The Louisiana Bucket List

I have been to Louisiana a few times, now and while it hasn’t been my favorite state to visit (personal preference), there is a lot to see and do. Below is a “bucket list” of experiences for those of you who are interested in exploring this state, along with some of my reviews.

Jump To:

Baton Rouge

Natchitoches

New Orleans

Vacherie

Baton Rouge

Kind of Visit: Historical, Educational - It’s both the state capitol and the home of LSU!

WHERE to stay

• Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel

• The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU

• The Stockade Bed and Breakfast

• WATERMARK Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection

WHERE to dine & drink

• Beausoleil Coastal Cuisine

• Bistro Byronz

• BLDG 5

• Cafe Phoenicia

• Eliza Restaurant

• Hayride Scandal (Speakeasy)

• La Contea

• Maison Lacour French Restaurant

• Mansurs on the Boulevard

• SoLou

• Sullivan’s Steakhouse

• The Blue Rose Cafe & Bakery

• The Little Village

• The Original George’s

• The Overpass Merchant

Things to see & do

• Louisiana's Old State Capitol

• Louisiana State Capitol

• Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum

• Magnolia Mound Plantation

• Mike the Tiger

• Old Governor’s Mansion

• Shaw Center for the Arts

To Top

Natchitoches

Kind of Visit: Historical - Wanna immerse yourself in deep south life 200 years ago or relive The Steel Magnolias movie? This is a great way to do it.

Where to stay

• Andrew Morris House Bed and Breakfast

• Château Saint Denis

• Church Street Inn

• Green Gables Bed and Breakfast & Camellia Cottage

• Judge Porter House Bed and Breakfast

• Rusca House B&B

• Samuel Guy House

• Steel Magnolia House

• Sweet Cane Inn

• Violet Hill Bed and Breakfast

Where to dine & drink

• Cane River Commissary - Must go there for breakfast with their live music and dancing!

• Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant

• Maglieaux’s

• Merci Beaucoup Restaurant

Things to see & do

• Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc.

• Downtown Natchitoches

• Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site

• Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile

• Magnolia Plantation

• Melrose Plantation

• Oakland Plantation

• Prudhomme-Roquier House

• Steel Magnolias Film Tour

• The Minor Basilica of Immaculate Conception Church - This church dates back to 1717!

• The Roque House

To Top

New Orleans

Kind of Visit: City, Historical - New Orleans is one of the oldest, most iconic cities people visit from around the world. Foodies, Mardi Gras enthusiasts, Jazz Festival goers, and the curious all flock here in droves.

WHERE to stay

• Audubon Cottages

• Bourbon Orleans Hotel

• Bourbon Street House

• Columns

• Henry Howard Hotel

• Hotel Mazarin

• Hotel Monteleone

• Hotel Peter and Paul

• Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

• Maison de la Luz

• One11 Hotel

• Pontchartrain Hotel

• Terrell House Bed & Breakfast - Top rated!

• The Chloe

• The Higgins Hotel New Orleans, Curio Collection by Hilton

• The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

• The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

where to dine & drink

• Antoine's Restaurant - The oldest restaurant in New Orleans, established in 1840!

• Arnaud's - Opened in 1918!

• Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits

• Bar Tonique (Speakeasy)

• Bijou Restaurant & Bar

• Brennan's

• Brigtsen's Restaurant

• Cafe Degas

• Cafe Du Monde

• Chemin à la Mer

• Commander's Palace - I personally recommend! It was opened in 1893 as a saloon.

• Compère Lapin

• Coquette - I personally recommend!

• Double Dealer (Speakeasy)

• Herbsaint

• La Petite Grocery

• Le Chat Noir

• Lilly's Café

• Mammoth Espresso

• Polo Club Lounge

• Sazerac Bar (Speakeasy)

• Sylvain

• The 21st Amendment

• The Carousel Bar and Lounge

• The Spotted Cat (Jazz Club)

• Zasu

Things to see & do

• Jackson Square

• Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

• Longue Vue House & Gardens

• Mardi Gras World

• New Orleans Botanical Garden

• New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum

• New Orleans Jazz Museum

• New Orleans Museum of Art

• NOLA Gondola

• Old New Orleans Rum Distillery

• Saenger Theater

• Spot Banksy artworks on a street art tour

• St. Louis Cathedral - It’s foundation dates back to 1720!

• St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

• The Presbytère

• Whitney Plantation

To Top

Vacherie

Kind of Visit: City, Historical - Home of the Talladega Speedway!

NOTE: Many people visit Vacherie for the day to tour plantations. It’s about an hour drive from New Orleans.

WHERE to stay

• Dansereau House

• Oak Alley Plantation

• The Inn at Houmas House

• The Villas at Carter Plantation

WHERE to dine & drink

• Bonnies’

• Crevasse Restaurant

• La Bon Boucon - Highest rated!

• Oak Alley Plantation Restaurant

• Sweet&Tee’s

Things to see & do

• E.D. White Historic Site

• Houmas House and Gardens

• Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site

• Oak Alley Plantation

• St. Joseph Plantation Felicity Plantation

To Top