for its ghostly tales, there's something for every adventurer. Dive into the culinary diversity, including locally sourced mushrooms that add a unique twist to Southern comfort cuisine. Uncover the secrets of St. Francisville at visitStFrancisvilleLA.com and plan your unforgettable getaway today.  

  In a delightful exchange at the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly, London, Graham engages Marie Stagg from Visit Baton Rouge in a captivating dialogue unveiling the city's myriad treasures. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, emerges as a mosaic of cultures, offering an enticing blend of culinary delights, pulsating live music, and rich historical experiences. Marie paints a vivid picture of the city's culinary landscape, where Cajun, Creole, and a myriad of international influences converge. From blues festivals to swamp tours and leisurely bike rides along the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge beckons with promises of unforgettable adventures. Through Marie's words, Baton Rouge emerges not just as a destination, but as an immersive journey into the heart of Louisiana's soul.  

  Graham McKenzie engages David Bradley of Visit Shreveport Bossier, uncovering the allure of this Louisiana gem. David paints a vivid picture of Shreveport Bossier's multifaceted appeal, from its scenic byway trails to quirky gas station tours, all serving as gateways to the state's rich cultural tapestry. Highlighting the city's pivotal role in music history, David traces its roots back to Elvis Presley's iconic beginnings at the Louisiana Hayride. With tantalizing culinary offerings blending Cajun, Creole, and Texan flavors, coupled with a thriving music scene featuring both legends and rising stars, Shreveport Bossier emerges as a must-visit destination. Conveniently located and easily accessible, it beckons travelers to immerse themselves in its vibrant spirit and Southern hospitality.  

  Jennifer Bertholdt, a prominent figure in Louisiana Tourism, discusses her plans for promoting the state. They emphasize the importance of destination stewardship, highlighting the enthusiasm of residents and ambassadors in sharing Louisiana's unique culture and attractions. Climate change is integrated into Louisiana's tourism strategy, focusing on sustainability in events like Mardi Gras and raising awareness about coastal wetland loss. The conversation underscores the deep connection between Louisiana's culture and its environment. Jennifer will be speaking at the World Travel Market, where she will showcase new properties, attractions, upcoming festivals, and the significance of music in Louisiana's cultural heritage.  

Summer is over, and the fall festival season has kicked off in Louisiana. The season in Louisiana brings a variety of eclectic food, music and cultural festivals. Sip on a pumpkin spiced latte and enjoy the unique culture and sounds of the south this fall.   Fall Festivals – The Fall Festival line up ensures there's something for everyone. For literary lovers, the Louisiana Book Festival is a world class literary celebration and the largest book festival in the state. The festival is bookworm’s dream to meet celebrated writers, and enjoy thought-provoking presentations. There are varied activities plus food and live music all day long. If music is your thing, head to the Festival Acadiens et Creoles that takes place in October to discover Lafayette's unique cultural heritage. It's a free three-day festival of nonstop music, dancing, food as well as crafts. It’s a genuine Cajun and Creole experience like no other. Art enthusiasts will love the Red River Revel Arts Festival in Shreveport, which is north Louisiana's largest arts festival.   Road Trips - Fall is the perfect time for a road trip through Louisiana, with 19 Scenic Trails and Byways to choose from. Each route weaves through the state, allowing travelers to learn about the distinct cultures in each area. Each path presents a little taste of everything for visitors to soak up. Take in the scenery through Louisiana's bayous, gardens, and wildlife refuges. Learn about enriching history and stories at local eateries, dance halls, and the "Cajun Music Capital of the World," a stop on Zydeco Cajun Prairie Byway.   Film fans can check out the Cane River National Heritage Trail and stop by the Steel Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast in Natchitoches, where Steel Magnolias was filmed. It is now part of the Louisiana Film Trail, or take the Northup Trail and learn the fascinating true story behind Twelve Years a Slave. https://www.explorelouisiana.com/  

 

A Sportsman's Paradise

The ultimate playground

Sure, that’s a lot to live up to. But with thousands of hiking and biking trails, beautiful State Parks, and one of the largest game preserves in the United States, Louisiana is the ultimate playground for all outdoorsmen. Our vast expanse of coastal wetlands and countless birding trails make our state a habitat for many rare and endangered species and a natural paradise for bird watchers as well. Come step into the wild outdoors of Louisiana.

Tease Your Taste Buds and

Feel the Rhythm

Dive into our visual stories and learn more about Louisiana's culinary culture with tourism experts representing Louisiana, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.

  Enjoy natural Louisiana scenery from a different vantage point - on the water!   Louisiana is about 52,000 square miles and about 15 percent is water—inland lakes and swamps, coastal marshlands, scenic small rivers, canals and bayous (slow-moving streams). The best way to experience Louisiana’s waterways and the animals and plants that call them home is by canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Paddling Louisiana’s waters, you’ll pass under mysterious canopies, see elegant birdlife and even brush past the occasional alligator along quiet labyrinthine bayous, rivers and sloughs that cover the state in a liquid network. Here are some ideal places to paddle your way throughout the state.   In south Louisiana, the Cajun Coast Paddling Trails are seven routes through 170,000 acres of designated wildlife management areas in St. Mary Parish. It is a must-do for paddlers who also enjoy birding. In Lafayette, check out the Bayou Vermilion Paddle Trail in the Bayou Vermilion District, where recreation areas, boat and canoe launches, and areas of historical interest are highlighted. In Lake Charles, Lake Area Adventures offers kayak rentals - including tandem kayaks and fishing kayaks, in addition to tours through some of the most scenic views of the Lake Charles area. Tours are available for every skill level. Mittie, north of Lake Charles, is the town to look for — it bills itself as the canoe capital of Louisiana. Whiskey Chitto Creek is another popular spot, and there are plenty of rental options. Tickfaw State Park near Springfield offers paddlers the opportunity to explore cypress and tupelo swamps, bottomland hardwoods and mixed pine and hardwood forests all on display for paddlers on the Tickfaw River. Fairview-Riverside State Park in Madisonville, right on the Tchefuncte River, is a great spot for great paddling, boating and fishing. Just two miles away by road and a few minutes by water is the Madisonville public boat launch. Many visitors use the launch for access to the calm waters of the Tchefuncte River or the exhilarating expanse of Lake Pontchartrain. In the Southeast corner of the state, Grand Isle State Park offers the opportunity to canoeing or kayak in the Gulf waters. For a purely urban paddling experience, check out Bayou St. John, where you can paddle through the calm water of a scenic waterway and enjoy the scenery right inside the city of New Orleans. The short route takes you through a historic residential area along both banks of the bayou with interesting neighborhood views.   Within the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area lies the Bayou Teche National Water Trail. The Bayou Teche, a 135-mile-long waterway, was added to the National Water Trail System in 2015 as the 17th water trail in the country and the first in Louisiana. Also in the Atchafalaya area, Lake Fausse Pointe State Park offers canoe rentals. Lake Fausse Point State Park in the Atchafalaya Basin near St. Martinville has marked paddle paths through the cypress stands on the lake as wells as nice overnight cabins. Venture down one of the sites along the Atchafalaya Water Heritage Trail, including Bayou Plaquemine in Iberville Parish. Paddle along the bayou that early Louisiana explorer Iberville wrote about in his journal around the late 1660s.  In places around the area, like the Henderson Swamp in the Atchafalaya Basin, you’ll spot gorgeous birdlife like egrets, herons and roseate spoonbills.   Up in central Louisiana, the possibilities are endless for paddlers on the Tensas River Paddle Trail and adjacent bayous, backwaters and tributaries. While paddling from the Fool River Boat Launch to the Ben Lilly Boat Launch is 15.2 miles, beginning paddlers or someone with only an hour or two to paddle can launch at Fool River Boat Ramp, paddle as far as you want on Fool River Lake, and then turn around. Depending on seasonal water levels, Toro Bayou in Sabine Parish offers easy to moderately difficult whitewater paddling. The fishing is excellent, so pack the rod and reel. North and South Toledo Bend State Parks, located on either side of the Toledo Bend Reservoir, offer scenic, waterfront views from many vantage points. While the reservoir is nationally recognized as a destination for bass fishing tournaments, visitors can also enjoy other water sports and outdoor recreational activities. The Saline Bayou National River Corridor is located west of Louisiana Highway 1233, just north of Saline Lake. The bayou is ideal for quiet canoeing, floating and fishing, and the wooded area offers various launching points, including Cloud Crossing Recreation Complex.   And in north Louisiana, Lake Bistineau State Park, situated on the western shore of Lake Bistineau, offers beautiful vistas and outstanding recreational facilities. An 11-mile canoe trail offers lovely views of the hardwood forest, and stands of cypress and tupelo trees. The park has two boat launches and a beach. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Bayou Bartholomew’s 365-mile path from the middle of Arkansas through Louisiana is said to be the longest bayou in North America. For an abbreviated experience, try an eight-mile path through Morehouse Parish that tours a 1,000-year-old cypress swamp. Keep your eyes peeled for “The Castle”, an impressive hollowed-out cypress tree.  Poverty Point Reservoir State Park features a 2,700-acre, manmade lake perfect for a variety of water activities. As on many large bodies of water, wind can make for difficult paddling, but if you stick close to the shoreline you can explore the coves and inlets as you enjoy the scenery. Consider using a sea kayak here, or schedule your paddling early or late in the day when the conditions may be more favorable. A day of serene canoeing or kayaking is guaranteed at Lake Claiborne State Park. Bring your own or enjoy the convenience of renting one on the premises. You'll even find primitive canoe campsites in this park.   Learn more at LouisianaPaddle.com.