Louisiana: Scenic Byways ~ Pawprints and Purrs

Louisiana: Scenic Byways

Sportman's Paradise:

In Northwest Louisiana, it's peas and cornbread, fried okra, and fresh corn on the cob. It's berry picking on a bright sunny morning or a lazy afternoon of fishing on a tree-studded lake, pond or river.

It's rolling hills and pine trees, oil and cotton, Saturday festivals and Sunday night sing-alongs at the local church.

This is a place where life still moves at a slower pace, where folks still wave and where the area's own colorful history is celebrated at seemingly every turn in museums that are dotted across the rolling hills. We celebrate everything from agriculture to outlaws and from the oil industry to famous faces with local roots.

North Louisiana's rolling hills and pine forests can be seen in all their beauty along the Northwest Louisiana Scenic Byway. Tracing roads that once were paths for frontiersmen moving west, the Northwest Louisiana Scenic Byway opens the state's hill country for exploration, a picturesque rural region steeped in pioneer heritage. Lively cultures are expressed in small town festivals, heritage museums, delicious southern cooking at roadside restaurants and hospitality beyond compare.

The Byway begins north of Shreveport-Bossier City. The trip along LA Hwy 2 and a network of adjoining roads leads from a gift shop and tea room in Vivian to Homer's famed antebellum architecture to Bernice's many historic buildings.

Along the way, a museum in Oil City showcases the huge regional influence of the oil industry. Ripe berries are for the picking along the Byway. Families enjoy the beauty and sport of Lake Claiborne and Lake Bistineau State Parks, Earl Williamson Park on Caddo Lake plus numerous other lakes and bayous. The heritage centers are carefully maintained by locals whose roots run deep. When the sun sets, there are Bed and Breakfast inns tucked away along the route. Leaving the city streets behind to experience the rural riches of Northwest Louisiana is a real treat.

Fun Facts:

When oil was discovered in Caddo Parish, land prices jumped from 50¢ per acre to $500 per acre. The impact of oil on this region is highlighted at the Caddo-Pine Island Oil and Historical Society Museum in Oil City.
A classic example of Greek Revivial style, the Claiborne Parish Courthouse in Homer was completed in 1861. It served as a departure point for soliders going off to fight for the Confederate cause.

Northeast Louisiana is the land of cotton and ancient American Indian heritage. The Bienville Trace Scenic Byway takes its name from Sieur de Bienville, a founder of New Orleans, who undertook an exploration of Louisiana's northeast corner. Centered around the twin cities of Monroe/West Monroe, this Byway roams far and wide connecting Bernice and Lake Providence; Delhi and St. Joseph; Ferriday, Winnsboro, Columbia and Chatham. This region is deeply rooted with a rich folklife that is celebrated in many festivals, such as the "Louisiana Folklife Festival" held annually the second weekend of September in Monroe.

Laced with rivers and bayous, and enriched with Mississippi delta soil, this is the heart of Louisiana's cotton country. Summer yields vast fields of fluffy white as far as the eye can see — truly a magnificent vista. Bastrop, Tallulah and Rayville all celebrate this bounty. Near the town of Epps, is located one of our country's premier archaeological sites, Poverty Point State Historic Site. This remarkable discovery tells the story of a Native American culture that thrived while Ramses II sat on Egypt's throne. Civil War enthusiasts will want to see Grant's Winter Quarters near Newellton. Antique lovers will revel in shopping along the way.

The route also meanders past numerous lakes and state parks with plenty of opportunity for boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. All along the Bienville Trace Scenic Byway are friendly people, beautiful sights, and delicious home cooking.

Fun Facts:

Ten miles south of Lake Providence lies a small farming town named Transylvania.
On Hwy. 2 between Oak Grove and Bastrop is a cedar tree with a cherry tree growing right out from the middle of it. This unusual tree is located in Redwing Cemetery.

Midway in the Northwest part the Sportman's Paradise and extending down the western side of the Crossroads region, the Toledo Bend Forest Scenic Byway reveals a unique rural side of Louisiana that few know about. Rolling hills and towering stands of pine, vast vistas of uninterrupted beauty and water: all preserving a place of nature's beauty.

The primary arm of the byway follows LA Hwy 191 for 76 miles along Toledo Bend Lake. From Logansport in the north to Toledo Bend Dam in the south, Hwy 191 is interlaced with 600 miles of spectacular shoreline. Thirty-two marinas, many with RV hookups and/or accommodations, provide abundant opportunities to relax and enjoy the water. The Byway also offers access to five beaches, a luxury golf resort, and a state park with camping facilities as well as cabins. At the dam, be sure to visit the observation towers for spectacular views of the lake.

Other major arms of the Byway offer numerous sights and attractions, including several state historic sites. LA Hwy 171 features another major golf resort and one of the country's largest private gardens with 4,700 acres of natural and landscaped beauty.

Bird and wildlife watching are excellent along this Byway. The area is a major habitat for eagles. This side of Louisiana is a place of remarkable beauty and serenity.

Fun Facts:

At 4,700 acres, Hodges Gardens in Many is the largest privately owned garden in the country.
Each April, the Rebel State Historic Site hosts the Louisiana Fiddling Championship. Rebel SHS is home to the Louisiana Country Music Museum.

Crossroads:

In western Crossroads, stretching from historic DeRidder to the Texas border, the Attakapas Coushatta Scenic Byway follows a part of what was once the famed El Camino Real, dating back to Spanish Colonial times. Today, along this Byway, you can discover Native American heritage, central Louisiana's 19th century timber industry heritage and WWII military history.

Begin in Merryville, a historic sawmill town. Visit a log cabin and museum before continuing to DeRidder. In the heart of DeRidder is a gothic (hanging) jail and a doll museum located in a railroad depot which has beautiful stained glass windows. Go antiquing or explore WWII memorabilia from the days of the DeRidder Army Air Base.

Rich with wildflowers, the surrounding area offers many opportunities for bird-watching. Abundant streams also provide excellent fishing as does the nearby Sabine River, which runs between Texas and Louisiana.

Fun Facts:

General Patton crossed the Sabine River during the big Louisiana 1941 maneuvers.
For 15 years, Beauregard Parish was in the heart of the neutral strip of land known as "No Man's Land" and was not included in the original area known as Louisiana at the time of its purchase in 1803.

Long recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the state, the Kisatchie Scenic Byway passes through an exceptionally rugged terrain that is highly unusual for Louisiana. Elevations approach 400 feet above sea level, with vistas extending up to 20 miles. Spectacular views include mesas, buttes and sandstone outcrops etched against towering longleaf pines.

Your drive takes you through the western region of Kisatchie National Forest, adjacent to the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness, known to locals as the "Little Grand Canyon" and across the Kisatchie Bayou, a state scenic stream. Along the Byway, stop to hike the trail named for Caroline Dormon, whose tireless efforts are credited with the establishment of Kisatchie National Forest.

Birding and wildlife sightings are abundant just off the Byway. The surrounding area also includes a wealth of colonial history and prehistoric Indian sites. In its brief 17-mile span, the Kisatchie Scenic Byway rewards all who travel it with views of remote forested beauty unique to this vast timbered region of Louisiana.

Fun Fact: The Kisatchie National Forest encompasses over 600,000 acres spread over seven parishes.

Embracing more than 100 historic sites and points of interests, the Colonial Trails Scenic Byway is steeped in legend, natural beauty, colonial heritage and Civil War remembrances. From 1698 to 1850, our country's formative years, settlers blazed these winding trails creating the frontier with each new journey west. In their search for a better life, they founded Louisiana's farms, plantations and towns. Along this Byway you can trace our forefathers' footsteps as they fulfilled our "manifest destiny." In their travels through this unknown territory, these adventurers chose several overland routes skirting rivers, lakes and lowlands that cover a stretch that now includes ten Louisiana parishes (counties in other states). Gradually, paths became trails and trails became roads. Legendary corridors, such as the Old Harrisonburg Road, Hebrand Ferry Road, Doty Road, Nolan’s Trace, Old Spanish Trail and the famous El Camino/Old San Antonio Road, guided travelers through lush forests, across lazy-flowing rivers and into the welcome warmth and safety of occasional settlements.

You'll journey through what is now the Kisatchie National Forest and Cajun prairie land. You'll pass through historic small towns such as Vidalia, where explorer Hernando de Soto died; Marksville, home of the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe; Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana; and more. Along this Byway through the heart of Louisiana, you'll experience our state's remarkable colonial heritage and the scenic beauty that gave rise to our rich cultures.

Fun Facts:

Winnfield is famous for providing Louisiana with three governors: Huey and Earl Long as well as O.K. Allen.
Melrose Plantation, south of Natchitoches, was founded by Marie-Therese Coin-Coin, a freed slave. In the 1940s, primitive artist Clementine Hunter worked there as well.

Cajun Country:

The short, colorful Real French Destination Scenic Byway showcases Louisiana's diverse French heritage. The Cajuns and Creoles are both well known around the world. However, less well known is that some Louisianians are descendants of French nobility who came to escape the French Revolution. Still others are descendants of French aristocrats from Quebec. A ride along this charming scenic Byway encompasses all aspects of this unique French experience.

Begin in Grand Coteau, French for "big hill," by touring the historic girls' school run by the Sacred Heart nuns. This was the only place in the state where the daughters of wealthy planters could receive an education. Then travel southwest to a Greek Revival French plantation home with a remarkably colorful history.

From there, travel through a series of small French towns — Cankton, Vatican and Ossun — where you'll hear French spoken in general stores, post offices and churches. The end of the Byway will lead you through Scott (once considered the western edge of civilization) and then on into Lafayette where you can visit a living history museum depicting Cajun life in the 19th century.

Drive the Real French Destination Scenic Byway and feel the strength of Louisiana's "French connection."

Fun Fact: The staircase at Chretien Point Plantation was copied for Tara in Gone With The Wind.

Louisiana's cultures are famous and their music has carried their love of life around the world. In the Cajun Country parishes of Acadia, Evangeline and St. Landry, the Zydeco-Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway leads you through some of the small towns and rich rural areas where Cajun and zydeco music thrive. You'll also find venues for country, gospel and swamp pop music.

Along the way, enjoy a wealth of historic beauty, comfortable B&Bs and antiques stores. Meet friendly people and eat to your heart's content at a wide assortment of restaurants that feature many interpretations of Cajun cooking. Visit Eunice on a Saturday night and you can participate in a live Cajun radio show filled with humor, music and song. In Mamou, visit a legendary lounge open only on Saturday mornings. Experience the Zydeco Festival in Plaisance. Visit Ville Platte, known as the "Swamp Pop Capital of the World."

You can tour a rice or crawfish farm in Crowley, home of the International Rice Festival, or go bird-watching as you travel through some of the best flyways in North America. On the outskirts of Church Point see the gravesite of a proposed Cajun saint. And be sure to hop over to Rayne, with its many murals of frogs. Let the music guide you, and this Byway will deliver an experience that will make your heart sing.

Fun Facts:

The oldest recording studio in Louisiana, Master-Trak Enterprising, was opened in 1946 by J.D. Miller and is located in Crowley.
Swamp Pop, a phrase coined by a British music critic, for South Louisiana Music, still thrives today in Ville Platte.

Bayou Teche is one of Louisiana's most beautiful bayous. With serpentine majesty, it winds through a lush fertile region renowned for its vast sugar cane yield. As summer ripens into fall, towering sugar cane frames long stretches of road. Following along Bayou Teche, the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway leads you from one elegant historic town to the next. The two largest communities are New Iberia and Morgan City, both offering a rich heritage in 19th century architecture, restaurants and B&Bs. Sights include a National Trust home, a Mardi Gras museum, and an aviation museum. You'll also pass through the towns of Franklin, with over 400 properties on the National Historic Register; Patterson, which began as a sawmill town and Jeanerette, with their museum that offers a pictorial history of 200 years of the sugar cane industry of Louisiana.

Rich in swamps, you'll find excellent swamp tours departing from Loreauville and Patterson. These tours offer you the opportunity to explore this unique environment and perhaps, depending on the season, see alligators. This area is home to Louisiana's "islands," which are not islands in the traditional sense. They are simply more elevated than the surrounding grounds. Two of these islands — there are five in all — are home to major attractions. The Bayou Teche Scenic Byway will take you on a journey filled with history, culture and unique sights.

Fun facts:

Shadows-on-the-Teche in New Iberia is the only property on the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the Gulf South.
Conrad Rice Mill in New Iberia is the oldest operating rice mill in the US.
Teche is an Indian word meaning "snake."
The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, held in Morgan City, is the oldest state-chartered harvest festival, established on Labor Day 1936.

Though the name of The Promised Land Scenic Byway sounds biblical, it is actually rooted in Cajun history. In the 1760s, the exiled Acadians were promised fertile land by the Spanish Governor of the Louisiana territory. A significant portion of this short Byway borders the Henderson side of the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest undeveloped wetland in the nation and home to Cajun fishermen for generations. While driving the levee road, take the time for a swamp tour and stop to eat at one of Henderson's famous restaurants.

Then drive through St. Martin Parish to historic St. Martinville, home to a magnificent church and adjacent museum, restaurants, B&Bs, and rich Acadian heritage including a State Historic Site. Nearby is a State Park. Breaux Bridge, "Crawfish Capitol of the World," is where you'll enjoy antiquing, specialty shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and B&Bs.

The Promised Land Scenic Byway joins and is a part of the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway in St. Martinville, offering a panorama of the natural and cultural beauty that makes Acadian Louisiana unique.

Fun Facts:

The Evangeline Oak is the most photographed tree in the world.
St. Martinville is known as the "Birthplace of Acadiana."

The Creole Nature Trail National Scenic Byway is a 180-mile journey through Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes - Louisiana’s Outback - a natural and cultural terrain unique to Louisiana, America and the world. From your car, the prairies and marshes of Louisiana's Outback appear peaceful and tranquil. Do not be fooled. These lands and waters are teeming with life and activity. Louisiana's Outback supports 16 species of mammals, more than 250 species of birds, millions of monarch butterflies, 39 species of mosquitos (yes, there are that many different mosquitos), 10 species of amphibians and reptiles, seven species of marine invertebrates and 18 species of fish. The first National Scenic Byway in the Gulf Coast region, the Creole Nature Trail leads you through a tapestry of prairie, marsh and beach, united by a culture that grew from it and that holds it dear.

This is a culture of the fiddle and the fishing pole, the boat and the "bon temps" (good times), where people have lived off the bounty of the land, sky and sea and worked to preserve its beauty for future generations. Festivals abound, celebrating everything from the alligator harvest to trapping. The major Byway entrance is in Sulphur, south of I-10, and the circular drive through southern Cameron Parish takes you through to Lake Charles. Along the way, you'll pass three outstanding wildlife refuges (two national and one state). These refuges showcase the vital importance of this environment to the entire North American ecosystem. Watch for "cheniers," a unique land formation known only to exist in four locations worldwide.

Stop by the side of the road to fish or shrimp. Walk a mile and a half-long boardwalk into a remote marsh. Beach-comb for pods from the Amazon jungle. See alligators lazily soaking up warmth or purposefully cruising the bayous and marshes looking for food. The Creole Nature Trail National Scenic Byway is more than a journey. Along roads that stretch and wind, connecting small towns and large vistas, lies a world of adventure, discovery and beauty beyond compare.

Fun Facts:

The Creole Nature Trail National Scenic Byway passes through Louisiana's largest parish, Cameron.
Almost everything known about alligators comes from research done at the Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge.
Cheniers, sandy beach ridges topped with trees, are the first resting and eating stop for birds and butterflies as they migrate north from the Gulf of Mexico.

Like the famed pirate for whom it is named, the Jean Lafitte Scenic Byway seeks untold treasures as it roams the backroads of Cajun Country. These treasures are both cultural and historic, culinary and celebratory. Beginning in Lafayette, the Byway links a host of historic towns such as Abbeville, Erath, Kaplan and Gueydan, and larger communities such as Jennings and New Iberia. You'll see an abundance of beautiful architecture, interesting museums and heritage centers. And you're sure to enjoy many fabulous restaurants showcasing the edible delights of Cajun culture.

Towards the Gulf of Mexico, the Byway visits the coastal marshes around Pecan Island where many Cajuns still keep their fishing and duck camps. This region also allows you to see "cheniers," rare land formations created by the Mississippi River over the past 3,000 years.

West, from Lake Arthur to Holmwood, this Byway borders the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, a vast freshwater marsh that provides an important winter home for migratory birds and a year-round home for several endangered species.

Traveling this Byway, you will have the opportunity to see many of the agricultural activities that have sustained Cajun culture. These include rice farming, cattle ranching, alligator trapping and farming, and fur trapping. Public boat launches provides access to the water where there are wonderful places for fishing, castnetting, and wildlife and bird-watching.

Fun Facts:

The salt mine on Avery Island near New Iberia is the oldest salt mine in the western hemisphere.
"Passion Fish" (1993), starring Mary McDonnell and Alfre Woodard and directed by John Sayles, was filmed in Lake Arthur, Opelousas and Lafayette, along the Jean Lafitte Scenic Byway.

Like the fingers of an old hand, knotted and crooked, the Cultural Wetlands Scenic Byway reaches across a vast network of swamp and marsh, pointing towards the Gulf of Mexico. The territory it covers is somewhere between land and water, built up by Mississippi River silt over millions of years. Today, this fertile ecosystem provides breeding grounds for fish and crustaceans and homes for much wildlife.

A large part of the Byway is centered around Houma, a city known for its excellent B∓Bs, historic homes and festivals. Driving the Byway south you'll discover Cajun communities like Bourg, Chauvin and Montegut. Ultimately, driving down LA 56 or LA 57, you will reach Cocodrie, a point of departure for Gulf of Mexico fishing trips.

Part of the Byway traces the path of Bayou Lafourche, affectionately known to residents as "the longest street in the world." Traveling all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, the bayou is dotted with historic communities. Here generations of Cajun fishermen have made their living. Follow the Byway down and visit Grand Isle, one of the top ten fishing spots in the world.

Byway spurs reaching west, north and east leads to Gibson, Amelia, Pierre Part, Chackbay, and Thibodaux where numerous attractions await. Climb aboard the Cultural Wetlands Scenic Byway for a jouney into Cajun culture.

Fun Facts:

Laurel Valley Village is the oldest surviving 18th and 19th-century sugar plantation in America.
Bayou Lafourche is known as the "longest street in the world."

From the Tunica Hills to Lake Pontchartrain's north shore and Honey Island Swamp, the Louisiana Bayou Scenic Byway criss-crosses 13 parishes, and extends into Plantation Country and Greater New Orleans regions. Passing through small towns such as Livonia, Bogalusa, Napoleonville, and Greensburg, the Byway's rambling roads encompass a remarkable breadth of scenery and cultures.

Centered around Baton Rouge, it includes stretches of the River Road on both banks of the Mississippi. Traveling south, visit Port Allen, Plaquemine, White Castle and Donaldsonville on the west side while Burnside and Gonzales awaits you on the east. Here, you'll discover magnificent plantations. Traveling north, experience St. Francisville, the heart of "English Louisiana," then take the ferry ride across the Mississippi to New Roads on picturesque False River.

Find out about the "Florida Parishes" east of the Mississippi, once known as the Republic of West Florida. Enjoy antique shopping in Ponchatoula and Denham Springs, as well as the historic downtowns of Slidell and Covington. Enjoy a wealth of colorful small town festivals including Kenwood's Dairy Festival. Stay in B&Bs that range from rural hideaways to magnificent homes in the center of town. Go berry picking. Travel through part of the famous Atchafalaya Swamp. Visit State Parks, State Historic Sites and two private wildlife preserves. Go canoeing or boating on the many beautiful rivers, many bearing Native American names like Amite, Tchefuncte, and Tangipahoa. Discover nationally acclaimed restaurants and local favorites with delicious cooking. The Louisiana Bayou Scenic Byway showcases our state's scenic splendor and colorful past for all to enjoy.

Fun Fact: The parishes (counties) east of the Mississippi River along this scenic Byway are known as the Florida Parishes because in 1810 they declared themselves the Republic of West Florida and free from Spanish rule. Later that same year, they asked to be admitted to the United States.

Plantation Country:

Running between New Orleans and Baton Rouge on either side of the Mississippi River, the River Road Scenic Byway guides you through rich rural landscapes and historic towns, present day industry, and some of the great Old South plantations, extending into the Greater New Orleans region. All reflect the power and influence of the mighty Mississippi. Its rich delta soil made possible the booming agriculture of the past and present. Transportation on its waters made the plantations and historic towns viable, just as today the Mississippi makes it possible for the industries along this corridor to thrive.

Along this Byway, historic towns offer museum and heritage centers, and tourist information, as well as excellent restaurants and B&Bs. You'll find plenty to interest you as well as very friendly people.

From East Baton Rouge Parish, home of our state capitol, to Jefferson Parish on the edge of New Orleans, you'll see all aspects of plantation life. Each of the plantation homes has a unique architecture, character and history. Many have costumed guides and some offer B&B accommodations. Discover how the slaves lived. See their tools, slave cabins, the plantations they built and much more.

The cities at either end of this Byway, as well as the towns in between, celebrate their heritage with annual festivals. Make one of them part of your Byway experience. Travel this Byway for historic riches and take home memories you'll treasure.

Fun Facts:

Baton Rouge was the site of the only American Revolution battle fought outside the thirteen colonies.
The Mississippi River drains all or parts of 32 states and two Canadian provinces.

The Tunica Trace Scenic Byway (LA Hwy 66) is approximately 20 miles long. Beginning at the intersection of US Hwy 61 and LA Hwy 66, this charming, winding road passes through the Tunica Hills and ends at Louisiana's famous State Penitentiary at Angola. The museum outside the prison wall is well worth a visit. In addition to fascinating displays of prison weapons, handmade prison crafts are sold here. Each Sunday in October, the prison holds an inmate rodeo that is a major event attracting visitors from far and wide.

The Byway's name honors the aboriginal trail later used by Tunica Indians in this historic region. Plans are in place to build a State Park Nature Center that will interpret the Tunica Indian history as well as the area's rare plant and animal life.

There are eight plantations and one antebellum chapel in the vicinity. One plantation is open to the public and is also a B&B. Another B&B is located along LA Hwy 66. Though relatively short, the Tunica Trace Scenic Byway delivers a powerful experience of beauty and fascination.

Fun Fact: In 1999, "The Farm" was filmed on the grounds of Angola and received an Academy Award nomination for "Best Documentary."

Greater New Orleans:

Just outside the excitement of New Orleans, deep in the Mississippi Delta, lies a region of unique cultural and historic riches called St. Bernard Parish. The San Bernardo Scenic Byway leads you into the world of the Islenos, Spanish colonists from the Canary Islands. Over many generations, and through great difficulties, they have succeeded in preserving their heritage and their language. Museums, restaurants and area festivals allow you to learn about and share in Isleno traditions.

This Byway also reveals area history. You'll pass a National Historic Park commemorating the Battle of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson's stunning victory that launched him on the road to the White House. You'll also pass the plantation where sugar was first granulated.

As this Byway meanders south, following a bayou that traces an abandoned Mississippi River bed, you'll see historic homes dating back to the early 1800s. Visit fishing villages sustained as they always have been by abundant Gulf of Mexico seafood.

This Byway is a revelation of deep delta living at its best. Great restaurants complete your experience, and chances are very good you'll want to see St. Bernard Parish again and again.

Fun Fact: The site of the DeLaRonde House was a French colonial plantation used as a British hospital during the Battle of New Orleans. The site contains the last above ground structural remnants existing on the battlefield.

Reference Sources:
Creole Nature Trail
Explore the History and Culture of Southeastern Louisiana
Louisiana Office of Tourism, "Louisiana Scenic Byways" brochure

Additional Louisiana Information:
A Selective Chronology of Louisiana History
Louisiana Lagniappe: Facts and Trivia
Louisiana: How to Speak the Language
Louisiana: The Pelican State

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