7 Adorable Small Towns in Louisiana to Visit in 2024
Visitors from around the globe know of New Orleans and the Baton Rouge. Few people are aware of the "Pelican State" nickname, and even fewer know that the small towns are as adorable as Louisiana's moniker. Some saw West Monroe in the cult classic "Duck Dynasty," but it would be a wonder if anyone guessed that close to 32% of Louisiana is occupied by wetlands. Well, the lucky locals enjoy living close to the swamps' alligators, bald cypresses, and moss-covered oaks, along with other wildlife like amiable turtles, rich birding, and thriving flora.
Intertwined in nature with roots deep in Acadian and Native American heritages, Louisiana is full of indulgences, from a rich cultural blend to Cajun dishes and amazing seafood, thanks to both the Gulf of Mexico oceanfront and the Mississippi. Breaux Bridge, “The Crawfish Capital of the World," nestles along Bayou Teche, a delta of the mighty river that developed thousands of years ago. Just south, the waterfront St. Martinsville, aka "Petit Paris," seeps Creole through cuisine, attractions, and beautiful architecture, reflecting the bygone era repurposed with modern establishments.
Abita Springs
Settled a few years after the turn of the 20th century around the famed springs, this Northshore community is steeped in history and serene nature. Welcoming visitors with an artsy feel and an eclectic soul, Abita Springs draws outdoor lovers for easy access to the Tammany Trace recreation trail with natural and cultural wonders specific to this region. The Art & Farmer’s Market is delightful from spring through summer, while the cozy, one-room Abita Springs Trailhead Museum preserves and displays the tiny town's heritage. From concerts to dances, the Abita Springs Opry Hall is a one-stop shop for interactive entertainment.
The Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve is a popular place to commune with nature along an interpretive trail and a photogenic boardwalk through pine flatwood wetlands. Come for the leaf-peeping season and celebrate the Abita Fall Fest at the Abita Springs Park Pavilion on the National Register of Historic Places, just like your comfy stay at the Longbranch Guest House. Among other unique attractions, don't miss the roadside Abita Mystery House at the UCM Museum for fun and Southern charm, while the Louisiana Bicycle Festival, the En Plein Air Art Exhibition, and the Whole Town Garage Sale reveal Abita's many passions.
Breaux Bridge
Small and cozy, with under 7,500 residents, Breaux Bridge flaunts pretty natural makeup, scenic French origins, and the present-day reputation as “The Crawfish Capital of the World." Shining from within the Atchafalaya Basin—North America’s largest river basin—take a self-guided walk through Breaux Bridge’s bustling historic district, noting how modern-day life fills up the architecture. Starting on a refreshing riverside trail from Bayou Teche Visitors Center, don't miss the rich heritage displays at the Atchafalaya Welcome Center, while in May, the famous annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival celebrates its past and rich Cajun and Creole culture.
Home to many diverse landscapes, the swamps and waterways drown the town in a distinctive Louisiana bayou character while providing endless opportunities to relax along the shores in nature and enjoy waterfront recreation in the summer. Offering quick access to Lake Martin for swamp tours, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching, treat your outdoorsy soul on a day trip to another gem from this list. St. Martinville, a close neighbor with a very different personality, is a great place to dedicate a day or two. Just 10 minutes south, Cypress Island Preserve offers more escapades through a forested wetland habitat with a levee trail, birding, and wildlife.
Donaldsonville
Admirably home to 18th-century architecture and noteworthy antique stores, this underrated town was not always quiet at a bend along the southern side of the snake-like Mighty Mississippi. Offering a dreamy, crowdless escape with great attractions, walk in Jean Lafitte's footsteps, who was a pirate in the early 1800s. Having set foot in town as his "headquarters" for its strategic location, visitors can stroll along the levee and spy on ships just like he did or simply cozy up to watch the peaceful sunset. Start the day with mouthwatering seafood at Grapevine Café, which promises a memorable dining experience for connoisseurs.
Rich in Creole heritage, the historic district is an antique in itself, allowing you to enjoy unobscured shots while sifting through all the treasures, like the serene Ascension Catholic Cemetery in New Orleans style. Don't miss the Riverfront Fort Butler Historic Site and the River Road African American Museum for interesting heritage insights.
Mandeville
Boasting the beautiful Mandeville Lakefront on the northern end of Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary, this little town is a dream come true for summer vacations and easy escapes from the heated city. Visitors can enjoy waterside strolls along the lake's cooling breeze into the warm evening under the spectacular sunset glow at Sunset Point Park. Meandering from the Mandeville Trailhead offers a scope of the city’s history and culture, including an amphitheater, a splash pad, and a local history museum—convenient for a short getaway. Home to music and culinary events against the backdrop of the beautiful city center, the Pontchartrain Po-Boys just north of downtown is a famous local delight.
Meanwhile, the most spectacular feature nudges the town to the east: Fontainebleau State Park. This sprawling waterfront park encompasses acreages of wilderness trails, waterways, cabins, and campsites, as well as Fontainebleau Beach with pristine views. But you don't have to venture far to enjoy Pelican Park's fancy gazebo, Frisbee golf, or the scenic bridge crossing at Northlake Nature Center. Combine comfort with fun and relaxation on a cruise to explore the south side of the lake, and if you're feeling adventurous, take a quick one to New Orleans. The kids can enjoy Mandeville Lakefront Splash Park, a playground with scenic views for parents to relax in the misty air.
St. Francisville
Exuding Southern charm in the heart of Louisiana Hill Country, this idyllic town, incorporated in 1807, basks in breathtaking natural beauty. Just 30 miles north of Baton Rouge, St. Francisville is a quick escape from the city’s bustle into tranquility for every outdoor enthusiast and culture lover alike. Offering easy access to one of the state's natural wonders, Clark Creek Natural Area, aka “Little Grand Canyon,” is popular for hiking and biking adventures as well as scenic waterfalls. Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area features walking trails where you can enjoy birdwatching among local flora and fauna. Myrtles Plantation, one of the most haunted houses in the US, offers tours, while Port Hudson State Historic Site is a Civil War battlefield.
Perfect for visiting anytime, the riverside city owes its scenic fame to more than just the Mighty Mississippi, but the antebellum architecture through the historic downtown evoking drama atop spectacular waterfront bluffs. Surrounded by true natural wonders, Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to North America's largest bald cypress trees. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, and breaking over a picnic to relax against one of the 96-foot-tall studs. Meandering the Historic District—on the National Register—don't miss the West Feliciana Historical Society for its storied history.
St. Martinville
After the Acadians were removed from their farmsteads in present-day Nova Scotia, 193 refugees arrived in the area in 1765 to establish a village. Nestled on the Bayou Teche, where Native Americans had hunting camps, visitors today can enjoy the waterfront downtown and nature patches, like Evangeline Oak Park with its infamous tree from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Evangeline. St. Martinville, the sixth "city" in Louisiana, dating back to the 1800s, is the international symbol of the Acadian legacy, with sacred tales and legends. Reflecting the bygone era with beautiful architecture repurposed to house modern establishments, St. Martinville is also “Petit Paris,” with Creole heritage seeping through cuisine, culture, and customs.
From Acadian Memorial and Museum to the next-door St. John, a riverfront seafood restaurant, the historic Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site, a Creole Plantation, offers guided tours and exhibits. Once delighting patrons with the best operas and quirky comedies, the drop-dead Duchamp Opera House is a sought-after event venue, thanks to its unfailing ambiance. Wrapped in enchanting moss-covered trees and swamplands with alligators and turtles, dedicate some magical moments among the towering trees to a true Louisiana Bayou town experience. A thrill worth celebrating over a drink at the local favorite watering hole, Robert's Lounge.
West Monroe
Cozy and uncrowded, the Duck Dynasty hub genuinely welcomes tourists and fans of the famous close-knit clan behind a multi-million-dollar sporting empire. Just on the outskirts, "Duck Commander" is the home of the famous Robertson family in a warehouse setting with a gift shop and museums. Meanwhile, the generous landscapes offer a chance to indulge in Louisiana's viticulture, like at Landry Vineyards, with rolling vineyard views while savoring award-winning wines. There’s so much more to West Monroe, a northern Louisiana town, than Hollywood fame.
Wrapped in the Ouachita River in the east and Tupawek Bayou from the north, visitors can enjoy a number of parks and wetlands, historic landmarks, and fishing from the doorstep after the Honey Hole Tackle Shop. Experience the vibrant Southern culture and hospitality at the antiquated 1913 Biedenharn Museum & Garden, with guided tours, manicured English gardens, a Coca-Cola museum, and a gift shop. With outdoor fun for every thrill, Kiroli Park features disc golf and scenic nature trails, while Highland Park is a serene place for strolls and bike rides along wetland trails.
Full of stunning and quaint towns, as well as those that are downright adorable, there’s so much more to the Pelican State than meets the eye. The underrated town of Donaldsonville nestles its 18th-century architecture and antique stores along a bend in the snake-like Mighty Mississippi, while St. Francisville flaunts spectacular bluffs over the mighty waters and quick access to the “Little Grand Canyon.”
Louisiana, a former French colony, is a marriage of French, American, and African influences. Letting the bustling nature speak for itself, the small towns reflect the Bayou State's world-renowned rich art and history, vibrant festivals, plenty of shopping, and a cult around Cajun cuisine. In Mandeville, visitors can enjoy the Pontchartrain lakefront and Po-Boys. This state is also known as “Child of the Mississippi"—pretty adorable, right?
