Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall

Ready, Set, Start Planning!

It's time to clock out and plan your Louisiana vacation.

Does too much screen time have you daydreaming? It's time for a change of scenery. In honor of National Plan For Vacation Day (NPVD), make plans for that long-awaited trip to Louisiana.

Did you know that almost 50% of Americans don't use all of their annual paid time off? Here in Louisiana, we want you to change that! NPVD encourages Americans to plan their vacation days for the whole year at the start of the year—and inspires them to use those days to explore the USA.

Indulge in a few unforgettable meals; experience the Year of Music; celebrate the magic of Mardi Gras, or paddle down a unique waterway —  all in Louisiana.

Plan your road trip itinerary

Whether you visit Louisiana’s big cities or take the back roads to experience the charm of Louisiana’s quaint small towns, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Dine at world-renowned restaurants or hole-in-the-wall eateries, shop for handmade trinkets by local artists and experience each city and town’s distinctive culture and hidden treasures. 

Live music in Louisiana

In 2024, experience Louisiana's Year of Music.

BBQ Shrimp at Hot Tails in New Roads, Louisiana

Taste Louisiana seafood.

Kayaking at Chemin-A-Haut State Park

Paddle our trails.

excited at the Louisiana State Exhibit museum in front of a blue vintage car

Stroll through history.

Make unforgettable memories at a Louisiana festival

You'll find there is always a reason to laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll) in Louisiana! Our rich culture, heritage and food means we are always celebrating with a festival! Not to mention, our melodies are so good we've named 2024 the Year of Music.

Heralded by many as the world's largest free festival, celebrate Mardi Gras this Carnival season. Whether you're craving the traditional mega-parades in New Orleans or Houma or a rural Courir de Mardi Gras complete with chicken chases, there's plenty of celebrating to go around.

If a springtime trip is on your mind, check out the just-released 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival lineup here! While the music is a huge part of the experience, you can't forget to check out the dozens of local food vendors serving up everything from Crawfish Monica (a creamy pasta peppered with crawfish tails) to alligator pie. Can't make it to New Orleans? Head to the capital city for Baton Rouge Blues Festival, a compilation of some of the greatest blues musicians today.

For a taste of summer in the South, experience Cajun cuisine at the Mudbug Madness Festival in Shreveport, the Jambalaya Festival in Gonzales or the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Love strawberries? Attend the summertime Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival in Tangipahoa Parish, or delight in worldwide fare at the Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette.

Travel way down south in October for the famous Rougarou Fest in Houma, a legendary celebration! Swing through Louisiana's oldest city for the scrumptious Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, while you're at it. And in New Orleans, the good times don’t stop, as the city hosts a variety of unique festivals most weekends. 

It’s easy to make festival plans on vacation in Louisiana! Plan your trip around annual festivals, or check out what events are happening when you get here. 

Pay a visit to a Louisiana state museum

Immerse yourself in Louisiana’s arts and history at one of the nine state museums dotted across the state. From sports or Jazz to aviation or Mardi Gras — you’ll find a unique and fascinating exhibition for every topic of interest. Get familiar before you drop in with these virtual gallery tours and experiences.

Louisiana's Year of Music

In 2024, Louisiana is celebrating its Year of Music! As you plan vacations, consider the birthplace of jazz, Cajun and zydeco. Learn more about Louisiana’s rich music history and hear it for yourself.

Stay awhile at a Louisiana state park

Breathe in that fresh Louisiana air in the great outdoors. Get in on the action and participate in water sports, cast a line, view Louisiana’s wildlife, trek through hiking trails and more. Louisiana’s state parks are the perfect spot for outdoor recreation. 

Stay overnight at any of our park cabins and wake up to the peace and quiet only pure nature can bring.

Indulge in life-changing cuisine

We'd put money on you having the best meal of your life right here in Louisiana. From restaurants that have been serving up incredible meals for over 100 years to gas stations that have the best yam cake you'll ever eat, Louisiana has no shortage of meals that will leave their mark in your memory. 

If you’re looking for the full, cultural experience, challenge yourself to try each of these classic Louisiana most famous dishes through the Louisiana’s Culinary Hall of Fame. When you're ready to satisfy your sweet tooth, explore Louisiana’s Famous Desserts here.

In addition to unforgettable cuisine, Louisiana is home to a number of craft breweriesdistilleries and even a few wineries

Immerse yourself in your surroundings

See the Bayou State from the Red River in the North to the mouth of the Mississippi River down South. Get up close and personal with our unique landscape on a swamp tour when you airboat, kayak or cruise through the bayou. And with year-round hunting, fishing, golf and countless other opportunities for outdoor recreation, it is easy to see why Louisiana's nickname is "Sportsman's Paradise."

Plan for the vacation you deserve

Book your airfare today or map out the perfect road trip route. Then order your copy of the Louisiana Inspiration Guide for more insider tips on where to go and what to see.