Things To Do In Northeast Louisiana

Sydney And Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Things to see around Slidell, Louisiana

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This contemporary sculpture garden is situated on more than 10 acres just outside New Orleans, Louisiana.

Harmoniously combining both nature and art, Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden is one of a few romantic things to do for a day date.

Comprising nearly 100 sculptures, the garden is one of the most famous places of its caliber in all of the US.

The sculptures themselves are certainly awe-inspiring, however, the setting is second to none.

While visiting the sculpture garden, visitors are treated to winding paths amid majestically landscaped acreage.

Two hundred-year-old oaks, mature pines, colorful flowers, and more all await you in the garden.

With magical sights at every turn, its no wonder the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden draws crowds from all over the country.

Notably, of tourist spots, the sculpture garden is one of the best places to visit in all of Louisiana.

Address: 1 Collins Diboll Cir, New Orleans, LA 70124, United States

Visting other parts of Louisiana? Why not check out some of the things to do in Baton Rouge?

The National Wwii Museum

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Formerly known as the National D-Day Museum, Louisianas National WWII Museum is a history-rich site that war buffs will surely enjoy visiting.

The museum maintains fascinating exhibits that expose personal narratives and artifacts germane to World War II.

Of note, the museums exhibits tend to be hands-on and are surely immersive.

With pronounced multi-media exhibits, a vast collection of war artifacts, and oral histories, visitors to the museum feel like theyve walked in the shoes of real war heroes.

Some of the museums memorable exhibits cover the war on a global scale while others explore particular facets of World War II such as the Invasion of Normandy.

Other exhibits focus on the road to Berlin, the role of world leaders, war on the homefront, and other pertinent World War II topics.

The National WWII Museum is overflowing with so much history that it would be a shame to skip one of the top Louisiana attractions.

Address: 945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

Traverse The Tammany Trace Trail

If you are a cyclist or just looking for a good hiking trail, one of the best things in Louisiana is to explore the Tammany Trace Trail. Once part of the Illinois Central Railroad, the tracks have been converted to a trail for both cycling and walking, as well as a parallel equestrian trail.

This 31-mile asphalt rail-to-trail conversion spans from a trailhead in Covington to Slidell, passing through Abita Springs, Mandeville, and Lacombe. Tammany Trace is open year-round, whether you want to go for a stroll, run, or bike ride.

The Trace also acts as a wildlife conservation corridor, connecting different greenspaces. You can observe natural habitats as you cross bridges built on original railroad trestles over streams and wetlands.

The trailhead in Covington is a point of interest in itself if youre looking for things to do in Covington. Looking like a railroad station, it has a clocktower, a bandstand, and a covered waiting platform. Restrooms are also located at each trailhead.

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Shop For Great Finds At The Pecanland Mall

Visiting North Louisiana’s most extensive shopping mall is something you shouldn’t miss when you’re in Monroe.

Pecanland Mall, located along Millhaven Road, is one of the main shopping centers in the entire region.

Spanning over 964,123 square feet, this mall features over a hundred stores, restaurants, and specialty shops, keeping you busy browsing the entire day.

Stores like Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, Dillard’s, H& M, JCPenney, Belk, and plenty more can be found at this shopping mall.

At the same time, treat your taste buds to various restaurants at Pecanland Mall.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park And Preserve

Louisiana has five national parks one of the most popular is the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. It welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to explore a well-preserved natural region in the state.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park is established on the Mississippi River Delta and includes the surrounding landscape. Its name derives from a pirate and holds lots of modern treasures worth exploring for anyone visiting Louisiana.

Stop by the park headquarters before venturing into the park. You can find maps, trail information, and tours. There are many different tours available in the national park, including nature walks and boat tours.

Guided nature walks take groups on a trail through the region to see the diverse plants, wildlife sightings and learn about the history.

The boat tours cruise through the park’s swamps to explore the wetland region along the riverbanks. Keep your eyes open for a chance to see alligators!

Address: 6588 Barataria Blvd,Marrero, LA 70072

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Best Things To Do In Monroe

The largest city in Northeast Louisiana is on the west bank of the Ouachita River, facing off against its neighbor West Monroe.

Monroe is named after a paddle wheeler, the James Monroe, that made a trailblazing voyage up the Ouachita River from the Mississippi, landing here in 1819.

The city is a cultural mecca for this corner of the state, with excellent museums, a symphony orchestra and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Monroe has been home to some fascinating personalities, like Joseph A. Biedenharn, credited with first bottling Coca-Cola, and Claire Lee Chennault, who led the Flying Tigers in World War II.

There are museums for both figures, at the stately Biedenharn Museum & Gardens and the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum by Monroe Regional Airport.

Best Places To Visit In The Northeast Usa

Home » USA Travel Inspiration » 18 Best Places to Visit in the Northeast, USA

Here are 18 of the best places to visit in the Northeast, USA, that youll love!

Filled with epic outdoor adventures, big cities, and quaint small towns, the US northeast is one destination that cant be missed.

The best places to visit in the northeast encompass what this region is so well known for, its rich history.

If youve been wondering what places in the northeast are worth visiting, youre in luck. Your USA bucket list will have grown exponentially by the end of this post because a vacation spent there is a vacation well spent.

Whether youre looking for a day or weekend getaway in the northeast, any of these places are a perfect fit.

Spend the day stepping back in time, mingling with locals, and trying northeastern delicacies. Here are the best places to visit in the northeast!

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Mandeville Trailhead Cultural Interpretive Center

Ride your bike or walk the trails at the trailhead to Tammany Trace that offers a peaceful break it connects Mandeville and the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The lakefront is just a few blocks away, so families can enjoy time spent in nature as well as restaurants and more. Attend summer concerts or browse the Saturday Market here as well.

Play Fish And Hike At The Kiroli Park

Monroe named “Most Poverty-Stricken City” in Louisiana

If you are a lover of outdoor activities, Kiroli Park is for you. This park is pet-friendly and offers hiking trails, pavilions, playgrounds, and tennis facilities to its visitors.

You can spend an entire day in Kiroli Park as there is so much to do. The kids are not left behind they enjoy running around the green spaces and feeding the ducks.

There is a dog park available too! This special area would allow you to meet other pet owners while your furry friends unwind and enjoy the wild atmosphere near the main town of West Monroe, Louisiana.

A small token is paid as an entry fee, but it is worth the fun because both the adults and kids will have an exciting time!

A trip to Kiroli Park cant be separated from the fun things to do in Monroe, LA.

Address: 820 Kiroli Rd, West Monroe, LA 71291-4945

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The Spice And Tea Exchange Of West Monroe

Editor’s Note: Photo taken from the establishment’s official social account

Between the foreign blend of herbs, spices, and tea, the Spice and Tea Exchange of West Monroe will saturate and twist your taste buds. You can savor every fine, exotic spice and spice blends, gourmet teas, flavored sugars, salts, and seasonings. As the customer, you can choose what herbs and spices you might need for your gourmet cooking. Labeled as the sensory utopia shop, the Spice and Tea Exchange of West Monroe will blow your mind and fill your soul.

Address: 229 Trenton Street, West Monroe, LA 71291

Website: The Spice and Tea Exchange of West Monroe

Southeast Louisianas Top 10 Things To Do

If you are in the market to buy a home or are going to sell a home and remain in the area, you will want to know some of the exciting and fun things that are happening close to Mandeville and Covington as well as other places nearby. Buying Mandeville real estate or Covington real estate gives you much to do in the way of excitement, relaxation and fun.

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Why You Should Go

End your getaway right by enjoying one of the best things to do in Monroe, LA, touring this castle-like museum with your companions.

It offers you a handful of interactive tour packages to choose from, depending on how adventurous you want the experience to be and what you want to see.

It also has many temporary and permanent exhibits for you to view and many fun-filled events throughout the year.

Christmas On The River

Monroe-West Monroe goes above and beyond during the holiday season, with a series of family-friendly festivities along the Ouachita River, mostly involving attractions covered in this list.

For a short summary theres beautiful Christmas lights, not one but two parades, a fireworks show and all kinds of cultural performances.

Kids can visit Santas village at the Northeast Louisiana Childrens Museum, all kinds of festive events at the Biedenharn and Christmas-themed fun at Antique Alley and the Monroe RiverMarket.

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Learn Something New At Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum

Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum is a fascinating historical attraction to add to your Monroe itinerary.

This museum along Chennault Park Drive has been around since 1994.

It showcases the most significant collection of works from the expressionist artist Don Ciccone, a Northeast Louisiana native.

Touring this fascinating museum will take you through various galleries featuring Cincone’s famous masterpieces.

Likewise, Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum has galleries featuring archives of local African American personalities, leaders, and statesmen.

Join guided tours to make your visit to this museum worthwhile, and drop by its gift shop for some unique souvenirs.

Visit The Louisiana State Capitol Building

Baton Rouge is, of course, the state capital, and surprisingly one of the best things to do in Louisiana is visit the capitol building. The Louisiana State Capitol Building is the largest state capitol building in all the states, towering above the surrounding area.

Completed in 1931, the Louisiana State Capitol Building is 34 stories, reaching a height of 450 feet. Its decorated with Art Deco details and topped with a lantern representing the higher aspirations of Louisiana. In 1982 it was listed as a National Historic Landmark.

The best thing about the capitol building though? Its free to visit! Theres an observation deck on the 27th floor, from which you can see miles of Louisiana. The gardens and grounds are also free to explore!

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Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Black Bayou Lake is a preserved wilderness area containing a 1,700-acre lake, a restored planters house, a visitors center, an arboretum the Black Bayou Lake Environmental Education Center.

Other features include a boat launch, a 400-foot-long wildlife pier, an elevated observation deck, a pavilion, a prairie area with native grasses and wildflowers, and many informational boots.

The refuge is a research area used by students and professors from the University of Louisiana. It is also loved by nature lovers who go hiking, canoeing, picnicking, and kayaking.

A trio to Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the top things to do in Monroe.

Address: 480 Richland Place Dr, Monroe, LA 71203-8868.

Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art

Louisiana Living: Discover Monroe West Monroe weekend events

Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art is a strange place indeed.

Located in Chauvin, Louisiana, the garden is home to the curious sculptures of one Kenny Hill.

Hill, a once devout zealot, erected his sculptures on a rented tract of land.

Established in the early 1990s, Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art is a representation of Hills eclectic art sensibilities and his curious belief system.

One of Hills most confounding habits was inserting himself as the subject of his many sculptures.

Although for many years Hill resisted tourism and photography at the site, a religious crisis in the early 2000s caused him to abandon the garden and his art.

Since that time, the garden and the sculptures have been restored.

The town, probably much to Hills dismay, has opened the Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art to the public.

A curious tidbit of Louisiana heritage, the garden is a unique place to visit.

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Northeast Louisiana African Heritage Museum

Located just inside Monroes Chenault Park, the Northeast Louisiana Delta African Heritage Museum is a small museum founded in 1994 for the promotion and preservation of African-American culture through education and cultural and social events. The museum contains a range of research materials on the civil rights movement in the 60s in Northeast Louisiana. The museum organizes a series of relevant seminars and events that are open to the public. In addition, the museum supports and promotes art of the local artists Don Cincone, Agnes Hicks, and Bernard Menyweather by organizing regular shows of their art. The large museum space provides great venue for a range of social gatherings and celebrations.

1051 Chennault Park Dr. Monroe, LA 71203, Phone: 318-342-8889

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Play Outdoor Sports At Forsythe Park

Located along Sycamore Street, Forsythe Park spans over 53 acres and is equipped with more than your typical park amenities.

Locals love heading to this spacious neighborhood park to break a sweat and have fun.

It has a tennis court, nine-hole golf course, soccer field, softball diamond, putt-putt golf course, and beach volleyball courts, making it ideal for those interested in sports.

There’s also a jogging patch and a public boat launch.

In addition, Forsythe Park features an outdoor theater where local musicians regularly perform.

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Atlantic City New Jersey

Atlantic City is famous for its fabulous resorts, and its yet another one of the coastal places to visit in the northeast.

You can find everything from casinos to a boardwalk thats an absolute must-visit for first-timers throughout the city.

Most people who visit Atlantic City are on a couples weekend away just because of all the fun activities that can also be seen as romantic.

Just imagine walking along the sandy beach, relaxing at the resort, or even relaxing at the spa.

There are also many kid-friendly activities like the Atlantic City Aquarium and Steel Pier amusement park.

Where to Stay in Atlantic City

Excalibur Family Fun Center

Editor’s Note: Photo taken from the establishment’s official social account

Posted by Excalibur Family Fun Center West Monroe on Monday, September 5, 2016

Within this fun place in West Monroe, the Excalibur Family Fun Center is littered with arcade games and a giant indoor playground! Outside, there are go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars, and many other games to choose from. I bet King Arthur and his knights didnt have half as much fun as you and your family will have in this medieval castle!

Landry Vineyard is a West Monroe winery, that features wines such as Blackberry Merlot, Cotton Rogue, Redneck Red, and more. When you visit Landry Vineyard, you get to sample a wine of your choice, with bread and cheese from the tasting room. The vineyard hosts a few events, such as the Outdoor Concert Series, accompanied by a musical assortment of anything from country to jazz. People enjoy the festival with picnics and dancing.

As well, two other festivals happen here, in the summer, when tourists get the chance to gather grapes and stomp them, to make wine. How about that? Not only can you stomp the grapes to perfection, but you can sample the type of wine that will be made from your hard work. Talk about fun!

Opening hours: Mon: 9:30am – 3pm Wed: 9:30am – 3pm Fri: 9:30am – 3pm

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Have A Drink At The Carousel Bar & Lounge

There are so many interesting things to do in the French Quarter of New Orleans, but one of the most unique is grabbing a drink at the carousel bar! And yes, it really does rotate!

Located in the historic Hotel Monteleone, this stunning bar has been spinning since 1949. Youll sit in the same seats as literary greats of the past, like playwright Tennessee Williams who was a regular.

You do not have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy the Carousel Bar, but it does get busy in the evenings.

Not only is it pretty to look at and fun to ride, but the drinks are excellent as well! The Carousel Bar has an extensive cocktail list, as well as wine and beer. On Friday and Saturday evenings they have live music. If you are in New Orleans, add the Carousel Bar to your list of things to do in Louisiana.

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