Louisiana has a ton of small towns that are perfect for a day trip or even a weekend getaway. These under-appreciated towns may not have the hustle and bustle of the larger cities known for tourism, but these towns are filled with history, beautiful main streets, nature parks, and tons of other attractions. In no particular order, here are some of our favorite under-appreciated towns in Louisiana you should visit.
- Crowley
Amy T./Trip Advisor
Crowley-la.com Crowley is a beautiful city with a newly renovated downtown area with a ton of history behind it. Nicknamed the “Rice Capital of America” because at one time it was a major center for the harvesting and milling of rice. Crowley still has a number of rice mills in operation and they’re worth your time should you want to take a tour. The historic district is filled with charming houses that date back over a hundred years.
- Ruston
City of Ruston/Facebook
City of Ruston/Facebook An easy town to drive past on your way to Shreveport from Monroe, but the city of Ruston has a lot going for it. Both Louisiana Tech and Grambling university are nearby, and the city has several museums and lovely parks to occupy your time.
- Abbeville
cityofabbeville.net
Hunter T./Yelp Abbeville is a friendly little town with a charming main street. Every November they host the Omelette Celebration, where they make a massive 5000-egg omelette. It’s truly something you have to see to believe.
- Covington
Kevin Christopher Burke/Flickr
Jackie Ann/Flickr Located on the northshore, this awesome little town has a lot to offer. Downtown Covington has an eclectic mix of boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and restaurants to offer. The downtown historic district is home to several hundred-year-old-houses that are surrounded by beautiful oak trees. Take a stroll down Lee Lane and make sure to drive down Jahncke Avenue for a lovely scenic drive under the canopies of oak trees.
- Houma
dconvertini/Flickr
Houma Travel/Facebook Get in touch with your inner Cajun down in Houma. Adventure out into the swamps for a swamp tour, explore plantation homes, museums, and more.
- Natchitoches
Ken Kanouse/Flickr
Kent Kanouse/Flickr Visit Louisiana’s oldest town for a truly unique experience. Established in 1714, Natchitoches is full of historic homes, plantations, shopping, museums and more. Natchitoches is known at the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Louisiana, so you’re sure to find a place to stay during your visit. Natchitoches puts on a spectacular Christmas display over the Cane River Lake, so if you can time your visit in November-December, you won’t regret it!
- Homer
Wikipedia
Lake Claiborne State Park/Facebook Named after the Greek poet Homer, the town was built around the Courthouse Square in 1850. Lake Claiborne State Park is located in Homer, and it’s easily one of the prettiest state parks in the state. Visitors can enjoy their multiple trails, swimming holes, camp sites, and a massive 6,400 acre freshwater lake stocked with largemouth bass, white perch, catfish, and a beautiful beach area.
- St. Francisville
Ken Lund/Flickr
Shanna Riley/Flickr Known for its small town quiet life, the historic district if filled with shopping, boutiques, restaurants and more to occupy your time. There are six plantation homes in the area that are open for tours, the most notable being the Myrtles plantation.
- Winnfield
NCPTT Media/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr This sleepy little town is perfect for nature lovers, as it’s in the heart of the Kisatchie National Forest. Spend the days hiking the different trails, or enjoying one of their several parks. Saline Lake, an 8,400-acre lake isn’t too far away, and is a good spot to fish for largemouth bass and white perch.
Did we leave any out? Let us know in the comments below!
Amy T./Trip Advisor
Crowley-la.com
Crowley is a beautiful city with a newly renovated downtown area with a ton of history behind it. Nicknamed the “Rice Capital of America” because at one time it was a major center for the harvesting and milling of rice. Crowley still has a number of rice mills in operation and they’re worth your time should you want to take a tour. The historic district is filled with charming houses that date back over a hundred years.
City of Ruston/Facebook
An easy town to drive past on your way to Shreveport from Monroe, but the city of Ruston has a lot going for it. Both Louisiana Tech and Grambling university are nearby, and the city has several museums and lovely parks to occupy your time.
cityofabbeville.net
Hunter T./Yelp
Abbeville is a friendly little town with a charming main street. Every November they host the Omelette Celebration, where they make a massive 5000-egg omelette. It’s truly something you have to see to believe.
Kevin Christopher Burke/Flickr
Jackie Ann/Flickr
Located on the northshore, this awesome little town has a lot to offer. Downtown Covington has an eclectic mix of boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and restaurants to offer. The downtown historic district is home to several hundred-year-old-houses that are surrounded by beautiful oak trees. Take a stroll down Lee Lane and make sure to drive down Jahncke Avenue for a lovely scenic drive under the canopies of oak trees.
dconvertini/Flickr
Houma Travel/Facebook
Get in touch with your inner Cajun down in Houma. Adventure out into the swamps for a swamp tour, explore plantation homes, museums, and more.
Ken Kanouse/Flickr
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
Visit Louisiana’s oldest town for a truly unique experience. Established in 1714, Natchitoches is full of historic homes, plantations, shopping, museums and more. Natchitoches is known at the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Louisiana, so you’re sure to find a place to stay during your visit. Natchitoches puts on a spectacular Christmas display over the Cane River Lake, so if you can time your visit in November-December, you won’t regret it!
Wikipedia
Lake Claiborne State Park/Facebook
Named after the Greek poet Homer, the town was built around the Courthouse Square in 1850. Lake Claiborne State Park is located in Homer, and it’s easily one of the prettiest state parks in the state. Visitors can enjoy their multiple trails, swimming holes, camp sites, and a massive 6,400 acre freshwater lake stocked with largemouth bass, white perch, catfish, and a beautiful beach area.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Shanna Riley/Flickr
Known for its small town quiet life, the historic district if filled with shopping, boutiques, restaurants and more to occupy your time. There are six plantation homes in the area that are open for tours, the most notable being the Myrtles plantation.
NCPTT Media/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr
This sleepy little town is perfect for nature lovers, as it’s in the heart of the Kisatchie National Forest. Spend the days hiking the different trails, or enjoying one of their several parks. Saline Lake, an 8,400-acre lake isn’t too far away, and is a good spot to fish for largemouth bass and white perch.
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