I'm new to the Baton Rouge, LA area and would like to take a few weekend trips to explore the state. I've already seen New Orleans, the plantations surrounding it, and I've already taken a swamp tour.(In the New Orleans area) Any suggestions? Any B&B's, anything interesting in Cajun country? We love the outdoors and great scenery. Thanks!

During the spring, Lafayette hosts (at least, it used to host) a huge festival of French-speaking cultures. Representatives from different countries (in Europe, the Caribbean, the South Pacific ...) participate. There's a parade of all the representatives in native dress, lots of music and dance performances and other events.

There are also some "living history" places in that area, where you can see reproduction (or restored) Acadian homeplaces, hear music, eat food, generally immerse yourself in a tourist version of Cajun Culture. It's fun.

I liked the tour of the Tabasco plant at Avery Island, and the area around St. Martinville and New Iberia is worth exploring.

Since you live in the state capital, it should be easy for you to get your hands on lots of Louisiana tourist propaganda. It's a beautiful state, filled with interesting characters. (And rent the movie "Blaze" with Paul Newman and Lolita Davidovich. Part of it is set in your new hometown, although I'm not sure if it was actually filmed there. There's some Hollywood license with the story, of course, but there's some truth there, too.)

Drive up to Natchitoches, three hours northwest of Baton Rouge. It's a cute little French town in the middle of Protestant North Louisiana and features the same wrought iron look of New Orleans. Good restaurants, neat little shops and restaurants, interesting plantations, etc.

Sara,
Two obscure but interesting places
for your day trips would be Poverty
Point and Los Adaes.
Poverty Point is between Monroe and
Vicksberg on a plateau above what used
to be a branch of the Miss River system.
There was a civilization there from
1700-1100 BC. It is now a state park
and makes a very interesting day of
exploring. Don't miss the exibit and
the film!
Los Adaes is 12 miles west of
Natchitoches. This was the capital of
Spanish Texas from 1731 to 1773! The
settlers were ordered to abandon it
because they were trading with the
French in Natchitoches. They pleaded
with the viceroy to let them settle in
(what is now) east Texas not nearer than
100 miles from Natchitoches . . . so
they founded Nacogdoches, Texas, which
also might make an interesting trip.
Hwy 6 to Nacogdoches and Hwy 21 from
there to San Antone was the El Camino
Real, which went all the way to Mexico
City. An obsure piece of history, but,
fun stuff if you like to get off the
beaten path.
John is right about Natchitoches.
It's a real charm. One could spend a
couple of days there just enjoying the
ambience. It's a small college town
these days. The plantation tours are
different than what you find elsewhere.
This is 33 miles of the Red River that
changed course and left an island
between old river and new river. This
area was settled by "free people of
color" who were slave owners themselves!
And, don't miss the stuff in Baton
Rouge! The film archives in the old
capital building constitute the greatest
comedy you've ever seen!
Thank you for asking,
Chris
New Orleans, La.

Natchitoches was where the movie "Steel Magnolias" was filmed!

If you find yourself in Cajun country, there is a wonderful National Park Service visitor center in Eunice that has great exhibits about Cajun culture, history, music and life, plus a whole collection of videos that they will show upon your request relating to all aspects of Cajun life and culture. Don't miss the one about handfishing -- amazing footage of guys diving underwater in bayous and catching catfish and -- get this --SNAPPING TURTLES by hand!

Also, Chicot Lake is very nice. A beautiful arboretum.