10 Towns to Visit in Louisiana (that aren't New Orleans)

*5-Minute Read*

There's about a 95% chance that when I tell an out-of-stater that I'm from Louisiana, they'll ask "New Orleans?" And then I go on to say how I'm from Lake Charles, which is in the heel of the boot-shaped state. And how I'm closer to Texas than I am to NOLA (the toe of the boot). I'm closer to most of the following cities, too:



1) Baton Rouge

Louisiana State Capitol (Photo Credit: kokuaed.com)

From my perspective, Baton Rouge is mainly known for two things—being Louisiana's capital city and housing Louisiana State University. In fourth grade, we took a field trip to see the new state capitol building (the tallest of its kind in the country), old state capitol building (which is basically a castle), and the U.S.S. Kidd (a ship used in WW2). I've also been to several LSU football games, and they're fabulous. You'll also find Blue Bayou Waterpark & Dixie Landin', NOLA-like plantations, and plenty of restaurants and bars. 


2) Grand Isle

(Photo Credit: weeksmarine.com)

I've never been here, but my dad and brother have. They like to go bow-fishing on the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of the night. This town is well-renowned for its fishing and birding. Not even 1,000 people live here in the state's only inhabited barrier island, and there's plenty of space for visitors. You can rent nice camps for a small or large group of people near the beach. Grand Isle is also home to a wildlife refuge and state park. And you can take a kayak tour or rent a golf cart in order to see it all.


3) Lafayette

ULL Cajun Field (Photo Credit: ragincajuns.com)

This city is the happiest city in America, located in the heart of Cajun Country. Therefore, it only makes sense that its college's (University of Louisiana at Lafayette's) athletic teams are called the Ragin' Cajuns. There's tours for swamps, crawfish farms, and Cajun food. For the latter, I'd suggest you go to Randol's for dinner and dancing, then head over to Poupart for dessert. Lafayette's suburbs also have interesting attractions; there's Avery Island (where Tabasco products are made) and the Zoo of Acadiana (where our first grade field trip was).  


4) Lake Arthur

Regatta Seafood & Steakhouse (Photo Credit: ganeyarsement.com)

Honestly, it's worth the trip even if you only go to the Regatta Seafood & Steakhouse. It's a beautiful restaurant right alongside the Lake Arthur. And, like Randol's, there is sometimes live music. The city hosts several other events, as well as festivals, each year. If you need to spend the night, you can sleep at either an RV/cabin park right alongside the Mermentau River or a bank-turned-hotel. 



5) Lake Charles

(Photo Credit: visitlakecharles.org)

This is my hometown! Tourists flock to our casinos (Golden Nugget, Isle of Capri, and L'Auberge du Lac), but there is more to do here. There's two lakes that merge into each other. Surprisingly, not one of them is named Charles; there's Big Lake (how creative) and Prien Lake (stems from Cyprien Duhon, one of the parish's first residents). There's also several museums you can visit and restaurants to eat at. Plus, if you drive a few minutes outside of the city borders, you'll run into Sam Houston Jones State Park.  



6) Monroe 

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo (Photo Credit:choosemonroela.com)

Even if you've never watched their show, you've probably heard of Duck Dynasty. West Monroe is where their Duck Commander business is located. In Monroe-Monroe, you'll find the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo and the Masur Museum of Art. There's also two public golf courses, several parks, and even a downtown river market. It is also where the annual Miss Louisiana pageant takes place. 



7) Natchitoches

Festival of Lights (Photo Credit: Only In Your State)

Go during Christmas season. I repeat. Go during Christmas season. The annual Festival of Lights is absolutely beautiful. Other festivals include the Cane River Zydeco, Jazz and R&B, and Meat Pie. Regardless of whatever is going on, the town actually feels like a small-community version of New Orleans. Downtown consists mostly of shops and restaurants on a road that faces the Cane River. Oh, and the movie "Steel Magnolias?" It was filmed here, and you can tour the sites. 



8) Rayne

Germanfest (Photo Credit: 573thedog.com)

I split this town into two different sections: full-fledge Rayne and Roberts Cove. Full-fledge Rayne is the frog capital of the world. Each year, it hosts the Frog Festival that I've sadly never attended. It's also home to the Candyland Cottage & Ice Cream Shoppe, probably the best place in the world to get junk food. And you can rent out the entire civic center for family gatherings and such. On the other hand, Roberts Cove is a German community with St. Leo IV Catholic Church acting as a city hall. Aptly, it hosts the Germanfest each year (which I have attended). 



9) Sulphur

SPAR Waterpark (Photo Credit: amusements-parks.com)

This is the largest suburb of Lake Charles. Just go over the I-210 bridge, drive a little further, and you're there. If we want to visit a water park, we go to SPAR (Sulphur Parks and Recreation). And the place to go for rodeos, concerts, and such is the West Cal Arena & Events Center. Sulphur is also home to the Brimstone Museum, Henning Cultural Center, and Frasch Golf Course. 



10) Ville Platte

Chicot State Park (Photo Credit: Pinterest)

Ville Platte is the home of Chicot State Park, where many of my family reunions took place. There's a group camp with bunkrooms, a kitchen and dining area, and a pool. This is a good place for those in Lafayette who want to go camping, as Ville Platte is also located in the heart of Cajun Country. There's two annual festivals: the Louisiana Cotton Festival and the Smoked Meat Festival. However, you have access to smoked meat, as well as swamp pop music, all year long in this town. 



These places all prove that the toe of the boot isn't the only fun zone in the state. Louisiana and New Orleans aren't synonymous. (Btw, it's New Or-lins, not Or-leens. The latter aggravates me.) 



- Liv