Twenty Tips for a Great Road Trip

Passion: GREAT OUTDOORS

St. Bernard State Park
Reintroduce yourself to Mother Nature as you hike, picnic or camp in this 350-acre park along the Mississippi River.  www.crt.state.la.us/parks/istbernrd.aspx

St. Francisville
Find inspiration, just like naturalist John James Audubon did, among these rolling hills. Biking, kayaking, birding and hiking opportunities are plentiful. www.stfrancisville.us

Rip Van Winkle Gardens, New Iberia
Stroll through lush gardens and beneath ancient live oaks, where legend says pirate Jean Lafitte buried treasure.  www.ripvanwinklegardens.com

Alligator Park, Natchitoches
Get to know the gators—go ahead, it’s safe—at Bayou Pierre Alligator Park. Feeling brave? Help with a feeding. www.alligatorpark.net

Poverty Point, Pioneer
Tour one of North America’s largest prehistoric earth works, dating back to around 1750 B.C., and learn about the state’s innovative early inhabitants. www.nps.gov/popo

Passion: RICH HISTORY

The Cabildo, New Orleans
Explore the state’s varied history in this 18th-century building, which was the site of the Louisiana
Purchase transfer in 1803. lsm.crt.state.la.us/cabex.htm

USS KIDD, Baton Rouge
Walk the decks of the “Pirate of the Pacific” and discover what life was like aboard a World War II destroyer. www.usskidd.com

Laurel Valley Plantation, Thibodaux
Sweeten your trip with a stop at this sprawling 19th-century sugar plantation. Dozens of original structures still dot the complex. www.visitlafourche.com/attractions.php

Cane River National Heritage Area, Natchitoches
Cruise by car alongside the Cane River Lake and view classic Creole architecture and national
and state historic sites. www.caneriverheritage.org

Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, Monroe
Learn the story of General Claire Lee Chennault, World War II military aviation hero and leader
of the famed “Flying Tigers.” www.sos.louisiana.gov/camm

Passion: MUSIC

Bayou Jam, Slidell
Kick up your heels and sing along during these free live music concerts at Heritage Park, held spring and fall. www.slidell.la.us

Live After Five, Baton Rouge
Enjoy the sounds of the capital’s free live music event on spring and fall Fridays. Bands play a variety, from funk to country.
www.liveafterfiveonline.com

Savoy Music Center, Eunice
Join in a jam session with the Savoy family, known for playing Cajun music and making fine accordions, on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
www.savoymusiccenter.com

Delta Music Museum, Ferriday
Travel to the Louisiana Delta, whose fertile soil influenced Southern music and produced noted artists Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley. www.sos.louisiana.gov/tabid/238/Default.aspx

Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium, Shreveport
See where Elvis shook it up before he was king. Many other icons graced this stage during “Louisiana Hayride” performances. www.municipalauditorium.homestead.com

Passion: ART & CULTURE

Abita Mystery House, Abita Springs
Mingle among the odd, intriguing and plain bizarre (We mean you, Darrell the dogigator!) at this attraction by folk artist John Preble.www.ucmmuseum.com

River Road African American Museum, Donaldsonville
Discover the many contributions by African-Americans along the Mississippi River to the region’s cuisine, music, art and agriculture. www.africanamericanmuseum.org

Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum, Lafayette
View works from the 18th through 21st centuries in a modern setting that contrasts with the adjacent plantation home built by A. Hays Town. museum.louisiana.edu

Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria
Appreciate the arts as you take in topnotch traveling exhibitions and tour the state’s largest collection of North Louisiana folk art. www.themuseum.org

Shreveport-Bossier Film Trail
Head to Hollywood—Hollywood South, that is—with this self-guided tour to where some of the industry’s biggest stars filmed. www.shreveport-bossierfilm.coms