Minor Basilica in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

These 6 Towns In Louisiana Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025

Louisiana is one of the most culturally rich states in the US. It served as one of the major population centers of New France and today maintains a mixture of Anglo and French culture both in cuisine and architecture. Although New Orleans is the most well known of its settlements, Louisiana also has many small towns that are regularly ranked among high for their great qualities and attractions such as top-quality seafood, a quirky museum that showcases homemade inventions, one of the most authentic plantation mansions in America, a French fort and much more. Read more to learn about these six towns in Louisiana which were ranked among US favorites in 2025.

Breaux Bridge

 Lake Martin in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.
Lake Martin in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

As can be seen by its name, this town was named after a bridge. Firmin Breaux came to the area in 1765 after being expelled from Canada by the British. In 1799 he built a suspension footbridge across the Bayou Teche for his family to cross. Over time, this bridge became a landmark and the name Breaux Bridge stuck. The bridge itself has been modernized several times, but the town itself has become a major center for crawfish recipes. In fact, it's called the Crawfish Capital of the World, which visitors can try out at one of the many locally owned restaurants like Crazy Bout Crawfish or the Cajun Claws Seafood Boilers.

There's a lot more to see in this town, ranging from Lake Martin, which is called one of the best bird watching spots in the US, and Atchafalaya Basin, which is known for its beautiful landscapes of cypress trees, water lilies and rivers. While you're in town, there's also a variety of historic houses to see like the 1869 Acadian style O. Badon House or the oldest structure in town the 1811 Silvestre Broussard House, known for its baton and bousillage walls and French doors. Visitors can check in to this home for a weekend stay as it is currently a bed and breakfast.

Donaldsonville

River Road African American Museum
River Road African American Museum

Located on the Mississippi River, Donaldsonville was founded in 1806 just three years after the Louisiana Purchase. It would briefly serve as the state capital from 1829 to 1831 as many Anglo-Americans thought New Orleans was too noisy and wanted the capital closer to their population centers. Today, Donaldsonville is noteworthy for its multitude of antebellum structures including the Palo Alto Plantation, an 1847 Anglo-Creole style cottage that today serves as a bed and breakfast.

Another spot is the 1850 St. Emma Plantation, a Greek Revival style home that would see a skirmish during the American Civil War in 1862. However, these plantations obviously kept a great deal of Africans as slaves there. You can learn about the other side of the plantation at the River Road African American Museum, which has artifacts and information on the experience of African Americans both as slaves and as free citizens in Donaldsonville. Lastly, the town hosts an Arts, Crafts and Farmers Market on the first Saturday that every month, which is a perfect place to pick up local produce or a souvenir.

Abita Springs

Abita Springs, Louisiana
Abita Springs, Louisiana. Image credit: Malachi Jacobs via Shutterstock

Originally a Choctaw village, Abita Springs wouldn't be incorporated until 1903. Its name comes from nearby spring water that was utilized for medicinal purposes. In modern days, Abita gained attention for being one of the first to embrace the microbrewing revolution, with the Abita Brewing Company opening in 1986 and continuing to operate to this day. One can learn about this historical legacy at the Trail Head Museum, which regularly features exhibits on the Choctaw, Abita Springs' brewing tradition and more.

Speaking of museums, Abita Springs hosts the unique UCM (as in "you see 'em") Museum, which is known for having a wide variety of strange artifacts and homemade inventions like a hand-cranked piano, recycled objects and more all located within multiple buildings connected by walkways. Grab a bite to eat from Mama D's Pizza & More after visiting this unusual museum.

Grand Isle

Grand Isle, Louisiana
Grand Isle, Louisiana. By Jon Evans - CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.

You'll have to travel a bit to reach this majestic place, located in a barrier island off the Gulf of Mexico. Grand Isle regards itself as a sportsman's paradise for its fantastic fishing opportunities, with more than 280 species of fish to catch. There are seven miles of beaches to explore in Grand Isle, with Grand Isle State Park offering the best stretch, as well as a 400-foot fishing pier and walking trails.

Bird watchers also love to come to Grand Isle, as they can see nearly 100 species of birds during their migratory periods at the Lafitte Woods Nature Preserve. For anyone just looking to stock up on fresh seafood, there are multiple shops to go to, such as Dean Blanchard Seafood for fresh shrimp or Bayside Oysters.

Natchitoches

Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches, Louisiana. Image credit: VioletSkyAdventures / Shutterstock.com.

Natchitoches was first established by French explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis in 1714 and was named after the Native American tribe that lived there, making it the oldest city not just in the state but the entire Louisiana Purchase. The city itself would be incorporated under the United States in 1819. As to be expected, there are several cute historic sites to see in this city, such as the Fort St. Jean Baptist State Historic Site, which has a full-scale replica of the original built by Sieur Charles Claude Dutisne in 1716.

There's also the Cherokee Plantation, built between 1825 to 1849 by Charles Emile Sompayrac in the French Colonial and Creole styles. This house saw a significant duel take place in 1839 between State Senator Pierre E. Bossier and adjutant general of the militia Francois Gainennie, when Bossier shot and killed Gaiennie, leading to 11 other deaths in subsequent duels. Apart from these historic sites, visitors can explore beautiful gardens at the Beau Jardin on the banks of the Cane River Lake or rent a kayak to go out onto the lake via Cane River Paddle & Peddle Sports.

St. Francisville

Catholic church in St. Francisville, Louisiana.
Catholic church in St. Francisville, Louisiana.

Located 35 minutes away from Baton Rouge, this Mississippi River town delights visitors with its massive trees and picturesque plantation homes. For example, one can visit American's largest bald cypress tree: the Champion Bald Cypress within the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge. You can spend a whole day exploring St. Francisville's historic homes such as the Greenwood Plantation, an 1830 Greek Revival mansion with 28 columns that's been featured in several films, including the 1980s miniseries "North and South," and the Rosedown Plantation Historic Site, which is renowned for being one of the most intact and authentic plantations in the US.

Visitors to Louisiana have good reason to explore the state beyond New Orleans, as these six towns have attractions you can't find anywhere else. From the Crawfish Capital of the World in Breaux Bridge to the Sportsman's Paradise of Grand Isle and the plantation homes of St. Francisville, there's always a new experience to be had within these towns.

Visitors are also sure to come away with a deeper appreciation for history by visiting museums like the Trail Head Museum or the River Road African American Museum, even the darker aspects of US. history in general and Louisiana history more specifically. With this combo of rich history, food and culture, these six towns are sure to be on the top of anyone's list of best places to see in Louisiana.

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