Let’s Visit Louisiana
- Join our virtual tour highlighting the top tourist attractions in Louisiana
- For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Louisiana
Highlights
Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Louisiana.
- French Quarter (New Orleans) is famous for its historic architecture, vibrant nightlife, and being the heart of New Orleans’ cultural life, with its lively atmosphere during events like Mardi Gras.
- Mardi Gras World (New Orleans) is renowned for offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the massive floats and costumes used during New Orleans’ iconic Mardi Gras celebrations.
- National WWII Museum (New Orleans) is famous for being one of the most important museums in the U.S. dedicated to World War II, offering interactive exhibits and extensive historical collections.
- Oak Alley Plantation (Vacherie) is known for its stunning avenue of oak trees and its well-preserved antebellum architecture, providing a window into Louisiana’s plantation history.
- Swamp Tours (Atchafalaya Basin, around Lafayette) are popular for showcasing Louisiana’s unique swamps and bayous, where visitors can see alligators, cypress trees, and local wildlife up close.
- St. Louis Cathedral (New Orleans) is famous for being the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S., recognized for its stunning architecture in the heart of Jackson Square.
- Louisiana State Capitol (Baton Rouge) is known as the tallest state capitol building in the U.S. and serves as a symbol of Louisiana’s political history, with an observation deck offering panoramic views.
- Tabasco Factory (Avery Island) is famous for being the birthplace of the world-renowned Tabasco sauce, where visitors can tour the factory and learn about the history of this iconic product.
- Laura Plantation (Vacherie) is well-known for telling the unique and untold stories of Creole culture and slavery through its well-preserved buildings and historical tours.
- Audubon Zoo (New Orleans) is one of the country’s top zoos, renowned for its unique exhibits, such as the Louisiana Swamp exhibit, which showcases the state’s local wildlife and ecosystem.
Intriguing mysteries and weird facts
Discover these little-known facts about Louisiana.
- Louisiana Has Parishes, Not Counties
Instead of counties like most states, Louisiana is divided into 64 parishes due to its strong French and Catholic heritage, a unique distinction in the U.S. - Home to the Tallest State Capitol Building
The Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge stands 450 feet tall, making it the tallest state capitol building in the United States. - Mardi Gras Beads Were Originally Made of Glass
Today, Mardi Gras beads are plastic, but when the tradition began, the beads thrown from parade floats were made of real glass, making them both fragile and valuable souvenirs. - Alligator Population Outnumbers People in Some Areas
In Louisiana, alligators thrive in the swamps, with over 2 million alligators in the state. That’s nearly one alligator for every two people! - Louisiana Has the World’s Largest Salt Dome
Avery Island, famous for producing Tabasco sauce, also sits atop a massive underground salt dome, the largest of its kind in the world. - Tabasco Sauce Is Aged Like Fine Wine
Speaking of Tabasco, the famous hot sauce made on Avery Island is aged in oak barrels for three years, similar to the process used for aging wine. - You Can Visit an Underwater Cemetery
Manchac Swamp, near New Orleans, has a haunted, underwater cemetery known as the “Cemetery of the Swamp,” which was partially submerged after a hurricane in the early 1900s. - The Honey Island Swamp Monster
Louisiana has its very own Bigfoot-like legend: the Honey Island Swamp Monster, which locals claim has been spotted lurking in the swamps since the 1960s. - It’s Illegal to Steal Crawfish
Louisiana takes its crawfish very seriously, with a law making it illegal to steal more than $500 worth of crawfish. Offenders can face jail time for this crustacean crime. - The Superdome Was the World’s Largest Indoor Stadium
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans held the title of the world’s largest indoor stadium when it was built in 1975, hosting major events like the Super Bowl and concerts.
Notable People
Here are 10 famous men and women from Louisiana.
Famous Men
- Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) was born in New Orleans and became one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. Known for his gravelly voice and trumpet playing, Armstrong helped bring jazz to a global audience.
- Huey P. Long (1893–1935) was a controversial political figure who served as Governor of Louisiana and later as a U.S. Senator. He was known for his populist policies and ambitious social reforms but was assassinated at the age of 42.
- Terry Bradshaw (1948– ) is a former professional football player born in Shreveport. He led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories and is now a popular sports commentator and TV personality.
- Fats Domino (1928–2017) was born in New Orleans and was a pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll music. He is best known for hits like Blueberry Hill and Ain’t That a Shame, which helped shape the early sound of rock music.
- Truman Capote (1924–1984) was a famous writer born in New Orleans. He is best known for his groundbreaking true crime novel In Cold Blood and the novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Famous Women
- Mahalia Jackson (1911–1972) was a gospel singer born in New Orleans. She was one of the most influential figures in gospel music and performed at many important civil rights events, including the 1963 March on Washington.
- Ellen DeGeneres (1958– ) was born in Metairie and became one of America’s most beloved comedians and television hosts. She gained fame for her sitcom Ellen and later for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which ran for nearly two decades.
- Britney Spears (1981– ) was born in McComb, Mississippi, but raised in Kentwood, Louisiana. She is a pop icon known for hits like Baby One More Time and Toxic, influencing pop culture since the late 1990s.
- Donna Brazile (1959– ) was born in Kenner, Louisiana, and is a political strategist, educator, and author. She became the first African American woman to direct a major presidential campaign (Al Gore’s in 2000).
- Leontyne Price (1927– ) was born in Laurel, Mississippi, and raised in Louisiana. She became one of the first African American opera singers to achieve international acclaim, with a groundbreaking career at the Metropolitan Opera.
Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union
April 30, 1812 (18th)
State Capital
Area and Total Population
| Area: 43,204 square miles | Total Population: 4,650,000 |
Major cities and their population
| City | Population |
| New Orleans | 364,000 |
| Baton Rouge | 220,000 |
| Shreveport | 178,000 |
| Metairie | 140,000 |
| Lafayette | 122,000 |
| Lake Charles | 80,000 |
| Bossier City | 63,000 |
Education
- Louisiana Department of Education
- Louisiana Board of Regents. Higher Education
- Louisiana State University. Baton Rouge
- Tulane University. New Orleans
- University of New Orleans
Educational Resources
Fairs and festivals
Flag
The flag of Louisiana consists of a rectangular field of azure blue with a white pelican in the center. The pelican is tearing its own breast in order to feed its young, signifying the state’s willingness to sacrifice itself for its citizens. By law, since 2006, three drops of blood appear on the pelican.
Underneath the pelican, there is a ribbon, also in white, containing in blue the state motto: “Union Justice Confidence.” The flag was officially adopted July 1, 1912, and is often referred to as the ‘Pelican flag.’
Geography
Location
Glimpses Into History
Breathtaking Landscapes
Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Louisiana.
National Landmarks and Historic Sites
National Monuments
- Poverty Point National Monument (National Park Service)
National and State Parks
Sports
Professional Sports Teams
New Orleans
- National Basketball Association (NBA): New Orleans Pelicans
- National Football League (NFL): New Orleans Saints
NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams
- Louisiana State University Tigers
- Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs
- Saint Louis University Billikens
- Southeastern Louisiana University Lions
- University of Louisiana at Fayetteville Ragin’ Cajuns
- University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks
State Motto
“Union, Justice, Confidence”
State Nicknames
- The Pelican State
- The Bayou State
- The Creole State
State Symbols
State symbols. Louisiana
Seal
The seal of the State of Louisiana shows a white pelican in a nest with three young. It is tearing its breast in order to feed its young. Around the edge of the seal is inscribed “State of Louisiana.” The words “Union, Justice” are inscribed over the head of the pelican. The word “Confidence” is inscribed under the nest of the pelican.
On April 30, 1902, the Governor issued a standardized description o the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana. The Louisiana State Legislature, in April 2006, passed a bill requiring three drops of blood to be depicted on the pelican used in both the state’s flag and seal.
License Plate
State Animal
State Bird
State Flower
Tourism: Enjoy some incredible vacations
Watch a video
- Louisiana (US Embassy Vienna)
- Top 25 things to do in Louisiana (Anna and Karl Travel)
- 10 best places to visit in Louisiana (US Historians)
- 10 best places to visit in Louisiana (Sky Travel)
- Top 14 things to do in Baton Rouge (Anna and Karl Travel)
- New Orleans vacation travel guide (Expedia)
- 14 best things to do in New Orleans (Anna and Karl Travel)
Weather
- Today’s weather in Baton Rouge
- Today’s weather in New Orleans
More Resources For The Best Things To Do
Baton Rouge
Lafayette
New Orleans
Shreveport
