10 Picture-Perfect Main Streets In Louisiana

Get lost in the beauty of Louisiana, a state bursting with charm and gorgeous sights. Louisiana's small towns are rich in history and offer a variety of fun activities, including festivals that bring the entire community together. Countless remarkable restaurants provide excellent Southern dishes that will leave a lasting impression. Many buildings showcase uniquely stunning architecture from old French and Spanish influences. Best of all, many of Louisiana's small towns are home to picturesque main streets, so you can pack in many experiences and explore quickly. Out of the state's numerous cities, these 10 small towns feature some of the most picture-perfect main streets.

Natchitoches

Visit Natchitoches, Louisiana, the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase area, for a picture-perfect vacation. Natchitoches, located in the west-central part of the state, rests southeast of Shreveport and is the seat of Natchitoches Parish. This small town, established in 1714, features a stunning Main Street, called Front Street, with brick-lined roads and views of the tranquil Cane River Lake. Natchitoches is home to historic sites and friendly local businesses that make vacations to the town memorable.

On Front Street, you can find the location of Louisiana's oldest general store, Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store. Created in 1863, the shop offers everything customary of an old general store, such as hardware, cookware, housewares, and classic toys. The original freight elevator still operates, and staff use the 1910 cash register for every sale. Enjoy views of Cane River Lake from the Cane River Queen. Located on the Downtown Riverbank, you can unwind and learn a little about the town on the 49-passenger Cane River Queen as the boat traverses the river. Even if you plan to stay elsewhere, stop by the Château Saint Denis Hotel on Second Street to witness gorgeous 18th and early 19th-century-inspired architecture. The stunning hotel features a lovely lobby with high ceilings, chandeliers, and a double fireplace. On the outside is a French Quarter-style brick courtyard with a 19th-century antique fountain. Also on Second Street, you can find quality Creole cuisine at Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant. The family-owned and operated restaurant offers dishes such as Lasyone's Famous Meat Pie Platter and Louisiana Corn Fritters.

Abbeville

Discover old-world charm in Abbeville, Louisiana. Situated on the Vermillion River in southern Louisiana, this small town is the parish seat of Vermilion Parish. A parish seat is the city or town that serves as the administrative center for a parish, which is the Louisiana equivalent of a county in other U.S. states. Abbeville, founded in 1843, was previously called La Chapelle. The Freshwater Bayou Deepwater Channel connects it with the Gulf of Mexico. The heart of Abbeville's Main Street is Magdalen Square, a spot with a large gazebo and beautiful fountain, which is the venue for several town events, like the Giant Omelette Celebration. Abbeville's Main Street features other unique photo-worthy opportunities and intriguing historical exhibits to enjoy throughout your stay. So get your camera ready and your bags packed for Abbeville.

The annual Giant Omelette Celebration spans over 40 years, with the next event scheduled for November 1 - 2, 2025. French chefs and locals come together to prepare what is truly a sight to behold, a 5,000-egg delicacy for the town. The two-day event includes an arts and crafts show, antique cars on display, fun music, and an egg-cracking contest. Head to North Main Street, a few blocks west of Magdalen Square, to go to Steen's Cane Syrup. Here lie three large storage tanks designed to resemble the syrup containers commonly found in grocery stores. The syrup company has produced products for home cooks and professional chefs for over 100 years. Dive into Abbeville history at the Abbeville Cultural and Historical Alliance on North Magdalen Square. The displays feature photographs of the town's past, chronicles of early settlers, and details about the town's beloved Giant Omelette Celebration.

Alexandria

Find seemingly endless beauty in Alexandria, Louisiana. The parish seat of Rapides Parish, Alexandria, lies beside the Red River, opposite Pineville, and northwest of Baton Rouge. The town was founded in 1785 by Alexander Fulton, who received a Spanish land grant. Main Street in Alexandria is a hub for art, history, and remarkable architecture.

Dive into the art world via a rotation and permanent collection of exhibits at the Alexandria Museum of Art on Main Street. Since 1977, the museum has showcased its collections and works to enlighten and fascinate visitors. Uncover Louisiana's history on Washington Street at the Louisiana History Museum, which began as the Alexandria Public Library in 1907. Later, the museum evolved into its current form, housing exhibits featuring items such as early sewing tools and Central Louisiana postcards from 1900 to 1955. Discover picturesque 1800s architecture on Fourth Street at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. The cathedral, built in 1834, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Another one of the city's prime examples of gorgeous buildings is the Hotel Bentley on Desoto Street. Both inside and out, the hotel is worth checking out, even if you do not plan on checking in. Built in 1908, the hotel is both impressive in size and stunning, with eye-catching details, including ornate flooring and high-painted ceilings.

Marksville

Spectacular historical and natural views await visitors in Marksville, Louisiana. Located in Central Louisiana, the growing community of Marksville rests southeast of Alexandria, Louisiana. Marksville is the parish seat of Avoyelles Parish, and its nearby communities include Fifth Ward, Mansura, Hessmer, Moreauville, Cottonport, Bunkie, and Echo. The town was founded by accident in the 1790s after a Venetian peddler broke a wagon wheel while traveling and decided to stay put instead. Visitors of Marksville can find historical, natural, and dining entertainment in the Main Street area.

The oldest building in Marksville, located on Tunica Drive West, is the 1820 Hypolite Bordelon House. Constructed and lived in by the Bordelon family, one of the parish's pioneer families. Marksville's roots can be traced back even further to ancient times. On Martin Luther King Drive is the location of the Indian Mounds at the Marksville State Historic Site, a prehistoric Native American ceremonial center. The site is one of the biggest draws to visiting Marksville. While the mounds, dating from 1400 A.D., cover 42 acres, the portion in Marksville includes a semi-circular earthwork consisting of 3,300 feet long, ranging in height from three to seven feet. Immerse yourself in the state's outdoor beauty at the Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area on Spring Bayou Road. Over 12,000 acres of forest filled with oaks, cypress, and other plant life surround the low-lying Red River backwater system. Here, you can hike and watch for diverse bird species. Less than five miles away on North Main Street, you can refuel after a long day of sightseeing and hiking at the La Petite Affaire Cafe. The establishment provides customers with incredible breakfast, lunch, and dinner items using locally sourced ingredients.

Breaux Bridge

In St. Martin Parish is the small town of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, a place so well known for its crawfish that they are considered by many to be the Crawfish Capital of the World. Breaux Bridge is a low-lying area, resting northeast of Lafayette, Louisiana, at an elevation of 23 feet. Officially founded in 1829, the city's origins date back to 1771, when Firmin Breaux began purchasing the land that now comprises the city. Breaux Bridge's Main Street, East Bridge Street, features a bridge beloved by the town, crawfish specialties, picturesque buildings, and local art perfect for gift giving.

A journey through Breaux Bridge begins at the Breaux Bridge that frames the entrance to the Main Street area. Built in 1950, the drawbridge stretches across the Bayou Teche and features a well-known painting of a crawfish given to the town in the 1980s. Continue your adventure with a meal from Angelle's Old Fashioned Burgers. Located on East Bridge Street, the restaurant offers numerous options, including specialty hamburgers, like alligator or crawfish. Walk around downtown to discover some of the town's historical sites, like the Fourgeaud House, located less than 400 feet away on South Main Street. Built in 1905, the house was constructed for Dr. Louis Fourgeaud and later became a hotel before becoming a historical designation in 1999. Back on East Bridge Street, you can shop for local wares and find a gift for friends, or maybe yourself, at the Pink Alligator Art Gallery. Outside, the gallery features a very photographable pink alligator sign, and the inside presents an array of fine art, sterling silver, turquoise, vintage items, and more.

Donaldsonville

Donaldsonville, Louisiana, the former state capital of Louisiana, is filled with stunning architecture and delicious eats. Founded in 1806, Donaldsonville rests where the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche interconnect. This small town is the parish seat of Ascension Parish. Throughout Louisiana, the influence of French and Spanish rule is evident in different historic sites, museums, and attractions. Donaldsonville’s Main Street houses buildings that are a prime example of these design influences.

Situated on Mississippi Street is The Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church. The building was finished in 1896, and if you look carefully, you can see a difference in brick color halfway up, resulting from a conflict between the Church’s Board of Wardens and the Archbishop of New Orleans. The Ascension Parish’s name comes from this church. Nearby, between Saint Vincent Street and Church Street, visitors can visit the Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church Cemetery. The grounds feature multiple intriguing and ornate raised tombs, constructed of stuccoed brick or stone, with temple fronts of varying styles from the mid-nineteenth century. Head to Charles Street to engage with history at the River Road African American Museum. Exhibits range from various subjects, including information on how the Underground Railroad operated in the state and the African influences on well-known Louisiana cuisine. Dig into authentic South Louisiana dishes at The Grapevine Cafe on Railroad Avenue. Housed in a restored 1920s building, the cafe presents elegant dining and mouthwatering options like Creole Surf and Turf and Crabmeat Stuffed Mushrooms.

Saint Francisville

North of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, lies the small town of Saint Francisville, a destination rich in history and Southern charm. Established in 1807, St. Francisville, located in West Feliciana Parish, sits on a high ridge over the Mississippi River. The town’s Main Street, Ferdinand Street, offers much to do, from viewing beautiful Gothic 1800s structures to taking pictures in front of an old railroad caboose. Ferdinand Street is a great place to stroll and enjoy all the city offers.

Begin your adventure at the Grace Episcopal Church on 11621 Ferdinand Street. Built between 1858 and 1860, the large Gothic building is the second-oldest Episcopal church in the state. Beside the church is an equally old cemetery, lined with beautiful wrought iron gates and oak trees, open to visitors year-round. Next on your journey is the St. Francisville Caboose on 1144 Ferdinand St., about five minutes away. The bright orange caboose came to be part of the town in 1995. It is a historical monument, serving as a reminder of the history of the West Feliciana Railroad, the third-oldest railroad in the US. Less than 15 minutes walking distance away is the West Feliciana Historical Society and Museum, situated on 11757 Ferdinand Street. The museum houses exhibits on local history and a picturesque courtyard. Your next stop is less than 10 minutes away, the District Mercantile on 11914 Ferdinand Street. Here, you can pursue a variety of goods and antique items. The shop has been operating as a general store since the 1890s.

Monroe

Monroe is the parish seat of Ouachita Parish in northeastern Louisiana. It is a small town full of natural and man-made beauty. Founded in 1785, Monroe’s roots began when a group of French pioneers and a Frenchman in the Spanish service, Don Juan, established a trading post, Fort Miro. The Main Street for Monroe, Grand Street, has river views, stunning murals, works by some of the greatest known artists, and an early 1800s castle.

Take in the beauty of the Ouachita River with a leisurely walk on the Riverwalk, a boardwalk area located on 316 South Grand Street. On Saturdays, the boardwalk hosts the RiverMarket, a pop-up marketplace offering unique goods and delicious foods. Throughout downtown Monroe, visitors will see an array of Murals by local artists. Some paintings include Postcard Murals on building walls, depicting vintage-inspired postcards, and long asphalt murals, such as the Art Alley-Gator Mural, a vibrant painting of an alligator on the road. Wander to 1400 South Grand Street to take in some contemporary art at the Masur Museum of Art. While the museum features an array of art by Louisiana artists, it also displays works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin, and Salvador Dalí. Check out some art of the architectural variety at the Layton Castle situated on 1133 South Grand Street. Built in 1814, the gorgeous red brick castle transports visitors to a bygone era. Tours are available monthly and led by the sixth-generation owner, Pam Dupuy.

Minden

Minden, Louisiana, is a small city located east of Shreveport, Louisiana, which is full of history and welcoming faces. This town is the parish seat of Webster Parish. Minden was established in 1837 by Charles Veeder after he built an inn on a hilltop close to Bayou Dorcheat. Minden’s Main Street is the heart of activity within the city. The area has undergone many changes throughout the decades, but it remains the center for exciting events, historical sites, and exceptional food and coffee.

Throughout the year, Minden’s Main Street hosts fun events for the community, like the Scottish Tartan Festival. The festival commemorates the culture of the state’s Celtic ancestors annually each spring. Traditional song and dance are enjoyed during the event, as well as martial arts, games, and demonstrations of historical trades. Learn about the significance of the Germantown Colony in Minden at the Germantown Colony Museum located on Museum Road. The museum displays artifacts from early settlers, agricultural tools, and original 1800s-era buildings. Free tours are available to the public Tuesday through Saturday. Dive even further into the city’s history at the Dorcheat Historical Museum. The museum’s exhibits on Pearl Street cover various topics, such as the Civil War, impactful disasters in 1933, Coca-Cola, and so much more. Grab a cup of coffee at The Broken Bean, a cute cafe on McDonald Street. The establishment also offers breakfast, brunch, and lunch options.

New Iberia

Buckle up for a photo-worthy adventure in New Iberia, Louisiana. The parish seat of Iberia Parish, New Iberia, sits on the Bayou Teche, southeast of Lafayette, Louisiana. A mix of French, Spanish, and Acadian settlers founded New Iberia in the late 18th century. The small town became a processing and shipping hub for sugarcane, salt, peppers, vegetables, rice, and petroleum. Main Street of New Iberia is the residence of a 1929 theater, a plantation home, and one of the most famous bayous in Louisiana.

The Evangeline Theater on East Main Street began as a wholesale grocery building. It was remodeled in 1929 to become a movie house, and later, from 1939 to 1940, it received another remodel to acquire its Art Deco characteristics. Another site to visit nearby, about a three-minute walk, is the Shadows-on-the-Teche, a former home of wealthy sugar planters. Mary and David Weeks and their following descendants owned the sugar cane plantation from 1834 to 1958. The property includes a garden and a cemetery. Go on a kayaking journey through the Bayou Teche via one of the Bayou Teche National Paddle Trail access points. The Bayou Teche runs 135 miles through several parishes, such as St. Landry, St. Martin, and Iberia Parish. Visitors in New Iberia can access the paddle trail on Marie Street.

Louisiana is a splendid mix of beautiful landscapes, rich human history, and incredible meals. Visitors will find photo-worthy architecture throughout the state at places like the Grace Episcopal Church in Saint Francisville and the jaw-droppingly impressive Hotel Bentley in Alexandria. Plenty of unique historic sites exist, such as Layton Castle in Monroe, the plantation house in New Iberia, and the ancient ceremonial site in Marksville. Fun events are also in ample supply, like Abbeville's yearly Giant Omelette Celebration and Minden's Scottish Tartan Festival. Some might travel to Louisiana alone for the Southern food. Good eats can be found at places like Angelle's Old Fashioned Burgers in Breaux Bridge, The Grapevine Cafe in Donaldsonville, and Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant in Natchitoches. Whatever you seek to find on a Louisiana vacation, these small towns are sure to have plenty of photo-perfect spots to remember.