10 Most Neighborly Towns In Louisiana
Louisiana is known as the "Sportsman's Paradise" for its abundant outdoor adventures, from offshore angling to trekking through swamps. It is also a profoundly historical state with a beautiful mixture of cultural heritage that can be experienced through Creole cooking, Zydeco music, and the friendly communities that embrace Louisiana's motto of "Laissez les bons temps rouler", let the good times roll.
This is a lively state that celebrates its past and future with over 400 annual festivals throughout the state. Planning a trip around one of these festivals is a great way to interact with the warm communities and experience the best of Louisiana. Check out the ten most neighborly towns in Louisiana.
Natchitoches
Natchitoches is a stunningly beautiful town that exemplifies Southern charm, so much so that it was chosen to be the star-studded setting of "Steel Magnolias" in the late 1980s. The small community embraces its heritage framed by natural beauty and is welcoming to visitors. The "City of Lights" hosts several festivals and events to showcase the community spirit, like the Natchitoches Christmas Festival on the first Saturday of December.
This town is Louisiana's first French colony and the oldest city in the Louisiana Purchase. Much of the architecture has been preserved, especially downtown, with Creole, French Colonial, and Victorian influences. Melrose on the Cane (River) features over 200 years of history, including the works of famed Folk Artist Clementine Hunter. Sports fans should not miss the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum for a closer look at this historic city.
Breaux Bridge
Breaux Bridge embodies the heart of Louisiana through its culinary delights and heritage music. Known as the "Crawfish Capital of the World," the fun community honors food history with events like the Crawfish Festival and lively restaurants, such as Fat Pat's, Chez Jacqueline, and Crazy Bout Crawfish, that play traditional Zydeco music blaring from their speakers.
The best way to work up an appetite is by taking a walking tour of the historic and cultural sites, beginning at the Bayou Teche Visitors Center on Bridge Street. The road is named for the iconic 1950 bridge with a crawfish depicted on top. The tour winds through downtown, and you will see the second brick building in town, the Old Bank Building, built in 1901. This self-guided excursion allows visitors to see the best in town and meet friendly locals along the way.
Covington
Many consider Covington the friendliest town in Louisiana. However, it is also known for its spectacular Arts Districts. The district features the Marianne Angeli Rodriguez Gallery SALDINO Gallery, and the St. Tammany Parish Arts Association. Museums include the Coving Trailhead Museum and Visitor Center, which provides respite for bicyclists and a stage for live music.
St. John Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and is made up of squares brimming with historic structures and other sites. HJ Smith and Sons General Store and Museum has served the community since 1876 by the same family. The museum has free admission and features hundreds of historical pieces to explore. Booking a room at the Southern Hotel, ca. 1901, puts you near the downtown district with luxurious rooms and modern amenities.
Abita Springs
Lovely Abita Springs has a Native American history dating back over 2,000 years. The aquifer was tested in the mid-1800s, and it was found that the waters had good medicinal properties. The 1880 Long Branch was the first resort hotel built and still stands today as a witness to the town's significance. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
The friendly community honors its roots with cultural attractions like the Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market and the Abita Springs Opry. The farmers market is an ideal way to mingle with the locals and purchase fresh vegetables and seafood. The Opry House hosts six concerts annually and aims to preserve Louisiana's "roots" music.
St. Francisville
St. Francisville is filled with historical structures, natural beauty, and Southern charm and is part of the Main Street initiative. Historic sites include the Grace Episcopal Church and the Julius Freyhan School. The church was completed in 1860, sustained significant damage during the Civil War, and was rebuilt in 1893, the version you see today.
The school and Temple Sinai are part of the Julius Freyhan Foundation, which aims to preserve the town's history by protecting these landmarks. The history can be explored at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum through exhibits and artifacts. The city is also known for its culinary scene, which includes Birdman Coffee and Books and Basel's Market.
Mandeville
Scenic Mandeville, referred to as the Northshore, is on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain and is known for its beauty and historic district. It was a resort town in the early 1800s, and many homes can be seen on Lake Shore Drive. It now connects to the southern side of the lake due to the longest causeway in the world, built in the 1950s
Charming restaurants include Liz's Where Y'at Diner, among the most popular on the Northshore and should not be missed during a visit. Other amenities include antique stores and boutiques on Girod Street, where you will also find La Lou, a favorite eatery by locals and visitors in the heart of the shopping district. If you plan to spend time on Girod Street, book a room at the historic Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast to immerse yourself in Mandeville without leaving the district.
Farmerville
Farmerville is famous for its scenery, rolling hills, and Lake D'Arbonne State Park, one of the most stunning in the state. The rustic region is known for its agricultural practices, and visitors are invited to grab fresh peaches at Mitcham Farms or the Ruston Farmers Market. If rustic is on your itinerary, come during the annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival, the last week of July, where you can meet local vendors and residents.
Booking a room at the historic Edgewood Plantation Bed and Breakfast allows guests to explore Farmerville's history through its architecture and amenities. The Queen Victorian structure was built in 1901, and the new owners consider it the "newest oldest place in town." This is a great place to spend a few tranquil days and learn about the region's agricultural significance in the past and present.
Thibodeaux
Thibodeaux is a quaint Southern town with a friendly community that enjoys festivals like the Fireman's Fair, which features live music and food and is one of the most popular fairs in Louisiana. Several historic structures exist to explore, like the 1905 Laurel Valley Store, now a museum showcasing the town's rural history.
The Laurel Valley Sugar Plantation played a significant economic role in town, and many of the structures date to the 1830s and are available for tours. The E.D. White House is an 1830s landmark residence once home to a Louisiana governor and his son, a US Supreme Court Justice. There are many more historic sites, including the downtown area, to explore before stopping for dinner at one of the many authentic Cajun restaurants.
St. Martinville
St. Martinville is a classic Southern gem, with Bayou Teche wandering through town. Visitors can kayak down Bayou Teche, with an access point in Lake Fausse State Park next to one of the natural wonders of North America, the Atchafalaya Basin. After a peaceful day on the bayou, try Cajun-Chinese fare at Cajun Fried Chicken and Seafood to refuel.
Lodging includes Old Castillo Bed and Breakfast, a magnificent 1827 Queen Victorian home shaded by the branches of the Evangeline Oak. The ancient oak is the park's focal point, built around it, and has been the most visited place in St. Martinville since the 19th century. This charming and traditional town has a hospitable community and historic sites that are fun to explore on foot.
Monroe
Monroe is a modern city in Northern Louisiana that honors its past through preserved architecture and historical sites. The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens showcases the history of Coca-Cola, which was bottled by the Biedenham Candy Company, and sheds light on this history through photos and exhibits. The town is famous for its museums, including the Masur Museum of Art, the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, and the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum.
Main Street should not be passed up for its shopping and dining. It also offers spectacular views of the sun setting over the Ouachita River. Downtown RiverMarket is the district's main attraction and includes a boardwalk featuring live music and a farmers market. Visitors should check the calendar before booking a trip so they can take part in the locally famous Downtown Gallery Crawl. The bi-monthly crawl takes guests to cultural destinations like Alley Park, Albritton Photography, and the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.
Louisiana is one of the prettiest and historic states in the South. Natchitoches displays natural beauty and Creole architecture, while Breaux Bridge experiences the state's culinary and musical heritage. Monroe is pleasant to visit and has many museums that tell the town's story through hundreds of exhibits. These are among the ten friendliest cities in "Sportsman's Paradise" and should not be missed if traveling through Louisiana.
Covington tops many lists as the friendliest town in Louisiana, and experiencing it first-hand will make for a memorable visit. These towns reflect the best of Louisiana and feature a fantastic glimpse into this melting pot of cultures and history. Historic towns like Natchitoches are the epitome of Southern charm and architecture, and visitors are invited to relive Louisiana's unique history through live events and friendly downtown areas.
