Louisiana
As a onetime French colony, Louisiana has intermixed its European influence with indigenous roots to create a unique culture, language and atmosphere.
You’ll hear locals calling New Orleans “Nahlins” in a long, slow drawl. Listening to the mixture of southern accents is part of the fun of the visit to Louisiana. Food follows the accent. Enjoy French beignets, deep-fried pastries dusted with sugar, Cajun blackened catfish and Creole jambalaya, made with meat, seafood, rice and enticing spices.
Walk around New Orleans to see the different quarters. Some parts of the city are below sea level, protected from flooding by levees. Notice remnants of the damage in 2005 as waters were swept from Lake Pontchartrain by Hurricane Katrina.
Plan your visit to participate in Mardi Gras in February. Grab some colorful beads and a few bits of costume clothing and join in as multiple krewes put on parades winding through the streets of the French Quarter.
You’re bound to hear a rousing rendition of the city’s favorite song, When the Saints Go Marching In. New Orleans is one of the jazz capitals of the world, the home of Louis Armstrong and Harry Connick, Jr. Attend the Jazz & Heritage Festival in April/May.
At the Superdome watch the NFL football New Orleans Saints, winners of the 2009 Super Bowl. Enjoy the game, the very warm weather and a po-boy sandwich at the stadium.
See historic architecture at the state capital of Baton Rouge along the Mississippi River or stroll across the campus of Louisiana State University to watch great college football.
Go to Shreveport, near the borders of Texas and Arkansas, to enjoy golf, boating, fishing and casino gambling. Visit the Water Works Museum, the 8th Air Force Museum and the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum.
Cajun Riviera, Grande Isle and the shores of Lake Charles offer beach activities. For a laid-back vacation, Louisiana offers both southern charm and seasonal excitement.