8 Small Towns In Louisiana With Big Charm

It is in a state as wild and untamed as Louisiana that there are seemingly endless opportunities for adventure. From bayous to ocean and everywhere in between, the allure of this state pushes and pulls in all directions. But not to be outdone by the surrounding beauty and wildlife, many of Louisiana's small towns contain their own histories and attractions, too, whether they are on the water's edge or deep in the mainland. This list explores eight of the state's most charming towns, all with layered histories, delicious food, and thriving atmospheres.

Houma

Of all the towns on this list, Houma perhaps captures the spirit of Louisiana at its most pure. For one, Houma is located deep in the bayou, and provides many options for visitors to tour this unique topography. Guests can choose experiences like Boiled on the Bayou, a ticketed culinary event associated with the Bayou Country Crawfish Trail that features tastings from a selection of local restaurants, including gumbo and crawfish-based dishes.

Prospective tourists might also enjoy one of Houma's many festivals, if they happen to visit at the right time. The Cajun Jam, held every second Wednesday of the month, combines delicious food with Cajun music, ensuring a unique experience for all involved. For those seeking nature, the Pointe-Aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area is 35,000 acres of wetlands waiting to be explored. The area is home to deer, alligators, otter, and dozens of species of birds. Above all, Houma and its offerings serve as a microcosm of Louisiana as a whole: wild, cultural, inviting, and delicious.

Natchitoches

Natchitoches contains a 33-block National Historic Landmark District. Indeed, one of the state's oldest towns, there is no shortage of roads to explore. Beautiful downtown offers the Chateau St. Denis Hotel, a French Creole brick building in which visitors can find Lounge 1714, a perfect place to enjoy a drink or a meal after a long day of exploring the surrounding historic area. Nearby, visitors can find the Steel Magnolia House, built in the 1800s and which is now a bed and breakfast overlooking the Cane River.

Besides its many historic locations, Natchitoches is perhaps most famous for its signature meat pie. There are plenty of places to find this delicacy, including Lasyone's, located on Second Street. This restaurant also offers a robust menu of other Creole dishes, ensuring that visitors to Natchitoches can find charm not only in centuries-old buildings, but in everyday cuisine as well.

Covington

Artsy and saturated with untouched history (many of its downtown streets are almost the same today as they were over a hundred years ago) Covington is a warm and welcoming town anyone would be glad to visit. People are encouraged to seek out the Southern Hotel, established in 1907 and which blends classic southern hospitality with unique furnishings.

Perhaps best known for its Arts District, however, Covington is loaded with art galleries. The Marianne Angeli Rodriquez Gallery is a local favorite, as is St. Tammany Art Association, which offers workshops along with collections and region-specific exhibits. Like Houma, Covington emphasizes its proximity to nature. The Tammany Trace is a local paved trail built on a former railroad line. Perfect for biking, hiking, and skating, this 31-mile trail navigates bayou and forest alike while connecting to other nearby towns.

Eunice

Eunice is known as the prairie Cajun Capital of Louisiana. Much of its culture leans into Cajun roots, and indeed one of the most iconic landmarks in Eunice is the Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum, which preserves and showcases the history of the region's unique music. Delightfully unique and interesting, exploring the hallowed halls of this building is sure to be a number-one hit with all audiences.

Eunice has several options for hospitality, too, and perhaps the most interesting of them is the Keller House. Built in the 1800s, this historic five-bedroom home has passed through the generations and is now available for bookings. Staying at the Keller House is like staying in a time capsule. A short distance away, Cafe Mosaic offers all flavors of lattes, espressos, and more — all made with Rêve, a locally roasted coffee. Not just an ordinary coffee shop, Cafe Mosaic is located inside a circa-1900s drugstore.

Breaux Bridge

While Eunice is the prairie Cajun Capital of Louisiana, Breaux Bridge is deemed the Crawfish Capital of the World. It is no wonder, either: Breaux Bridge is a hub of delicacy and delight. Offering a plethora of dining experiences unique to the region, visitors can find a centralization of restaurants and bars on Rees Street, where the languid Bayou Teche waits only blocks away.

Crazy Bout Crawfish prides itself in locally caught and farm-raised ingredients. Cajun Claws Seafood Boilers offers unique seasoning blends on a variety of crawfish dishes, not to mention their many seafood boilers that feature several different kinds of crab. Not to be outdone, Fat Pat's Breaux Bridge is a family owned local favorite and delivers everything from fresh seafood to juicy burgers. While the other towns on this list also feature some positively scrumptious culinary excursions, Breaux Bridge is one of the best places to be for the most authentic Cajun dining experience possible.

Franklin

With hundreds of historic homes and a location along Bayou Teche, the town of Franklin offers visitors plenty to experience. Like Breaux Bridge, many of the town's establishments look upon Bayou Teche, thereby ensuring that tourists experience Louisiana at its most authentic regardless of their pursuits. For those interested in historical landmarks, visitors here can see the site of the town's historic port of entry and trade center dating back to the early 1800s.

Just as historic, Shadowlawn is a plantation-era home now available for events. Its breathtaking views of the bayou and a gift shop selling everything from regional art to antiques means that visitors here will have a shopping experience unlike any other. Of course, like the rest of the towns in Louisiana, Franklin offers delicious and genuine seafood dishes. Forest Restaurant is the place for bold Cajun and Creole dishes like stuffed crabs and specialty gumbo, all in a cozy setting.

Thibodaux

Thibodaux's allure can be found in its acknowledgement of its own turbulent past combined with a wide array of inviting and robust modern amenities. Located along the banks of Bayou Lafourche, Thibodaux has been shaped by pivotal and difficult moments in Louisiana’s history, including a Civil War-era battle and a racially motivated attack in the late 19th century. No stranger to monumental change within and around the city, its efforts to preserve and learn from its tumultuous history are extensive. For example, the Laurel Valley Sugar Plantation House is an extant representation of plantation-era homes just south of Thibodaux proper.

St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, which dates back to the early 1800s, is the oldest parish in the diocese; its exterior is pressed brick with stone trim. There are age-accessible options for those travelling with younger members of the family, too. The Bayou Country Children's Museum makes for an excellent afternoon, followed perhaps by a visit to Maggie D's Snowballs, which serves a cute and flavorful local treat that many residents adore. Perfect for people of all ages, Thibodaux blends a rocky past with an educational and enjoyable present, ensuring that all who travel there will leave with lasting memories.

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. Gretna's historic train depot becomes a lively farmers' market on the second Saturday of each month, and showcases local artists' works as part of the Gretna Art Walk.

Gretna's artistic side does not end there. Be Creative is an art studio that encourages kids' parties, private events, workshops, and more. Here people of all skill levels can paint, sculpt, or find other unique ways to let the imagination flow. Gretna Heritage Park, located in the town's historic district, showcases the heritage of the town while also providing shady areas, trails, and playgrounds.

Explore Charming Louisiana Today

Louisiana is truly the state for everyone. There is nature to explore, historical architecture to admire, and of course, an almost endless number of restaurants that serve local seafood dishes all in traditional Louisiana styles. Maybe it is the restaurants in Breaux Bridge that appeal to you; maybe it is the many historic sites of downtown Natchitoches. No matter your preferences, these small towns and their surrounding bayous and forests provide endless attractions for people of all ages. Come for these towns' offerings — and stay for their charm.