Explore Louisiana

Pick Your Passion

Creole and Cajun cuisine, jazz and cultural festivals

Swanky Southern style and hospitality

Get To Know Louisiana

Louisiana is a state that holds its own with a distinctive culture and lively atmosphere influenced heavily by its Cajun and Creole roots. Dive deep into Cajun cuisine, swinging jazz, and rich history amongst a backdrop of Creole architecture and the Mississippi River. Let’s jump into what should make Louisiana your next bus vacation.

A Brief History of Louisiana

In 1803, the U.S. made a $15 million property transaction that doubled the size of the country — a transaction commonly known as the Louisiana purchase. French and Spanish settlers in the region contributed to the formation of the Cajun and Creole people who populate the state today. The original French colonizers of Louisiana brought with them the tradition of Mardi Gras, which is celebrated annually in New Orleans before Lent. The tradition dates back thousands of years to the pagan celebrations of spring and fertility and was integrated with Christian traditions in ancient Rome. Translating from French to mean “Fat Tuesday,” partakers in the celebrations would binge on all the rich and fatty foods stored in their homes before several weeks of fasting during Lent. Today, Mardi Gras is a hallmark tradition in Louisiana, including a parade of floats, flying beads, and lively music.

There's no shortage of things to do in Louisiana.

A Look at Culture in Louisiana

A marriage of French, Spanish, African and Native American ethnic groups gave way to the Cajun and Creole cultures that heavily influence Louisiana today. Every aspect of Louisiana’s culture has been touched by facets of tradition from each ethnic group who make up the Cajun and Creole people, contributing to what could be argued as the most vibrant and distinctive culture in the U.S. This distinctive culture can be smelled while walking through the French Quarter in New Orleans, where the scent of freshly fried Boudin balls and sweet Beignets permeate throughout the French and Spanish architecture. Swanky, southern jazz music can be heard playing in clubs and bars down Bourbon Street. It’s impossible to escape the rowdy Cajun culture and warm hospitality in Louisiana — not that you’d ever want to. From its jazz and blues music, religiously celebrated Mardi Gras festival and Creole-French language to its Cajun cuisine, which gives the state its very own brand of southern fare, Louisiana is a truly unique place that everyone should experience at least once.

Must See List

• Bucket list item, Mardi Gras, the greatest free party on earth
• Family friendly Mardi Gras CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade
• See a rodeo, a lumberjack show, pig race, ride camels and enjoy live music at the State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport
• Eat gumbo at The Louisiana Gumbo Festival in Chackbay
• Eat gumbo at The Bridge City Gumbo Festival
• Eat crawfish at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
• Eat gumbo at the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff
• Sample all local favorites at the South Louisiana Blackpot Festival & Cookoff
• Eat gumbo at the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
• Eat Po’boy’s Darrell’s in Lake Charles
• Eat the the Hallelujah Crab at Juban’s in Baton Rouge
• Eat Beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans
• Marilynn’s Place in Shreveport
• Eat the Catfish DeSiard at Waterfront Grill
• Eat meat pies at the Lasyone’s Meat Pie Kitchen in Natchitoches
• Eat cracklins at The Best Stop
• Eat barbecued shrimp at Pascal’s Manale
• Eat strawberry pies at Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
• Sip Sazerac at the Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt New Orleans hotel
• Listen to live music at the French Quarter Festival
• Enjoy top jazz talent at Jazz Fest
• Eat French delights at the French Food Festival in Larose
• Enjoy 300,000 Christmas lights at the Christmas Festival of Lights in Natchitoches