Louisiana is perhaps most well-known for the city of New Orleans, Mardi Gras, and its mix of Cajun and Creole culture. While these are all excellent parts of Louisiana’s heritage, the state is also home to beautiful natural landscapes, amazing museums, vibrant cities, charming small towns, and of course, outstanding cuisine.

Before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the portion of the territory that is Louisiana today had already been part of Spain and France. Added to this background, the area has also been influenced by Saint Dominican, French Canadian, Native American, and West African cultures. Today, this multi-cultural heritage is still apparent throughout the state, making a visit here different from any other place you’ll find in the United states.

I’ve spent a good amount of time exploring Louisiana because I have family in the area and because I spent several years living in Mississippi just 15 minutes east of the Louisiana state line. Some of my favorite Saturdays were spent driving to New Orleans to get macarons on Magazine Street and visit my favorite French bookstore (which sadly closed in 2019). While I’m always discovering new things every time I visit the state, I can help guide you to some of the best things I’ve found to do in Louisiana so far.

If you’re planning a trip to Louisiana, and you’re wondering what to do there, then keep reading!

The iconic Louisiana bayous. Prestigious PHotos/Shutterstock

Paddle on the Bayou

Louisiana’s bayous are a fascinating place. These swampy areas are important to the area’s ecosystem and are full of interesting wildlife like shellfish, frogs, lizards, egrets, herons, snakes, and of course, alligators. One of the best ways to explore the bayous is by canoe or kayak.

Multiple companies across the state offer paddling tours of the local bayous. Make sure you choose a tour company that doesn’t feed the wildlife. Not only is that better for the animals, but not feeding wildlife also reduces your chance of a dangerous encounter with an alligator. The risk of meeting an angry alligator is small, but there’s no reason to be reckless.

There are also places where you can put in your own canoe or kayak if you don’t need to rent one. I prefer to take trips through the bayous with guides though because they are so knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna.

My favorite trip I’ve taken so far has been the Moonlight Paddle with Canoe & Trail Adventures. The Moonlight Paddles take place on the Saturday right before or on the full moon. A Louisiana Master Naturalist guides you on a paddle down Cane Bayou and you end up on Lake Pontchartrain just in time to watch the sunset. It’s such a unique and beautiful experience. Just make sure to use bug spray if you are on the water at dusk. Otherwise, the mosquitos will find you!

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Kit Leong/Shutterstock

Visit the National WWII Museum

New Orleans is home to the award-winning National World War II Museum. While this museum is obviously a must-visit for history buffs, the museum is an incredible experience for any visitor. The museum contains the various physical artifacts you’d expect to find in a museum devoted to WWII, but the museum is much more interactive than most.

The museum captures more of the stories of the war from a variety of angles. The Road to Tokyo follows the progression of the American forces from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay, and the Road to Berlin traces America’s role in working toward defeating the Axis powers. These paths are brought to life with original newsreels, videos, kiosks, and digital media in addition to the standard artifacts you normally see.

While visiting the National World War II Museum, you get a sense of the enormous scale of the war, but you also see the way the war affected people on a personal level. You’ll learn the stories of everyday people in addition to world leaders. It takes several hours to properly visit the museum, but the time is well spent.

I highly recommend jumping aboard the Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans! Bill Perry/Shutterstock

Cruise the Mississippi River on a Steamboat

Spend several hours or even an entire afternoon watching the sights along the Mississippi River roll by on a steamboat or paddle-wheeler cruise. While the river was once full of boats carrying people as a regular form of transportation, today’s riverboats are more about fun.

There are ports located in New Orleans as well as other riverside towns in Louisiana where you can book a sightseeing tour. Many of these cruises have an informational guided portion along with live music and food.

The Steamboat Natchez is one of the most popular vessels departing from New Orleans. You’ll get to learn about the history of New Orleans and enjoy a great lunch buffet. If you’re looking for a more romantic cruise, try out the Creole Queen’s Mississippi River Dinner Jazz Cruise. You can enjoy a classic cocktail and may spend some time on the dance floor as the sun sets.