Louisiana – The Pelican State

This American state has French roots: it is named after the King of France, Louis 14 de Bourbon – “the sun king.” But originally, Louisiana was not called the place where the 18th state of the United States now stands. This was the name of a large area off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The current Louisiana is just the southern part, which the American government bought from France for 15 million dollars! This deal became known as the Louisiana Purchase.

Cypress swamp in Louisiana

Mornings in New Orleans can be spent in the city park: rent a bike, or run along the alleys, or lie lazily on the lawn in the shade of 300-year-old oaks. Picturesque bridges, sculptures, lakes with swans and ducks will make you remember the camera.

How to get there

You can get to New Orleans with a transfer in Washington. The journey by air, taking into account docking, will take almost a day.

Weather in Louisiana

Louisiana has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year. In the state’s largest city, New Orleans, the average January temperature ranges from -6 °C to -17 °C, and in July – from +23 °C to +33 °C. Louisiana often suffers from natural disasters – tropical cyclones and hurricanes. Strong tornadoes are not uncommon here.

Louisiana Cuisine

Louisiana residents are proud that their state produces about a quarter of the country’s seafood. The local waters are rich in shrimp and oysters, so you can always taste the freshest seafood dishes in restaurants and cafes. Louisians are also engaged in a very original type of animal husbandry – alligator breeding. So be sure to try the crocodile meat! Well, buy a little thing made of genuine leather, of course.

Attractions, entertainment and excursions in Louisiana

Every year, millions of tourists come to the “Pelican State”, as the Americans themselves call Louisiana, who are attracted by the unique nature of these places, numerous historical monuments, and, of course, the “carefree city” – New Orleans.

New Orleans

Tourists in New Orleans are attracted by the ancient architecture of the “French Quarter”, the Mardi Gras carnival, the atmosphere of the birthplace of jazz. The French Quarter, otherwise still the “Old Square”, is one of the main attractions of the city, its streets form about a hundred perfectly square blocks.

Here you will see: Cabildo – the building is famous for the fact that the Louisiana Purchase ceremony took place here, and now it is the State Museum, St. ) built in the French style.

In the most party place of New Orleans, on the main street of the Bourbon Street quarter, the Mardi Gras holiday is held – the local analogue of the Orthodox Maslenitsa and European carnivals before the start of Lent. As in Europe, it symbolizes farewell to winter. Two weeks before “Fat Tuesday”, as Mardi Gras is translated, carnival processions go on night and day, attracting many tourists. Here, on Bourbon Street, named after the French royal dynasty, there is a jazz museum, which is located in the building of the Old Mint, and night jazz clubs.

Every spring there is a Jazz Festival on Bourbon Street. In general, New Orleans is called the musical capital of America: marches, rock and roll, jazz, blues are played on its streets, squares, cafes and bars…

Of the interesting excursions in New Orleans, it is worth noting a walk on a paddle steamer along the Mississippi, a trip to the Voodoo Museum and the aquarium, one of the largest in the country. Not far from the city is a resort on Lake Pontchartrain. Mornings in New Orleans can be spent in the city park: rent a bike, or run along the alleys, or lie lazily on the lawn in the shade of 300-year-old oaks. Picturesque bridges, sculptures, lakes with swans and ducks will make you remember the camera. There is also an interesting museum in the park.

Louisiana is a real paradise for lovers of fishing and hunting! Anglers will certainly be satisfied with the abundance of freshwater and marine fish, and hunters will be able to choose ducks, geese, quails, rabbits or deer as objects of their inhuman occupation.

Baton Rouge

After the devastating Hurricane Katrina, which hit the state in 2005 and significantly reduced the population of New Orleans, Baton Rouge became the largest city in Louisiana. This is a seaport at the mouth of the Mississippi River, where goods are transshipped onto riverboats. Architecture lovers will be interested in two capitols. One new 34-storey building, its height is 137 m. And the old one is the work of architect James Harrison Dakin. Now this building houses the Historical Museum.

Shreveport

If you are a gambler, then you should go to Shreveport. Here you can tickle your nerves by placing a bet on the hippodrome, or win a decent jackpot in numerous casinos. Yes, they are legal in Louisiana. The most famous are Sam’s Town Casino and Eldorado Resort Casino.

And here’s another curious fact – Shreveport is called “South Hollywood” among filmmakers. The films “Cleaner” and “Rescuer” were filmed here.

Fishing in Louisiana

Louisiana is a real paradise for lovers of fishing and hunting! Anglers will certainly be satisfied with the abundance of freshwater and marine fish, and hunters will be able to choose ducks, geese, quails, rabbits or deer as objects of their inhuman occupation.

Louisiana - The Pelican State