Louisiana is ripe with history and culture, two things that make this state such a special place to visit. But oftentimes, it’s the small towns within each state that make up the fabric of what that state truly is about. For instance, the best small towns in Louisiana often make for the best day trips rather than the big cities. When you visit these historic places in Louisiana, that’s when you truly get a feel for what this state is all about. So the next time you’re planning day trips in Louisiana and you don’t know where to go, check out these stand-out small towns first.

1. Donaldsonville, Louisiana
Donaldsonville, LA 70346, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / flickr
An amazing historic town, the district of Donaldsonville is said to have the finest collection of buildings from the antebellum era, including Fort Butler, the site of a civil war battle. In 1868 the residents of Donaldsonville elected Pierre Caliste Landry, the first African American mayor in the United States. The town’s newspaper, the Donaldsonville Chief, has been in print since 1871.
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.
2. DeRidder, Louisiana
DeRidder, LA 70634, USA
City of Deridder
Incorporated in 1902, DeRidder is known for its beautiful architecture, including the notable Old Beauregard Parish Jail. This town is home to a number of historical sites and is also said to have the most churches per capita than any other place in the entire country!
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.
3. Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice, LA 70535, USA
Eunice-LA.com
Home of the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, this town hosts one of the largest Courir de Mardi Gras celebrations in the state. It’s also the home of the World Championship Crawfish Étouffée cook-off!
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.
4. Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA, USA
Billy Hathorn / wikicommons
The biggest ‘small town’ on this list, Natchitoches is one of the cutest spots in the state. The setting for the smash hit Steel Magnolias and home of the Natchitoches meat pie, this adorable town is known for its downtown walk on the Cane River.
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.

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5. Ville Platte, Louisiana
Ville Platte, LA 70586, USA
NY2Calif / youtube
Home of Louisiana’s largest state park, Chicot State Park, Ville Platte is one of the birthplaces of the Afro-creole Zydeco music tradition. It’s also one of the best places to eat ‘viande boucanee’ or smoked meat.
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.
6. Abita Springs, Louisiana
Abita Springs, LA, USA
Infrogmation / wikicommons
The medicinal springs nearby this town offer water as well as the popular Abita Beer to people across Louisiana. For fun and entertainment, this sweet town, north of Lake Pontchartrain, offers the UCM museum as well as the Abita Springs Opry.
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.
7. Zwolle, Louisiana
Zwolle, LA 71486, USA
Facebook Natives of Zwolle & Ebarb Historical & Genealogical Society, LLC
Home of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, this town near Toledo Bend has historic buildings and years of culture. If you're looking for unique historic places in Louisiana to visit, this is one of the best!
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.
8. St. Martinville, Louisiana
Saint Martinville, St Martinville, LA 70582, USA
Ken Lund / Flickr
Over 8,000,000 pounds of wild crawfish are harvested from St. Martin Parish, where St. Martinville is the parish seat. Known as the heart of Cajun Country, this is the third oldest town in Louisiana and has many beautiful historic homes and cultural landmarks. As far as day trips in Louisiana are concerned, this one might reign supreme.
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.
9. St. Francisville, Louisiana
Saint Francisville, St Francisville, LA 70775, USA
Bill Herndon / flickr
Nestled north of Baton Rouge, this town was founded in 1809 and was once the capital of the Republic of West Florida. This town is home to a number of restored plantation homes and beautiful antebellum gardens.
To learn more about this unique Louisiana town, click here.

Lists like this are always hard to determine – what makes a small town? And what makes it special? Let us know if there are places that we missed on this list! Or if you’ve been to any of the best small towns in Louisiana we mentioned above, make sure to shout out which was your favorite!

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More to Explore

Best Small Towns In Louisiana

Marisa Roman | August 22, 2021

What is the oldest town in Louisiana?

As far as historical places in Louisiana go, Natchitoches, pronounced (Nack-a-tish) is one of the best. As the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase and the original French colony in the state, this small town is the oldest in Louisiana. Check out the history of the small town of Natchitoches and why it’s a must for your next road trip adventure.

What are the best day trips in Louisiana?

There is nothing like getting out on the open road and enjoying various day trips in Louisiana. We have quite a few places throughout the state that are well-worth the trek, some of which you may have never heard of. Wander through the flower-lined trails of Kiroli Park in West Monroe, or enjoy a pontoon boat tour of Jean Lafitte Barataria Preserve. Start planning for these 13 day trips in Louisiana here.

What are the most unique things to do in Louisiana?

Exploring a new state allows for a blend of touristy attractions and more lesser-known spots. If you’re interested in the latter, then we have a handful of places for you. These 9 unique things to do in Louisiana remain hidden attractions for many people but are well worth exploring.

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