Tourism guides cities and information for Louisiana

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

ALL ABOUT LOUISIANA

Whether you call it the Mardi Gras State, the Pelican State, Cajun Country or the Land of the Bayou. Louisiana is a melting pot thats as famous for its food and music as it is for its politics, its antebellum mansions, and its dabblings in voodoo. For the first time visitor, heres what you need to know to let the good times roll!

Louisiana officially became a state back in 1812 although its lands were already part of the massive package deal that Thomas Jefferson made famous 9 years earlier. The dual influence of both Spain and France is reflected in its architecture, in its proliferation of French street names, and its mixed marriage descendants who classify themselves as Arcadians, Creoles, and Cajuns. Even its landscape is a potpourri of northeastern deltas, southeastern swamps, northwestern forests, grasslands in the southwest, and a lot of hills dotting the middle.

Its a state where swashbuckling pirates once cavorted in its seaports, where French Quarter happy hours are literally taken to the streets, where Bonnie and Clyde met a bullet-riddled demise, and where Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine once contemplated a new Paris of the Americas address after their exile. Drive-through daiquiri kiosks are a common sight, as are above-ground cemeteries to compensate for the terrains proximity to sea level. Want to make someone fall deliriously in love with you? Potions and spells have been on the market in Louisiana ever since the 18th century.

Speaking of cooking up magic, Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse have found this region a hospitable atmosphere to not only serve their gourmet fare but also hawk the ingredients necessary to recreate their cuisine at home. And, of course, theres always the cool jazz and Mint Juleps on hot summer nightsa popular attraction that even Anne Rices famous vampire might come out of his NAwlins mansion and sink his fangs into.

BATON ROUGE

The tallest state capitol building is at Baton Rouge, scraping the sky at 450 feet. Its observation deck on the 27th floor offers a nice birds eye view of the cityscape.; security, of course, has been strictly enforced since 9/11. The Art Deco structure was completed in 1932; three years later, the infamous Huey Long aka The Kingfish (one of the states many corrupt, good ol boy governors) was assassinated here.

Nearby, the former state capitol building attracts nearly as many visitors. Rebuilt in 1882two decades after Union soldiers accidentally burned down its Gothic predecessorit features a stained glass dome and an intriguing spiral staircase. Now used as a government history center, this venue provides outstanding exhibits regarding Louisianas colorful and often scandalous political figures. Visitors are reminded that the states voters not only elected Longs equally corrupt brother, Earl, to office in 1959 but went on to elect David Duke to the House of Representatives in 1988. When the latter decided to return to Louisiana and run for governor 3 years later, his opponent beat him by a scant 2 percent.

Military buffs wont want to miss the Old Arsenal Museum located on the grounds. This 1838 museum houses an extensive collection of weaponry and artifacts from Louisianas participation in a succession of skirmishes and wars that helped shape the American frontier. Louisiana, of course, vowed allegiance to the Confederacy in the first year of the Civil War. Less than a year later, Port Hudsons Corps dAfrique became the first to enlist African American officers in its ranks. The Arsenal is open for tours from 9 until 4 every day except Sundays.

From pharaohs to planets, Baton Rouges Art and Science Museum will be popular with the budding young scientists in your family. Its Ancient Egypt room is especially fun, allowing visitors to not only peek into a recreated tomb but also see one of its mummified occupants. For art lovers, the museum offers a broad spectrum of permanent and rotating exhibits as well as onsite workshops for all ages. The most recent addition to the complex is devoted to the exploration of the stars and planets. The Irene Pennington Planetarium and Exxon/Mobil Space Center will take you to the next galaxy and beyond and even allow you to experience simulated space flights. The Museum can be found in downtown Baton Rouge next to the Mississippi; interestingly, the structure itself is a restored railroad station.

PLANTATION COUNTRY

Youll almost expect Scarlett OHara to come flouncing out of one of the many antebellum mansions located along the Great River Road. This stretch of plantation country parallels the Mississippi River and provides a glimpse of its pre-Civil War stateliness and leisurely lifestyle.

Tourism is a huge business here, with costumed docents leading guests through homes and gardens that date from the early 1800s. Best photo ops? Unquestionably theyre at Oak Alley in Vacherie, a magnificent estate whose entry corridor of oak trees actually predate the building itself. Movie and TV lovers will recognize Oak Alley from Interview with the Vampire, Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte, Primary Colors and Days of Our Lives.

If you want to soak up the plantation ambiance even further, youll find no shortage of bed and breakfast inns in the area.

METAIRIE

Metairies biggest (and some might say ONLY) claim to fame is its 24 mile bridge (the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway) which connects it to St. Tammany Parish. Named for Count de Pontchartrain, Frances finance minister under the reign of Louis XIV (and yes, thats why its called Louisiana), this longest stretch of overwater bridge has been accommodating over 3,000 vehicles per day for the past half century. We also have to assume that at least half of them have cameras; the sights on either side are spectacular.

NAWLINS

New Orleans and, specifically, the French Quarter tend to be the first things to come to mind when someone mentions Louisiana. Although its one of the most festive, party-loving spots on the planet, visitors are reminded that it doesnt speak for the entire state. Sadly, Louisiana ranks highest in its insurance rates, lowest in its pay for teachers, and marginal in terms of addressing environmental pollution. Its easy to forget all of that, of course, when youre exposing all five senses 24/7 to what The Big Easy lays out in Southern hospitality.

Forget trying to stay on a diet when youve got restaurants like the Court of the Two Sisters, Emerils, Bayona, Galatoires, Muriels and Caf DuMonde beckoning you. Forget trying to carry on a quiet conversation at hot spots like the House of Blues, Tipitinas, Treme, Preservation Hall, Pat OBriens, Howlin Wolf, or Lafittes Blacksmith Shops piano bar. Forget trying to stay sober when entrepreneurs are hawking $1 Hurricanes off improvised stands theyve made from ironing boards. Single and looking to make connections? Whether youre straight, gay, lesbian, or undecided, The City That Care Forgot truly doesnt care; it just wants you to check your inhibitions at the door and have a good time.

For those looking for tamer attractions, hop a donkey and carriage ride at Jackson Square for a narrated tour of the French Quarters history; youll find them queued up like taxis and festively decorated to compete for your attention. Or, if you prefer, the Ladies in Red streetcars are easy and fun to ride, allowing you to not only expand your travel options but expand your knowledge of the area and the personalities who have called it home over the centuries. Tulane and Loyola universities are nearby, as is the New Orleans Zoo

Top off your day with a moonlight stroll down the Riverwalk that parallels the Mississippi and will take you a wide assortment of waterfront shops and eateries. Or, if you want to pretend youre a riverboat gambler, plan your evening around an actual paddlewheel dinner cruise.