15 Best Small Towns in Louisiana

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, these small towns in Louisiana are the perfect places to rest and enjoy life.

Whether your preferences lean more towards natural beauty or cultural heritage, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste here! 

The historic buildings and rich history will enchant visitors while family-friendly activities like bike trails and fishing keep kids entertained for hours on end. 

With so many attractions within easy reach of major cities, these Louisiana small towns are ideal places to enjoy life at a slower pace with plenty of outdoor recreation to fill up each day.

15 Best Small Towns in Louisiana

Here are our favorite Louisiana small towns in no particular order because we adore all of them equally!

Breaux Bridge

Known as the Crawfish Capital of the World, Breaux Bridge is a small town in Louisiana that is well-known for its Cajun cuisine, and it turns out, it is one of the best places to visit in the South, USA.

To get a taste of this place near Lafayette, be sure to check out some of the top-rated walking food tours or go all-in and visit during the annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. 

Beyond that, you will want to get outdoors since Louisiana is one of the best states to explore lakes and swamps. As a bonus, you get to see local wildlife too!

Lace up your shoes and take to one of the paths on Lake Martin. Kayaking and bird watching are popular here. Alternatively, you could join a Swamp Tour and experience it all with knowledgeable guides.

With so many things to do and learn, it’s easy to see why Breaux Bridge is one of the best small towns in Louisiana.

Farmerville

Farmerville is a lovely small town in Louisiana with a friendly population and plenty of natural beauty.

If you want to experience the beautiful Louisiana countryside, Farmerville is the place to go.

Some of the must-see places are Lake D’Arbonne State Park and Lake D’Arbonne itself, which offers tennis courts, a swimming pool, a fishing pier, and more.

There are also a few fun festivals worth checking out. For instance, the Watermelon Festival is held on the last weekend of July.

Events include watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, best-dressed watermelon competition, and more to keep you entertained while you’re there.

You’ll definitely want to add Farmerville to your list of places to visit in Louisiana!

Read next: Weekend in New Orleans

Jeanerette

Known as the Sugar City, Jeanerette is another excellent small town in Louisiana that offers a lot of Cajun culture and French, Spanish, and African ancestry.

The food here is absolutely amazing, and you’ll find plenty of delicious dishes to try.

There are also lots of fun festivals and events in Jeanerette, including music and food festivals, so you’ll never run out of things to do. 

Be sure to add Jeanerette to your list of places to visit in Louisiana! You won’t regret it!

Covington

Covington is one of the best small towns in Louisiana, offering a healthy mix of southern history, culture, and modern-day entertainment just a short ride from Baton Rouge.

So why do people love Covington so much? Let’s explore some of the reasons. 

For starters, Covington is probably best known for its Arts District. The Historic downtown Covington is filled with art galleries of every medium and style.  If you appreciate any type of art, Covington is the place for you!

Not only that, but Convington is nestled between three rivers, making it a truly scenic route. Here you can picnic at the parks, stroll down the tree-lined streets and enjoy this small towns’ natural beauty.

Natchitoches

Visitors to Natchitoches will enjoy this place’s Creole culture and historical sites.

From Fort St. Jean Baptiste, a well-maintained French fort settlement, to Cane River National Heritage Area, Natchitoches offers a lot for history buffs and nature lovers.

Some of the attractions of Natchitoches include Melrose Plantation, Oakland Plantation, Alligator Park, and a dazzling museum complex in downtown that you can’t miss.

There is also a museum dedicated to diverse groups of people, the Northwest Louisiana History Museum:

“The museum tells the story of how diverse groups of people—Caddo Indians, French and Spanish settlers, free and enslaved Africans, and rural southern whites—created the region’s distinctive culture.

With displays of artifacts dating from the 1700s, this museum celebrates the explorers, artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and human rights leaders who embodied northwest Louisiana’s resilient spirit.”

Besides, Natchitoches is one of the places along the El Camino Real de Los Tejas, a national historic trail in Louisiana and Texas.

But that’s not all. The oldest city in Louisiana is popularly called the “City of Lights” because of the incredible annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival.

Want a recommendation on where to eat? Order the baked potato topped with crawfish etouffee and fried shrimp at Merci Beaucoup. You won’t regret it.

Grand Isle

Located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, Grand Isle is also known for its seafood, which you can enjoy at one of the many restaurants in town.

The locals are friendly and welcoming, making it a great place to visit for an authentic Louisiana experience. 

This Louisiana town offers plenty of activities, including fishing, bird watching, swimming, and strolling down its sandy shores, after all, the island is full of beautiful beaches, which are protected as part of Grand Isle State Park, one of the best state parks in Louisiana.

Besides, Grand Isle is a great day trip from New Orleans, making it easy to add to your itinerary.

So if you’re looking for a charming small town in Louisiana to visit, be sure to add Grand Isle to your list. You won’t be disappointed!

St Francisville

Located within the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area, St. Francisville is known for its laidback quiet life.

The town has a number of restaurants and shops, and it’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for a charming small town atmosphere.

There’s something for everyone in St. Francisville, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. 

If you’re looking for a charming small town in Louisiana, St Francisville is definitely worth a visit.

The town is home to seven historic plantations, which are open to the public, including Myrtles Plantation, known as the most haunted hotel in America. 

These plantations are some of the most popular tourist destinations in Louisiana and offer a fascinating look at past lifestyles and a crucial period in the history of the United States.

St Martinville

This Louisiana town is located in the heart of the state’s Cajun country and is surrounded by bayous and swamps. 

Located just two hours west of New Orleans, St Martin Parish holds the true essence of Cajun and Creole.

It’s where food is almost a religion, where people play just as hard as they work, and where history is alive and well.

There are several interesting attractions in the area, including the Evangeline Oak, which is said to be the tree under which poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow reunites the lovers of his famous poem “Evangeline.”

The Acadian Memorial is another popular attraction. This memorial honors the thousands of Acadians who arrived in the state in the 18th century as depicted by Robert Dafford’s mural, an eternal flame, a museum, and a bronze Walls of Names.

St Martinville has long been considered one of the best small towns in Louisiana for its friendly people, Cajun and Creole culture, and incredible food.

Thibodaux

Located along Bayou Lafourche in southern Louisiana, Thibodaux was founded by French settlers in the 1700s, but its diversity in ethnicities still echoes through its historic attractions and architecture.

Today, Thibodaux is a thriving small town in Louisiana known for its Southern hospitality.

There are plenty of things to do and see in Thibodaux and the surrounding area.

From exploring the bayous and cypress swamps to sampling Cajun cuisine, Thibodaux is definitely one of the best small towns in Louisiana.

If you’re looking for a charming Southern town to explore, be sure to check out Thibodaux! You won’t regret it!

Labadieville

In the heart of Cajun Country and Acadiana, Labadieville is a multicultural spot with French, Spanish, and even German settlers.

The St Philomena Catholic Church is a historic structure and attraction in the town dating back to the late-1800s.

It reflects an eclectic architectural style, although the church’s graceful pointed arches and inserts of tracery are Gothic.

For delicious Cajun food in a warm and friendly place, stop by Cajun Cafe On The Bayou–the wait is 100% worth it!

Henderson

Situated in the heart of Louisiana Crawfish Country, Henderson is well-known for its incredible Cajun culture.

To get a taste of this small town in Louisiana, have a crawfish dinner at Robin’s Restaurant or Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant—both are local’s favorites.

Still, don’t miss the chance to go on a swamp tour in the Atchafalaya Basin, America’s largest river swamp. 

Though small in size, Henderson provides many family-friendly activities such as wildlife spotting.

You can spot plenty of wildlife here, including black bears, foxes, beavers, bobcats, and Florida panthers. Of course, Henderson is also a favorite spot for birders in south Louisiana. 

Opelousas

Nestled between the picturesque Cajun countryside and the bustling city of Lafayette, Opelousas is a hidden gem for travelers looking to experience genuine Louisiana culture. 

Named after the Appalousa Native American tribe, this town is regularly featured in lists of the top places to visit in Louisiana thanks to its rich history, delicious Creole cuisine, unique festivals, stunning parks, vibrant local music scene, and more. 

Whether you want to enjoy some good food or explore historical monuments on foot, Opelousas has it all!

As the state’s third-oldest town, Opelousas is part of Louisiana’s Main Street Program with its downtown cluster of antique shops, boutiques, and restaurants serving mouth-watering Cajun cuisine. 

For a self-guided history tour, walk through town to see antebellum, Victorian, and early 20th-century buildings, including the “Hidden Capital of Louisiana,” which served as the governor’s mansion during the Civil War.

Ville Platte

Ville Platte is one of the best small towns in Louisiana, giving you excellent opportunities to check many items off your bucket list by engaging in outdoor activities.

For instance, you can have an enjoyable day boating, biking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and more at Chicot State Park, which is also a great chance to get a glimpse of some of the fantastic wildlife in Louisiana.

The Louisiana State Arboretum Preservation Area and Crooked Creek Recreation Area will inspire you with their jaw-dropping nature and beautiful flowers.

Beyond that, you will find Cajun food and swamp pop music galore in this small town in Louisiana. What’s not to love? 

Minden

Being a lovely small town in Louisiana, Minden’s red-brick streets are lined with shops where owners know their clients by name. 

History buffs will find plenty to explore in Minden’s historic districts with their antebellum and Victorian-era homes.

Also, at Minden Cemetery, which includes soldiers’ graves from Civil War battles fought nearby.

In the same breath, the Germantown Colony Museum just outside Minden is an excellent place to learn what life was like in the early 19th century.

Minden is also a gateway to outdoor recreation galore at nearby bayous, lakes, and recreational areas.

To top it off, annual festivals and events highlight this town’s culture and arts.

Abita Springs

Looking for a fun, quirky small town in Louisiana to visit with your family? Look no further than Abita Springs! 

Located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Abita Springs is a lovely small town in Louisiana that you can’t afford to miss.

With attractions like the Abita Mystery House at the UCM Museum that holds an eccentric collector’s hoard (which is definitely not your average museum), there’s something for everyone in this charming town. 

Abita’s also known for its relaxed, quirky personality and an excellent place for music and fun, funky festivals.

The weekly Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market boasts local crafts, homemade treats, and live music every Sunday. 

However, the real draw is the tours and tastings at Abita Brewing Company and learn how its popular line of craft beers is made.

If your thing is getting outdoors and enjoying a place’s natural beauty, you can bike the Tammany Trace, watch wildlife, sail in Lake Pontchartrain, join a swamp tour, and more! Go and see it for yourself. You’ll love it!

Final Thoughts on Louisiana Small Towns

If you’re looking for a different type of getaway, these small towns in Louisiana are the perfect place to unwind and get to know this beautiful states’ culture.

Whether your preferences lean more towards natural beauty or cultural heritage, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste here! 

The historic buildings and rich history will enchant visitors while family-friendly activities like bike trails and fishing keep kids entertained for hours on end. 

With so many attractions within easy reach of big cities in Louisiana like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette, this is an ideal place to enjoy life at a slower pace with plenty of outdoor recreation to fill up each day.

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