Visit Louisiana
The most distinctive state in the South — Creole and Cajun food, live music, river towns, and swampland, anchored by one of America's great cities.
Cities to visit
New Orleans
Food, music, history — the headline destination.
Baton Rouge
The capital, on the Mississippi. Guide coming soon.
Lafayette
Heart of Cajun Country. Guide coming soon.
When to visit Louisiana
Spring (February–May) is the sweet spot: warm, comfortable, and packed with festivals including Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. Summer is hot, humid, and within hurricane season. Fall is mild and pleasant; winter is quiet and cool. Check the Best Time to Visit tool →
Getting around the state
Fly into New Orleans (MSY) or Baton Rouge (BTR). The cities are walkable in their cores, but Louisiana's signature experiences — swamp tours, River Road plantations, and Cajun Country — are spread out, so a rental car is the practical choice for a wider trip.
What Louisiana is known for
- Food: gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish boils, beignets, and po'boys.
- Music: the birthplace of jazz, plus zydeco and brass-band traditions.
- Festivals: Mardi Gras, Jazz & Heritage Festival, and dozens of smaller local ones.
- Landscape: the Mississippi River, bayous, and Gulf coast.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best city to visit in Louisiana?
New Orleans, for most travelers — it has the food, music, history, and walkability the state is famous for. Add Lafayette for Cajun culture or Baton Rouge for the capital.
How many days do you need in Louisiana?
Three to four days for New Orleans alone; five to seven if you're adding Cajun Country and day trips.
When is Mardi Gras?
It falls in February or March, with the date changing each year (it's tied to Easter). Book accommodation months ahead.