Author: Emily Gautreaux

Exploring the Best of Louisiana’s Northshore This Summer

Louisiana’s Northshore offers far more than a quick getaway across Lake Pontchartrain, according to this travel article from Visit the Northshore. Throughout the summer, St. Tammany Parish blends peaceful waterways, moss-covered forests, locally owned restaurants, wildlife encounters and lively community traditions into one easy-to-explore destination. With communities such as Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Slidell and Abita Springs located within a short drive of one another, visitors can experience several sides of the region without spending most of their vacation on the road. The official Visit The Northshore website also helps travelers plan around seasonal events, outdoor attractions and local businesses.

Summer afternoons practically call for something cold. Shops across the parish serve Louisiana-style snoballs, handmade ice cream, milkshakes and nostalgic soda-fountain treats. Hoodoo Ice Cream in downtown Covington, the Old Town Slidell Soda Shop and Honey’s Snoball Shack in Abita Springs offer convenient stops between outdoor adventures. Community markets also bring together seasonal produce, baked goods, prepared foods and regional crafts. The Covington Farmers Market, Mandeville Trailhead Community Market and Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market give visitors a chance to support growers, cooks and makers from across the area.

The area’s waterfront parks provide another way to slow down and enjoy Louisiana’s natural beauty. In Mandeville, Fontainebleau State Park stretches along the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, surrounding visitors with live oaks, wooded trails, sandy lakefront areas and the ruins of a historic sugar mill. Nearby Madisonville offers Fairview-Riverside State Park, where the Tchefuncte River creates a peaceful setting for picnics, camping and waterfront relaxation. Together, the two parks make it possible to experience both the lake and river environments that shape the Northshore.

Travelers who prefer to explore from the water have plenty of choices. Canoe and Trail Adventures offers paddling opportunities on Cane Bayou, a calm waterway flowing between Fontainebleau State Park and the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Kayaks and canoes also carry visitors along the Bogue Falaya River near Covington, while rentals around Slidell open portions of Bayou Liberty. Farther north, the Bogue Chitto River provides a scenic setting for tubing, canoeing and kayaking through St. Tammany and Washington parishes.

Food remains central to any Northshore visit, especially during Tammany Taste of Summer. Held throughout August, the annual culinary celebration features special menus and offers from participating restaurants across the parish. Visitors can also enjoy meals beside the water at restaurants overlooking the Tchefuncte River, Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou Bonfouca. After dinner, a free concert, community market or seasonal performance can extend the evening, with the Northshore’s events calendar providing updated possibilities throughout the summer.

A summer trip can always be among the cypress trees of Honey Island Swamp, one of the Northshore’s most recognizable natural landscapes. Guided excursions from companies such as Cajun Encounters carry passengers through narrow waterways where alligators rest near the banks, turtles gather on logs and egrets search the shallows for food. Rather than resembling the exaggerated swamps often shown in movies, Honey Island reveals a quiet ecosystem filled with dense greenery, reflective water and abundant wildlife.

Back on land, the Northshore’s trails and animal attractions add variety to the trip. Cyclists and walkers can travel portions of the Tammany Trace, a paved route connecting several Northshore communities through shaded stretches of forest. Visitors can also meet Louisiana alligators at Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington or see giraffes, zebras, camels and other animals at Global Wildlife Center in Folsom. Those seeking a quieter nature experience can follow the short trails and observation areas at Big Branch Marsh, where pine forests and wetlands support numerous bird species.

The Northshore’s appeal ultimately comes from its balance. One day can include a swamp tour and a shaded trail, while the next can bring paddling, shopping, wildlife encounters and a waterfront meal. Instead of functioning as a checklist of disconnected attractions, the region creates a distinctly Louisiana summer experience—one shaped by bayous, local flavors, small-town character and plenty of reasons to remain outdoors.

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Plan a Visit to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora

Few places are more closely connected to Theodore Roosevelt than western North Dakota. Long before becoming the 26th President of the United States, Roosevelt found healing, purpose, and a lifelong appreciation for conservation in the rugged Badlands. Today, that story comes to life at the newly opened Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library inMedora, North Dakota, a destination that combines history, architecture, and nature into one immersive experience, as per this travel blog article from Travel + Leisure.

Located beside Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the 96,000-square-foot library is far more than a traditional presidential museum. It blends interactive exhibits, historical archives, outdoor exploration, and sustainable design, inviting visitors to experience the landscape that profoundly shaped Roosevelt’s life.

Roosevelt’s connection to the Badlands began during one of the darkest moments of his life. In February 1884, his wife, Alice, and his mother died on the same day, just days after the birth of his first daughter. Grieving and seeking a fresh start, he left New York politics and returned to the Dakota Territory, where he had previously hunted buffalo. There, he embraced ranch life, finding resilience and a renewed sense of purpose among the region’s dramatic buttes and rolling prairie.

The library’s design reflects that deep connection to the land. Constructed with rammed-earth walls made from local soil and regional timber, the building appears to emerge naturally from the Badlands. Visitors can stroll a one-mile boardwalk featuring scenic overlooks, outdoor classrooms, and even a suspended net extending over the landscape. A rooftop planted with native prairie grasses further reinforces the idea that the building itself is part of its surroundings.

Inside, multimedia exhibits trace Roosevelt’s remarkable journey from his childhood in New York City and studies atHarvard University to his years as a rancher, his service with the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, and his presidency. The museum also explores his expeditions to Africa and the Brazilian Amazon, where he narrowly survived a dangerous illness.

Among the collection’s most moving artifacts is Roosevelt’s personal diary, open to the heartbreaking entry he wrote after losing both his wife and mother. The museum also reunites his story in another important way. Working with theTheodore Roosevelt Center and Microsoft, the library is digitally bringing together letters, photographs, manuscripts, and documents that had long been scattered across institutions such as the Library of Congress and National Park Servicearchives.

Modern technology also plays a central role in the visitor experience. Guests can interact with an AI-powered version of Roosevelt, explore a recreation of his Elkhorn Ranch, and use a digital bracelet to save favorite quotes, images, and exhibits before creating a personalized map of Roosevelt’s life and values.

Throughout the museum, one theme stands above the rest: conservation. Inspired by his years in the Badlands, Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act of 1906, empowering presidents to protect important public lands and helping pave the way for treasured places like Grand Canyon National Park and Acadia National Park.

Set against the dramatic landscape that helped transform Roosevelt himself, the library gives visitors a deeper understanding of the experiences that influenced his character, leadership, and conservation legacy. Through immersive exhibits, historic artifacts, innovative technology, and direct connections to the surrounding Badlands, the museum turns his story into an experience that feels both personal and relevant. It also invites travelers to consider how resilience, stewardship, and civic responsibility can continue shaping the nation, making the library not only a meaningful addition to Medora but also a compelling destination for anyone exploring the history and natural beauty of western North Dakota.

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Louisiana’s Largest Barrier Island Restoration Moves Forward

According to a recent article from The Advocate, one of Louisiana’s most ambitious coastal restoration efforts is moving forward after the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority secured the final $90.8 million needed to fully fund the $383 million North Chandeleur Island Restoration Project. Stretching across the Gulf of Mexico as Louisiana’s easternmost barrier island chain, the remote Chandeleur Islands are accessible only by boat or seaplane and provide critical habitat for wildlife while serving as a natural buffer against hurricanes. Decades of erosion, major storms, sea level rise, and land subsidence have dramatically reduced the islands’ footprint, making this Deepwater Horizon-funded restoration one of the most significant conservation investments ever undertaken along Louisiana’s coast.

Construction at the barrier island could begin as early as next year, with engineers planning to rebuild approximately 14 miles of North Chandeleur Island and nearby New Harbor Island. Using roughly 12 million cubic yards of dredged sediment—enough to fill the Caesars Superdome nearly three times—the project will restore beaches, dunes, and marsh habitat while creating approximately 2,500 acres of strengthened coastal landscape.

The ecological value of the islands is equally impressive. The Chandeleurs form part of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1904 by President Theodore Roosevelt as the nation’s second-oldest national wildlife refuge. More than 170 bird species have recently been documented throughout the island chain, including migratory piping plovers, red knots, snowy plovers, and redhead ducks. The islands also serve as the only known breeding location for the Chandeleur gull, making them one of the Gulf Coast’s most important bird habitats.

Marine wildlife has also demonstrated encouraging signs of recovery on the barrier island. In 2022, biologists documented Kemp’s ridley sea turtles nesting on the islands for the first time in approximately 75 years. Since then, researchers have recorded hundreds of turtle crawls from Kemp’s ridley, loggerhead, and green sea turtles, reinforcing the islands’ growing importance as nesting habitat for several protected species.

Those observations have played a significant role in shaping the restoration design. Wildlife biologists have spent years conducting aerial surveys, documenting nesting activity, mapping habitat, and gathering environmental data to ensure construction supports both coastal resilience and wildlife conservation. The project also aims to protect Louisiana’s only marine seagrass beds, underwater ecosystems that provide nursery habitat for fish, shellfish, and numerous other marine species throughout the northern Gulf.

The need for restoration reflects centuries of environmental change accelerated by modern coastal challenges. Hurricanes such as Georges in 1998 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 dramatically altered the islands’ landscape, with Katrina carving a permanent breach that separated North and South Chandeleur. Combined with sea level rise, subsidence, and continual erosion, these forces have contributed to the loss of nearly 90 percent of the islands’ historic land area.

While the restoration represents a major milestone for Louisiana’s coast, it also highlights broader funding challenges facing future conservation efforts. Much of the state’s large-scale coastal work over the past decade has relied on Deepwater Horizon settlement funding, which is scheduled to expire after 2031. Although existing projects will continue to completion, no comparable long-term funding source has yet emerged to replace those billions of restoration dollars.

Even so, conservation organizations continue to emphasize that projects like the Chandeleur restoration remain essential. Protecting barrier islands today helps preserve wildlife habitat, strengthen coastal resilience, and support fisheries while reducing storm impacts for future generations. In many ways, the Chandeleur Islands represent both the fragility of Louisiana’s disappearing coastline and the state’s ongoing commitment to preserving one of its most valuable natural resources.

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Buttery Herb Grilled Redfish Perfect for Summer

When it comes to showcasing fresh Gulf seafood, few dishes are as impressive—or as surprisingly simple—as a beautifully grilled whole redfish. This Grilled Whole Redfish with Butter-Herb Sauce from Louisiana Cookin celebrates the delicate flavor of fresh fish with crisp, golden skin and tender, flaky meat finished with a silky garlic and herb butter sauce. Infused with fresh lemon, dill, oregano, and a splash of white wine, this recipe delivers elegant flavor while allowing the fish to remain the star of the meal.

Cooking a fish whole may seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually one of the best ways to preserve moisture and maximize flavor. The bones help insulate the meat as it cooks, resulting in juicy, tender fillets that practically lift away from the skeleton when served. Fresh herbs and lemon slices tucked inside the cavity gently perfume the fish from the inside out, while grilling creates beautifully crisp skin with a subtle smoky flavor. Whether you’re hosting a summer seafood cookout, preparing a special weekend dinner, or looking for an authentic Louisiana-inspired meal, this grilled redfish recipe offers restaurant-quality results with surprisingly little effort.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (2-pound) whole redfish, cleaned and gutted
  • 4 to 6 lemon slices
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3 fresh oregano sprigs
  • 3 fresh dill sprigs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
  • ¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 2⅛ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Prepare the Fish

  1. Using a sharp knife, make several shallow ¼-inch-deep slashes on both sides of the fish. Rub the olive oil evenly over both sides of the fish.
  2. Combine the kosher salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Season the cavity and exterior of the fish evenly. Fill the cavity with the lemon slices, oregano sprigs, and dill sprigs.
  3. Heat a large cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly coat it with cooking spray. Place the fish onto the hot grill pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the skin becomes crisp and browned.
  4. Carefully turn the fish over, loosely cover with aluminum foil, and continue cooking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.

Prepare the Butter-Herb Sauce

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, just until fragrant. Avoid browning the garlic. Pour in the white wine and bring to a gentle boil for about 30 seconds.

Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the remaining butter one cube at a time, allowing each cube to melt before adding the next. Stir in the chopped dill, oregano, fresh lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, and remaining salt. Spoon the warm butter sauce generously over the grilled fish immediately before serving.

Pat the fish dry before seasoning to help the skin crisp more effectively on the grill. Moisture on the surface can prevent proper browning and make the fish more likely to stick.

Allow the grill pan to fully preheat before adding the fish. A hot cooking surface helps develop crispy skin and makes turning the fish much easier.

When flipping the fish, use two wide spatulas if possible to support its full length. This helps prevent the delicate flesh from breaking apart during cooking.

The butter sauce should remain warm but not boiling after the butter is added. Whisking in cold butter one cube at a time creates a silky, emulsified sauce that coats the fish beautifully without separating.

For an extra burst of freshness, garnish the finished dish with chopped herbs, additional lemon wedges, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving.

This elegant seafood entrée pairs wonderfully with a variety of fresh, seasonal side dishes. Roasted baby potatoes, grilled asparagus, roasted Brussels sprouts, or sautéed green beans complement the buttery sauce without overpowering the fish.

Classic Louisiana sides such as dirty rice, rice pilaf, grilled corn on the cob, or buttery cornbread also make excellent accompaniments. Their hearty flavors balance the delicate seafood while creating a complete Southern-inspired meal.

For a lighter dinner, serve the redfish alongside a crisp cucumber salad, tomato salad, grilled vegetables, or a simple mixed green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette. Crusty French bread is another excellent addition, perfect for soaking up every last spoonful of the flavorful butter-herb sauce.

If entertaining, begin the meal with shrimp cocktail or crab cakes and finish with a light dessert such as grilled peaches or key lime pie for a complete coastal dining experience.

This Grilled Whole Redfish with Butter-Herb Sauce proves that elegant seafood dinners don’t require complicated techniques or lengthy ingredient lists. Crisp grilled skin, tender flaky fish, fragrant herbs, and a silky garlic butter sauce come together to create a meal that’s equally suited for special occasions and relaxed summer evenings.

Whether you’re enjoying freshly caught Gulf seafood or purchasing redfish from your local fish market, this recipe highlights the fish’s natural flavor while adding just the right amount of richness. Serve it with your favorite seasonal vegetables, Louisiana-inspired sides, or fresh bread, and you’ll have a memorable meal that captures the spirit of coastal cooking in every bite.

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The Best Stops Along Maine’s Acadia All American Road

Some of America’s most unforgettable road trips stretch for hundreds of miles, but one of New England’s greatest scenic drives proves that spectacular scenery doesn’t require an epic journey. According to this travel blog article from Travel + Leisure, the Acadia All American Road, the only federally designated All-American Road in New England, packs rugged coastlines, charming harbor towns, mountain summits, historic carriage roads, and one of the nation’s most beloved national parks into just 40 unforgettable miles. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a leisurely weekend getaway, this scenic byway offers one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to experience coastal Maine.

Beginning near Trenton, Maine⁠ and winding across Mount Desert Island⁠, the route follows portions of Routes 3, 198, and 233 before connecting with Acadia’s famous Park Loop Road. Along the way, travelers encounter everything from rocky shorelines and quiet forests to bustling waterfront villages and panoramic mountain vistas. Every curve seems to reveal another postcard-worthy view, making the drive feel much longer than its modest distance suggests.

The heart of the journey lies within Acadia National Park⁠, where the 27-mile Park Loop Road introduces visitors to many of the park’s signature landscapes. Granite cliffs plunge into the Atlantic Ocean, evergreen forests blanket rolling hills, and scenic overlooks invite frequent stops for photographs. Popular destinations such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond are all conveniently connected along this scenic route, allowing visitors to experience the remarkable diversity that has made Acadia one of America’s most visited national parks.

One of the drive’s most celebrated highlights is Cadillac Mountain⁠, which rises 1,530 feet above sea level as the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Reaching the summit requires only a short drive, rewarding visitors with sweeping views over Mount Desert Island, Frenchman Bay, and countless surrounding islands. A paved walking path circles the summit, making the breathtaking scenery accessible to visitors of all abilities. During the busy season, however, access requires advance planning, as vehicle reservations for Cadillac Summit Road are required from mid-May through mid-October through Recreation.gov⁠.

Water is never far away along the Acadia All-American Road, and Frenchman Bay serves as one of its defining features. Throughout the drive, scenic overlooks reveal expansive views of sparkling blue water dotted with lobster boats, sailboats, and small islands. Pull-offs along the eastern shoreline allow travelers to pause, breathe in the cool ocean air, and appreciate the dramatic meeting of granite cliffs and Atlantic waves that has long inspired artists and photographers.

No visit to the byway feels complete without spending time in Bar Harbor⁠, the lively coastal town that serves as Acadia National Park’s primary gateway. Historic architecture, locally owned boutiques, art galleries, seafood restaurants, and inviting waterfront parks create an atmosphere that encourages visitors to linger. The town also serves as the launching point for whale-watching excursions, kayaking adventures, sightseeing cruises, and boat tours exploring the surrounding islands.

Before reaching Mount Desert Island, consider making a stop in Trenton, the unofficial gateway to the scenic byway. This small community offers an ideal place to stock up on supplies or enjoy a classic Maine lobster roll before beginning the drive. Longtime favorites such as Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound⁠ and Gateway Lunt’s Lobster Pound⁠ have earned loyal followings for their simple, authentic coastal fare.

Although the Acadia All-American Road can easily be completed in a single day, allowing extra time makes the experience far more rewarding. Summer brings the largest crowds, particularly around Bar Harbor and Acadia’s most famous attractions, where parking lots often fill early in the morning. Travelers seeking a quieter visit may prefer late September or early October, when pleasant weather lingers and visitor numbers begin to decline. Those willing to wait a few more weeks are often rewarded with spectacular autumn foliage, as Mount Desert Island transforms into one of New England’s most colorful fall destinations.

Compact in length but enormous in scenic beauty, the Acadia All-American Road demonstrates that some of America’s finest road trips aren’t measured in miles but in unforgettable moments around every bend.

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Louisiana Studios Are Building the Future of Virtual Production

For years, Louisiana earned the nickname “Hollywood South” thanks to its generous film tax incentives, experienced production crews, and diverse filming locations that ranged from moss-covered bayous to bustling city streets. Major television shows and blockbuster films transformed the state into one of America’s busiest production hubs, as per this article from Nola.com. While the pace of filming has slowed in recent years, a new generation of technology is helping position Louisiana for the next chapter of digital filmmaking, virtual production.

Known as virtual production or extended reality (XR) production, the technology rose to prominence with Disney+’s groundbreaking series The Mandalorian. Rather than relying heavily on traditional green screens, producers filmed actors inside massive LED walls capable of displaying realistic digital environments in real time. Instead of adding backgrounds months later during post-production, performers could interact with immersive virtual landscapes while cameras captured nearly finished scenes on set.

Louisiana has embraced that shift. Several organizations across the state have invested in LED video walls, camera-tracking systems, and real-time rendering software designed to attract filmmakers seeking flexible and efficient production environments. Together, these facilities are helping modernize Louisiana’s entertainment industry while expanding opportunities beyond traditional location filming.

One of the state’s pioneers is LSU’s XR Studio in Baton Rouge. Established in 2021 with support from a $1.25 million state grant, the facility serves both as a teaching laboratory for students and a professional production studio for outside clients. Since opening, the studio has supported hundreds of projects, including music videos, interviews, sports marketing campaigns, and commercial productions for organizations such as NBC News and Fender.

In New Orleans, startup LucyXR has developed a virtual production facility inside the headquarters of WYES-TV. The company has invested heavily in modular LED technology capable of creating large-scale immersive environments for feature films, music videos, commercials, and branded content. Among its recent projects are music videos for Jon Batiste, television commercials featuring New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, and the independent feature film Exalted, a psychological thriller scheduled for release in 2027.

Rather than constructing elaborate physical sets, production crews combine carefully arranged props with photorealistic digital environments displayed across the towering LED wall. Entire restaurant interiors, city streets, and landscapes can be created digitally, allowing filmmakers to complete multiple scenes far more efficiently than traditional production methods.

Another newcomer, FoxDog Studios, is bringing similar capabilities to Baton Rouge. The year-old company recently completed installation of its own XR production system inside a renovated 10,000-square-foot facility near the Mall of Louisiana. Designed primarily for small- and medium-sized productions, the studio focuses on commercials, branded content, marketing campaigns, and digital media.

The growing investment comes at an important time for the state’s entertainment industry. After experiencing a surge of production activity following the pandemic, film and television projects have slowed nationwide as studios reduce content spending and international competition intensifies. Although Louisiana’s long-running film production tax credit programcontinues to attract projects, states such as Georgia now compete alongside countries including Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom for major productions.

Industry leaders believe investments in virtual production infrastructure can help Louisiana remain competitive despite those changing market conditions. Modern studios equipped with XR technology complement the state’s experienced crews, established production vendors, and iconic filming locations, creating a more complete package for producers considering where to shoot.

Louisiana may always be known for its bayous, live oaks, and historic architecture, but the future of filmmaking in the state may rely just as much on digital worlds created inside LED walls. As virtual production becomes increasingly common across television, film, advertising, and online media, Louisiana is positioning itself to remain a destination where creative storytelling and technological innovation meet.

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