Since we’ve all been stuck indoors for a while now, you might be looking forward to the days when we get to get outside and explore our beautiful state. We’ve got some of the most unique adventures that the whole family will love, so start building the summer bucket list right now.
- Visit Briarwood.
Briarwood Nature Preserve/Facebook Nestled within the Kisatchie National Forest, Briarwood is the former home of Caroline Dormon, a world-renowned naturalist, author, and the first woman to be hired in the United States Forest Service. Briarwood is a natural paradise and you’ll want to stroll through the trails, admire the many wildflowers, and get lost underneath towering longleaf pine trees.
- Have a picnic at the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area.
Brian Verdin/Google While you’re in the Kisatchie forest, pack a lunch and head over to the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area, where you’ll be met with some of the most unique tree-top views in Louisiana. There are trails nearby if you find yourself wanting to explore the area even further.
- Sleep on the beach.
Joni Davis/Google At Grand Isle State Park, you can pitch a tent right on the beach. Imagine falling asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing onto the shores as you gaze up at the stars in the sky.
- Take an airboat swamp adventure.
Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tours/Google There are swamp tours, and then there are swamp tours. If you’ve never taken an airboat swamp tour, you’re in for quite the adventure. Due to their design, airboats can glide across mere inches of water, giving you access to parts of the swamps and bayous not accessible in a normal pontoon boat. Plus, flying through the swamps at high speed is a thrilling experience that will show you the swamps in a whole new light.
- Road Trip through the Creole Nature Trail.
Pierrick L./Trip Advisor Located in southwestern Louisiana, the Creole Nature Trail is a 180-mile All-American Road that’s perfect for the road warrior. You’ll pass through charming little towns where you can fill up on delicious Cajun delicacies and through some of the most beautiful parts of Louisiana’s Outback.
- Zip-Line over alligators.
Gators & Friends/Facebook Gators & Friends is an exotic animal petting zoo and adventure park that’s the perfect family outing. Ride go-karts, pet furry friends, and then have the thrill of your life as you soar over a 7-part zip line that will have you flying over the park, including over their alligator pond, filled with hundreds of gators. Exhilarating!
- Admire the unique art at the Chauvin Sculpture Garden.
Alex Gausnight/Google Now overseen by Nicholls State University, this hidden gem was once the home of Kenny Hill who built hundreds of sculptures on his property before being evicted. Each sculpture tells such a powerful story, it’s worth a road trip from any corner of the state to walk through this thought-provoking space.
Have you been to any of these places? Let us know in the comments below! And if you have a local attraction, restaurant, or nature trail that you think we should know about, nominate them for a chance to be featured!
Briarwood Nature Preserve/Facebook
Nestled within the Kisatchie National Forest, Briarwood is the former home of Caroline Dormon, a world-renowned naturalist, author, and the first woman to be hired in the United States Forest Service. Briarwood is a natural paradise and you’ll want to stroll through the trails, admire the many wildflowers, and get lost underneath towering longleaf pine trees.
Brian Verdin/Google
While you’re in the Kisatchie forest, pack a lunch and head over to the Longleaf Vista Recreation Area, where you’ll be met with some of the most unique tree-top views in Louisiana. There are trails nearby if you find yourself wanting to explore the area even further.
Joni Davis/Google
At Grand Isle State Park, you can pitch a tent right on the beach. Imagine falling asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing onto the shores as you gaze up at the stars in the sky.
Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tours/Google
There are swamp tours, and then there are swamp tours. If you’ve never taken an airboat swamp tour, you’re in for quite the adventure. Due to their design, airboats can glide across mere inches of water, giving you access to parts of the swamps and bayous not accessible in a normal pontoon boat. Plus, flying through the swamps at high speed is a thrilling experience that will show you the swamps in a whole new light.
Pierrick L./Trip Advisor
Located in southwestern Louisiana, the Creole Nature Trail is a 180-mile All-American Road that’s perfect for the road warrior. You’ll pass through charming little towns where you can fill up on delicious Cajun delicacies and through some of the most beautiful parts of Louisiana’s Outback.
Gators & Friends/Facebook
Gators & Friends is an exotic animal petting zoo and adventure park that’s the perfect family outing. Ride go-karts, pet furry friends, and then have the thrill of your life as you soar over a 7-part zip line that will have you flying over the park, including over their alligator pond, filled with hundreds of gators. Exhilarating!
Alex Gausnight/Google
Now overseen by Nicholls State University, this hidden gem was once the home of Kenny Hill who built hundreds of sculptures on his property before being evicted. Each sculpture tells such a powerful story, it’s worth a road trip from any corner of the state to walk through this thought-provoking space.
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Address: Briarwood Preserve Rd, Saline, LA 71070, USAAddress: Gators and Friends, 11441 US-80, Greenwood, LA 71033, USAAddress: Longleaf Vista Recreation Area, Provencal, LA 71468, USAAddress: Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, 1205 N Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601, USAAddress: Chauvin Sculpture Garden & Art, 5337 Bayouside Dr, Chauvin, LA 70344, USAAddress: 1377 Henderson Levee Rd, Henderson, LA 70517, USAAddress: Grand Isle State Park, 108 Admiral Craik Dr, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA
