• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Heart of Louisiana Logo

The Heart of Louisiana

  • Staycations
  • Regions
    • New Orleans Region
    • Capital Region
    • Acadiana
    • Southwest Louisiana
    • Central Louisiana
    • Northshore
    • North Louisiana
    • Bayou Region
  • 60 Second Road Trips
  • TV Stories
  • History
  • Recent Posts
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Louisiana Staycation

Explore Louisiana’s state parks


Louisiana has 20 state parks that allow you to experience the best of the Bayou State. Camp, rent a vacation cabin, fish, paddle, hike or bike in Louisiana’s great outdoors. Check out these beautiful parks that get you back to nature!

LEARN MORE

Experience world class adventure close to home.

This Week’s Featured Stories


Louisiana state capitol building in Baton Rouge

The Capitol Huey Long Built

In the 1930’s, this Louisiana skyscraper reflected the style of America’s tallest buildings.  The State Capitol opened in 1932, a year after the Empire State Building in New York.  This…

Continue Reading The Capitol Huey Long Built

Lake_Martin_The_Nature_Conservancy_Cypress_Trees_and moss

The Nature Conservancy and Lake Martin

Since the first time I visited Lake Martin and The Nature Conservancy’s Cypress Island Preserve, it has been one of my favorite Louisiana destinations. The 200-acre lake, located near the…

Continue Reading The Nature Conservancy and Lake Martin

yellow iris in garden

Botanic Garden in Baton Rouge

For more than 40 years, this downtown location was the first airport in Baton Rouge. The airfield relocated to another site north of the city in the 1970’s. And the…

Continue Reading Botanic Garden in Baton Rouge

Louisiana Regions


Steamboat Natchez in the Mississippi RIver

New Orleans Region

Huey Long statue in front of the Louisiana State Capitol

Capital Region

sunrise over Lake Chico State Park

Acadiana

alligator on shore in southwest Louisiana

Southwest Louisiana

wild Azalea in the Kisatchie National Forest

Central Louisiana

locomotive in the Northshore of Louisiana

Northshore

huge cypress trunk in North Louisiana

North Louisiana

egret flying over swamp in Louisiana

Bayou Region

Dave’s Louisiana Favorites


Here are a few of my favorite places and experiences in Louisiana. Whether it’s hiking, canoeing, photography or visiting a small town museum, Louisiana is full of great places to visit.


Bald eagle flying over treetop in southern Louisiana swamp

One Afternoon in a Louisiana Swamp

Continue Reading One Afternoon in a Louisiana Swamp

Hummingbird on nest on tree branch Louisiana

Hummingbird Nest

Continue Reading Hummingbird Nest

waterfall at Sicily Island Hills, Louisiana

Louisiana Waterfalls

Continue Reading Louisiana Waterfalls

Dave McNamara has spent much of his career as a journalist traveling across his home state of Louisiana reporting on its unique places, attractions, cultures and people.  He’s discovered a few favorites along the way. (full bio)


60 Second Road Trips


Take a quick 60-second trip to some of the most interesting places in Louisiana.



sunrise reflection in lake through cypress tree

Watch the Videos 60 Second Road Trips

Heart of Louisiana on TV

The Louisiana State Capitol is the skyscraper Huey Long built. It’s also where he was gunned down by an assassin. The building is full of fascinating stories.

Watch this Heart of Louisiana TV feature on Louisiana’s State Capitol

Heart of Louisiana logo

Footer

Copyright © 2022 Heart of Louisiana · Web Design

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Dave McNamara
  • Contact
  • Advertising Opportunities
  • Archives
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map