Louisiana’s unique culture offers a special experience.
With its roots in both French and Spanish heritage, and a strong influence from the Acadians, known today as Cajuns, the state has a colorful history and a flair all its own.The language, the food, the music and the varying backgrounds of its people create a fascinating melting pot of cultures that cannot be experienced elsewhere. LSU is located in the heart of Louisiana’s capital, and New Orleans and Cajun Country are just an hour’s drive from campus.
Mardi Gras
One of the things Louisiana is best known for is Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday.” Mardi Gras is celebrated in a variety of ways around the state, but most include eating king cake, participating in parades, and costuming. The holiday represents an integral part of Louisiana’s culture and heritage.
Cuisine
Dining in Louisiana is a sumptuous culinary adventure like no other in the world. Whether you try Lafayette’s pork boudin, Natchitoches’ savory meat pies, or New Orleans’ Oysters Rockefeller, you will be sampling the mouth-watering blend of Louisiana’s epicurean heritage. Red beans and rice, gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish---no meal in Louisiana is ordinary and we have food and flavors to satisfy everyone’s palate!
Architecture
Louisiana is known for the beauty of its distinctive architecture and historic buildings. In fact, you’ll find more sites in Louisiana on the National Register of Historic Places than in any other state. New Orleans’ French Quarter is decorated with lovely wrought-iron balconies and tropical courtyards, as well as the iconic architecture of one of the oldest Catholic Cathedrals in the U.S. On the historic River Road, you can drive alongside the Mississippi River and view antebellum mansions, elegant French Caribbean-style homes and colorful Créole cottages that date back to the 1700-1800s.
Sportsman's Paradise
Louisiana has long been known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise.” Its many bayous, swamps and coastal marshes provide excellent fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, canoeing and photography opportunities.Lush forests throughout the state appeal to hunters; numerous state and national parks provide recreational opportunities for those who love the outdoors; and the bluffs, creeks and waterfalls of the Tunica Hills area about an hour northwest of LSU are favorite spots of hikers and cyclists.
Music
Music is one of Louisiana’s crown jewels. From Cajun and zydeco music to jazz, blues and gospel, the sounds of Louisiana will put rhythm in your step. A long line of Louisiana musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Fats Domino and Jerry lee Lewis, have not only created original musical styles, but have also influenced music throughout the nation and around the world. No matter your preference or your mood, Louisiana will be singing your song.
Festivals
Louisiana is home to more than 400 free festivals that take place year-round, all across the state. Showcasing the best and most interesting aspects of the local culture, festivals celebrate the food, music, crafts and even the bounty of the state’s agriculture. The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge; the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula; the Amite Oyster Festival in Amite;the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans; and the International Rice Festival in Crowleyare just a few of the events that are loved by locals and tourists alike.
FAQs
One of the things Louisiana is best known for is Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday.” Mardi Gras is celebrated in a variety of ways around the state, but most include eating king cake, participating in parades, and costuming. The holiday represents an integral part of Louisiana's culture and heritage.
What makes Louisiana so special? ›
Louisiana has the most vivid history and diverse culture of any state in the country. From its beginning as a French colony in the New World, Louisiana has developed a unique passion for music, festivals, food and politics.
What are some fun facts about Louisiana history? ›
Zachary Taylor, who served as U.S. President from 1849 to 1850, is the only American president to have ever resided in Louisiana. P.B.S. Pinchback, Louisiana's governor during Reconstruction, was America's first black governor. Governor Bobby Jindal is the first governor of Indian-American descent in U.S. history.
What culture is Louisiana known for? ›
Cajun culture, one of Louisiana's most distinguishing features, comprises communities, including Lafayette, originally formed by French settlers, Attakapas Native Americans and Acadian refugees from Canada.
What makes Louisiana legendary? ›
Louisiana is known for the beauty of its distinctive architecture and historic buildings. In fact, you'll find more sites in Louisiana on the National Register of Historic Places than in any other state.
What is many Louisiana known for? ›
It is the shopping hub of Sabine Parish, offering lots of different businesses, shops and restaurants to explore. The area has some of the best outdoor recreation with Toledo Bend reservoir nearby with fishing, boating, hiking and more.
What does Louisiana have that no other state has? ›
Similar bills requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms have been proposed in other states including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah. However, with threats of legal battles over the constitutionality of such measures, no state besides Louisiana has succeeded in making the bills law.
What makes Louisiana unique from other states? ›
Louisiana's unique, rich history permeates many aspects of life in the Pelican State. Beyond language, food, and tradition, Louisiana's history also strongly influences the law. In fact, unlike every other state in the U.S., Louisiana does not use the British common law tradition.
What does Louisiana mean in history? ›
Etymology. Louisiana was named after Louis XIV, King of France from 1643 to 1715. When René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle claimed the territory drained by the Mississippi River for France, he named it La Louisiane.
Why is Louisiana so important? ›
The Louisiana Purchase eventually doubled the size of the United States, greatly strengthened the country materially and strategically, provided a powerful impetus to westward expansion, and confirmed the doctrine of implied powers of the federal Constitution.
As a tribute to the state's dairy industry, the Louisiana Legislature decided that milk would be its state drink.
What animal is Louisiana known for? ›
The American alligator is the official state reptile of Louisiana. Perhaps the most iconic of Louisiana wetlands' animals, the American alligator has bounced back from near extinction to being relatively commonplace.
What is Louisiana known as? ›
state, United States. Also known as: Pelican State.
Why was Louisiana so important? ›
Through much of its early history Louisiana was a trading and financial center, and the fertility of its land made it one of the richest regions in America as first indigo then sugar and cotton rose to prominence in world markets. Many Louisiana planters were among the wealthiest men in America.
Why is Louisiana so different from other states? ›
Reflecting its French heritage, Louisiana is the only U.S. state with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are equivalent to counties, making it one of only two U.S. states not subdivided into counties (the other being Alaska and its boroughs).
What is the state motto of Louisiana? ›
The pelican and its three young are surrounded by the Louisiana motto, "Union, Justice, Confidence." The state seal is not currently available in vector format, but three high resolution versions of the state seal are available: B/W Seal (Version 1)
