There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in the Pelican State. Those who live here have undoubtedly heard of popular nature lover attractions like the Atchafalaya River Basin and Chicot State Park, but there are a number of hidden gems peppered throughout the state that you may not have heard of. In no particular order, here are some of our favorite underrated places in Louisiana that even some natives have never heard of.
- Ardoyne Plantation
Ardoyne Plantation/Facebook Built in 1888, the Ardoyne Plantation is one of the largest examples of Rural Victorian Gothic architecture in Louisiana. This unique plantation is still a working sugarcane plantation, and the same family still lives in the house, six generations later. This underrated plantation holds tours led by the family every Tuesday-Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m.
Address: 2678 LA-311, Schriever, LA 70395
- Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
Biedenharn Museum and Gardens/Facebook Located along the Ouachita River in Monroe, this hidden gem is absolutely worthy of a road trip. The Coke Museum gives a truly fascinating history of this popular beverage, and the gardens are always mesmerizing.
Address: 2000 Riverside Drive, Monroe, LA, 71201
- Poverty Point
Google / Tara Skipton Over 3,000 years old and a bit of a historical mystery, Poverty Point is one of the most unique and underrated places in Louisiana. This World Heritage Site is located in northeast Louisiana in the tiny town of Pioneer, and you can visit the collection of earthworks and learn more about some of the earliest residents of the area. Learn more here
Address: 6859 LA-577, Pioneer, LA, 71266
- Fairview-Riverside State Park
Ladonna Wiles/Google Louisiana has 21 state parks scattered throughout the state, each one with its own unique landscape. Clocking in at 99 acres, Fairview-Riverside might not be the biggest state park by any stretch, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in picture-perfect scenery. The views of the Tchefuncte River are simply dazzling, and history lovers will especially love taking a tour of the Otis House Museum, which was built in 1885.
Address: 119 Fairview Drive, Madisonville, LA, 70447
- American Rose Center
Ronald McGinley/Google Did you know that the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses is right here in Louisiana? Head on over to Shreveport and treat your senses to a stroll through the American Rose Center, which features over 20,000 rosebushes and a variety of other plants, too.
Address: 8877 Jefferson Paige Road, Shreveport, LA, 71119
- Bayou Teche Paddle Trail
Carrie B./Trip Advisor Outdoor enthusiasts will absolutely love paddling their way down this 135-mile trail that stretched from Port Barre to Berrick. It crosses through four parishes with 13 established access points along the way, so even if you don’t want to commit to the entire 135 miles (and we don’t blame you), you can hop in and out at any of the stops.
For a map and other information about the Paddle Trail, click here.
- Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery
Google / Tachia Dace Home to more than 2,000 gators, Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery is a family-friendly attraction that just about everyone will love. You’ll learn all about the alligator industry, the history of the American alligator, and get up close and personal to gators ranging from tiny little babies to adults that are over 8 feet long.
Address: 74645 Allen Road, Covington, LA, 70435
- Louisiana History Museum
Kevin Stewart/Google For anyone looking to learn more about the Pelican State, a trip to the Louisiana History Museum is a must. Located in Alexandria, this museum provides a wealth of history about Louisiana and the city of Alexandria. Over 50 displays and exhibits including thousands of historical photographs will keep you busy for at least a few hours, so be sure to carve out the time to truly see this hidden gem.
Address: 503 Washington Street, Alexandria, LA, 71301
Ardoyne Plantation/Facebook
Built in 1888, the Ardoyne Plantation is one of the largest examples of Rural Victorian Gothic architecture in Louisiana. This unique plantation is still a working sugarcane plantation, and the same family still lives in the house, six generations later. This underrated plantation holds tours led by the family every Tuesday-Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m.
Address: 2678 LA-311, Schriever, LA 70395
Biedenharn Museum and Gardens/Facebook
Located along the Ouachita River in Monroe, this hidden gem is absolutely worthy of a road trip. The Coke Museum gives a truly fascinating history of this popular beverage, and the gardens are always mesmerizing.
Address: 2000 Riverside Drive, Monroe, LA, 71201
Google / Tara Skipton
Over 3,000 years old and a bit of a historical mystery, Poverty Point is one of the most unique and underrated places in Louisiana. This World Heritage Site is located in northeast Louisiana in the tiny town of Pioneer, and you can visit the collection of earthworks and learn more about some of the earliest residents of the area. Learn more here
Address: 6859 LA-577, Pioneer, LA, 71266
Ladonna Wiles/Google
Louisiana has 21 state parks scattered throughout the state, each one with its own unique landscape. Clocking in at 99 acres, Fairview-Riverside might not be the biggest state park by any stretch, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in picture-perfect scenery. The views of the Tchefuncte River are simply dazzling, and history lovers will especially love taking a tour of the Otis House Museum, which was built in 1885.
Address: 119 Fairview Drive, Madisonville, LA, 70447
Ronald McGinley/Google
Did you know that the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses is right here in Louisiana? Head on over to Shreveport and treat your senses to a stroll through the American Rose Center, which features over 20,000 rosebushes and a variety of other plants, too.
Address: 8877 Jefferson Paige Road, Shreveport, LA, 71119
Carrie B./Trip Advisor
Outdoor enthusiasts will absolutely love paddling their way down this 135-mile trail that stretched from Port Barre to Berrick. It crosses through four parishes with 13 established access points along the way, so even if you don’t want to commit to the entire 135 miles (and we don’t blame you), you can hop in and out at any of the stops.
For a map and other information about the Paddle Trail, click here.
Google / Tachia Dace
Home to more than 2,000 gators, Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery is a family-friendly attraction that just about everyone will love. You’ll learn all about the alligator industry, the history of the American alligator, and get up close and personal to gators ranging from tiny little babies to adults that are over 8 feet long.
Address: 74645 Allen Road, Covington, LA, 70435
Kevin Stewart/Google
For anyone looking to learn more about the Pelican State, a trip to the Louisiana History Museum is a must. Located in Alexandria, this museum provides a wealth of history about Louisiana and the city of Alexandria. Over 50 displays and exhibits including thousands of historical photographs will keep you busy for at least a few hours, so be sure to carve out the time to truly see this hidden gem.
Address: 503 Washington Street, Alexandria, LA, 71301
So how many of these underrated places in Louisiana have you visited? Let us know in the comments below!
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