From climate to cuisine, Louisiana offers warmth and variety. Although perhaps best known for the famous port city of New Orleans, Louisiana with its five main regions, offers visitors unique culture, music, history, entertainment, food and fun throughout the state.
SPORTMAN'S PARADISE
From the vast, fertile cotton fields and mysterious plantation ruins of the Mississippi Delta country to the breathtaking scenery and frontier boom town heritage of the north west part of the state, Sportsman's Paradise brims with ancient history, big-city excitement, southern hospitality, and family fun. If you like baseball, basketball, fishing or golf, you will be in your element here. Gentler pursuits include visiting antique markets, potteries and gardens. To liven the pace try a riverboat casino or an evening at Louisiana Downs, a thoroughbred race track, or an evening's entertainment at a Broadway show. Venture from the main roads to travel along the scenic highways and byways which will lead you to small enchanting towns, where you can while away the hours.
CROSSROADS
Known as the 'crossroads' as it is the place where the French and Spanish heritage of southern Louisiana meets the English speaking pioneer culture of northern Louisiana. Many gems can be discovered throughout the region, from Natchitoches, a quaint 'all american' town location for 'Steel Magnolias' with its charming tree-lined streets and historic homes, many of which now offer bed and breakfast. In the surrounding countryside are pecan orchards, cotton farms and plantation homes dating back to the 1700s. Music is a part of daily life in the crossroads where country music, bluegrass and the blues play alongside gospel, zydeco and jazz. This region is also known for its food, it's where the gumbos and etouffees of south Louisiana meet the hearty, southern-style dishes of north Louisiana. From the Kisatchie National Forest to the moss-draped swamps of the Red River you will be astounded by the beauty and tranquillity of this region.
CAJUN COUNTRY
Louisiana's Cajuns know how to have a good time, their food, music and joie de vivre (joy of living) are legendary. Their many festivals, celebrating everything from crawfish to zydeco music, brighten every month of the year. Cajun Country runs from west of New Orleans and all the way to the Texas border. Its major cities include Lake Charles, Lafayette, New Iberia and Morgan City. A swamp or bayou tour is a must in Cajun Country. You'll see cypress trees draped with Spanish moss and wildlife such as egrets, herons, turtles and alligators. All along the Gulf Coast you can go camping, swimming, boating and fishing. The Creole Nature Trail National Scenic Byway, beginning in Sulphur, allows you to drive 180 miles through the wilderness back to Lake Charles. In Lafayette explore museums and discover Cajun history at Acadian Village, a re-creation of the past. Wherever you go in the county Cajun people will be delighted to introduce you to their way of life, dance the two-step and join in the celebration.
Step back in time to recall the grand days of the American Civil War, bordered on one side by the Atchafalaya Basin and on the other by countryside stretching north from Lake Maurepas, Plantation Country offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the grand lifestyle of America's antebellum past. Each plantation home has a character all its own and there's a surprise at the top of every grand staircase. We invite you to pause for a moment in our azalea shrouded gazebos and breathe in the beauty and the drama. Together with great golf and fishing, the unique River Road cuisine (a blend of Creole, Cajun and Old South cooking), factory outlet shopping by day and live music and entertainment by night, Plantation country offers visitors an unforgettable holiday experience.
The Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase will be celebrated across the state of Louisiana during 2003 for further details of special events please see www.LouisianaTravel.com
When visiting Louisiana you will be amazed at the variety of foods typical to the region, why not learn to cook authentic southern fayre at a cooking school for further details request an information pack or visit www.neworleanscvb.com
Take the opportunity to stay in an antebellum house whilst in Louisiana. Many historic homes offer Bed & Breakfast accommodation in idyllic settings.
