6 Most Comfortable Louisiana Towns For Seniors For 2025
In a state as wild and untamed as Louisiana, there are seemingly endless places to explore. From swamps, bayous, and the Gulf of Mexico to prairies, bluffs, and forested uplands, the allure of this state pushes and pulls in all directions. Despite Louisiana's size and scope, many of its small towns present their own unique charm, histories, and attractions. So, whether it is relaxation you are seeking or a touch of the wild side Louisiana has to offer, here are six towns best suited for seniors in 2025.
Natchitoches
The oldest permanent European settlement in the state, Natchitoches was founded in 1714 around Fort St. Jean Baptiste, which is now a state park and National Historic Landmark, where you can tour the reconstructed fort. It is not alone, of course: there is a 33-block National Historic Landmark District which includes the likes of The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a building that began construction in 1857 and was not completed until the turn of the 20th century.
The walkable downtown and historic district is perfect for tourists of all ages, and one is sure to work up an appetite exploring the town's rich history. Plenty of places offer the famous Natchitoches meat pie, but the family-owned Crawfish Hole offers fresh local fare, while Mayeaux's Nakatosh Deli & Pub, which serves a variety of pizzas and sandwiches, is located right in the heart of the historic district.
Eunice
While the city of Lafayette is known as the Cajun Capital of Louisiana, Eunice is the state's “prairie” Cajun Capital. Much of the town's culture comes from its Cajun roots, which are on full display at the Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum, which preserves and showcases the history of the region's unique music.
Eunice has several accommodation options that are suitable for all ages, but perhaps the most interesting is the Keller House. Built in the 1800s, this historic five-bedroom home gives guests the chance to sleep and dine in a piece of living history. A short distance away, Cafe Mosaic offers freshly baked sweets and a full range of hot drinks made with Rêve, a locally roasted coffee.
Houma
Located deep in the bayou, Houma is a great starting point for tours of this unique topography. The Bayou Country Crawfish Trail is a must, and offers, as one might expect, dozens of options for savoring local gumbos and other crawfish-based meals along the way. If you can, plan your visit so it coincides with one of Houma's many festivals. Cajun Jam, held every second Wednesday of the month and hosted by the Cajun Music Preservation Society, combines delicious food with live music, ensuring a unique experience for all who attend. For those seeking nature, the Pointe-Aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area covers 35,000 acres of wetlands waiting to be explored. The area is home to deer, alligators, otters, and dozens of species of birds.
Covington
Artsy and saturated with untouched history, Covington is a warm and welcoming town just across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. Many of its streets are almost the same today as they were over a hundred years ago. Perhaps best known for its Arts District, however, Covington is loaded with galleries. The Marianne Angeli Rodriquez Gallery is a local favorite, as is St. Tammany Art Association, which offers classes and workshops alongside permanent collections and region-specific exhibits. Overnight visitors are encouraged to seek out the Southern Hotel, established in 1907 and fully restored to welcome guests for a stay in their upscale guest rooms, a meal in the Gloriette, or a signature cocktail in the Cypress Bar.
Thibodaux
Thibodaux can be found both along the banks of Bayou Lafourche and in the annals of American history. The Laurel Valley Sugar Plantation House is the largest surviving 19th and 20th-century sugar plantation complex in the United States. The historic site offers a glimpse into life on the bayou from a wide range of perspectives, including enslaved people, Acadians in exile, and Creoles.
St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, which dates back to the early 1800s, is the oldest parish in the diocese and is a sight to behold with its exterior of pressed brick and stone trim. For the young and the young at heart, the Bayou Country Children's Museum makes for an excellent afternoon, followed perhaps by a meal at Big Mike's BBQ Smokehouse for a true taste of authentic southern hospitality.
Gretna
The town of Gretna is just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, so visitors can benefit from the proximity to the state's most populous city as much as appreciate Gretna's own unique offerings. For example, Gretna hosts a lively farmers' market near the historic train depot every weekend, and on the second Saturday of each month, the Gretna Art Walk showcases local artists' works.
This is the perfect town to appreciate nature in suburbia. A quiet riverfront walk, with the distant backdrop of New Orleans, might be an ideal afternoon for someone on a day trip. You may even stumble across the Riverfront Amphitheater, which hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Gretna Heritage Festival, or Gretna Fest. This event, similar to Houma's Cajun Jam, honors the city's origin in an exciting three-day celebration of food and music. The Kittie Strehle Home is also worth a visit for history buffs. The home dates back to 1845 and contains several furnishings original to the town's German settlers and the residence's first owners.
Explore Louisiana Today
Packed with as much history as swampland and bayous, Louisiana is one of the most culturally rich and unique states in America. The bayous themselves are worth the trip, but the many small towns built 150 years ago all along the water's edge deserve their own recognition, too. The spots on this list are accessible for seniors and families alike, and offer many magnificent architectural buildings, historic districts, and seemingly endless amounts of Cajun food.
