Louisiana travel Archives - Page 2 of 4

What to do on a New Orleans Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving serves as a time to gather together to be completely humbled and thankful for all the blessings and benefits of the past year. This is often done over excellently prepared meals, so it stands to reason that there’s no better city to gather for the celebration than New Orleans, Louisiana, and thanks to this excellently compiled holiday resource from NewOrleans.com, you’ve never been in a better position to enjoy the Crescent City in all its bounty.

Before we give an overview of the food offerings in the city on the infamous Thursday for those of us wishing to take the day off, sit back, and enjoy the world-class cuisine of the various chefs and culinary artists found in the city, you should know about the various Thanksgiving Day activities that are available city-wide this autumnal holiday season.

Particular events that are positioned to be a large draw on Thanksgiving Day are the horse races at the Fair Groundsand the annual Turkey Day Race at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park. Outside of athletic racing events, the New Orleans tourism site suggests digesting your Turkey Day meal with a carriage ride across the French Quarter so that you can learn about the elaborate history of the city. And of course, there are always plenty of movie theatres open throughout the city on Thanksgiving Day for those of us wanting to digest amidst amazing narratives and visuals.

However, if you prefer the holiday season that begins immediately following your Thanksgiving Meal, then you’ll be delighted to hear that Celebration in the Oaks will return to New Orleans City Park from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Thursday the 25th, and it’s set to last until January 2, 2022- with tickets costing $35. This annual holiday festivity is always heralded as a must-see of the New Orleans holiday tradition, as this incredible, breathtaking holiday light show transforms the already beautiful grounds of City Park into 25 acres of dazzling lights and impressive festive displays. In total, the winter wonderland is spread throughout the Park, Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park with millions of lights scattered throughout the 2.25-mile expanse.

Now it’s time for the food. On Thanksgiving, you’re essentially left with two options in New Orleans if you want to take the day off from cooking or organizing a family potluck: you can dine out or order catering from the many restaurants offering to do the cooking for you. If catering, some suggested favorites are Deanie’s Seafood, Mother’s, Brigtsen’s, Desi Vega’s Steakhouse, Blue Oak BBQ, Central City BBQ, and Cochon Butcher for your savory meals and Willa Jean, Bywater Bakery, Beth Biundo Sweets, Camellia Grill, La Boulangerie, and Levee Baking Co. for sweets.

Alternatively, if you’re planning to experience the classic and authentic New Orleans dining atmosphere, then you’re left with plenty of options for restaurants open in the city on Thanksgiving Day, leaving you more time to celebrate and less time coordinating, stressing, and planning.

It should definitely be noted that most of the city’s finer hotels offer excellent meals on Thanksgiving, but for those of us who want to enjoy a great meal “in-house,” then the following restaurants are set to be open on Thanksgiving and are recommended for a pleasant, decadent, and well-rounded experience.

Uptown/Garden District

Central Business District/ Downtown

The French Quarter

Greater New Orleans Area

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

Natural Wonders of Louisiana

Branching out of the typical boundaries of famous Louisiana cities is a great way to familiarize yourself with the oft-forgotten, yet unforgettable aspects and natural wonders of Louisiana- thanks to a helpful article from Treehugger.

While our state is rightly famous for its culture, music, and cuisine, most commonly intersecting and resulting in New Orleans and Mardi Gras holding the number 1 spot on quintessential Louisiana locations lists, you’d be doing a great disservice to yourself by not exploring beyond the city limits.

Atchafalaya River Basin

Squeezed roughly between Baton Rouge and Lafayette is the country’s largest wetland and swamp, comprising a whopping 260,000 acres of cypress-tupelo swamps, bayous, marshland and open water. To experience this remarkable, sweeping wetland ecosystem of south-central Louisiana, visit the Atchafalaya Wildlife Refuge by traversing the second-longest bridge in the country — the 18.2-mile-long Atchafalaya Basin Bridge.

Cypress Island Preserve

This picturesque preserve is known for its thriving rookery as it protects 9,500 acres of cypress-tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood forest just outside the city of Lafayette. It’s not uncommon to encounter a variety of wading birds, including blue herons, roseate spoonbills, cormorants and a variety of egret species while hiking the preserve’s levee and boardwalk trails. Although the preserve is open year-round, plan to visit the rookery between March and June, which is the peak gathering season for these magnificent avians.

Pass-a-Loutre

Set off for adventure with this 66,000-acre wetland that is located just outside of New Orleans in Plaquemines Parish, as it is only accessible by 10-mile boat ride. Pass-a-Loutre is an exceptionally scenic place for all kinds of activities, including both freshwater and saltwater fishing, crabbing, camping and even house-boating. Besides its scenic marshlands, man made canals, natural bayous and channels.

Kisatchie National Forest

Despite being Louisiana’s only national forrest, Kisatchie packs a punch amidst the state’s vast stretches of swampland. Originally designated by President Herbert Hoover in 1930, this beautiful 604,000-acre stretch of woodlands is filled with a combination of longleaf pines and bottomland hardwoods. The forest is home for many animals, the rarest of which include the Louisiana black bear, the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Louisiana pine snake; additionally, the area offers a variety of recreational activities, which include camping, horseback riding, boating, fishing, mountain biking, swimming and more.

Breton Wildlife Refuge

Breton Island is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the country , having been established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. Roosevelt was prompted to take this action after learning of the ongoing destruction of the island’s birds, nests and eggs. More than 100 years later, the island has transformed into a thriving, low-impact bird watching and fishing destination.

Ouachita River

Originating in Arkansas and running 605 miles south into Louisiana, this is the 25th longest river in the country, which is named for the indigenous Ouachita tribe. While it’s mostly utilized for commercial purposes today, certain parts of the river are popular hunting and fishing areas.

For more Louisiana related articles and to learn about other natural wonders of our great state, click here.

Hop on a Culinary Trail and Explore Louisiana

Known for its vast scenery and savory cuisine, Louisiana is home to several Culinary Trails to be explored this summer, according to an article by the State’s Tourism Department.

Local residents are invited to forge new summer traditions by traveling across the state in search of the best homegrown vegetables, sweet desserts, fresh fish, and more that this expansive state has to offer on its culinary food trails.

Visit a Farmer’s Market

It’s no secret that Louisiana is home to expert farmers, so access the state’s vast catalog of local Farmers Markets and stock up while the getting is still good. While many markets are seasonal, there are a handful that are year-round and regularly stocked to supply you with fresh fruits, vegetables, and more in your search for authentic homegrown excellence. There’s still time to attend the Opelousas Farmer’s Market on the Prairie Home Cooking trail, which is open year-round. While you’re out, be sure to stop by a roadside stand, like the ones that line both parameters of Bayou Lafourche along the Bayou Bounty Trail. Wether your looking for something sweet or one of Louisiana’s seafood staples, there is a culinary trail for everyone.

Treat Yourself to a Progressive Dinner

When you find the kitchen to be too swelteringly hot, step into a history with a meal at a locally-owned restaurant thats a part of Natchitoches’s Red River Trail, where locals are invited to dine in the Historic District. Partake in Louisiana History as you sample the blackened alligator appetizer at the Landing Restaurant and Bar.

Fish for your own Supper

Take agency in your meal preparation by indulging in Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise. Our state houses a wealth of fishing spots, home to redfish, catfish, bluegill, bass, and much more. Northern Louisianaians are invited to cast off in Sabine Parish’s Toledo Bend or learn from a professional fisherman and guide like Homer Humphreys, who can show you the finest catches of Red River and Lake Bistineau. South Louisiana fisherman are invited to catch redfish on the Seafood Sensation trail, located in Lake Charles. Wether you’re in the gulf or within the boot, nothing tastes quite like the pride that accompanies a fish that you catch and prepare yourself, so catch your limit and cook it up this summer.

Cool off with a Sweet Treat on this Culinary Trail

Traditionally, the chosen dessert of the summer months is ice cream, but true Louisiana residents never overlook the essentialness of the icebox pie. Across the state, dessert shops and restaurants tote that they have the perfect sweet dish to help you beat the heat. Clancy’s in New Orleans serves a specialty lemon icebox pie from notorious pastry chef and author David Guas. In Shreveport, locals know to head to Strawn’s for a whipped-cream crowned slice of strawberry, chocolate, or coconut. The Creaola Cafe in Grand Coteau, serves its patrons a chocolatey, creamy Yum Yum pie that has rave reviews. Though, this suggested list would be amiss without mentioning the Pie Capitol of Louisiana, Lecompte. Stop by Lea’s Lunchroom for a delicate slice of coconut, lemon, chocolate, banana, and much more when cooling off this summer.

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.

The Best Water Sports in Louisiana

With spring here and summer not too far behind, what’s the best thing to do when the weather gets hot? Head to the water! Once things get back to normal around here, this list of water sports by Louisiana Travel are perfect for Louisiana natives and visitors to keep cool!

Kayak-Iti-Yat Kayak Tours

Located in New Orleans, Kayak-Iti-Yat Kayak Tours let you explore New Orleans’ bayous and historic waterways from a unique perspective! They offer different tours for different experiences, ranging from nice and easy to adventurous.

Try the two-hour Big Easy Bayou Tour, which takes you past neighborhoods that showcase different architectural styles. This tour is perfect for first-timers! The four-hour Pontchartrain Paddle is more active, outdoorsy types. Running the entire length of Bayou St. John and back, this dynamic trip takes you through the city’s oldest neighborhood along the way.

Flyboarding

This unique and exhilarating way to experience the water has you being blasted out of the water, with the flyboard strapped to your feet to keep you propelled and floating in the air some 40 feet high.

You’ll twist, turn, and shake until you come down for the coolest landing ever. This crazy fun experience is a combo of new age water sports and something out of the movie Waterworld.

Head to Northshore Hydrosports in Madisonville to book your flyboard adventure.

River Tubing

This is the ultimate chill water sport, which features you in the middle of the river, on a float, surrounded by friends and good music.

Head to Louisiana River Adventure Tubing in Franklinton, which offers “no reservation required” tubing trips, to relax down a popular stretch of the Bogue Chitto River just 90 minutes north of New Orleans. Two-hour and four-hour floats are the same price – just $20 – and free shuttle service gets you to and from the river.

If you’re on the Northshore, Tiki Tubing is the place for you. This laid back river float takes tubers down the Amite River. A $25 ticket includes your tube, parking, and transportation upriver where the float trip begins. Tiki Tubing also offers ice chest rentals.

Regardless of which river you choose, don’t forget your sunscreen and water!

Bayou Paddle Co. SUP Trips

Ready to explore the waters of St. Tammany Parish on Louisiana’s North Shore from a new perspective?

Bayou Paddle Co. SUP trips let you explore Lake Ponchartrain and the Bogue Falaya, Bogue Chitto and Tchefuncte rivers while balancing on your own individual paddleboard.

The company provides each customer with everything they’ll need for the trip, including equipment, lessons, and a guide if you want!

Water Parks and Playgrounds

Louisiana’s family-friendly water parks, playgrounds, parks, and resorts are the perfect place to go when summer’s reached its peak (and so has the boredom). Experience water slides and canons, lazy rivers, splashing fountains and more at locations throughout the state.

Louisiana also has the perfect beaches for shelling and shore fishing.

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.

A Guide to Louisiana’s Crawfish Festivals

It’s crawfish season in Louisiana, and festival season also. That can only mean one thing, crawfish festivals!

Crawfish are an important part of Louisiana State’s identity, economy, and cuisine. This red crustacean is found in both Creole and Cajun dishes throughout Louisiana and is cooked in every possible way imaginable.

In fact, the most commonly asked question in Louisiana from visitors is “When is crawfish season?”

The importance of the crawfish is first seen in the Houma Indian tribe, where the crawfish was used as its emblem for hundreds of years. In the 1800s, lobster recipes brought by Cajun settlers from their Canadian roots were substituted with crawfish. Then, Creole restaurant entrepreneurs realized how delicious and accessible crawfish was, and it’s been an important part of Louisiana culture and cuisine ever since!

What makes crawfish an even bigger commodity is the fact that it’s seasonal. Prime time for crawfish falls from February to mid-May. For many Louisiana residents, crawfish is the marker for an upcoming spring.

In honor of crawfish season and the fact that Louisianians have a festival for everything, here’s a guide to the best Louisiana Crawfish festivals you don’t want to miss.

Louisiana Crawfish Festival

This festival is from March 26th to the 29th in Chalmette. St. Bernard Parish is one of the most seafood-centric regions in Louisiana. Most of this is due to a commercial fishing industry that has been thriving for decades. Head to this fest for every imaginable recipe of crawfish, good Cajun music, arts and crafts, and pageants.

The Original Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival

This three say party occurs on April 17-18 in Lake Charles. Although it’s called a crawfish festival, expect a celebration that focuses on all the awesome things St. Charles has to offer. You’ll find pageants, live music, local crafts, and carnival rides.

Slidell’s Annual Crawfish Cook-Off

The largest one day event on the Northshore, this festival is on April 18 in Slidell. This festival hosts a healthy competition that has more than 60 teams cooking for the title of Best Crawfish in St. Tammany Parish. Plan for large crowds, great music from well known artists, and a special kids zone for kids 12 and under.

Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival

The first weekend of May each year (May 1-3 this year), this huge festival is hosted in Breaux Bridge. With over 30,000 visitors flocking to Cajun Country, Breaux Bridge was named the Crawfish Capital of the World in 1959, and the festival followed suit in 1960. The festival embodies Cajun culture with authentic music and food.

Curious about other festivals in Louisiana? Click herefor a complete list.

Want to find crawfish without the crowds? Head to one of these restaurants for a delicious crawfish meal:

If you’re interested in the history of crawfish, Jeff Davis Parish offers crawfish farm toursthat show visitors a glimpse into crawfish ecology and the business.

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.

Things to do in Ascension Parish

It seems like everyone knows about Baton Rouge and New Orleans, but what about what is in between them? Ascension Parish is the perfect melting pot of Native American, Spanish, French, German, Italian, English, African, and Acadian cultures. You’ll find a place where 500 years of history, culture, and tradition have mingled and thrived, leaving unbelievable sights, traditions, and experiences.

Louisiana Travel created a list of the best things to do in Ascension Parish that let every visitor get a taste of its unique culture and culinary traditions.

The Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road

Experience life on a sugarcane plantation in the 1800s at the Houmas House and Gardens. You’ll find a mansion that’s been restored to the antebellum era, which reflects the wealth of the sugarcane farm in its youth. Take a guided mansion tour to explore its 250-year history and learn about the evolution of the structures and style of the mansion, as well as how it became a grand estate. Artwork around the house reflects the plantation life.

Aside from being the oldest and most beautiful estate in the South, Houmas House and Gardens is home to Latil’s Landing Restaurant, The Carriage House Restaurant, and Cafe Burnside. The chef, Jeremy Langlois, has mastered the art of creating delicious recipes utilizing the freshest local ingredients and giving his guests an unforgettable culinary experience.

Donaldsonville’s Historic Portal to the Past

Prefer to explore on your own terms? No problem at all. Experience a blast to the past in Donaldsonville at your own pace by visiting this portal map where you can find seven self-guided portals in the Historic District. You can start anywhere you like, and the route is about 2.5 miles. You can walk, bike, or explore by car! Learn more about Donaldsonville!

Louisiana’s First State Capitol

Donaldsonville, which served as Louisiana’s first state capital from 1829-1831, is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Head to the Historic District to learn about the diverse histories of past Donaldsonville occupants that deserve to be heard. The River Road African American Museum, located on Railroad Avenue, is the perfect place to start. This museum preserves, collects, and exhibits all types of art, artifacts, and buildings as they relate to the history and culture of the African American communities along the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans.

Head to Farmer Dave’s Frame Shop to see and purchase the art of a local Donaldsonville artist, Alvin Batiste, who focuses his art on life along the Mississippi.

Find the Jambalaya Capital of the World

Jambalaya is a Cajun or Creole dish (depending on the ingredients you use) that is a combination of various meat, rice, vegetables, and seasonings all combined into one pot to make a delicious meal.

Sound yummy? You can head to Gonzalez, Louisiana and eat your way through the annual Jambalaya Festival and World Champion Jambalaya Cooking Contest. Louisianan’s pride themselves on their culinary skills that pay tribute to their culture and heritage, so be prepared for Jambalaya cooked to perfection.

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.