9 Slow-Paced Towns to Visit in Louisiana
Known as the "Sportsman's Paradise," Louisiana is a historic town in the southeastern United States. While bigger cities like New Orleans are well known and well visited, the Bayou State is filled with slow-paced towns worth visiting. The quaint downtown areas are classic Americana, with many charming attractions.
Historic sites abound in most of the smaller towns amidst the cultural gumbo that is Louisiana's signature. Towns like Covington have vibrant art districts, while most visit Grand Isle for its tremendous offshore fishing excursions. Here are nine slow-paced Louisiana worth visiting.
Covington
Covington is a small town with historical significance and a vibrant downtown art scene with several galleries like The Icons Museum. The beautifully preserved Southern Hotel downtown, built in 1907, is one of many fun structures to locate on a walk through the town's tree-lined streets. Other cultural attractions include the Covington Trailhead Museum and H J Smith's Son General Store and Museum.
The Trailhead Museum explores the town's unique history, while H J Smith's has been a town landmark since 1876. Like most places in Louisiana, there is a thriving culinary scene with several options. Options include New Orleans Food and Spirits, Encore, and The Dakota, a short walk from the Southern Hotel.
Breaux Bridge
Breaux Bridge is named after the famed bridge, which was first built in 1817 and has since been converted into a draw bridge. It is also considered the "Crawfish Capital of the World" and hosts several live events celebrating the tasty crust action, like the annual Pardoning of the Crawfish. The lovely town is also well known for being a great place to enjoy Cajun music.
Live music festivals are a daily way of life in Breaux Bridge, and one does not have to go far to find great food and live music. Another famous festival is the annual Crawfish Festival and pop-up Cajun jam sessions. This town exudes Louisiana's joie de vivre, and the laidback Cajun atmosphere is infectious.
Natchitoches
Natchitoches is a landmark town known for its historic downtown area and structures. The Immaculate Conception Church is one of the original structures. Other noteworthy buildings are the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and Trinity Episcopal Church, finished in 1857.
The area is also marked with lovely Queen Anne and Victorian homes, including the famous Steel Magnolias house. Front Street has its share of historic commercial buildings, like the Kaffie-Fredericks General Mercantile, which has been open since 1894. A tour around the classic downtown area and the friendly atmosphere make this a must-visit town in Louisiana.
Grand Isle
Grand Isle is a charming and rustic barrier island on the state's southern tip. As Louisiana's only barrier island, the oasis is famous for its birding and fishing opportunities, and the beautiful coastline is ideal for long strolls. The Grand Isle Birding/Nature Trail winds past five bird-watching spots in the oak-hackberry forests.
Grand Isle State Park offers more bird-watching opportunities. Many visitors enjoy the park's camping grounds, which include RV hookups just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. Grand Isle also has friendly fresh seafood restaurants like Carmadelle's Seafood and Tommy's Restaurant and Lodge.
Minden
The quaint town of Minden came to prominence in the late 1800s when the first railroad came through town. For the next half-century, the railroad drove its economy, and Minden became the headquarters of the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad. Today, it is known as the "friendliest town in the South," and it is easy to find a smiling face walking downtown while exploring the classic brick storefront motif.
Many of downtown's buildings are from the early 20th century, including cultural sites like the Germantown Colony Museum. The museum explores the origins of German settlers. Lodging includes several bed and breakfast inns like the Huffman House in the middle of town, a stone's throw from most attractions and restaurants.
Donaldsonville
Donaldsonville is on the west bank of the Mississippi River and is known for its fantastic architecture downtown. Notable attractions include the River Road African American Museum, now housed in the Brazier-Watkins House, and many historical sites. The town's moniker is "History Lives Here" as a nod to its roots, which started in 1805.
Historic tours are typical in Donaldsonville, and visitors can tour notable homes like St. Emma Plantation and Church of the Ascension of our Lord. The Historic Portal to the Past is a map that covers 2.5 miles of sites in one of Louisiana's oldest towns. It provides information on the significance of the different sites. Donaldsonville is a great walking town with much to see, and friendly residents make visitors feel welcome.
New Iberia
New Iberia is a traditional Southern town founded in 1779. It is a melting pot of cultures, including African American, Native American, French, and Spanish. Besides the historic structures, New Iberia is famous for being the home to Tabasco Pepper Sauce and one of the country's oldest rice mills, Conrad Rice.
Among the cultural attractions is the Bayou Teche Museum. The museum showcases the region's cultural roots and provides an excellent way to immerse in the Cajun culture of Southern Louisiana. Annual festivals include a smaller Mardi Gras and the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival.
Abbeville
Colorful and picturesque Abbeville is notable for its colorful downtown buildings and cultural attractions like the Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum. The original shop opened in 1921 and today highlights the history through original tools and demonstrations. The Louisiana Military Museum honors the state's heroes from 1700 to the present and gives a fascinating look into the region's history.
Abbeville also has many parks, like Goddard Park and Godchaux, with picnic areas and playgrounds. Other popular outdoor activities include downtown walking tours that start at Magdalen Square. Tours lead past the Vermillion County Courthouse, built in the 1950s, and Saint Mary Magdalen Church.
Houma
Houma has a rich heritage and carefully preserved historic sites. Among the many sites are the Southdown Plantation and Museum and Volumnia Farm. The landmark Southdown is a 10,000-square-foot mansion built in 1858 featuring original furniture and other exhibits and artifacts. Volumnia Farm was originally named Residence Plantation during the 19th century because the owner owned several plantations.
A newer addition is the pedestrian bridge behind Le Petit Theatre. The bridge passes over the bayou and will soon connect with the Bayou Walk's brick walkways. This historic part of the walk revolves around the Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center. Local artists and sculptures banded together to showcase Houma's past and present with a collection of exhibits and live demonstrations.
Discover Louisiana's Charm Beyond the Cities
Louisiana is home to many slow-paced towns with many historical sites and attractions. Houma is filled with 19th-century architecture and mansions, while Grand Isle is an outdoor lover's paradise. Covington is one of the oldest towns in the state, home to tree-lined streets and quaint bed-and-breakfast inns.
These nine towns are the best to visit in Louisiana because of their friendly, laid-back Southern charm. The Cajun spirit is strong, and festivals and live events are commonplace in towns like Breaux Bridge. Louisiana's small towns have something for everyone, whether looking for a fantastic fishing trip, guided history tours, or museums.
