From the Cajun crawfish and French Quarter beignets to zydeco beats and backcountry roads, you truly can experience Louisiana with all of your senses. You'll find festivals throughout the year that celebrate everything from crawfish to jazz and, of course, Mardi Gras. But the attractions don't stop in New Orleans. Louisiana is filled with succulent cuisine, historic plantations and southern hospitality too.
Wedding Requirements At least one member of the couple must apply in person for a marriage license in Louisiana. Be sure to have the bride and groom’s birth certificates and $27.50 for the license fee. The waiting period for obtaining a wedding license in Louisiana is 72 hours, unless you’re planning to marry in New Orleans, where licenses are granted immediately. For more information visit louisianatravel.com.
What to Do
Music Whether it's jazz, blues, zydeco or swamp pop, music in Louisiana is an art form. Louisiana not only introduced the rest of the world to these soulful rhythms but also gave us jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong and Wynton Marsalis. You’ll find top-notch musicians playing every night of the week in cities like New Orleans and Lafayette.
New Orleans and Beyond The past is still very present throughout Louisiana. Natchitoches, in the central Crossroads region, is the state's oldest permanent settlement, dating to 1714. Explore the stately plantation houses along River Road, which stretches from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, to get a glimpse of life in the antebellum South. Lafayette, the capital of Cajun country, is home to the Acadian Village museum, while nearby Eunice has the Cajun Music Hall of Fame. All of these traditions are well represented in New Orleans, the state's official and cultural capital.
Crawfish, Gumbo, Jambalaya and More Étouffée, gumbo, jambalaya and boudin sausage are just a few staples of Louisiana cuisine. But don't think about leaving without "sucking the head" of a crawfish, a Cajun tradition that's served up in rustic roadhouses and gourmet restaurants alike. New Orleans is fast regaining its title as one of the country's best cities for dining, thanks to longtime favorites like Gallatoire's and hip, new eateries like Cochon. For some extra spice, tour the Tabasco Factory in New Iberia and learn how the famous hot sauce is made.
Off the Beaten Path
French Quarter Spend a spooky night in the French Quarter, said to be the most eerie neighborhood in North America. Stop in Reverend Zombie's Voodoo Shop and sign up for the nightly New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour to learn about the legendary spirits who fill these historic streets. Then, pop in for drinks at Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, the city’s oldest bar and reported haunting place of its notorious namesake.
