Louisiana Travel Guide

Louisiana is a state in the South of the United States of America.

Louisiana is bordered to the west by Texas, to the north by Arkansas, to the east by the state of Mississippi, and to the south by the Gulf of Mexico.

Louisiana Travel Guide - Cities

* Baton Rouge: The state capital
* Lafayette: The center of Cajun Country
* Lake Charles
* Monroe
* Natchitoches: The oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase
* New Orleans: The state's largest city and top tourist destination.
* Shreveport: The biggest city of North Louisiana

Louisiana Travel Guide - Other Destinations

* Alexandria, Louisiana
* Chalmette: Site of the Battle of New Orleans National Monument
* Covington
* Mandeville: On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, across from New Orleans
* Natchitoches: An early French colonial settlement
* New Roads: Small and Peaceful, yet energetic town on the banks of False River
* Slidell
* Terrebonne Parish
* Great River Road: Between New Orleans & Baton Rouge

Louisiana Travel Guide - Understand

Louisiana is known for its unique history, its oil/gas and seafood empires, its music, its diverse cultural make-up, including the Cajun culture of Southwest Louisiana and its once dominant Creole culture, its vast wetlands, swamps, bayous, and its sugar & cotton plantations along its waterways.

Louisiana Travel Guide - Talk

Only since 1916 has English been promoted as the official language of Louisiana. For the previous 200 years, French was spoken in much of the southern half of the state. Today, English is spoken by nearly all; however, it is not uncommon to hear conversations in French in the southern and rural parts of the state.

Louisiana Travel Guide - See

* Avery Island, A few miles southwest of New Iberia is Avery Island, home of the McIlhenny Tabasco factory and a wildlife sanctuary. The island is actually an eight-mile deep salt dome. Visitors can drive and walk through 250 acres of subtropical jungle flora with an amazing array of wildlife.
* Wildlife Gardens, The Wildlife Gardens at 5306 North Black Bayou Drive, Gibson, consist of 30 acres of preserved swamp, where you can walk around a nature trail on shady paths. Apart from the natural wildlife there are ostriches, bobcats, nutria and alligators on display in cages and paddocks and peacocks roam the grounds. Bed and breakfast accommodation is available in four small 'trapper's cabins', adjacent to a small swamp. Each has its own front porch overlooking the water and ideal for gator watching. Staying overnight is a unique experience that kids will love. http://www.wildlifegardens.com
* New Orleans French Quarter is a world famous destination year round, but especially during Mardi Gras. Unique architecture, excellent restaurants, and interesting people make this a great destination in the city.
* Natchitoches, the oldest town in Louisiana, is a unique small city in north central Louisiana. It was the backdrop of the movie "Steel Magnolias" and has architecture reminiscent of the French Quarter in its Historic District in front of the Cane River Lake. Graceful mansions line the river as well as Bed and Breakfasts. A great destination to visit if you're in the northern part of the state and a hub for nearby Creole plantations along Cane River.
* Great River Road-Plantation Country, the 70-mile stretch between New Orleans & Baton Rouge along the Mississippi River with Creole and Ante-Bellum sugar plantations, rural settlements, B&Bs, Cajun & Creole restaurants. After the French Quarter, plantations on "Great River Road" represent Louisiana's most visited destination.

Louisiana Travel Guide - Protected Areas

Louisiana contains a number of areas which are, in varying degrees, protected from human intervention. In addition to several stations of the National Park Service, and a federally recognized national forest, Louisiana itself operates, among other programs, a system of state parks and recreation areas throughout the state. Administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana Natural and Scenic Rivers System provides a degree of protection for 48 rivers, streams and bayous in the state.

National Park Service

Areas under the management and protection of the National Park Service include:

* Cane River National Heritage Area near Natchitoches
* Cane River Creole National Historical Park in Natchez, Louisiana.
* Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, headquartered in New Orleans, with units in St. Bernard Parish, Baritaria (Crown Point), and Acadiana (Lafayette)
* New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
* Poverty Point National Monument at Epps, Louisiana.
* Saline Bayou, a national wild and scenic river in northern Louisiana.

National Forest

* Kisatchie National Forest is Louisiana's only national forest.

State parks and recreational areas

Louisiana operates a system of 19 state parks, 16 state historic sites and one state preservation area.

State parks

* Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego
* Chemin-A-Haut State Park in Bastrop
* Chicot State Park in Ville Platte
* Cypremort Point State Park in Cypremont Point
* Fairview-Riverside State Park in Madisonville
* Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville
* Grand Isle State Park in Grand Isle
* Caney Lake/Jimmie Davis State Park in Chatham
* Lake Bistineau State Park in Doyline
* Lake Bruin State Park in St. Joseph
* Lake Claiborne State Park in Homer
* Lake D'Arbonne State Park in Farmerville
* Lake Fausse Pointe State Park in St. Martinville
* North Toledo Bend State Park in Zwolle
* Poverty Point Reservoir State Park in Epps
* St. Bernard State Park near Poydras
* Sam Houston Jones State Park near Lake Charles
* South Toledo Bend State Park in Anacoco
* Tickfaw State Park in Springfield

State historic sites

* Audubon State Historic Site in St. Francisville
* Centenary State Historic Site at Jackson
* Fort Jesup State Historic Site in Many
* Fort Jackson Historic Site in Buras
* Fort Pike State Historic Site in New Orleans
* Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site in Natchitoches
* Locust Grove State Historic Site in St. Francisville
* Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinville
* Los Adeas State Historic Site in Robeline
* Mansfield State Historic Site in Mansfield
* Marksville State Historic Site in Marksville
* Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site in Plaquemine
* Port Hudson State Historic Site in Zachary
* Poverty Point State Historic Site in Epps
* Rebel State Historic Site in Marthaville
* Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site in St. Francisville
* Winter Quarters State Historic State in Newellton

Article Source: Wikipedia