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Louisiana Vacations - Culture and Fun

Louisiana Vacations - Louisiana is a place of many nicknames, including: ‘the Pelican State,’ ‘the Bayou State,’ and ‘the Birthplace of Jazz.’ Each of these nicknames refers to a different aspect of Louisiana; it is a state of vast natural wealth, including the bayous and the pelicans.

It is also a place with much to offer culturally, whether the music, the Creole food, or any of the other aspects of Louisiana life. Louisiana vacations offer families a diverse wealth of options to choose from.

New Orleans

Kids who love bugs will definitely appreciate a stop at Insectarium, which is the world’s largest bug museum. It features many bug-oriented exhibits, live displays, and even bug eating! Those who don’t like bugs in general, may still like the butterflies housed in the museum.

Audubon Aquarium of America features a Caribbean reef tunnel and 400,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico display. Penguins, stingrays, sharks and other deep sea creatures await your families visit.

Audubon Zoo is home to 1,500 exotic animals from around the world The zoo features natural habitat exhibits including the Louisiana swamp and Jaguar Jungle.

What would a family vacation to New Orleans be without a Steamboat ride? Check out Steamboat Natchez a restored steamboat that offers jazz, Harbor and dinner cruises of the Mississippi river.

For you football fans, if you happen to visit Louisiana during football season the Superdome is home to the New Orleans Saints Football Team.

For families with older children, New Orleans is famous for its annual Mardi Gras celebration. New Orleans is now also offering a Family Gras where you will find many activities and people dressed in costume everywhere. Louisiana vacations are very memorable if you attend during a Mardi Gras celebration.

Lake Charles

The Children’s Museum offers Science and nature displays aimed at children and families. At the Art space in the museum, you and your child can create art together, or you can visit the waterworks exhibit.

Children will also enjoy the Children’s Theater Company. They offer performances, workshops, and classes. The drama queens in the family will thank you.

A unique diversion aimed at girls is Club Tabby, located in the Prien Lake Mall. Girls can get makeovers, costumes, and much more. They offer pampering for your little angel; this shop was designed with children in mind.

Shreveport

For those interested in the mysteries of the cosmos on their Louisiana vacations, two planetariums can be visited in Louisiana. Sci-Port, Louisiana’s science center offers more than just planetarium-based activities. An IMAX theater, interactive displays, and day camps are offered at the science center. The planetarium is a state of the art system, as are other exhibits in the center.

Baton Rouge

The Louisiana Art and Science Museum houses the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium and Exxon Mobile Space Theater. While at the museum, enjoy the art and science exhibits in addition to the planetarium’s splendor.

White Castle

Nottoway Plantation is the largest plantation in the South. Built in the 1850’s for a wealthy planter, it was a working 7,000-acre sugar plantation. The sixty four room mansion had indoor bathrooms, gas lamps and an intercom system all rare conveniences in the 1800’s. Guided and self guided tours are available of the plantation 7 days a week.

Rayne

For the frog lovers in your family, visit Rayne Louisiana in November, for the annual Frog festival. The festival includes frog jumping contests and frog beauty contests, carnival rides and frog legs to eat (not sure how you will explain that to the little ones).

There are several National parks to consider when planning Louisiana vacations.

Cane River Creole National Park is on the site of two plantations. It features a blacksmith shop, tenant houses, and a pigeonier. Huge oak and pecan trees line the park and are covered in Spanish moss, which captures the classic scenery of Louisiana. This location is dedicated to preserving Creole culture and history.

Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve is another notable park. Featuring bayous, alligators, and cultural offerings, such as food and music, the true spirit of Louisiana can be felt here. The park has sites connected to it in various cities, including the French Quarter Visitor’s Center in New Orleans and the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery. The National park system in Louisiana helps visitors get in touch with both the nature and history of Louisiana.

Louisiana is a beautiful, ecologically diverse state with plenty to offer for a family vacation. Whether you are enthralled by learning, nature, or just fun, you will find satisfaction and fun planning multiple Louisiana vacations.

More US State vacation ideas beside Louisiana Vacations here.