8 Picturesque Towns in Louisiana for a Weekend Retreat in 2024
Louisiana, distinguished for its French heritage, marvelous settings, interesting Cajun histories, and copious Southern hospitality, is an incredibly beautiful state in the Gulf Coast region of south-central US. Although the Pelican State’s congested city centers like New Orleans, Lafayette, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge, the state capital are always the first to cross one’s mind every time one thinks of visiting Louisiana, the uncountable idyllic hamlets dotting the state’s 43,204 sq. mi terrain are vying for holidayer attention. These scenic settlements will surely proffer unforgettable experiences to every traveler during their weekend escapes in the last month of 2024.
Natchitoches
Natchitoches Parish’s administrative center and the oldest permanent settlement within the Louisiana Purchase Territory’s limits, this historic town founded by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis in 1714, is situated at approximately 68 miles southeast of Shreveport. Encompassing a considerable portion of Natchitoches is the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District, featuring unquantifiable French Creole, Art Deco style, and Classic Queen Anne-style buildings. Lining the town’s Front Street is an array of locally-owned stores, gift shops, clothing boutiques, and first-class restaurants like Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store, Georgia’s Gift Shop, Cane River Candy Company, Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant, etc. Moreover, other fascinating sites such as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Northwest Louisiana History Museum, Cane River National Heritage Area, and more than a dozen filming locations of the ‘Steel Magnolias’ movie are must-visits. Rejuvenate at the Hampton Inn Natchitoches and gawk in amazement at the over 300,000 lights and special set pieces to be displayed every night for the 98th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival starting from November 23, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
Breaux Bridge
Breaux Bridge, a friendly community in St. Matin Parish which forms a portion of the Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area, has rightfully earned its moniker, the “Crawfish Capital of the World.” Sightseers on a visit to the town, must wander through the downtown streets and peruse the scores of antique stores like Silver Screen Vintage Market, clothing stores like Bayou Blush Boutique LLC, and seafood restaurants like Crazy ‘Bout Crawfish serving peculiar dishes like Crawfish Étouffée. Furthermore, nature lovers get to take note of the Atchafalaya Basin’s abundant biodiversity, go for swamp tours at the adjacent Lake Martin, have a restful stay at the Holiday Inn Express Breaux Bridge, and show up at the Christmas Artwalk in Paris a la Breaux Bridge on December 14, 2024.
Abita Springs
A tranquil town next to Covington in St. Tammany Parish, Abita Springs appeals to holidaymakers who want to take a break from the hurly-burly of large urban centers. Renowned for the curative waters drawn from deep artesian wells, the town invites globetrotters to pay a visit to the Abita Mystery House/UCM Museum, Abita Springs Trailhead Museum, Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market, and the Splash Pad at Abita Springs Trailhead & Park; side by side checking the performance dates of the Abita Springs Opry’s fall and spring series of Louisiana roots music in the Town Hall auditorium. Relax at the home-like Hillcrest Lake Villas Resort and join the Fête de Noël Christmas Market & Tree Lighting event on December 8, 2024, at the Abita Springs Trailhead Park.
Bastrop
Bastrop, the Morehouse Parish’s administrative center, is situated at the U.S. Route 165 and U.S. Route 425 meeting in Northeastern Louisiana, around 24 miles northeast of Monroe. Set up by Felipe Enrique Neri - Baron de Bastrop, this adorable 9,691-inhabitant town is the industrial and economical center of Morehouse Parish. Sightseers should take note of the numberless Craftsman and plantation-style landmark properties in the downtown area, apart from the supplemental tourist magnets like Snyder Museum & Creative Arts Center, Rose Theater, and the renovated 1914 Morehouse Parish Courthouse. Outdoor lovers must take part in various open-air activities at the Chemin-A-Haut State Park, lodge at Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Bastrop, and have a unique shopping experience at the Lost Pines Wassail Fest & Small Business Saturday in Downtown Bastrop on November 30, 2024.
St. Francisville
The seat of West Feliciana Parish, this 1,557-inhabitant town sits atop a narrow ridge overlooking the Mississippi River, about 30 miles north of Baton Rouge. Initially labeled the ‘Villa of St. Francis,’ this one-time sizeable antebellum river port betwixt Louisiana’s most populous city and Memphis, Tennessee, has enticed historical connoisseurs and leisure seekers through the years. Stroll down the alluring lanes of St. Francisville’s painstakingly conserved historic district and discover some old residences, the Grace Church of West Feliciana Parish, the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum, and umpteen restored plantations like Audubon State Historic Site, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, Myrtles Plantation, Oakley Plantation, Cottage Plantation, and Butler Greenwood Plantation. Nature enthusiasts must head directly to the Afton Villa Gardens, Cat Island Natural Wildlife Refuge, and Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area. In contrast, the West Feliciana Sports Park is perfect for sports fanatics and is the home course for Southern University’s athletic teams. Stay overnight at The St. Francisville Inn & Spa and enjoy the ‘Christmas In The Country 2024’ weekend celebrations from December 6 to December 8, 2024.
Thibodaux
Lafourche Parish’s administrative capital, this serene community in southeastern Louisiana, dubbed the ‘Queen City of Lafourche,’ is located on the Bayou Lafourche shores, approx. 49 miles southwest of New Orleans. Thibodaux’s rich history is well mirrored by the meticulously preserved antebellum properties in its downtown district. When in town, the St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Nicholls State University campus, Edward Douglas White Historic Site, Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, Bayou Country Children’s Museum, St. John’s Episcopal Church & Cemetery, and Laurel Valley Sugar Plantation are not to be missed. Additionally, taste the appetizing Cajun cuisines served by Spahr’s Seafood Downtown Thibodaux, have a comfortable stay at Carmel Inn & Suites - Thibodaux, and be there at the Thibodaux Service League’s Reindeer Rowe - a Christmas Market on December 7, 2024 in Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium.
Eunice
Eunice, christened in memory of Eunice Pharr Duson, the better half of Cornelius C. Duson (the town founder and illustrious Louisiana lawman) spans across St. Landry and Acadia parishes in the state’s south-central portion. Eunice’s location near the kernel of Cajun country has made Eunice a mecca of Cajun & Creole cultures and ritualistic Cajun & Zydeco music, enabling it to fittingly validate its motto: “Louisiana’s Prairie Cajun Capital.” The Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Liberty Theater, Savoy Music Center, Eunice Depot Museum, and the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park & Preserve are some of Downtown Eunice’s noteworthy sites of interest. Also, de-stress at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Eunice and spare time to be present at the town’s yearly events such as ‘Courir de Mardi Gras,’ a World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off, and the Eunice Community Garden 4th Annual Christmas Festival on December 5, 2024.
Grand Isle
This beachside Jefferson Parish community, located on the southern extremity of Louisiana Highway 1, occupies its homonymous barrier island at the mouth of Barataria Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. Begin your Grand Isle trip by touring the Grand Isle State Park - the sole state-owned and managed beach on the Gulf Coast of the Pelican State at the island’s eastern edge. With over 280 Piscean species known to inhabit the ambient waters, Grand Isle is widely known for its excellent fishing spots and long-line fishing in the gulf waters. Unwind after an exhaustive day at the Blue Dolphin Inn & Cottages, and aside from fishing opportunities, try to attend the town’s many annual events, including the Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival (April), Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo (July), and the Christmas Tree Lighting & Program Celebrations starting from December 1, 2024.
From ‘Louisiana’s Prairie Cajun Capital’ - Eunice to the ‘Crawfish Capital of the World’ - Breaux Bridge, the gorgeous communities in the 25th most populous and 31st largest state of the country are flawless for any kind of jaunts. Irrespective of the time of the year you are sojourning, these small Creole State towns promise an effortless commingle of adventures and relaxation whilst constantly greeting everyone with their out-of-the-world surroundings, nonpareil must-see places, never-ending open-air recreations, and thriving Cajun traditions.
