10 Small Towns in Louisiana to Visit for a Weekend Getaway

Who does not want to get away every once in a while? Whether it be with a brood of family members or an amorous dalliance with a beloved, rest is required. Relaxation can mean satisfying a desire for exotic cuisine, traversing the compelling lands and waters of a foreign space, or even letting loose with good music, drink, and company. 

Fortunately, the amalgamation of all of the above is what the state of Louisiana is all about. Known for its flair and eccentricities, Louisiana remains a place for the dreamers, the daring, the flourishing grounds for the artistic and brave. These small towns are miniature slices of what the state with a big, vivacious personality have to offer.

New Iberia

If travelers are looking to take a plunge into a unique culture, then New Iberia is the place to go. The town is nearly thirty thousand renowned for its fusion of Native American-Spainish-French-Africian-American-Crelole heritage and unforgettable cuisine. The town had dedicated itself to preserving its history, which is teeming up and down the restored Main Street and historic downtown area. Walking tours reveal the southern gem to the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Lee Burke, while visits to the Bayou Teche Museum and Shadows-on-the-Teche (an antebellum home once occupied by Union soldiers during the Civil War) will educate visitors on the town’s various narratives. Aesthetical wonders are unavoidable in the tropical climate, with multiple scenic explorations of gardens and plantation tours abound, like the famous Jungle Gardens Bird Tours. Whimsical bed and breakfasts are everywhere, many inhabited in old adorable restored homes, like the 1892 B and B Victorian Home on Main Street.

Minden

More historical tales and antebellum and Victoria-era homes can be found in Minden, home to the 1835 Germantown Colony Museum, as well as the famous author of “Gone With the Wind.” Cinema buffs will be spoiled along the Northwest Louisiana Film Trail that runs through Linden, dubbed “The Hollywood South.” Visitors walk along Main Street, lined with endearing cherry brick roads, which connect to small parks great for relaxation, like Miller Quarters Community Park or Academy Park. The outdoor adventure continues as Minding acts as a gateway to a plethora of options, like Dorcheast Bayou and Lake Bistineau, perfect for fishing largemouth bass. The Moess Art Center and City Farm combine art and agriculture and host annual events like the Spring Arts Festival for those seeking artistic Emerson. For tried and true comfort, stay at the Best Western Minded Inn, but for something more intriguing, try the Huffman Manor Inn for that southern, historic ambiance. 

Marksville

Marksville was accidentally founded by a Venetian peddler named Marco, who broke a wagon wheel along his travels. The town is bursting with colonial history, with The 1820 Hypolite-Bordelon House being a window into the life of early European settlers, and Fort De Russy was built during the Civil War to defend the Red River. The town's first inhabitants, Native Americans, are honored in an annual Fete Du Blue Indian Festival and continue to have a modern presence at the 500-room Paragon Casino and Resort. Nature lovers can drink in the raw Louisiana beauty at  Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area and the Lake Ophelia and Grand Cote National Wildlife Preserves. Besides the Casino and Resort, tourists can get cozy at the Lazy Rabbit Cottage on the Bayou, a unique stay with a river running right outside the window. 

Breaux Bridge

Breaux Bridge is a friendly, adorable little town of just under 10,000 that acts as a gateway to authentic Cajun culture in south Louisiana. World-famous cuisines are on every corner, delicious and indelible, paired with traditional Cajun and funky Zydeco music and a rich history. Breaux Bridge was where the famous crawfish etouffée was created, rendering the area a Mecca for southern cuisine. After being designated “the crawfish capital of the world” in 1959, the town has hosted an annual crawfish festival ever since. Beyond flavourful and noteworthy eats, Breaux Bridge offers activities for the whole family, like Acadiana Swamp Tours, Cajun Country Swamp Tours, and visits to the Teche Center for the Arts. The Grand Point Tavern and Hoppers Icehouse offer adult entertainment, the latter acting as an old-school speakeasy. Lodging in the town ranges from classic franchise hotels to cute bed-and-breakfast stays. Try the Cajun Country Cottage for a romantic escape right on the water. 

Houma

The vibe of Houma is the epitome of what makes Louisiana, Louisiana. Just 55 miles from the lively New Orleans, with over 2500 square miles of mysterious swamps and foggy wetlands. Southern hospitality is at its finest, enhanced by the Creole and Cajun cultural influence. Exploring the treasured wetlands is a popular pastime for both locals and tourists, especially along the winding bayous of the Wetlands Cultural Byway, which serves as a buffer between the country’s coastline and the Gulf of Mexico. Geo tours are offered, a special kind of free outdoor treasure hunt that guides adventurers through the town’s history and breathtaking landscape. Mardi Gras is an obvious choice for those looking for classic Louisiana energetic and vigorous celebration, with Houma hosting one of the largest in the state. Lodge at one of the many historical wonders that take visitors back in time, like A La Maison Audrey or A LA Maison Crochet. 

Ferriday

Natural beauty, musical influence, and eclectic cuisine continue as a theme within the Bayou State, with yet another small town with a friendly atmosphere surrounded by rivers, lakes, and forests as far as the eye can see. History is performed right in front of curious visitors at the Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gins, a 1,800-acre cotton farm that has been operating since the 1800s. A state of music royalty can be found at The Delta Music Museum and Arcade Theatre, where artistic blues and rock and roll legends like Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, Fats Domino, and Aaron Neville are memorialized. Travelers are free to saunter the lush courtyard gardens of a French Quarter hotel or indulge in a charming B and B called The King's Daughters Bed and Breakfast. Of course, the seafood options are prolific; they are everywhere in the state, like Duck’s Nest II, which blends the classic crawfish selection with renounced sizzling steaks. 

Leesville

This small town of just over 5,000 residents is known as the home of Fort Polk, a major US Army camp since the 1940s, now known as Fort Johnson. It is also known for housing the largest man-made lake in the south, the Toledo Bend Lake and Reservoir, which has both recreational and power-generating benefits. North Toledo Bend State Park is located on the lake itself, where Boating, fishing, skiing, camping, hiking, birding, golf, and other recreational activities are all popular along the 1,200 miles of shoreline. Visitors can stroll through the historic downtown Leesville, the site of parades performed during Mardi Gras, or visit the Vernon Veterans Memorial Park and The Museum of West Louisiana. Homes like the Wingate House and the Ferguson House display the history of this area. Quality stays at the Holiday Inn or Days Ann will ensure a good, reliable sleep and a cozy environment. 

Morgan City

Fishing hobbyists and professionals do not want to miss out on the town that is known worldwide for fresh and saltwater sporting, as Morgan City acts as a gateway to the Gulf of Mexico for the shrimping and oilfield industries. The diverse culture and fine Cajun cuisine make the stay remarkably memorable for both nature and food lovers. The Swamp Gardens and Wildlife Zoo is not to be missed as it depicts life in Atchafalaya Swamp with guided tours through the 3.5-acre park, taking visitors past indigenous animals and displays about the Cajun people who once inhabited the swamp. The annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival takes place in downtown Morgan City in early September. Lodging options in the town are the unique Cypress Lake Resort or the trusty La Quinta Inn and Suites. 

Tallulah

Tallulah is a prime cotton-growing country with miles of agricultural land enriched by sediment from the Mississippi River for centuries. Vast lands roll into a charming town with an endless friendly ambiance, with activities that range from outdoor excursions to historical reverence. Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge is a hardwood bottomland preserve where visitors find an incredible diversity of bird life, and the Southern Heritage, Air Foundation museum is dedicated to preserving aviation and the stories of flights told by US service members. Knock Out BBQ series classic Southern cuisine, while Los Parrilleros dives deep into the Spanish influence of the region. Lodging at hotels is limited to Holiday Capri Motel and a Super 8, clean and predictable stays within the small town vicinity. 

Grand Isle

The Grand Isle is at the Southernmost tip of Jefferson Parish and the state of Loisiana’s only inhabited barrier island. This hidden coastline oasis is known as a “Sportsman's Paradise” due to its renowned fishing and birding habitat as well as the presence of unsullied views of the Gulf of Mexico. If a classic beach vibe is what is being sought, Grand Isle is undoubtedly the place to relish. Try out some of the freshest seafood in the world at Dean Blanchard’s Seafood for wholesale goods, or have a sit-down meal of boiled and live crustaceans at Camardelle’s Seafood. Tourists are encouraged to stay for an overnight getaway with an abundance of options, like camping on the beachfront, staying in a hotel, or making the bold choice to stay at the Landry House Bed and Breakfast, a three-bedroom house built in 1931. 

Discover Louisiana's Unforgettable Small Towns

From New Iberia's melting pot of heritage to Grand Isle's coastal allure, these destinations offer more than just a getaway—they invite you to experience a lifestyle where history resonates through antebellum homes and vibrant festivals that celebrate local traditions. Take on the marvel that are the small towns of the Pelican state, where the thirst for absorption of culture, history, novel cuisine, and outdoor escapades is truly insatiable.