Discover the Beauty and Diversity of Louisiana's Coastal Region: Top Places to Visit

 

Louisiana's coastal region is a destination like no other. From the bustling city of New Orleans to the serene beaches and natural parks, this area has something for everyone. Whether you are a foodie, a history buff, or an outdoor enthusiast, you will find plenty of attractions to enjoy. Here are some of the top places to visit in the Louisiana coastal region:

Beaches

Louisiana may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking about beaches, but this southern state has a unique coastline that offers visitors a different kind of beach experience. From the wild and rugged stretches of sand to the calm and serene beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana has a lot to offer beach-goers.

Holly Beach

Also known as the "Cajun Riviera," Holly Beach is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the beach is known for its calm waters and soft white sand. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, or take a stroll along the shoreline. The area is also popular for crabbing and fishing.

Rutherford Beach

Rutherford Beach is a quiet and secluded beach located in Cameron Parish. The beach is known for its calm waters, making it a popular spot for families with young children. Visitors can relax on the sandy shore or go for a swim in the clear blue waters. The beach is also a great place for fishing and crabbing.

Johnson Beach

Located in Barataria Preserve, Johnson Beach is a secluded spot that offers visitors a unique beach experience. The beach is surrounded by lush vegetation, and visitors can take a hike along one of the many nature trails before cooling off in the water. The beach is also a popular spot for kayaking and paddleboarding.

Rip Van Winkel Garden 

Rip Van Winkle Gardens - This botanical garden is located on Jefferson Island and features a stunning collection of exotic plants and flowers. You can also tour the Joseph Jefferson Mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Address:

5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560

Admission:

Home Tours: 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Tickets: $12.00 Sr. & Groups $10.00

Avery Island

Avery Island - Home to the famous Tabasco sauce, Avery Island is a must-visit destination for foodies. You can tour the factory and sample some of the spicy sauce, or explore the beautiful Jungle Gardens.

 

Address:

32 Wisteria Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513

 

Tabasco factory & Jungle Garden Admission:

$12.50 Adults

$9.50 Children (4 and under are free)

Grand Isle     

This barrier island is known for its pristine beaches and excellent fishing. You can also visit the Grand Isle State Park, which offers camping, hiking, and birdwatching opportunities.

New Orleans

The Big Easy is one of the most popular destinations in the region. From Bourbon Street to the French Quarter, the city is full of historic landmarks, world-class cuisine, and vibrant culture.

 Fontainebleau State Park

Located on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, this park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. You can also explore the ruins of a historic sugar mill and a beautiful lagoon.

Address:

62883 Hwy. 1089

Mandeville, LA 70448

Admission:

$3 per person

Free for seniors (62 & older)

Free for children (3 & under)

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri

 

 

Discovering the Sunflower Trail and Festival near Shreveport, Louisiana

Looking for something fun to do in the Shreveport area in June? The Sunflower Trail and Festival in Gilliam, Louisiana is the perfect activity! And guess what! It’s free!

The annual festival is held every June in the downtown area of the very small town of Gilliam. What looked to be about a hundred arts and craft booths are grouped in a shaded area behind an old general store. As we make our way through the crowds, I notice several booths with activities for children and can hear music from a band. We didn’t stay long due to the heat and what seemed like thousands of people. I would recommend going early to find a parking place.

The highlight of the festival is the sunflower trail. It runs along Highway 3049 from Gilliam to Shreveport.

 There are many fields of sunflowers along the way to stop and visit.

 The fields are perfect for taking cute photos! There is even a photography contest. As with the festival, go early to miss the crowds!

You can drive the Sunflower trail anytime in the month of June. Oh, and you can pick the flowers!

Gilliam is located about 20 miles north of the Shreveport/ Bossier City area and about 48 miles south of Texarkana, Texas.

Happy Travels!

Fontainebleau State Park: A Hidden Gem in Louisiana

Fontainebleau State Park is a 2,800-acre park located on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain. It is a beautiful place to spend some time with nature, yet close enough to New Orleans for some big city fun.

I have listed nine fun things to do and have include some winter and summer photos so that you can see that it is equally beautiful all year around.

1. Fishing is a popular activity at the park.  Check out the pier or cast from the shoreline for some redfish and trout action.

2. With white sand and beautiful blue water, the beach area is a great place for swimming and catching some sun rays.

3. Gathering shells along the shoreline is fun for the whole family. There are several different kinds and colors of shells, but I only collected the white ones.

4. Explore the cluster of cypress trees along the beach. 

 5. Take photos of and with the giant oak trees draped with Spanish.

6. Visit the brick ruins of a sugar mill built in 1829 by Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville, founder of the nearby town of Mandeville.

7. Stay in one of the 12 cabins that sleeps up to 8 people each for $120 - $150 per night.

8. Do some hiking at one of the two trails.

A 4.8-mile hiking trail and a 1-1/4 mile nature trail

Go Sailing.

Sailing is very popular on Lake Pontchartrain. Delaune YachtBrokerage is located just 9 minutes from the park and offers a couple of sailing options.

You can cruise with Captain Rick Delaune at the helm of the aboard the 42 ft. sailboat, "Windward Passage or sign up for private sailing lessons.

I have looked into the sailing lessons and it sounds like so much fun! I’m thinking about setting lessons up for my kiddos. They are all in their 20’s and I think they would have a blast!

Address:

1298 Madison St, Mandeville, LA 70448

Phone:

504-458-1013

Address:

62883 Hwy. 1089

Mandeville, LA 70448

Entrance Fees:

$2 per person

Free for Seniors (62 and older) and children (3 and under)

Happy Travels! 

Exploring the Cajun Riviera: Holly Beach in Cameron Parish, Louisiana

If you love finding tons of beautiful shells on a secluded beach, then you are going to love this southwestern Louisiana beach!

Holly Beach, known as the "Cajun Riviera", is a stretch of coastline in Cameron Parish.  The area was completely destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005 and hit again by Hurricane Ike in 2008. The area is slowly rebuilding, but continues to be fairly isolated.

My first trip to Holly Beach was totally unplanned. We were getting plants from the nurseries in Forest Hill, Louisiana and were looking for something else to do in the area.  We found Holly Beach and decide to check it out since we had never been to that area of Louisiana. It was a two hour drive, but we were feeling adventuresome.   

We followed interstate 49 to the bottom of the state, and then I’m not exactly sure where we were. Are plans were to see how close we could get to the coast and follow it over to Holly Beach.

 Well….for the most part, the bottom of Louisiana is marsh and swamp!  We drove for about 3 hours looking at nothing but marshy areas on both side of the road. It was getting close to sunset when we came upon the Cameron Motel. It was a nice clean hotel, which was a good thing considering it was the only one within 50 miles.

Address: 531 Marshall St, Cameron, LA 70631

Phone: (337) 775-5442 

We stayed there for the night and caught the ferry to go across to Holly Beach early the next morning. The cost for the ferry was $1 per car. We were surprised to find that the kind gentleman in front of us had paid for our ride. We got out and visited with him as we crossed the channel. I could listen to someone with a Cajun accent all day!  

The area around the hotel is mainly shipping ports. There are a few small places to eat, a Dollar general, a fire station, and not much else.  

We were in shock when we arrived at Holly Beach! We drove out onto the beach and there was not another person anywhere to be seen.

And shells were everywhere! Thousands of them!

  

We had not even planned on going to a beach on this trip, so we didn’t have anything to put shells in. I don’t remember what we found to carry them in, but we got home with tons of unique shells.

I have been to Holly beach several times now and it still remains one of my favorite beaches for shelling. It is an excellent place for walking on the beach and finding shells. 
 

It is not a good place for swimming at times because of high levels of bacteria in the water, although, I have seen people swimming on every visit since the first one.

 If you would like to check for swimming advisories before you go, click here.

Happy Travels!