7 Secluded Towns in Louisiana
If you’re looking for a party, New Orleans is the place to visit! But if you want to really experience the heart of the Bayou State, check out these secluded Louisiana towns. You can indulge in amazing Southern cooking, friendly locals, and breathtaking views without the frustration of large crowds. The most memorable getaways are found slightly off the beaten path. Whether you want to relax on the beach in the Grand Isle or take a swamp tour in Breaux Bridge, these secluded towns make for an amazing weekend retreat.
Breaux Bridge
Touted as the Crawfish Capital of the World, Breaux Bridge is a sleepy hamlet with some of the best seafood in the state. Fun fact: Breaux Bridge was one of the first cities where restaurants put crawfish on the menu, and it's the birthplace of the crawfish etouffee dish. Crazy Bout Crawfish is one of the best places in Breaux Bridge to eat your body weight in crawfish, and you can’t miss it because it has an enormous statue of a crawfish right out front!
Once you emerge from a crawfish-induced coma, adventure awaits! If you want to get up close and personal with the natural wonder of Breaux Bridge, hop aboard a boat at the Cajun Country Swamp Tours for a fun and educational tour through Cajun Country. But for the ultimate Louisiana experience, Lake Martin is a great spot to relax and unwind. You can sit along its shores or hike through cypress and tupelo swamp bottomlands. With friendly locals, swamplands, and zydeco at the Blue Moon Saloon, Breaux Bridge is what Louisiana is all about!
St. Francisville
Just 30 miles north of the bustling city of Baton Rouge is the sleepy village of St. Francisville, known for sweeping plantation homes and natural beauty. The historic district of St. Francisville hosts buildings well over 100 years old and has delightful shops like Ma Milles Gifts and More and Sage Hill. If you want to learn a little more about this historical village, the West Feliciana Historical Society museum is a good place to start. It lends insight into the area, as well as suggestions for plantations open for public tours.
If you love getting out into nature, the Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area is truly one of Louisiana’s hidden gems. The Clark Creek Natural Area is described as the “Little Grand Canyon” thanks to its easy-to-challenging trails (that cut through seven scenic waterfalls in the area!). For a real treat, the Afton Villa Gardens feels like something out of a storybook. The trail is only a half mile, but walking the green archways of live oaks is something you’ll remember forever. When you need to slow down and remember what’s important in life, St. Francisville is sure to cure what ails your soul!
Abita Springs
There’s no denying that Abita Springs is a beautiful town. Located near Lake Pontchartrain and the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve, Abita Springs is a delightfully quirky and artsy town. There’s no better testament to Abita Springs’ unique vibe than John Preble’s Mystery House. It is home to the strange and unusual, such as “Darrel the Dogigator” and “Edmond the Allisapien”. As Louisiana’s most eccentric attraction, it’s a must-see while in Abita Springs. And for even more folk art, the Abita Springs Museum is another must-see.
While Abita Springs may be a little unusual (in all the best ways), it’s also breathtakingly beautiful. The Tammany Trace is popular among the locals and provides a paved, shaded path through a canopy of fragrant Longleaf pines. The Abita Springs Trailhead and Park is the community hub situated on the Abita River. You can catch the Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market in the summer or the Abita Springs Busker Festival in the spring. If you’re looking for a good time (sans the crowds), Abita Springs is a must on your next Louisiana road trip.
New Roads
Many of Louisiana's water and oceanside towns are often crowded, especially in the summer. But if you want a fun and relaxing waterside retreat, look no further than New Roads! As one of the oldest settlements in the entire state, it’s the perfect spot to explore historical landmarks followed by watching the sunset over the water. Seriously, New Roads has some of the most spectacular sunsets in the entire state. New Roads Main Street, situated along the False River, provides unique shopping opportunities like the New Roads Antique Mall and the delightful New Roads Original Snowball Stand. To learn a little more about this historic city, be sure to pop in the Pointe Coupee Museum.
While there’s so much to discover in New Roads, the water views and outdoor adventure are well worth the drive! Touted as the “Prettiest City on the Water,” it’s like a slice of heaven on earth. You can launch a canoe or fishing boat to spend the day on the False River or take the kids for a fun day at the City Water Splash Park. As they say in New Roads: Come for the culture, stay for the sunsets!
Madisonville
No matter what time of year you plan on visiting Madisonville, you’re bound to have a great time! This charming hamlet, nestled along the banks of the Tchefuncte River, has a rich history, beautiful scenery, and the best seafood. There’s no better way to spend an afternoon than eating fresh seafood on the waterside deck of Morton's. The food at Morton’s alone is well worth the trip! However, there’s so much more to explore in Madisonville than the drool-worthy seafood.
The Tchefuncte River Lighthouse is one of the most beautiful sights in the area, and even better at sunset! To learn a little more about the preservation efforts for this lighthouse (built in 1837), the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum offers a little more insight into the history of the lighthouse as well as the city. The best time to visit Madisonville is during one of their amazing community events, such as the Maritime Museum's Wooden Boat Festival or the Krewe of Tchefuncte Mardi Gras boat parade, where the whole community comes alive. If you need New Orleans vibes without the crowds, Madisonville is the next best thing!
Grand Isle
With so many oceanside towns transforming into commercialized vacation retreats, Grand Isle is like a breath of fresh air. When you walk along the shoreline in Grand Isle, you’re met with miles of untouched shoreline (and not towering hotels). It’s like a little slice of heaven. While relaxing on the beach via the Grand Isle Public Beach Access is certainly an option, there’s so much more to see! The Grand Isle State Park provides uncrowded beaches bustling with wildlife and a 400-foot pier for fishing or simple ocean viewing.
The food in Grand Isle is just as amazing as its views! If you love fresh seafood, welcome to heaven. You can shop at one of their many seafood markets, like Dean Blanchard Seafood or Camardelle’s Seafood to take back home. If you don’t feel like cooking, the quirky Starfish Restaurant offers some of the best seafood in the state! Grand Isle is the perfect slow-paced beachy getaway on the Gulf of Mexico with friendly locals, amazing food, and breathtaking vistas.
Leesville
Once referred to as “No Man's Land”, Leesville was a disputed territory with Mexico during the Louisiana Purchase. Once a land of outlaws and bandits, it’s now a close-knit community with so much to share with the world. There’s no better spot to get to know the locals than walking down Leesville Main Street Cultural District. It’s home to charming stops like Hazel's Tea Parlor and Cuore Coffee Shop. If you plan your trip in the summer, you can catch the annual 3rd Street Market, which offers local produce and crafts.
If you need outdoor adventure in your life, there’s so much to explore around Leesville. The South Toledo Bend State Park is a quick 30-minute drive from Leesville, and worth the trip for its sweeping vistas and fishing! Overlooking the Toledo Bend Reservoir, it is one the top spots in the country for fishing (bass in particular). It also has amazing hiking trails like the Lakeview Nature Trail and Hippie Point Trail. If you want to escape the noise of the bigger cities, Leesville is the perfect blend of natural beauty and a welcoming downtown area with so much to do.
Find Your Next Cajun Oasis
Sometimes, you just need a break from the traffic and crowds without losing the amenities of home. These secluded, tight-knit towns are what Louisiana is all about- good food, natural beauty, and fun! New Orleans may get all the hype, but these small towns don’t get the credit they deserve. Only in these small communities will you find off-beat attractions like John Preble’s Mystery House in Abita Springs or Crawfish statues at Crazy Bout Crawfish in Breaux Bridge! So, if you need a retreat that’s secluded and welcoming, these small Louisiana towns are worth checking out.
