8 Stunning Small Towns In Louisiana

Most visitors come to Louisiana to enjoy its jazz music, spicy cuisine, and festive Mardi Gras celebrations, the biggest of which takes place in New Orleans, an energetic, fun-filled entertainment hub with an unmatched nightlife scene. The Pelican State, however, is also dotted with several stunning small towns, many of which are fun spots to spend a slow but thrilling weekend. Natchitoches, for instance, with its heart-gripping architecture, is often ranked the most beautiful town in the entire state. If you love the quiet beauty of small, laid-back towns, discover below the 8 stunning small towns in Louisiana.

Natchitoches

Louisiana's oldest city has a spellbinding architectural feel with Spanish and French touches — and often strikes first-time visitors as a laid-back, less crowded version of New Orleans. Frequently ranked as the most beautiful town in Louisiana, Natchitoches (Pronounced NACK-a-tish) is home to the American Cemetery, which many historians consider the oldest in the entire state. It is free to visit. However, start with delicious meat pies at Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant, a family-owned establishment recognized nationally by restaurant industry leaders. After this, wander through historic downtown Natchitoches, popping inside cute shops and stores such as Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, Louisiana's oldest general store. For outdoor lovers, Sibley Lake is a fun spot for fishing, boating, and several other water sports.

Ponchatoula

Expect a lovely, historic downtown that exudes a small-town feel, features many historic buildings, and boasts an amazing cluster of antique stores. No wonder Ponchatoula is nicknamed "America's Antique City." Visitors will find many options to work with here; however, C J's Antiques & Collectibles is a top favorite and boasts lots of vintage items to choose from. Ponchatoula Memorial Park, which hosts the famous Strawberry Festival, is a lovely place for an afternoon stroll. Keep in mind that the strawberry festival, which typically takes place every April, is the largest free harvest festival in the state. If you are looking for a beautiful piece of local art, work your way to Revival Art House on Railroad Avenue, where you will find the most unique and colorful art you have ever set your eyes on. Crown the day with crispy Brussels sprouts at The District, a buzzy restaurant located in the historic Campbell Building.

New Iberia

Moss-draped oaks surround stately homes and imbue New Iberia with a charming, rustic allure, making it one of the most stunning small towns in Louisiana. No wonder the town’s Historic commercial district won the 2005 Great American Main Street Award. A lot has since changed, but New Iberia is still a great town with a fantastic small-town vibe. It features small, locally-owned shops with reasonably priced items, as well as some interesting diamonds in the rough, including Books Along The Teche, every book lover’s dream destination. The beautiful Bayou Teche, which snakes through the town, is a fun spot for boating adventures. Just don’t miss Shadows-on-the-Teche, which highlights the troubled realities of life in Louisiana more than 100 years ago.

Breaux Bridge

Breaux Bridge is nicknamed the "Crawfish Capital of the World.” It takes this as a badge of honor and hosts the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, the state’s largest food festival. If you enjoy the taste of these funny-looking creatures, come to Breaux Bridge during the first week of May. Bonus point? You will get to mingle with several world-famous Cajun musicians. Cross the bridge that lends the town its name and float down the Bayou Teche before crowning everything with a tranquil hour at the Parc des Ponts Breaux, a peaceful space with large oak trees and a pier to fish.

St. Martinville

Welcome to Petit Paris or "Little Paris." St. Martinville reclines on Bayou Teche, about 10 miles southeast of Lafayette. Settled about 1760, this historic town is the setting for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Evangeline, a sentimental poem once treasured by almost every literate home in the United States. To trace bits of the town’s fascinating history, Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site is a good place to start. It provides a great introduction to the Cajun history and culture and is a thoughtful blend of history, architecture, and nature. Kickstart your trip with delicious coffee and pastries at the Studio Gallery and Coffee Bar, a relaxing place for studying, hanging out, or just whiling away the time. Evangeline Oak Park just steps away, has ancient trees bearded with moss — and is the go-to spot for an hour of calm and clarity.

Opelousas

Sweet potatoes. That is what many associate Opelousas with. However, Opelousas is a small, grossly underrated town with historic architecture, 19th-century brick sidewalks, and an enticing laid-back feel. Founded more than 50 years before the First Continental Congress, Opelousas is Louisiana's third-oldest city. Notable buildings here include the "Hidden Capital of Louisiana," the Governor's residence during the Civil War. Spend some time at the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, where visitors get a glimpse into an emotional experiment in child relocation, an experience that reveals the failures of the American Dream. At the Le Vieux Village, you will find restored buildings spanning 200 years, and get interesting information about the town’s notable touchpoints. Don’t forget to pass by the Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, a well-known entertainment venue that boasts more than 1,400 slot machines.

Mandeville

You don't hear it often, but Mandeville’s natural setting often leaves first-time visitors completely blown away. Think of a pristine shoreline (Mandeville is on Lake Pontchartrain), nautical charm, and beautiful green spaces with massive oak trees. For example, some believe that the world-famous Seven Sisters Oak, in the historic Mandeville neighborhood of Lewisburg, is more than 1,500 years old. Stroll through the gorgeous lakefront, take your little one to the Children's Museum of St. Tammany (to spark her interest in STEM), and wind it off at the Mandeville Trailhead, a lovely space with beautiful trees and flowers to enjoy.

Donaldsonville

Finally, don’t miss out on the charming town of Donaldsonville, which reclines on the shores of the Mississippi River, about 40 minutes southeast of Baton Rouge. If you did not receive the memo, know that Donaldsonville's historic district features the finest collection of buildings from the antebellum era to the Great Depression years, especially of those in any of the Mississippi River parishes above New Orleans. If you love African American history, the one place you won’t want to miss is the River Road African American Museum. This evocative space is filled with so many interesting and historical items to learn from and look at. That said, for some tongue-tingling bread pudding and lemon pie, grab a seat at the conveniently located Grapevine Cafe & Gallery. Bonus point? It is a comfortable art gallery atmosphere.

The Takeaway

Don’t just associate Louisiana with wild, high-octane Mardi Gras parties, jazz-filled streets, or lazy and marshy bayous. Dotting the entire breadth of the state — like stars in the night sky — is a delightful cornucopia of stunning small towns, most of which pack a punch in charm and character. Head to Natchitoches, for instance, especially if you are in the mood for beautiful Spanish and French architecture, or pretty Ponchatoula, fondly called “America's Antique City." Still, there are several sizzling options in between.