📍 United States

LOUISIANA SOUL: NEW ORLEANS JAZZ TO CAJUN BAYOU HEART

Jazz echoing from wrought-iron balconies, plantation oaks dripping Spanish moss, zydeco rhythms igniting Cajun nights. Louisiana intoxicates.

≈ 11
Days
1047
Km
5
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Listen to New Orleans in the French Quarter, balconies and jazz in the humid air, then follow River Road through the great plantations and moss-draped oaks. Join Lafayette for zydeco dances and Cajun cuisine, then let the bayou slow the tempo. Here, everything is told through music, spices and roadside encounters.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

New Orleans

french quarter jazz spills into humid midnight

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8 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
downtown New Orleans.
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll through the historic streets of the French Quarter at sunset.
2
Day

New Orleans

french quarter jazz spills into humid midnight

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8 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to Vue Orleans, panoramic platform and interactive exhibition on the city's culture.
2
Lunch at Peche restaurant, renowned for its local seafood.
3
Discovery of Mardi Gras World and the making of parade floats.
4
Walk on Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street to listen to live jazz.
🎯

Activities

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Jazz evening
3
Day

New Orleans

french quarter jazz spills into humid midnight

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8 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Breakfast at Café du Monde, famous institution for its beignets and café au lait.
2
Exploration of the French Quarter: Royal Street, antique shops and art galleries.
3
Lunch at Commander's Palace, historic Creole restaurant.
4
Mississippi River cruise aboard a paddlewheel boat with jazz music.
🎯

Activities

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Tarot card reading and discovery of voodoo traditions with a local priestess on Decatur Street.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 157 km
Travel time: 1h58
4
Day

Baton Rouge

state capitol tower rises above mississippi bends

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10 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Departure from New Orleans to LaPlace for a bayou excursion with Cajun Pride Swamp Tours.
2
Observation of alligators and local wildlife in their natural habitat.
3
Route to Baton Rouge
4
Visit to Oxbow Rum distillery with tasting.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 130 km
Travel time: 1h30
5
Day

Baton Rouge

state capitol tower rises above mississippi bends

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10 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Breakfast at Simple Joe Cafe.
2
Visit to the Louisiana Capitol, tallest administrative building in the United States.
3
Discovery of the Capitol Park Museum on state history.
4
Lunch at Phil's Oyster Bar to taste local specialties.
+1 Places visited
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Activities

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Free evening in Baton Rouge, exploring local bars and distilleries.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 57.5 km
Travel time: 58min
6
Day

Houmas House

sugar baron mansion guards river road legacy

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6 photos
Day 6
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Discover

1
Visit to the USS KIDD Veterans museum in Baton Rouge.
2
Visit to the Great River Road Museum and walk in the gardens.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 60 km
Travel time: 50min
7
Day

Oak Alley Plantation

three hundred year oaks canopy antebellum columns

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3 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to Oak Alley plantation and its monumental alley of century-old oak trees.
2
Discovery of the exhibition on the history of slavery at Oak Alley.
🎯

Activities

→
Night walk on the estate and stargazing in a peaceful atmosphere.
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Next stop
Distance: 20 km
Travel time: 25min
8
Day

Lafayette

zydeco dance halls fuel cajun saturday nights

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3 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Journey to Lafayette, heart of Cajun country.
2
Walk around Cypress Lake to observe local wildlife.
3
Visit to the living museum Vermilionville, recreation of 18th century Cajun life.
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Next stop
Distance: 180 km
Travel time: 2h
9
Day

Lafayette

zydeco dance halls fuel cajun saturday nights

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3 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Free time to stroll through downtown Lafayette and do some local shopping.
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Activities

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Last dinner at a Creole restaurant before returning.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 222.8 km
Travel time: 2h47
10
Day

New Orleans

french quarter jazz spills into humid midnight

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8 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Return to New Orleans
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 220 km
Travel time: 2h30

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - United States

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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 9 and 13 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.