Cooler temperatures mean Louisiana comes to life with activities like hiking, camping, and hunting. Interested in a rustic cabin experience in North Toledo Bend State Park? How about a guided hunting retreat for pheasants and duck? We’ve got it. Check out our favorite fall activities in Louisiana.
Mark your calendars now for the Annual Fall Tour of Homes in Natchitoches. This fall pilgrimage takes place in October each year and showcases some of the most unique and interesting homes in this part of Louisiana. You’ll go inside and see the outside of some very special houses, each with a story worth hearing.
Camping in Louisiana’s summer heat can get pretty unbearable, so once September or October hits, head out to North Toledo Bend State Park for a camping experience you won’t forget. This beautiful state park has a lot going on. You’ll find plenty of hiking trails, water-sport opportunities, bird watching, and more. It is a local favorite and is also accommodating to travelers, as there are many options for lodging. There are rustic cabins to rent, but most campers prefer to sleep without a roof over their heads in their tent. You can’t put a price tag on falling asleep under the stars in such pleasant weather.
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If you’re a photographer by profession or hobby, Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center in Baton Rouge is a great place to practice your art. The lush jungle environment with its swamps and walkways are perfect for getting pictures of the trees, birds, and animals that live there. The live animal exhibits will bring a smile to your face, as well as your kids, and it’s a great way to mix fun, exercise, and education.
Any day is a good day for fishing, but fall presents seasonal opportunities. Northern Louisiana is the location of Grand Bayou Resort, a 2,800-acre paradise for those who love to camp, hike, fish, or just relax and experience in the cooler weather starting to roll in. The Grand Bayou Lake is stocked with plenty of largemouth bass and is a fisherman’s dream.
Fall is the best time to be outside when summer heat isn’t making you melt, and the best place to shop outdoors is in The French Market District of New Orleans. There are open-air markets where you can purchase fresh locally grown produce, stroll around and see all of the artwork, eat on the patio of the best restaurants in the city, and shop at boutiques, and head to Crescent Park. You’ll want to spend some time at this 20-acre park with a 1.4-mile walk that brings you from the city to the riverfront.
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If hunting is in your blood, you’ll love what the folks at Bin There Hunting in Welsh bring to the table. Their preserve is fully stocked with doves, teal, geese, ducks, pheasants, and more, so you certainly won’t leave empty-handed! Most packages include dogs, decoys, plenty of targets, and a meal. This is the perfect getaway for when the fall weather starts to roll in; so bring your friends, family, and enthusiasm for an excellent experience!
“Stay at one of the area's most historic antebellum plantation homes,” you won’t be disappointed! You’ll marvel at the 19th century gardens and individual cottages on this unique property, still owned by the original family, deep in the heart of Louisiana. You can swim, fish, go for a leisurely stroll, or sit on the porch and enjoy a cold beverage. There’s a treehouse to rent that has a three-level deck that lets you see out at night, and a Jacuzzi that’s perfect for relaxing in nature.
When you think of Louisiana, one thing that comes to mind is alligators. There are swamps and restaurants that feature the spiny species of reptile, but did you know there’s an annual festival that celebrates it? You’ll enjoy local Cajun cuisine, live music, carnival rides, and much more when you check out the Alligator Festival in Luling.
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Pick a peck of pumpkins at Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch. Families are welcome and are encouraged to bring the little ones for some great on-the-farm fun. Besides picking pumpkins, you can zip through the trees on the zip line, race a duck, pedal a tractor, find your way through a hay maze, milk a cow, or roll down the hill. Grownups can play a game of horseshoes, take a walk along a nature trail, take great family photos, and pack a picnic lunch to share.
There is so much culture to experience in New Orleans. However nothing beats the swamp kayak tours put on by the native outdoorsmen over at Wild Louisiana Tours. These tours are truly unique to the area; you won’t find landscapes like these anywhere else. Book one of the famous kayak tours, from the many options available, and get ready to learn about the history and impact of this untouched flora and fauna. These tours are raved about, as you’ll be taken to many hidden spots that otherwise you may never see or learn about. You are encouraged to bring your cameras to this is a photography-friendly activity!
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