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United States
LOUISIANA SOUL: NEW ORLEANS JAZZ TO CAJUN BAYOU COUNTRY
Brass bands marching through gaslit streets, accordions pulsing in bayou dance halls, alligators gliding through cypress shadows. Louisiana, spicy and seductive.
≈ 8
Days
553
Km
5
Stops
Dive into New Orleans to brass band rhythm, then trace history up to Baton Rouge between plantations and great oaks. Reach Lafayette for Cajun dances, pass through New Iberia in Tabasco spirit, then end at Houma amid swamps. Louisiana is tasted, listened to, danced, and each stage adds a different note.
- New Orleans: jazz brass French Quarter
- Lafayette: Cajun zydeco dance halls
- Houma: swamp tours moss-draped bayou
- New Iberia: Tabasco boudin Acadiana
Your day-by-day itinerary
1
Day
8 photos
Discover
1
French Quarter — Wander through the Vieux Carré's wrought-iron balconies, pastel Creole cottages, and hidden courtyards dating to the 1700s French colonial era. This National Historic Landmark encompasses 78 square blocks preserving America's most intact collection of 18th and 19th-century architecture.
2
Jackson Square — Admire the 1794 Spanish colonial plaza dominated by St. Louis Cathedral's triple spires rising since 1850. Street artists, fortune tellers, and musicians perform beneath Andrew Jackson's equestrian statue surrounded by historic Pontalba Buildings.
3
St. Louis Cathedral — Enter America's oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral, originally built in 1727 and rebuilt after fires in 1788 and 1794. The present structure completed in 1850 features three distinctive steeples visible across the French Quarter.
4
The Cabildo — Explore this Spanish colonial building where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803, doubling America's size. The museum chronicles New Orleans history from Native American inhabitants through French, Spanish, and American rule.
Activities
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Bourbon Street evening — Experience the legendary nightlife strip where neon signs illuminate jazz clubs, bars, and restaurants. Live music pours from open doorways while revelers carry go-cups along the pedestrian-friendly street.
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Jazz club at Preservation Hall — Hear authentic New Orleans jazz in this intimate venue preserving traditional music since 1961. No drinks or food are served, keeping focus on world-class musicians playing nightly 90-minute sets.
2
Day
8 photos
Discover
1
National WWII Museum — Explore America's official World War II museum across six pavilions chronicling the American experience from Pearl Harbor to VJ Day. The Higgins boat inventor Andrew Higgins' New Orleans connection inspired the museum's 2000 founding.
2
Garden District — Stroll beneath live oaks draped in Spanish moss past antebellum mansions built by wealthy Americans in the 1850s. Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian homes line tree-shaded streets in this National Historic Landmark District.
3
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 — Walk among above-ground tombs in this 1833 walled cemetery necessitated by New Orleans' high water table. The picturesque vaults and mausoleums appear in films including Interview with the Vampire and Double Jeopardy.
4
Audubon Park — Relax in this 140-hectare green space featuring centuries-old live oaks, lagoons, and the Audubon Zoo. The park designed by John Charles Olmsted in 1898 occupies former Étienne de Boré plantation grounds along the Mississippi River.
Activities
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Streetcar ride on St. Charles Avenue — Board the historic green streetcar operating since 1835 along America's oldest continuously operating street railway. The 21-kilometer route passes mansions, Loyola and Tulane universities, and historic neighborhoods.
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Creole lunch at Commander's Palace — Dine at this 1893 Victorian mansion serving haute Creole cuisine in the Garden District. The turquoise-and-white landmark mentored Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme while maintaining tradition of 25-cent martini lunches.
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Frenchmen Street music — Discover local jazz, funk, and brass bands at clubs lining this Marigny neighborhood street preferred by New Orleanians. Art vendors set up outside venues creating bohemian atmosphere less touristy than Bourbon Street.
Next stop
Distance:
157 km
Travel time:
1h58
3
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Oak Alley Plantation — Walk beneath the quarter-mile canopy of 28 live oak trees planted in the early 1700s leading to the 1839 Greek Revival mansion. The National Historic Landmark preserves antebellum architecture while interpreting enslaved people's experiences through restored quarters.
2
Laura Plantation — Tour this 1805 Creole plantation where 12 structures survive including the big house, slave cabins, and dependencies. The National Historic Landmark tells stories of four generations of free women of color who owned and operated the sugar estate.
3
Destrehan Plantation — Explore Louisiana's oldest documented plantation home built in 1787-1790 in French Colonial style. The mansion survived the 1811 German Coast Uprising when enslaved people revolted, with trials held on the property.
4
Louisiana State Capitol — Ascend to the 27th-floor observation deck of this 137-meter Art Deco skyscraper, America's tallest state capitol built in 1931-1932. Huey Long's political machine constructed the limestone tower before his 1935 assassination in the first-floor corridor.
Activities
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River Road scenic drive — Navigate Highway 18 along the Mississippi River's west bank past sugarcane fields and remaining plantation homes. The Great River Road corridor preserves Louisiana's antebellum heritage amid modern industry.
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Boudin sausage sampling — Taste this Cajun specialty of pork, rice, and spices stuffed in casing at roadside gas stations and meat markets. The regional delicacy varies by recipe but always features bold seasoning and comfort food satisfaction.
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Mississippi River sunset — Watch the sun set over America's mightiest river from Baton Rouge's levee parks. The river flowing 3,730 kilometers from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico carries 60% of US grain exports past the state capital.
Next stop
Distance:
109 km
Travel time:
1h49
4
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Atchafalaya Basin — Boat through America's largest river swamp covering 3,600 square kilometers of cypress-tupelo forest and wetlands. Alligators, egrets, and herons inhabit this vast floodplain vital to Gulf of Mexico ecology and Cajun culture.
2
Vermilionville — Step into this 23-acre living history museum recreating an 1765-1890 Acadian, Creole, and Native American village. Costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts, music, and foodways in restored Cajun homes along Bayou Vermilion.
3
Acadian Village — Explore this outdoor museum featuring 19th-century Cajun buildings relocated to create an authentic 1800s settlement. The 10-acre complex includes chapel, general store, and homes furnished with period antiques.
4
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist — Admire this 1916 Dutch Romanesque Revival cathedral with twin 54-meter spires dominating Lafayette's skyline. The interior features rare Bavarian stained glass and a massive 1,200-pipe organ.
Activities
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Zydeco dance hall — Experience authentic Cajun music and culture at local dance halls where accordion-driven zydeco draws dancers of all ages. The African American Creole music tradition blends blues, R&B, and French Louisiana melodies.
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Cajun cuisine dinner — Feast on crawfish étouffée, gumbo, jambalaya, and blackened catfish at family restaurants preserving generations-old recipes. Lafayette's culinary scene celebrates French Acadian heritage with bold spices and fresh Gulf seafood.
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Downtown Lafayette stroll — Browse the Jefferson Street district featuring local art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. The revitalized downtown celebrates Cajun and Creole culture through public art and architectural preservation.
Next stop
Distance:
40.6 km
Travel time:
1h21
5
Day
3 photos
Discover
1
Avery Island Tabasco Factory — Tour the source of Tabasco pepper sauce produced on this salt dome island since 1868. The McIlhenny Company factory processes peppers grown on-site into the iconic sauce shipped worldwide in 195 countries.
2
Jungle Gardens — Wander through 67 hectares of botanical gardens featuring 900-year-old Buddha statue, bamboo groves, and lagoons. The sanctuary on Avery Island protects snowy egrets nearly hunted to extinction for their plumes in the 1890s.
3
Shadows-on-the-Teche — Explore this 1834 plantation home preserved by the National Trust for Historic Preservation on Bayou Teche's banks. The Classical Revival mansion retains original furnishings and documents four generations of the Weeks family.
4
Konriko Rice Mill — Discover how rice is processed at America's oldest operating rice mill and company museum. The 1912 facility explains Louisiana's rice industry history while demonstrating milling equipment still producing Konriko brand rice.
Activities
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Bayou Teche paddle — Kayak or canoe down Louisiana's most historic waterway winding through moss-draped cypress swamps. The scenic 201-kilometer bayou offers wildlife viewing and access to Cajun culture along its banks.
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Boudin trail food tour — Sample different boudin recipes at specialist shops and gas stations along this unofficial culinary trail. Each establishment claims the best recipe for this essential Cajun sausage served hot from steamers.
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New Iberia Main Street — Browse antique shops and cafes in this historic downtown preserving 19th-century commercial buildings. The compact Main Street reflects South Louisiana's French-Spanish heritage in its architecture and culture.
Next stop
Distance:
149.9 km
Travel time:
2h30
6
Day
10 photos
Discover
1
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park — Explore the Barataria Preserve's 9,200 hectares of bayous, swamps, and marshes representing Mississippi River delta ecosystems. Boardwalk trails wind through cypress-tupelo swamps inhabited by alligators and wading birds.
2
Southdown Plantation House — Tour this 1858 Greek Revival mansion converted into a museum documenting terrebonne Parish's sugar industry and Mardi Gras traditions. The house features original furnishings, Mardi Gras costumes, and local history exhibits.
3
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center — Learn about Cajun, Native American, and African American cultures shaping Louisiana's coastal wetlands. Exhibits explain how communities adapted to living in America's most extensive coastal marsh system.
4
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge — Drive or boat through 17,500 hectares protecting coastal marsh habitat for wintering waterfowl and resident alligators. The refuge demonstrates coastal erosion challenges threatening Louisiana's disappearing wetlands.
Activities
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Airboat swamp tour — Skim across shallow marshes and bayous at high speed spotting alligators, nutria, and abundant birdlife. Local Cajun guides explain wetland ecology while navigating channels through sawgrass and water hyacinths.
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Fresh Gulf seafood — Dine on boiled crawfish, fried catfish, and shrimp po-boys at waterfront restaurants serving daily catches. Terrebonne Parish fishermen supply restaurants with Gulf shrimp, oysters, and blue crabs.
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Cajun music at Jolly Inn — Hear traditional Cajun musicians playing accordion, fiddle, and washboard at this authentic dance hall. The family-run venue preserves musical traditions passed through generations of South Louisiana families.
Next stop
Distance:
96.2 km
Travel time:
1h36
7
Day
8 photos
Discover
1
Barataria Preserve boardwalk — Hike 3.2 kilometers of elevated boardwalks through pristine cypress swamp and hardwood forest. The trails offer close encounters with alligators sunning on banks and turtles basking on logs.
2
Mardi Gras World — Tour Blaine Kern's working warehouse where massive parade floats are designed and constructed year-round. Visitors can try on costumes and see artists creating the elaborate sculptures used in New Orleans' famous carnival parades.
3
City Park — Explore America's fifth-largest urban park spanning 530 hectares featuring ancient live oaks over 600 years old. The park houses New Orleans Museum of Art, Botanical Garden, and the largest collection of mature live oaks worldwide.
Activities
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Steamboat Natchez cruise — Board this authentic paddlewheel steamboat for a cruise on the Mississippi River featuring live jazz band and Creole buffet. The 1975 vessel recreates 19th-century riverboat elegance with calliope concerts.
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Final French Quarter beignets — Return to Café du Monde for one last order of hot beignets dusted with powdered sugar. The ritual coffee and beignet break provides perfect ending to a Louisiana cultural journey.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What weather should you expect?
Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.
Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.
Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.
Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.
How many days should I plan?
We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 6 and 10 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.
What to discover in United States?
Continental diversity with iconic landmarks, cultural melting pot, and endless possibilities. Experience natural wonders, vibrant cities, and authentic American dreams from coast to coast. The country offers incredible diversity with modern amenities and cultural richness. United States provides life-changing experiences with natural beauty and cultural authenticity.