Louisiana’s four leading cities: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles have come together to create a new road trip that celebrates the best of Cajun and Creole cultures. From the hedonism of New Orleans to small town Americana, the 10-day self-drive itinerary offers a deep dive into why the Pelican State is culturally distinct from other U.S. states.
Begin in New Orleans’ historic cobblestoned French Quarter and enjoy live music from street corners to intimate jazz venues, sample the incredible restaurants from Peche (order the crab rice – you’ll thanks us later) to Jewel of the South (for award-winning cocktails) and indulge in the beignets at Cafe du Monde or Criollo and fabled Hotel Monteleone.
Convention and Visitors Bureau photos of the New Orleans area.
We recommend staying at Hotel Saint Vincent in the garden district – the perfect neighbourhood for vintage shopping and interior design shopping. Next up is the state capitol, Baton Rouge for a spot of vintage shopping, cookery classes at Red Stick Spice Co with owner Anne Millick and if it’s game day, throw yourself into the All-American tradition of college football and cheer for the LSU Tigers.
Then keep heading west to Lafayette and explore the haunting beauty of the Atchafalaya Swamp on a swamp tour to spot alligators and egrets as you glide along the mystical bayous. Lafayette also has a selection of fantastic dining from the rustic Spoonbill Watering Hole & Restaurant to the elegant Vestal.
The final destination is Lake Charles, Louisiana’s Playground, where locals will immediately make you feel like you’re family. Here, visitors can enjoy 26 miles of natural Gulf of Mexico beaches and Cajun culture, luxury pontooning down the lake and live music and dancing at Panorama in downtown Lake Charles.
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