Louisiana: Earthworks, Bayous and Cultural Trails

Louisiana offers travelers different ways to explore history, landscapes and activities: monumental earthworks at Poverty Point, the river swamp of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, paddling trails, cultural trails and historic sites. When choosing a hotel location, it helps to first decide which themes will shape your trip.

Poverty Point: Earthworks from the Late Archaic Period

The Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point archaeological complex includes large mounds, six semicircular earthen ridges and a large, flat plaza. Together, these different features form an expansive complex of earthworks and open space. The complex was built primarily between 3,700 and 3,100 years ago, during the Late Archaic period. Poverty Point State Historic Site is inscribed on the World Heritage List. Those interested in archaeology will find a clear focus here: the layout of the site and its long history.

Swamplands, Paddling and Trails

The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area encompasses America’s largest river swamp. The area preserves local cuisine, music, traditions, language and cultural landscapes; it is also home to 270 bird species. Landscape, cultural expression and wildlife observation are different ways of experiencing the same area. The Bayou Teche Paddle Trail Corridor is part of the National Park Service National Water Trails System.

Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge offers paddling trails where you can observe birds, alligators and river otters; black bears are occasionally spotted. Louisiana’s state parks offer camping under the open sky and challenging fishing opportunities. Trail lengths also provide a concrete point of comparison: Bogue Chitto State Park has 21 miles of trails, while Chemin-A-Haut State Park has 9.35 miles. The stated lengths differ by 11.65 miles. Check local trail conditions before your trip.

Cultural History and a Variety of Places to Visit

At Cane River Creole National Historical Park, the plantation grounds and outbuildings of Oakland Plantation and Magnolia Plantation are open for self-guided tours Wednesday through Sunday. Opening hours and access may change, so check both before your visit. The interpretive markers of the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail provide information about people, places and events from 1950s and 1960s Louisiana that shaped American history. Many cultural trails in Louisiana can also be explored independently.

Beyond All Boundaries offers a different way to experience history: the 4D journey explores the war that changed the world and is shown exclusively at the Solomon Victory Theater at The National WWII Museum. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve comprises six separate sites spread across southern Louisiana. The park’s name therefore refers to several places, not a single location. If you include this park in your travel plans, factor the specific site you want to visit into your hotel choice.

Culinary Themes in Louisiana

The Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board promotes shrimp, crabs, crawfish, oysters, finfish and alligators. The Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off has been a professional culinary competition since 2008. If you would like to include this event in your travel plans, check the dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Assumption Parish, Iberville, De Soto, Pointe Coupee Parish, Concordia Parish, Webster, St. Bernard Parish, St John The Baptist, Avoyelles Parish, Natchitoches Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Rapides Parish, Lafayette County, St. Mary Parish, St. Landry Parish, Iberia Parish, Livingston, Beauregard Parish, Union, St Charles, Ascension Parish, Washington, St. Martin Parish, Franklin, Madison, Richland, Sabine, Acadia, Winn, Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge Parish, West Feliciana, Vernon, Caddo, Bossier Parish, Ouachita, Calcasieu Parish, St. Tammany Parish, Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Lincoln, Lafourche Parish, Vermilion, Plaquemines Parish, Red River Parish, Evangeline.

For the broader travel overview: Usa.