EXPLORE LOUISIANA
Louisiana is the kind of place you don’t just visit—you experience it.
Explore Louisiana is your home base for in-depth articles, trip ideas, and can’t-miss things to do, built around the places and traditions that make the state unforgettable.
Start with the legends and essentials: city guides filled with must-see spots, neighborhoods worth wandering, and the festival spirit that brings Louisiana to life through music, food, parades, and community.
You’ll also find stories that make the culture feel close—landmarks with real history, local lore, and the details most “top 10” lists skip.
Then take the scenic route beyond the obvious. Follow Louisiana’s rhythm down to its coastal towns where fishing and shrimping still shape daily life, or up the river to seasonal traditions that turn ordinary nights into something magical—heritage you can feel, not just read about.
And because Louisiana always has a shadow side to its charm, we also explore the haunted, mysterious, and storied places that keep people talking—where history and folklore blur in the best way. Scroll on to browse the latest Explore Louisiana posts and find your next day trip, weekend plan, or deep-dive read.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: The Oldest Bar in America
Tucked along the quieter end of Bourbon Street sits one of the most historic buildings in New Orleans — Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Often called the oldest bar in America, this candlelit structure is more than just a place to grab a drink. It’s a living piece of New Orleans history, wrapped in pirate legends, colonial architecture, and centuries of storytelling.
For visitors and locals alike, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop offers a rare glimpse into what New Orleans looked and felt like long before neon lights and modern nightlife.
Avery Island Louisiana – History, Things to Do, and Travel Guide to Tabasco Country
If you’re looking to explore one of the most unique destinations in Louisiana, Avery Island offers a perfect mix of history, nature, and culture. Located in South Louisiana near New Iberia, Avery Island is best known as the home of Tabasco sauce, but there’s much more to discover. From lush gardens and wildlife to deep roots in Louisiana history, this guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Avery Island.
Louisiana Coastal Cities: Where Fishing and Cajun Culture Thrive
Along the southern edge of Louisiana, where marsh grass meets the Gulf of Mexico, life still follows the rhythm of tides, shrimp seasons, and generations-old traditions. These southern coastal cities aren’t tourist creations — they’re working waterfront communities where fishing, shrimping, and Cajun culture remain a way of life. From shrimp boats leaving before sunrise to dockside boils and conversations spoken in Cajun French, coastal Louisiana offers an authentic look at Gulf Coast living that hasn’t faded with time.
The Bonfires on the Levee: Louisiana’s Most Magical Holiday Tradition
Few holiday traditions in the world compare to Christmas Eve bonfires on the levee in Louisiana. Along the Mississippi River, families and communities gather on December 24 to light towering wooden bonfires atop the levees—an unforgettable blend of Cajun heritage, faith, folklore, and celebration. For locals, it’s a cherished ritual; for visitors, it’s one of the most unique Christmas experiences anywhere in the South.
This centuries-old tradition is rooted in Louisiana’s French and Cajun culture, where the fires are said to light the way for Papa Noël as he travels down the river delivering gifts. Today, the bonfires also symbolize community pride, craftsmanship, and the warmth of Christmas in Louisiana.
Myrtles Plantation: One of Americas most haunted homes
Tucked away in the rolling hills of St. Francisville sits Myrtles Plantation, a place where Louisiana history and ghost stories intertwine. Known as one of the most haunted homes in America, the Myrtles is more than just chilling tales—it’s a living piece of the state’s complex past, layered with antebellum history, tragedy, and folklore that continues to draw visitors from around the world.
Explore the haunted history of Louisiana’s Myrtles Plantation, from its antebellum past to chilling ghost stories in St. Francisville.
Things to do in NEW ORLEANS: THINGS TO DO & MUST-SEE SPOTS
New Orleans festivals celebrate everything the city is known for — music, food, culture, and community. From world-famous events to deep-rooted local traditions, these festivals showcase the heart and soul of the Crescent City with live music, iconic Louisiana cuisine, parades, art, and generations-old customs. Whether you’re planning a trip around a major event or catching a neighborhood celebration, these festivals offer one of the best ways to experience authentic New Orleans culture.