Acadiana, also known as the Cajun Country, is the official name given to the French Louisiana region that has historically contained much of the state’s Francophone population.   Many inhabitants of the Cajun Country have Acadian ancestry and identify as Cajuns or Louisiana Creoles. Of the 64 parishes that make up the U.S. state of Louisiana, 22 named parishes (our name for counties) and other parishes of similar cultural environment make up this intrastate region.     But there is

  Get up close and personal with authentic southern Louisiana wildlife. Numerous such beautiful nature encounters abound with two of them within 30 minutes of the city, and others deeper into the Cajun country.   These trips are fun and safe, some of them on covered flat boats, others on air boats. They guarantee an exciting afternoon right there among the gators, birds and old growth, moss-covered cypress trees.   Note that if you main reason for taking a tour is to

  Are you ready to dive deep into Louisiana history? There are a huge number of beautiful houses, luscious gardens, and historic artifacts that also represent some of the darker chapters of Louisiana’s history—such as chattel slavery.   Today, these homes are available for tours, exploration and special events. Some have restaurants and can accommodate overnight stays. This mix of history and remembrance make visits to southern Louisiana’s unique plantation homes a fascinating way to spend an afternoon.   Many of

  There are 2 major streetcar lines in the city: the Canal Street Line which goes from downtown out to the cemeteries and a spur that goes to City Park, and the St. Charles line which goes from downtown through uptown and the Garden District all the way to the Carrollton area.   When you hop on a St. Charles streetcar you are hopping onto history. In fact, this streetcar line is the oldest in the world and is on the

  Relax, cruise downriver and see New Orleans from a different viewpoint. The Natchez is one of the last real steam-powered vessels on the river. The paddlewheel is not just for show, it actually powers the boat!   “The New Orleans Steamboat Company is no newcomer to the Mississippi River or American’s steamboat heritage.  Our parent company has been operating steamboats longer than any company in the world.  In fact, we’ve been part of the history of steam transport since 1817,

  The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.   The museum focuses on the contribution made by the United States to Allied victory in World War II. Founded in 2000, it was later designated by the U.S. Congress as America’s official National

  New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), the city’s oldest fine arts institution, opened on December 16, 1911 with only nine works of art. Today, the museum hosts an impressive permanent collection of more than 40,000 objects.   The collection, noted for its extraordinary strengths in French and American art, photography, glass, and African and Japanese works, continues to expand and grow, making NOMA one of the top art museums in the South.   The museum has a wonderful place to eat, Café NOMA by Ralph Brennan features a

Both Audubon Park and City Park were designed by the Olmstead family who also designed Central Park in New York City. Audubon Park is easily accessible by St. Charles Avenue streetcar. It boasts a wonderful, state-of-the-art zoo and a competitive 18-hole par 62 course. The 1.8 mile track is perfect for walking, biking, running and just enjoying the wonderful, old live oak canopy. Even on hot days there always seems to be a cooling breeze. The land upon which it sits