Louisiana Holidays

An eclectic melting pot of different cultures, Louisiana is a truly unique US state. You’ll notice French, Spanish, Caribbean, African and Native American influences everywhere, from the architecture to the music to the food. The state also has a large Creole and Cajun population and, in many areas, French and Creole are just as widely-spoken as English.

If you’re keen to learn about local culture and cuisine on your Louisiana trip, make sure you visit New Orleans’ French Quarter. The city’s oldest neighbourhood is something of a culinary capital. You can take a food tour and taste traditional Louisianan dishes like doughnut-like beignet, a foot-long muffuletta sandwich, and delicious étouffée – a Creole stew made with crayfish or shrimp. And no Louisiana holiday would be complete without trying gumbo. This hearty plateful usually features rice, spices, vegetables, okra, and meat or seafood. If you’re a keen chef, why not join a cooking class to learn how it’s made?

You can’t go on holiday to Louisiana without visiting New Orleans. Even if you only manage to squeeze in a couple of days in this larger-than-life city, you’ll be very glad you did.

If you’re strapped for time, join a city tour to tick off landmarks like St Louis Cathedral and the National World War Two Museum. Make sure you also explore the scenic French Quarter. An area famous for its bohemian charm and elegant architecture, this place is chic by day and lively by night. Beer-lovers should also check out New Orleans’ craft breweries – you’ll find most in the edgy Garden District and Warehouse District

And, of course, we can’t talk about New Orleans without mentioning music. The home of jazz, this toe-tapping city always has something worth listening to. Whether you’re chilling out in a speakeasy, sipping cocktails in a blues bar, or simply strolling around the city streets – where there’s a busker on every corner – you’ll soon be enchanted by the unique rhythm of New Orleans.

Louisiana certainly knows how to have a good time, with more than 400 annual festivals. But none is more famous – or more extravagant – than Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The city’s first Mardi Gras celebrations began with high society balls in the 1740s. Nowadays, this two-week carnival sees vibrant parades filled with colourful floats, sequined dance troupes, themed events and so much more. Eager to join in? Book your Louisiana holiday for February or early March to experience New Orleans’ Mardis Gras.

New Orleans Jazz Festival is another date for your diary. Towards the end of April, this huge event has multiple stages showcasing everything from local jazz musicians to gospel choirs to rhythm and blues bands. Foodies will be happy, too, as there are hundreds of vendors selling Louisianan favourites and international cuisines.

Alternatively, plan your holiday to coincide with French Quarter Festival in spring. The biggest free music festival in the South, this event serves up hundreds of different acts across more than 20 stages – and it won’t cost you a dime.

The best time for your Louisiana holiday is either mid-February to early May, or October to November. At this time of year, temperatures tend to hover between 21°C and 25°C, so it’s ideal for sightseeing. It’s largely dry, too, especially in autumn. If you decide to visit in spring, just remember that the world-famous Mardi Gras festival occurs around mid-February to early March, so New Orleans will be very busy – and hotels will be more expensive than normal.

Whilst it might be tempting to visit Louisiana in summer, this can actually be a very uncomfortable time to travel. Like most of the Deep South, Louisiana experiences hot, muggy summers, with temperatures often reaching 33°C. July is particularly warm, although the scorching summer heat can last well into September.

Prefer to keep things cool? December and January are the chilliest months of the year but, if you’re happy to wrap up, you’ll be able to bag a great deal – and you can see Louisiana’s festive decorations, too.