9 Great Road Trips to Take in Louisiana
Louisiana is a mysterious and majestic land that has been inhabited for thousands of years. The first inhabitants were the Caddo and Choctaw Indians, who lived in the region for around 16,000 years before the arrival of settlers. The French were the first European settlers to arrive in 1682, followed by the French-speaking Acadians (Cajuns) from Nova Scotia and then the Spanish from 1762 to 1800. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 made Louisiana a part of the United States. Today, the beauteous terrain includes the Mississippi River Flood plain and delta, low hills, and coastal plain. A drive around the state is a great way to embrace Louisiana's beauty, history, and culture.
Tunica Trace Scenic Byway
A drive along this 20-mile byway offers travelers a bit of history, mystery, and outdoor fun. The byway is near the Louisiana and Mississippi border and goes from Angola to St. Francisville along Highway 66. The route is primarily rural, and flowers decorate the landscape in the spring. Other byway highlights include hills, forests, winding roads, and open spaces. Curious travelers can start the journey at the Angola Museum, the only museum within an active maximum-security prison. The museum features works by the prisoners and artifacts and is open weekdays for self-guided tours. The museum has strict rules, so a visit to the website is recommended before visiting. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge in St. Francisville. The refuge includes abundant wildlife, swamps, a 1,500-year-old bald cypress tree, fishing, and hiking. History buffs can delight themselves in the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site in St. Francisville. Built in the 1830s, the site includes an opulent home with gardens and 13 historic buildings. A journey along the Tunica Trace Scenic Byway is sure to delight.
San Bernardo Byway
If you like history, this route is the right choice. Totaling 36 miles, this byway begins east of New Orleans and ends at Shell Beach. Follow LA-39 south to LA-46 east for a delightful journey with abundant history. The Jackson Barracks and Military Museum in New Orleans is a great way to start the journey. The museum features exhibits from Desert Storm 1990 and Disaster Response to Hurricane Katrina. Outdoor displays and a photographic collection are other offerings. The journey continues to the De La Ronde Plantation Ruins in Chalmette. The ruins of the two-story brick home built around 1805 by Colonel Pierre Denyes de la Ronde included 16 rooms and was used as a hospital during the Battle of New Orleans. In St. Bernard, the Los Islenos Museum and Village tells the history of 2,000 Canary Islanders who came to the area around the 1780s. The museum and village are a representation of the memories of Spanish Colonial Louisiana. The San Bernardo Byway is a paradise for history and a step back in time.
Longleaf Trail Byway
The journey begins in Alexandria, heading north on I-49 to LA-119 south in Derry. Following LA-119 to Par Rd 830 west, enjoy the ride until reaching LA-117 in the Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana. This short byway of 17 miles has few stops along the way. Travelers can find food and lodging in nearby Natchitoches and Alexandria. The remote location offers beautiful scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and longleaf pines. The Kisatchie National Forest is the journey's highlight, along with the many campgrounds and, in nearby Natchitoches, the Caroline Dormon Trail and Lasyones Meat Pie Restaurant.
The Kisatchie National Forest includes 600,000 acres of white beech, evergreen Southern magnolias, and around 350,000 National Longleaf Pines. The forest is also abundant with wildlife, including deer, armadillos, and wild turkeys. The location is also ideal for birdwatching and waterfowl observations. Along the byway, there are many camping options available. Outdoor adventures and nature lovers can choose from Lotus Hill, Cane Horse, and Coyote Campgrounds. Those interested in horseback riding, hiking, and biking can head to Natchitoches for the Caroline Dormon Trail, which offers 10 miles of trails near the Kisatchie Bayou. The Lasyones Meat Pie Restaurant will cure any hunger craving with menu items including crawfish etouffee, gumbo, red beans and rice, and meat pies fried to gold perfection. The Longleaf Trail Byway is a nature lovers' paradise and a food enthusiast's friend.
Myths and Legends Byway
This 181-mile-long byway includes primarily flat terrain, and many parts span from eastern to central Louisiana. One route that offers local food and history goes from Lake Charles to Oakdale, ending in DeRidder. From Lake Charles, road warriors can take I-10 east to US 165 north to Oakdale. Follow LA-10 west and LA-112 west to end in DeRidder. Along the way, travelers can feast their eyes on bountiful blackberry farms, azaleas, dogwoods, and mayhaws. A stop at the Café on 10th is a must in Oakdale. The cozy café offers soups, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. The Leatherwood Museum in Oakdale is another exciting stop. The museum once served as a hospital, boarding house, and residential home. It was built in 1888, and exhibits include furniture, a doll collection, and agricultural artifacts. The journey on this byway would not be complete without a stop at the Beauregard Parish Museum in DeRidder. Patrons can enjoy free admission and view artifacts that include homemade tools, photographs, the history of Native Americans in the area, and military memorabilia. The Myths and Legends Byway is an excellent way to experience Louisiana’s natural beauty and history.
Toledo Bend Forest Scenic Byway
Taking a trip along this 78-mile byway is sure to delight you. Running parallel to the largest manmade lake in the South, Toledo Bend Forest and Scenic Byway offers travelers a magnificent display of native wildflowers in the spring and summer. Your trip begins in Shreveport. Take I-49 south to Logansport and follow US 84 east to LA-191 south toward Toledo Bend. Along the way, visit the Logansport Historic Downtown and Riverfront, Toledo Bend Reservoir, and Cypress Bend Park.
The Logansport Historic Downtown and Riverfront offers travelers a walk along a riverfront park. Activities such as fishing and visiting the international boundary marker are available. As well as, views of Bucking Horse and the Glenn Price Memorial Walkway. Continue to the town of Many, where the Toledo Bend Reservoir resides. Known for being the largest man-made body of water in the South, the reservoir sits on the border of Texas and Louisiana. Offering visitors 1,200 miles of shoreline, over 35 marinas, and plenty of outdoor recreation, this hot spot is a must-visit site. The Cypress Bend Park is another attraction you do not want to miss. The park is 114 acres of forested land with campsites, fishing access, and a boat ramp. The Toledo Bend Forest Scenic Byway is a great way to explore the eastern half of Louisiana while enjoying outdoor recreation.
Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway
Music lovers will enjoy this byway, which pays tribute to the music of south Louisiana. Totaling 283 miles, the byway includes many pathways and consists of three lops and one spur. One route sure to delight the melody of any traveler begins in Lafayette. Head west on I-10 to Crowley and take LA-13 north toward Eunice. This route passes crawfish farms, sweet potato fields, and pastures of grazing cattle and horses. Attractions include the Candyland Cottage and Ice Cream Shoppe, where travelers can stop for a sweet treat before setting off. The ice cream shop in Scott offers old-fashioned candy, homemade ice cream, fudge, drinks, and much more. Music lovers can travel to the J. D. Miller Music Museum in Crowley, the oldest recording studio in Louisiana, where Zydeco and Cajun albums were recorded. The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice is an excellent spot to unwind and enjoy exhibits, artifacts, and films in the National Park. Travelers can also enjoy cooking and craft demonstrations, listening to local music, and dancing. The Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway is an excellent way to travel southern Louisiana and shake a leg while you’re at it.
Creole Nature Trail All-American Road
From prairies to marshes, this road includes abundant wildlife and diverse landscapes. Travelers can enjoy 26 miles of natural beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, wetlands, oak trees, and alligator crossings. The route includes several pathways. One surely to delight begins in Lake Charles. Head south to Creole via I-10 east and LA-27 south. Road warriors can enjoy the Lake Charles Boardwalk, Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, and Pintail Wildlife Drive along the route.
The Lake Charles Boardwalk is a great place to stretch your legs and find a bite to eat before beginning the journey. It is along the Lake Charles waterfront and is located near downtown. Heading toward Bell City, travelers and bird watchers will relish the offerings of the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Created in 1988 to protect wintering waterfowl, the refuge is part of the migratory bird route for birds heading towards and away from North America. The sanctuary includes a visitor center and exhibits. Those interested in an automobile tour can head to the Pintail Wildlife Drive. This three-mile gravel road automobile tour goes through coastal terrain and offers up-close views of wildlife.
Southern Swamp Byway
Bayous, marshes, wetlands, wildlife, history, and eateries are just some of the things the Southern Swamp Byway provides. This is your route if you are looking for a byway that offers more than you can see. Start in Baton Rouge and head south to Sorrento via Highway 30 East. In Sorrento, the Ascension Parish Visitors Center has maps and tourist information about the byway. The Cajun Village in Sorrento is a great way to taste local fare and enjoy a day of shopping. The restored Acadian buildings have several boutique shops and an on-site coffee house that serves hot café au lait and beignets. Heading north along LA-22 to Ponchatoula brings the Louisiana Treasures Museum, where visitors can explore artifacts, which include glassware and arrowheads, collected during diving expeditions in the Manchac swamps. After Ponchatoula, the journey continues south along I-55. Grab a bite to eat at Middendorf’s Restaurant in Akers. Enjoy indoor and outdoor dining options while sampling delicious thin-fried catfish, seafood, burgers, cold drinks, and cocktails. Your journey continues south through the Manchac Wildlife Management Area and the Maurepas Swamp. Swamp tours are available through Cajun Pride Swamp Tours in LaPlace. The Southern Swamp Byway offers travelers many options on a 69-mile stretch of one of Louisiana’s finest byways.
Louisiana River Road: All-American Road
This 773-mile road runs along the Mississippi River and crosses several states. The most popular drive along the route is from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. Travel along LA-327 for the best views of the Mississippi River. Stop at the Louisiana Great River Road Museum and Interpretive Center in Burnside along the way. This 28,000-square-foot building displays the history of the Lower Mississippi River with displays that include historical maps, folklore, and information on the Mississippi River. In Vacherie, a visit to Oak Alley Plantation will delight the history buff. The alley includes 300-year-old oak trees on 25 acres of land. A mansion, gardens, museum, and a restaurant serving Cajun and Creole dishes are other highlights of the plantation. A trip to New Orleans would not be complete without a visit to Café Du Monde. This historic eatery has served guests since 1862 and offers café au lait and beignets. The Louisiana River Road: All-American Road is an excellent way to see the Mighty Mississippi while taking in the beauty and history of Louisiana.
A trip to Louisiana is sure to delight any novice or experienced traveler. The state offers many opportunities to enjoy nature, explore history, and indulge in delicious eateries. Whatever time of year you make the journey, these nine road trips are sure to satisfy you. Pack your bags, fill up the gas tank, and head out onto one of Louisiana’s roads for a journey of a lifetime.
