, a French-American café chock-full of sweet and savory crêpes, paninis, and organic fresh-ground coffee. Once you’re feeling full and energized, take a relaxing stroll along the boardwalk at

Cypress Island

or a walking tour in the historic village of

Vermilionville

If you and your partner are looking to spice things up, try a

Tabasco tour at Avery Island

, the birthplace of Tabasco sauce. The Tabasco Factory also has an on-site restaurant,

Restaurant 1868

, where you can try a Tabasco Bloody Mary or take a cooking class together (by reservation).

Natchitoches

Stay at:

Chateau Saint Denis

(rooms from $102/night)

Or:

Church Street Inn

(rooms from $149/night)

The quaint, 33-block city of

Natchitoches

is the perfect weekend getaway for couples looking to have a quieter experience. Resplendent with old-world charm, Natchitoches is considered a National Historic Landmark District, and it has a lot to offer young and old couples alike.

Start your weekend exploring the

shops

and boutiques along the cobbled streets of downtown Natchitoches. Stop by StoryBrew Coffee Café for a fanciful pick-me-up, then stroll the

Cane River Heritage Trail

, which winds along an ox-bow lake bordered by thick stands of cane sugar and lush pecan orchards. For dinner and drinks, visit

Cane River Brewing Co.

, located lake-adjacent.

If you and your partner love Louisiana’s historic charm, make sure to visit the

Melrose

Oakland

, and/or

Magnolia Plantations

, all within 20 minutes of downtown Natchitoches. For sports lovers, you won’t want to miss the

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Grab dinner afterward at any one of the locally-owned, authentic Cajun Creole restaurants downtown.

Best weekend getaway for families

Lake Charles

Stay at:

Golden Nugget

(rooms from $199/night)

Or:

The Mulberry

(rooms from $119/night)

Lovingly dubbed “Louisiana’s playground,”

Lake Charles

promises family-oriented fun for all.

With more than

15 local parks

in the area, there are plenty of opportunities to run, play, and relax in Lake Charles.

Take a walk or drive on the wild side following the

Creole Nature Trail All-American Road

, one of only 57 all-American nature byways, or traverse its 1.5-mile boardwalk for the opportunity to meet wildlife like alligators and ducks. You can even schedule a recreation tour in this expansive nature preserve through

Grosse-Savanne Eco Tours

If your kids are more indoorsy, then the

DeQuincy Railroad Museum

is a great (and free!) daytime outing for the entire family. Or, you can visit the

Henning Cultural Center

for a taste of the local arts’ atmosphere, then shop around at the

local boutiques

downtown!

Some favorite family-friendly restaurants include

121 Artisan Bistro

Buffy’s Peaux Boy’s Deli

Darrell’s

Farmer’s Marke

St. Francisville

Stay at:

The St. Francisville Inn

(rooms from $250/night).

Or:

The Lodge at the Bluffs

(rooms from $119/night).

St. Francisville epitomizes Louisiana charm—from the magnificent oaks draped with Spanish moss to its timeless architecture.

Start your weekend with breakfast at Birdman Coffee and Books, a quaint breakfast shop/bookstore duo. Then, take a family tour at any one of the local plantations and historic sites. For a quick historic add-on, stop in the

West Feliciana Historical Society Museum

to learn more about the area.

If you’re visiting in the spring, there’s no better place to go than the

Afta Villa Gardens

, a sprawling botanical oasis of Louisana flora. Grab dinner at

The Francis Smokehouse

, an Cajun/Creole classic. And be sure to unwind before the journey home with a visit to the

Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve

, famous for its birds and wildlife.

Best weekend getaway for true crime/horror lovers

New Orleans

Stay at: Hotel Provincial (a historic, haunted hotel—rooms from $179/night)

Or: Dauphine Orleans Hotel (rumored to be haunted—rooms from $169/night).

New Orleans

has a little something for everyone—but for true crime lovers, there’s a little bit more. Start your weekend with breakfast at

Another Broken Egg Cafe

, then stroll on down to

Jackson Square

for a palm or tarot reading—local psychics set up tables right along the street! From there, you can hop on a one-hour haunted trolley tour of the French Quarter or

explore the Voodoo and Occult boutiques

No New Orleans visit would be complete without a haunted tour at night. There are tons to choose from, but we recommend the Adults-Only Ghost, True Crime, Voodoo, and Vampire walking tour—great for true crime and Vampire Diaries enthusiasts alike! If crawling is more your speed, try the Haunted Pub Crawl instead.

After a long night of ghost thrills, brunch fanatics should reserve a table at

Brennan’s

, one of the top brunch eateries in the city. And before you leave, make sure to visit

Crescent City Books

to pick up a true-crime novel for the journey home.

Shreveport

Stay at:

Fairfield Manor

(rooms from $95/night)

Or:

Holiday Inn Shreveport Downtown

(rooms from $167/night)

As one of the cultural hubs of the state,

Shreveport

has a lot to offer visitors—including something for true crime fans!

The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium

has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations. Today, it still hosts a variety of world-class musicians on its stage, well worth watching!

Alternatively, get a group together and schedule a

Murder Mystery Dinner

with Shreveport’s Murder Mysteries. This unique company puts on theatrical murder mystery shows in a variety of formats—and even gives participants the option to be involved in the mystery!

You calk off the thrills and chills of dinner with a walking tour of the

Oakland Cemetery.

Before you leave, lighten the mood with a visit to the

American Rose Garden

, and grab a bite to eat afterward at

Twisted Root Burger Co.

, a gourmet burger joint.

MORE:

Road trip essentials

Best weekend getaway for foodies

New Orleans

Cafe Du Monde French Market, Decatur Street

Stay at:

The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery

(rooms from $117/night).

Or:

The Eliza Jane

(rooms from $169/night).

When it comes to experiencing local cuisine, New Orleans takes the cake. With dozens of easy-to-walk-to eateries and classic Louisiana cuisine, The Big Easy has a place to offer every foodie.

For breakfast, try beignets at the famous

Cafe du Monde

, and, if you’re up for it, a nearby stroll around the

Crafts Bazaar

. Less than a mile from the French Quarter, you can grab lunch (or a post-breakfast mimosa) at

Galliano’s

restaurant, a local favorite. Alternatively, enjoy a buffet-style lunch at

Dookey’s Chase

for Po'Boys, Creole gumbo, and the best fried chicken.

For dinner, reserve a table at

Arnaud's

, one of the few Creole eateries in the area (

Antoine’s

is another Creole classic). For something less formal (and less likely to break the bank), try the

Parkway Bakery & Tavern

Pro tip You can find unique gifts and souvenirs at the Crafts Bazaar in the French Quarter!

Best weekend getaway for outdoor enthusiasts

Baton Rouge

Stay at:

Microtel Inn and Suites

(rooms from $98/night)

Or:

L’Auberge Baton Rouge

(rooms from $139/night)

For lovers of the great outdoors,

Baton Rouge

offers quiet reprieves of nature sure to wash away the stress of the workweek.

Grab a coffee and a beignet or two at the

Coffee Call

, before heading to the

Red Stick Farmer’s Market

to browse a bountiful selection of locally-grown produce. For a quieter afternoon, try a visit to the

BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

, where you can enjoy over a mile of paths and boardwalks that wind through natural swamplands and forests of beech-magnolia.

If you’re looking for something more active, explore the foot and bike trails in and around the

Blackwater Conservation Area

or the

Comite River Park

, both conveniently within 25 minutes of the city proper.

No matter the activity you choose, reenergize with dinner at

BLDG 5

where you can enjoy your meal on their outdoor patio.

Grand Isle

Stay at:

Blue Dolphin Inn & Cottages

(rooms from $200/night)

Or:

Laundry House Bed & Breakfast

(rooms from $120/night)

Renowned for its parks, trails, and beaches, Grand Isle is the perfect getaway for outdoor enthusiasts looking to stay active.

Grand Isle State Park

is the place to go for all things fishing and water sports. From swimming to birding to boating—and, of course, fishing off the park’s gorgeous pier or along its sandy coastline—the State Park has outdoor opportunities for nature lovers of all sorts.

For a closer encounter with nature, visit

Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge

where you can explore the beauty of Louisiana’s coastal marshes, beaches, and saltwater fishing habitat. There are also several trails in the area that make for perfect day hikes.

MORE:

Best road trip from Chicago to Louisiana

Best weekend getaway for history buffs

Baton Rouge

Stay at:

Microtel Inn and Suites

(rooms from $98/night)

Or:

Hotel Indigo, Baton Rouge

(rooms from $117//night)

As Louisiana’s capital, Baton Rouge is home to a number of historical sites.

You can always visit the grand

State Capital

building or the charming

Old State Capital Building

—the latter of which offers art exhibits and educational programming on Louisiana’s rich history.

Baton Rouge boasts several great museums as well: the

Capital Park Museum

chronicles state history, from Louis Armstrong to Mardi Gras, and the

Louisiana Art & Science Museum

houses many creative works and interactive exhibits that make for a fun and educational experience.

The nearby

BREC’s Magnolia Mound Plantation

is one of the oldest plantation homes in the state, built in 1791.

Houma

Stay at:

Crochet House Bed & Breakfast

(rooms from $85/night)

Or:

Dansereau House

(rooms from $114/night)

The locally-asserted capital of the bayou, the city of

Houma

is robust with regional culture.

Visitors can tour the historic

Southdown Plantation and Museum

, notable for its green-and-pink manor and its artifact collection and Indigenous historical exhibits. You can also visit the

Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum

or the

Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center.

If you get the chance, try dinner at

Lumiere Blues and Jazz Bistro

, a historic restaurant located in downtown Houma.

Best cheap weekend getaway

Ruston

Stay at:

Best Western Plus

(rooms from $93/night)

Or:

Country Inn and Suites

(rooms from $98/night)

With a vibrant, college-town atmosphere,

Ruston

is the perfect cheap weekend getaway when you just need to take a mini-vacation.

Start your weekend with coffee at

Common Goods Co

., a quaint bakery and coffee shop. Explore

downtown Ruston’s

unique shops and local restaurants, or spend a quieter morning along the

James Lake Birding Trail

For a casual dinner, explore the

Heard Freighthouse Food Truck Park

, where you can sample local fare like Brad Wolf’s BBQ and

Chindian Flavors

. For a sit-down affair, try

Utility Brewing Co.

, located right downtown.

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Rental car insurance

Finding the best car insurance

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FAQ

When is hurricane season in Louisiana?

Hurricane season formally begins on June 1st, but tropical storms are common in the state as early as May and the majority of hurricane activity occurs between August and October.

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