Louisiana Travel - TravelMole

News & announcements

07 Feb 22
Partner News
Now You See Me – Louisiana Travel
What better location to wrap up a movie about magic than at a magical-looking ...Read more

Now You See Me – Louisiana Travel - News & announcements

What better location to wrap up a movie about magic than at a magical-looking carousel? The Carousel at New Orleans City Park is the setting for the reveal at the end of Now You See Me, starring Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, and Morgan Freeman. The young and young-at-heart can enjoy a ride on one of the fifty-six hand-carved animals – horses, a lion, giraffe, or camel. The Carousel dates back to 1906, but some of the animal figures date back to 1885; the whole structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And after a ride (or two, maybe), you can check out the rest of the magic in City Park – beautiful gardens, coffee and beignets, or even a gondola ride on the lakes.
07 Feb 22
Partner News
Free State of Jones – Louisiana Travel
Based on historical events, Free State of Jones is a dramatization of a group ...Read more

Free State of Jones – Louisiana Travel - News & announcements

Based on historical events, Free State of Jones is a dramatization of a group of Mississippi residents who broke from the Confederacy during the Civil War. Filmed primarily in Louisiana, the Matthew McConaughey and Gugu Mbatha-Raw-led project included 3 actual direct descendants of Newton Knight as extras in the movie. While some of the more remote areas of Chicot State Park were used for the scenes where the group hid out in swamps, visitors can check out downtown Clinton – a couple of hours’ drive from the park – for town scenes from the movie. The East Feliciana Courthouse is the oldest continuously-used courthouse in the state, and has been featured in many films due to its striking architecture. Chicot State Park admission: $3/person, free for seniors 62 and older and for children 3 and younger
07 Feb 22
Partner News
Celebrate Summer Festivals in Louisiana
There’s no better way to spend a summer vacation than at one (or more) ...Read more

Celebrate Summer Festivals in Louisiana - News & announcements

There’s no better way to spend a summer vacation than at one (or more) of Louisiana’s festivals.

*Always check the festival websites for the most up-to-date information, as events and dates are subject to change. With more than 400 fairs and festivals scheduled annually around the state, you can consider Louisiana the "festival capital of the world." Make a trip to celebrate some of our favorite things here in Louisiana – food, music and culture. Here’s just a sampling of what festivals we have to offer during the summertime.
Food Festivals
In Louisiana, we know how to eat. So much so that we find reason to celebrate! At festivals like the Beauregard Watermelon Festival and the French Market Creole Tomato Festival, fresh local produce is honored. Check out the melon carving and canning contests at the Watermelon Fest, and see the Ripe & Ready Secondline while sipping a bloody Mary at the Creole Tomato Fest. Seafood is abundant in Louisiana, and there are several great places to get a taste during the summer. The Jean Lafitte Seafood Festival, taste Cajun and Creole food or take a swamp tour adventure. The Louisiana Catfish Festival takes place in Des Allemands, officially proclaimed as the Catfish Capital of the Universe in 1980, so you know it’s the real deal. Try a catfish po’boy, catfish platter, catfish boulettes and more. Delcambre Shrimp Festival offers signature shrimp dishes like boiled and fried shrimp, shrimp sauce piquante, shrimp salad and more. Delcambre is a productive shrimping town, so the bounty is super fresh. And of course, grabbing a Natchitoches meat pie at the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival is a must – it’s the city’s signature dish! Can’t pick a dish? Got a craving for Cajun flavor? Get a sampling of it all at the Cajun Music & Food Festival in Lake Charles!

Tap your toes at the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival in Opelousas.
Cool off with juicy watermelon at the Beauregard Watermelon Festival. Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Parade.

Get your groove on at the Baton Rouge Blues Fest.

Music Festivals
At any moment, Louisiana is filled with the sounds of jazz, zydeco, blues and everything in between. Ever heard of swamp pop music? Experience this unique music genre at the Swamp Pop Music Festival in Gonzales. Hear the accordions and washboards of Cajun and Zydeco music at the Lebeau Zydeco Festival, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival in Opelousas and the Mamou Cajun Music Festival where you’ll be sure to get up on your feet and cut a rug. In addition to Cajun music, the Marshland Festival in Hackberry features popular country and classic rock performers. Fan of the blues? The Highland Jazz & Blues Festival in Shreveport and the Baton Rouge Blues Festival are must-visits. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Satchmo SummerFest in New Orleans, which celebrates the life, music, and legacy of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. The multi-day festival features intellectual seminars from well-known jazz and music scholars, along impressive music ranging from traditional and contemporary jazz to brass bands and more.
Cultural Festivals
Louisiana has such a strong history that influenced the economy, culture and traditions that are still not only practiced, but celebrated, to this day. In Morgan City, the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival honors both the local fishermen and petroleum industry that have influenced the area. The Blessing of the Fleet and water parade on Berwick Bay highlights participating shrimp boats, pleasure craft and the biggest "muscle boats" of the oilpatch. While in town, take a tour of the Mr. Charlie Oil Rig - the only place in the world where the general public can walk aboard an authentic offshore drilling rig. Since 1949, the Louisiana Cattle Festival & Fair in Abbeville has celebrated the state’s cattle industry with Outstanding Cattleman, Restauranteur of the Year, Cattle Livestock Show. And since 1937, the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival has celebrated the sweetest thing of all – sugar – with a Blessing of the Crops and a parade with the reigning King Sucrose and Queen Sugar. In 1977, a trademark bearing the title "Gueydan, LA. - Duck Capital of America" was recorded and validated with the Secretary of State. The Gueydan Duck Festival, appropriately, highlights the hunting heritage of the Acadiana region, the Duck Festival a Duck and Goose Calling Contest, Skeet Shooting, Dog Trials, Duck Dash, and Decoy Carving. Last, but certainly not least, Essence Festival is the largest African-American culture and music event in the United States. Attendees to the New Orleans festival experience panel discussions, demonstrations, workshops, shopping, meet and greets, and live music featuring some of the best in R&B, soul, funk, gospel and hip-hop. We’ve always believed that there’s more fun to have in Louisiana than just about anywhere else. If this list of incredible festivals hasn’t convinced you, come on over and let us show you in person. Foodies, adventure-seekers, heritage lovers and fun-seeking families will not be disappointed with all there is to do at Louisiana’s festivals. For more about Louisiana’s abundance of food, music, culture and every quirky festival in-between, take a peek at our festivals calendar. Find more festival fun with Louisiana’s Spring Festivals and Fall Festivals.
25 Jan 22
Partner News
Ready, Set, Start Planning! It’s time to clock out and plan your Louisiana vacation
Does too much screen time have you daydreaming? It's time for a change of ...Read more

Ready, Set, Start Planning! It’s time to clock out and plan your Louisiana vacation - News & announcements

Does too much screen time have you daydreaming? It's time for a change of scenery, so make plans for that long-awaited trip to Louisiana. Let your hair down and indulge in a few unforgettable meals or tap your toe to a familiar beat you haven't heard in a while.
Plan your road trip itinerary
Whether you visit Louisiana’s big cities or take the back roads to experience the charm of Louisiana’s quaint small towns, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Dine at world-renowned restaurants or hole-in-the-wall eateries, shop for handmade trinkets by local artists and experience each city and town’s distinctive culture and hidden treasures. Learn about some of our most out-of-the-way places and learn why Louisiana is a Trip.

Let the good times roll with live music!

Taste Louisiana Seafood.

Paddle our trails.

Stroll through history.

Make unforgettable memories at a Louisiana Festival
When you arrive, you will find there is always a reason to laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll) in Louisiana! Our rich culture of music, food, heritage and more means we are always celebrating with a festival! Mardi Gras is back this year and promises to be better than ever. Whether you're craving the traditional mega-parades in New Orleans or Houma or a rural Courir de Mardi Gras complete with chicken chases, there's plenty of celebrating to go around. If a springtime trip is on your mind, check out the just-released 2022 New Orleans Jazz Fest lineup here! After two years of virtual events, this year's Jazz Fest promises to be unparalelled. Catch the Mudbug Madness Festival in Shreveport during the summer. Or set the plate for the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival during early fall. Experience Cajun culture at the Festival International de Louisiane or Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in the south. Head to the capital city for Baton Rouge Blues Festival in the spring or Jambalaya Festival in the summer. Love strawberries? Attend the summertime Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival in Tangipahoa Parish. Travel way down south in October for the famous Rougarou Fest in Houma, a legendary celebration! And in New Orleans, the good times don’t stop, as it hosts a variety of unique festivals most weekends. It’s easy to make festival plans on vacation in Louisiana! Plan your trip around annual festivals, or check out what events are happening when you get here.
Pay a visit to a Louisiana State Museum
Immerse yourself in Louisiana’s arts and history at one of the nine state museums dotted across the state. From sports or Jazz to aviation or Mardi Gras – you’ll find a unique and fascinating exhibition for every topic of interest. Speaking of Mardi Gras, you won't want to miss Rex: The 150th Anniversary of the School of Design at The Presbytére. Get familiar before you drop in with these virtual gallery tours and experiences.
Stay awhile at a Louisiana State Park
Breathe in that fresh Louisiana air in the great outdoors. Get in on the action and participate in water sports, cast a line, view Louisiana’s wildlife, trek through hiking trails and more. Louisiana’s state parks are the perfect spot for outdoor recreation. Stay overnight at any of our park cabins and wake up to the peace and quiet only pure nature can bring. Or even explore your camping options. Nine of our Louisiana State Parks now offer glamping; check out the details and book your tent here.
Indulge in the life-changing cuisine
We'd put money on you having the best meal of your life right here in Louisiana. From restaurants that have been serving up incredible meals for over 100 years to gas stations that have the best yam cake you'll ever eat, Louisiana has no shortage of meals that will leave their mark in your memory. If you’re looking for the full, cultural experience, challenge yourself to try each of these classic Louisiana dishes:

Savory Side o Seafood Gumbo o Chicken & Sausage Gumbo o Jambalaya o Crawfish Étoufée o Boudin o Red Beans & Rice o Boiled Crawfish Sweet Side o Beignets o Bananas Foster o King Cake o Pralines o Snoballs

Then don’t forget, we've got our fair share of craft breweries, distilleries and even a few wineries!
Immerse yourself in your surroundings
See the Bayou State from the Red River in the North to the mouth of the Mississippi River down South. Get up close and personal with our unique landscape on a swamp tour when you airboat, kayak or cruise through the Bayou. And with year-round hunting, fishing, golf and countless other opportunities for outdoor recreation, it is easy to see why Louisiana's nickname is "Sportsman's Paradise."
Plan For The Vacation You Deserve
Book your airfare today or map out the perfect road trip route. Then order your copy of the Louisiana Sunshine Magazine for more insider tips on where to go and what to see.