Experience Culture in Louisiana

When you make a list of all the unique things Louisiana has to offer, you will notice the influences of their French, Spanish and African ancestry. The past is well-preserved in architecture, music, food and lifestyle – including the amazing festivals – as well as museums of history and fine art. 

Louisiana’s motto is "Laissez les bons temps rouler," meaning "Let the good times roll". You’ll get lost in the traditions passed down through generations. Visit during Mardi Gras when costumed riders parade the streets and magnificent balls are thrown from New Orleans and Baton Rouge to Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport and beyond – it’s a statewide celebration! Peek back across the centuries as you walk under lavish ironwork and through lush courtyard gardens in a French Quarter hotel. You’ll be absorbed in history with a tour of a plantation home where the daily activities of the past are recreated, then let nature's mysteries inspire and awe you via a boat tour through a cypress studded bayou.

In Louisiana history and lore don't just live in books on a shelf; they're reflected in their everyday lives too.

What's the Cuisine in Louisiana? 

Eating in Louisiana is a delicious culinary adventure and you have to try a slice of Louisiana pie. Spanning centuries, our food is our culture. Whether you're having Pork Boudin in Lafayette, savoury meat pies in Natchitoches, or Oysters Rockefeller in the French Quarter, you are sampling the rich mix of Louisiana’s heritage.

Place the visits to the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Shaw Centre for Performing Arts and the Sci-Port Museum in between hardy servings of gumbo, jambalaya and boiled crawfish and your day is as delightfully full as your stomach. In Louisiana our mélange of cultural influences surface with as much flavour in our art as in our food. 

New Orleans' Southern Food and Beverage Museum has recently added a restaurant, a children's gallery and exhibits for 17 Southern states.

Tasty Trails for Foodies in Louisiana...

Here are some delicious trails which highlight signature Louisiana foods...

• The Jefferson Parish Oyster Trail leads you on a tour of restaurants serving local oysters. Pick up a brochure at the Jefferson Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau and downtown area hotels, or look for oyster sculptures by area artists to denote a stop. Along the way, try the Baked Oysters Radosta at Andrea's Restaurant and the Fried Oyster Po'boy at Short Stop Po-Boys. 
• Creole Crescent Trail is centred in New Orleans and features the city's signature dishes. Savour a Muffuletta Sandwich layered with salami and chopped olives, and why not try Gulf oysters prepared in a variety of mouth-watering styles?!  To finish, Bananas Foster is sure to hit the spot: flambéed bananas spiked with rum!
• The Tamanny Taste Trail offers the taste of comfort: running through New Orleans' Northshore it delivers the best in comfort food; generously-stuffed Po’boy Sandwiches at The Chimes in Covington or Shrimp Remoulade and Fried Green Tomatoes at Liz’s Where Y’at Diner in Mandeville.
• The San Bernado Scenic Byway, also known as the Sugar Trail, is one sweet adventure. Stops include the Domino Sugar Refinery and Docville Farm, where you can participate in harvesting sugar cane and taste Louisiana pralines.

Drink Trails...

It's not just about the food; there are drink trails available as well...

• Louisiana Brewery Trail: Louisiana is a state known for rich culinary traditions and good times, and now Louisiana's craft breweries complement the food culture. The Louisiana Craft Brewery Trail includes all seven of the state's operating breweries. The website details history on each brewery, information about tours and suggestions for dining. Plus as new breweries are added to the trail they will also appear on breweries.louisianatravel.com.
• Bayou Rum Distillery: See the Spirit of Louisiana - Bayou Rum is handmade in the largest, privately owned rum distillery in the USA, using traditional methods with state-of-the-art technology for all four steps. The beautiful facility in Lacassine, Louisiana offers distillery tours, rum tasting bar and a unique gift shop. You can find out more information about visiting the distillery at bayourum.com/distillery.

For more information email louisiana@deep-south-usa.com.