2024's Towns In Louisiana That Come Alive In The Fall
Louisiana, with its Creole culture and fun cities like New Orleans, is a great place to visit any time of year. And autumn is no exception! As the calendar turns the page past summer, the state's small towns come alive with vibrant fall foliage and lively festivals. From the scenic bayous to the charming streets lined with oak trees, Louisiana’s must-visit small towns showcase the best of autumn in the Pelican State.
Abita Springs
Nestled along the banks of the Abita River, across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, Abita Springs is famous for its natural beauty and quaint atmosphere. The trees around the town turn shades of red and orange in mid-to-late November, making for stunning views along the Tammany Trace walking and biking path.
Do not miss the weekly Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market, which continues every Saturday throughout fall with local crafts, seasonal produce, and live music. Abita Springs also hosts a lively Halloween Block Party that starts Halloween night and continues all the way to the following morning.
Breaux Bridge
Known as the "Crawfish Capital of the World," Breaux Bridge celebrates Cajun heritage each May with the town’s famous Crawfish Festival. But you can enjoy a fantastic crawfish boil or crawfish etouffee in the fall, too! The town is also home to fun autumn events like the St. Francis of Assisi Fall Festival (October 4 to 6, 2024) and the Chamber of Commerce Pumpkin Patch (October 12), both of which include local vendors, crafts, music, and great food. Peak fall foliage does not happen until late November in far southern Louisiana, but the backdrop of cypress trees draped in Spanish moss makes Breaux Bridge a picturesque setting for exploration throughout the fall.
Covington
With its historic charm and beautiful oak-lined streets that reveal spectacular colors in mid-to-late November, Covington is an ideal spot for a fall getaway. The Covington Farmers Market showcases local produce, handmade goods, and seasonal treats every Saturday morning throughout the fall. Stroll through the town's quaint shops, stay at a bed-and-breakfast like Camellia House or Blue Willow, and make sure to visit Fontainebleau State Park for stunning fall foliage along the lakefront trails. You can also easily make a day trip to New Orleans via the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the longest continuous over-water bridge in the world.
Hammond
Hammond is home to Louisiana’s oldest parish (county) fair, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair (October 2 to 6, 2024), which has been a welcome addition to the fall calendar since 1888. Bring the kids to the fair, which features rides, live entertainment, and delicious local cuisine, after a stop at the fun Louisiana Children's Discovery Center. The Hammond Regional Arts Council also hosts its Brews Arts Festival in early November (November 2, 2024), just about the time when fall color is reaching its peak. Nearby Tickfaw State Park has walking paths and boardwalks that offer scenic views of fall foliage and local wildlife.
Natchitoches
As the oldest European-founded town in the entire area of the Louisiana Purchase, Natchitoches (pronounced “Nack-a-tish”) is a treasure trove of history and culture. It may sound odd that the town’s autumn highlight is the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, but this fantastic holiday event (held since 1927) offers a full six weeks of fun activities from November 23, 2024, to January 6, 2025. The festival starts a few weeks after Natchitoches’ peak fall foliage time (early-to-mid November), but a walk through the town’s 33-block Historic District will still reveal plenty of autumn color along with all the classic Creole architecture.
New Iberia
New Iberia bursts with colorful beauty all through the year but is particularly lovely in autumn. Be sure to explore Shadows-on-the-Teche, a downtown plantation house turned museum, where the gardens bloom with peak autumn colors in mid-to-late November. Earlier in the season, the annual New Iberia Sugar Cane Festival, always held on the fourth weekend in September, offers a celebration of the local culture with parades, live music, and sugar cane treats. Learn more about New Iberia’s unique history and culture at the Bayou Teche Museum, then enjoy the fall colors and slightly cooler air as you stroll through the historic downtown, winner of a “Great American Street” award in 2005.
Saint Francisville
With its antebellum charm and scenic views overlooking the majestic Mississippi River, Saint Francisville is a fall haven. Long renowned for its arts and live music scenes, the town hosts several great autumn events, including the Rodeo and Craft Show (every Sunday in October), Yellow Leaf Art and Music Festival (October 26), and Food and Wine Festival (November 8). You can expect peak fall color along this stretch of the Mississippi River in about mid-November, making it a great time to explore the history and admire the beauty of the Oakley Plantation and Rosedown Plantation state historic sites.
Whether you are looking to indulge in Louisiana cuisine, appreciate local art and music, or simply enjoy breathtaking views of fall foliage, these small towns in the Pelican State offer something for everyone. Save your autumn trip to New England for another year and instead embrace the charm and warmth of Louisiana this fall, where you are sure to create unforgettable memories in picturesque locales. But save a day or two to experience New Orleans as well!
