What are the regions of Louisiana?

Greater New Orleans...

• French, Spanish, Irish, Germans, Haitians and others mingled here and their influences are still evident today in the music, food and architecture of the area.
• Explore the French Quarter: One of the most historic areas, explore its streets and soak up its nostalgia.
• Experience the intense partying of Mardi Gras - or, at least, visit Mardi Gras World to learn all about its history.

Experience it all as you travel from charming small towns to rowdy, music-filled streets and south toward rich fishing grounds. You'll leave with a love for this only-in-Louisiana destination.

 Plantation Country (AKA River Parishes)...

This is the central region of Louisiana, and it certainly has its own distinct 1800's rooted history and character...

• Antebellum mansions recall an age when wealthy planters ruled the fertile grounds along the river which delivered enormous wealth. Today many of the plantations, featuring Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian homes, are open daily for digging deeper into this period in Louisiana history.
• Beyond mint juleps and live oaks of River Road, River Parishes also offers a view of modern Louisiana, with fine and performing arts venues, golf courses and casinos, outdoor adventures and shoppers getaways. Familiies, politicians and college students alike have discovered that the best of Louisiana past and present is easily found in River Parishes - see for yourself!

Cajun Country...

Officially called Acadiana, west of New Orleans, Cajun Country is where French heritage thrives. And life amongst the swamps, cypress trees and spoonbills inspires an appreciation for the land and the culture it has spawned. And those things are celebrated at every turn. 

• A Cajun Country swamp tour is a gereat way to experience wild Louisiana. There are dozens of swamp tours throughout the region - all offer a great chance to get up close and personal with the local wildlife, like the enormous indigenous alligators!
• Sampling the distinctive and delicious Cajun food is a must while you're visiting the region, and there are tons of eateries to choose from. Regional specialties include blackened fish, shrimp Creole, gumbo, and just about every kind of fried seafood (including alligator!).
• Visit Lafayette, Louisiana’s fourth largest city and also Acadiana capital. Smack in the middle of Cajun Country, Lafayette offers history- and culture-rich attractions where you can learn all about the fascinating roots of the region: the Acadian Cultural Center and the Acadian Village are highly recommended.
• The sounds of Cajun and Zydeco music are everywhere, and there's often a party just waiting to happen. Where the music is, there's usually food and dancing to be found too!

Life among the swamps, cypress trees and spoonbills inspires an appreciation for the land and the culture it has spawned. And those things are celebrated at every turn. The people here are hospitable. The experience is authentic. You'll find your good time in Cajun Country.

Crossroads Region...

In central Louisiana, The Crossroads is the region where the cultures of north and south Louisiana collide. And the result is a region known for pork-filled tamales, impressive Creole architecture and annual powwows. Music icons and political heavyweights have called the Crossroads home. Civil War battles were fought in this region and, before that, Spanish traders travelled through on their route to Mexico along El Camino Real de los Tejas, now park of a National Historic Trail.

• Visit Natchitoches - Louisiana's oldest settlement, Natchitotches is abundant with magnificent architecture, delicious food, and many cultural events. Downtown Natchitoches, situated on Cane River Lake, is a good starting point. It's especially popular in December, when it celebrates an impressive festival of lights.
• Museums and Mansions - Soak up the history at one of the many impressive museums in the Crossraods region... The Alexandria Museum of Art, housed in an 1898 bank building, sits along the city’s riverfront and has continually changing exhibits. Fairly nearby, why not pay a visit to Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gins, an opportunity to contrast modern cotton gins with those of the past. 
• The great outdoors - The Kisatchie National Forest has over 600,000 acres of outdoor fun! It’s the perfect place for anyone who loves to camp, picnic, swim, fish, boat, hike and bike. Also in Crossroads, there's the Toledo Bend Reservoir and Hodges Gardens State Park. For golfing fans, check out the Cypress Bend Golf Resort and Conference Center near Toledo Bend.

Sportsman's Paradise...

Stretching across northern Louisiana, Sportsman's Paradise is home to twice as many state parks and historic sites as any of the state's other regions...

• Sports - It certainly is a sportman's paradise, with some of the best bird watching, hunting, and fishing Louisiana has to offer.
• State Parks - offering plenty of scenic hiking trails and campgrounds, the state parks will keep outdoorsy types happy.
• Visit Ruston and Lincoln Parish - home to Louisiana Tech University, here you'll find a north Louisiana vacation filled with festivals, shopping, outdoor fun, and peaches.
• Nightlife - Great restaurants, bars, and live music ensure every day here is finished off with a generous serving of fun. Or maybe make a date with Lady Luck and visit one of the many casinos in the region.

There are year-round celebrations that highlight a culture which embraces food and fun. Holiday lights twinkle from the Red River to the Ouachita River. There is also family-focussed Mardi Gras with parades that roll throughout Carnival, and arts and music festivals draw crowds in the spring and summer.