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Louisiana See & Do

The state of Louisiana arguably has the most character out of all of the states of the American South. With elaborate and popular Mardi Gras celebrations, a rich history of jazz music, swampy bayous, and rich Creole, Cajun, and French influenced food, the spirit of Louisiana is alive and thriving. With so many eccentric characteristics, it is easy to see why Louisiana is so cherished in America.

Louisiana’s state quarter was released in 2002 and symbolizes all that is special to the state. Louisiana achieved statheood in 1812, which is prominently displayed at the top of their quarter. In the center is an outline of the Louisiana Purchase, made by Thomas Jefferson from the French in 1803. On the bottom left is a Brown Pelican, which is a popular and indigenous bird to Louisiana and prompted the nickname the Pelican State. Perhaps the most meaningful symbol on the quarter is the trumpet and musical notes. American jazz was born in New Orleans and many great jazz musicians were from Louisiana. Today, jazz, the blues, and zydeco are still a large part of the Louisiana culture.

The bayous of Louisiana are unlike the rest of the state. They have their own culture and pace of life. The word bayou has come to mean braided streams of water that are fed by the Mississippi River in low-lying areas of Southern Louisiana. Full of swamps and gators, crawfish, and catfish, these bayous are actually in the process of disappearing. In the past 80 years, Louisiana has lost almost 2,000 square miles of marshes and wetlands due to erosion and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico swallowing up the low-lying land. The bayous continue to disappear at a rate of 25 square miles every year. Take a tour of southern Louisiana’s bayous to see alligators up close and to understand more about this amazing area of Louisiana before it completely disappears.

The bayous are not the only water attraction of Louisiana. In the piney woods of northeast Louisiana is Lake Bruin State Park, a small but special part of Louisiana that offers a serene camping getaway on a beautiful oxbow lake. Cypress trees create a peaceful setting for fishing, camping or just enjoying nature. A beautiful and peaceful part to visit in one of America’s liveliest states.

A great destination in Louisiana is visiting the state’s oldest permanent settlement. Predating the city of New Orleans by a few years, Natchitoches was recently named Best Southern Small Town by USA Today. You can visit Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, which is a reproduction of the original French trading post. You can also take a self-guided tour of sites that are associated with the Hollywood movie Steel Magnolias, written by a Natchitoches local and filmed in the town.

Visit Louisiana today to experience the lively culture, float the unique waterways, and listen to the music that was born within her borders.

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