8 Most Overlooked Louisiana Towns For 2025
When you’re ready to kick off a 2025 Louisiana road trip, skip the touristy sites and venture off the beaten path. Tucked between the major hubs like New Orleans and Lafayette are delightful stops that capture a more intimate slice of the state's soul. Whether you want to explore spectacular plantations, hop aboard a Cajun swamp tour, or eat your body weight in boiled crawfish, these communities have you covered. So, come hungry, clear some space on your phone for photos, and get ready to experience the hidden side of the Bayou State.
New Iberia
New Iberia often gets overshadowed by Lafayette to the north, but it’s a timeless southern gem with so much to offer. The walkable downtown area has soothing Southern Gothic vibes with brick sidewalks, towering oak trees casting the streets in shadows. A walk down the sidewalk offers unique discoveries, like the historic Steamboat House on Main Street. Shadows-on-the-Teche, a stoic and breathtaking former plantation, is a must-see for history buffs that feels like stepping back in time. A public historian delivers guided tours twice daily Thursday-Saturday, offering insight into the lives of enslaved people before and after the Civil War, as well as the Weeks family legacy.
One of the biggest natural attractions in New Iberia is the Rip Van Winkle Gardens. It’s a stunning blend of history and perfectly manicured gardens set in a classic Louisiana setting. Inspired by both Asian and European gardens, they offer an amazing view of Lake Peigneur. Of all the plantations and scenic gardens of Louisiana, the Rip Van Winkle Gardens is one of the most iconic.
Morgan City
A visit to Morgan City gives visitors a unique look into the shrimping industry, with working boats pulling into port around the clock to deliver their catch of the day. If you love fresh seafood, Morgan City should be at the very top of your 2025 Louisiana road trip list! Local restaurants, like Rita Mae's Kitchen, may not be fancy, but they offer some of the best Cajun food anywhere in the state. For an even more authentic experience, Craws and Claws is a market that offers fresh and frozen seafood, as well as some of the best spicy boiled crawfish you’ve ever had.
After getting your fill on a Morgan City food tour, your next stop should be Lake End Park. It is one of Morgan City’s most notable parks, on the quiet northern tip of central Morgan City with fantastic views of Lake Palourde and billowing cypress trees. As for unique historical sites, be sure to swing by the International Petroleum Museum and Exposition and climb aboard for a tour of Mr. Charlie, a retired offshore drilling rig and the first of its kind in the world.
Abbeville
Abbeville is one of those southern Louisiana towns that you would likely never stumble upon by accident. Located south of Lafayette, it’s a historical community that hasn’t changed much over the years, in all the best ways. The heart of Abbeville is Magdalen Square, a historical public space that existed even before Abbeville's founding. It’s an idyllic park with fountains, brick walkways, and a view of the town's most notable landmark, the Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.
Downtown Abbeville has enough unique attractions to keep you busy over a long weekend, but it’s also not too far from fantastic parks that highlight its natural beauty. Palmetto Island State Park, located about 10 miles south of central Abbeville, is ripe for outdoor adventure. You can launch a paddleboard down the calm banks of the Vermilion River, or walk one of its many hiking trails shaded by a blanket of cypress and palmetto trees.
Opelousas
When you think of Louisiana and Creole culture, busy towns like New Orleans likely come to mind. Opelousas doesn’t get nearly enough attention, and is one of the oldest towns in the state. To learn more about the Creole culture and what makes Opelousas the birthplace of zydeco music, a visit to the Creole Heritage Folklife Center is a must! It's centrally located in downtown Opelousas, where local favorites like Crawfish Corner are at your service for fresh seafood and farm-to-table specialties.
The excitement in Opelousas doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. This is where you’ll find the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino. It’s a colorful, vibrant casino with Louisiana flair where you park yourself in front of a slot machine or head to the racing track to get in on the action. The buffets are always hot and fresh, and the accommodations are quite cozy.
Thibodaux
West of New Orleans is Thibodaux, a small village on the bayou where time seems to move a little slower. It has all the Creole culture and natural scenery of The Big Easy, with none of the crowds and kitschy tourist attractions. It’s the type of community that holds on to its history with both hands. A great example of this is Laurel Valley Plantation, the largest surviving sugar plantation complex in the United States. The sugar mills are still intact, as are the cabins that housed enslaved people, free people of color, Acadians, and Creole people, although most lie in eerie moss-covered ruins. While many Louisiana towns focus on opulent plantations, the historical landmarks in Thibodaux tell another side of the story.
To learn more about the history of the area, be sure to swing by the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. The site explores the origins of Cajun culture through a range of exhibits and experiences, including a film, musical performances, and a boat tour of Bayou Lafourche. Downtown Thibodaux is also a destination unto itself, with a thriving Historic District and spots like Fremin's, where you can sip and sample local flavors in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Breaux Bridge
As the Crawfish Capital of the World, Breaux Bridge is for those who prefer a more cuisine-centered tour of the Creole State. Located east of Lafayette, Breaux Bridge feels like a southern time capsule. While there are newer restaurants in the city, it’s the small, often a little run-down, establishments that have the best surprises hiding inside. There’s no better example than La Poussiere, a Cajun dance hall where the boiled crawfish is as hot as beer is cold.
While the cuisine may draw you to Breaux Bridge, you’ll stay for the beautiful scenery. One of the best ways to experience Breaux Bridge isn’t on foot, but by boat. Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours is one of the best in the area, taking visitors through Lake Martin and the Atchafalaya Basin swamp. If you prefer to stick to dry land, the Acadiana Park Nature Station is a lovely retreat. Think heavily shaded trails, swaying boardwalks through the marshes, and lush, tropical greenery.
Natchitoches
Located further inland from the Gulf of Mexico is the sleepy, hidden gem of Natchitoches. As the oldest settlement of the Louisiana Purchase, it's a community steeped in history and charm and Creole culture at its finest, offering colorful storefronts along bumpy brick streets shaded by massive live oaks. There’s always a fun cafe or unique store to discover, like Mama's Oyster House or Legacy Café.
Some of the most beautiful old-world cotton plantations are in Natchitoches, within Cane River Creole National Historical Park. It offers more than just plantation tours; it’s a wonderful green space where you can hike along the water and learn about the rich history of the area. To the west of Natchitoches is the Los Adaes State Historic Site, a stunning space often overlooked by tourists. The fort played a significant role in Spanish-French territorial struggles of the 18th century, and serves as both a historical landmark of old ruins and picturesque hiking trails.
St. Francisville
Along the banks of the Mississippi River in eastern Louisiana sits St. Francisville, a community steeped in Southern charm. With its heavily wooded streets, sweeping water views, and quiet downtown area, it’s hard not to immediately fall in love. More iconic plantations can be found in St. Francisville, like the Rosedown Plantation. The inside of the mansion spans over 8,000 square feet, surrounded by dreamlike gardens and walking paths. Or, if you’re up for something a little spooky, the more humble Myrtles Plantation is touted as one of the most haunted houses in America.
While you could spend an entire weekend touring sprawling plantations and estates in St. Francisville, there are also opportunities to take in the beauty of the area along the Mississippi River. The Audubon State Historic Site is one of the more popular attractions in St. Francisville, with acres of modest hiking trails, well-maintained gardens blooming with native plants, and a historic house with original prints by John James Audubon himself from a summer spent on site in 1821. The lesser-traveled Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area also offers amazing river views and hiking trails about 30 minutes north of town.
Unlock Louisiana's Hidden Treasures in 2025
Sometimes, the best part of a state isn’t always the loudest. When you want to discover the heart and soul of a place made famous for its Mardi Gras parades and jazz music, you have to think small. These hidden pockets show the slower side of Louisiana, where a hole-in-the-wall diner delivers the best seafood you’ve ever had, or a plantation shows you what life was like for the enslaved people living and working for the wealthy. Whether you want idyllic hikes through the wetlands or a hidden historical tour, these tucked-away towns are always eager to welcome new friends.
