Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Attractions And Activities In Louisiana
By Jackie Ann|Published March 15, 2024
×
Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Are you ready for warmer temperatures and springtime adventures? We’ve put together an ultimate guide for Louisiana spring activities so you can embrace the season and stack your weekends with all sorts of fun things to do.
Everyone knows that the best part about spring is all of the beautiful flower blooms. My personal favorite is the explosion of azalea bushes all over the state, they just make the morning commute so much more cheerful! Here are some of the best places to peep some flower blooms in Louisiana this spring:
Beginning in June, endless acres of sunflower fields in northern Louisiana will be in bloom. A self-drive route is best since this is in a fairly rural part of the state, and you can stop off at plenty of spots to snag a selfie. While the sunflowers will be in bloom for a few weeks, it’s worth your while to check out the Sunflower Festival which will take place on June 15, 2024, this year. In addition to all of the sunflower fields, you can also check out several local vendors selling all things sunflower-themed, food, music, and more! Check out the Sunflower Festival on Facebook for more information.
2. Rip Van Winkle Gardens
Rip Van Winkle Gardens, 5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560, USA
Location: 5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560
Popularity: Very
Price: Children, ages 6 to 17: $8.00 · Adults, 18 and older: $14.00 · Seniors, 65 and older: $12.00
Once the home of a prominent actor, today Rip Van Winkle Gardens is a bit of a hidden gem. The 15 acres of semi-tropical gardens seamlessly weave together with Louisiana’s iconic ancient oaks to make one incredible display, especially during the spring. It’s worth noting that there are several free-range peacocks here, and you’re likely to come across them as you wander around. Personally, I think they’ll add even more beauty to your photos, but I know not everyone loves birds as much as I do.
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter and spend some time exploring New Orleans City Park. The 1,300-acre park is easily one of the most beautiful parks in NOLA. During the spring, the wildflower fields are one of the most popular spots in the park! While you’re strolling through the park and admiring all of the beautiful blooms, be sure to swing by the Botanical Gardens for even more colorful flowers.
Of course, it’s hard to mention spring in New Orleans without mentioning the Garden District. Known for its epic antebellum mansions and perfectly manicured gardens, it’s worth your while to catch the streetcar over to this New Orleans neighborhood and take a scenic stroll. When the jasmine is in bloom, the whole neighborhood smells delightful! Catch a New Orleans Jazz brunch at Commander’s Palace for a truly memorable afternoon.
Advertisement
Botanical Gardens In Louisiana
You can’t let spring pass you by without taking the time to stroll through some of the beautiful botanical gardens in Louisiana. Who knows, you may even be inspired to begin your own garden!
4. American Rose Center
American Rose Center, 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119, USA
Location: 8877 Jefferson Paige Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119
Popularity: Moderately popular
Price: $5 per person, children under 3 are free
Go ahead, stop and smell the roses! And the American Rose Center isn’t just any rose garden, it’s the largest rose garden in the USA! The 118-acre rose garden is open year-round, and the American Rose Center website has all sorts of incredible resources to help you grow your own rose garden. Check it out!
5. New Orleans Botanical Gardens
New Orleans Botanical Garden, 5 Victory Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA
Price: Adults: $12, Children 3-12: $6, Children under 3: free
After you’ve peeped the wildflower fields, you’ve got to check out the 10-acre New Orleans Botanical Gardens at City Park. Created in 1936, there are more than 2,000 plant varieties peppered throughout the garden, and there’s always something in bloom. If you plan on spending spring in New Orleans, be sure to check out both the French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest. Both take in April/May and offer plenty of opportunities to soak in live music, local food, and plenty of local artists selling their crafts.
6. Jungle Gardens
Jungle Gardens, Louisiana 329 &, Main Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513, USA
Location: Louisiana 329 &, Main Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513
Popularity: Very popular
Price: $15.50 for adults, $13.50 for kids
You could spend an entire day exploring Avery Island. Most people know the island to be the home to America’s famous pepper sauce, Tabasco, but it’s also home to a beautiful 170-acre botanical garden, too! Visiting the Jungle Gardens before or after a Tabasco Factory tour is a perfect day. As you wander through the gardens, you’ll see tons of wildlife including birds, alligators, deer, and many others! The perfectly landscaped gardens will make you feel like you’re wandering through a Monet painting, it’s that stunning!
After you’ve explored, head over to Restaurant 1868 where you can enjoy a plethora of Cajun and Creole dishes enhanced with different Tabasco flavors. Perfect for the foodie in the group!
While any one of Louisiana’s 21 state parks is worthy of a visit this spring, I wanted to highlight two special parks in Louisiana. These aren’t state parks, but they sure do make a pop every spring.
7. Briarwood
Briarwood: Caroline Dormon Nature Preserve, 216 Caroline Dorman Rd, Saline, LA 71070, USA
Location: 216 Caroline Dorman Rd, Saline, LA 71070
Popularity: Hidden gem
Price: $12 per person
Briarwood is a nature preserve in Louisiana that’s near and dear to my heart, and not enough people know about it! Located about 30 miles north of Natchitoches, Briarwood was the childhood home of Louisiana naturalist and author Caroline Dormon, who dedicated her life to making sure Louisiana’s natural fauna are protected. She was the first woman hired to the U.S. Forestry Service, and she was a driving force in getting the Kitatchie National Forest established. When she passed away in 1971, she left her house and property to be cared for by a group of volunteers who continue to carry on her mission today. You’ll need to make an appointment before you head over, and once you’re there you’ll have a front-row seat to exploring this beautiful, wild preserve filled with native Louisiana plants.
After you’ve toured Briarwood, spend the night in Natchitoches and enjoy even more beautiful blooms. There are so many things to do in Natchitoches that you’ll never be bored on your weekend getaway!
8. Kiroli Park
Kiroli Park, 820 Kiroli Rd, West Monroe, LA 71291, USA
Boasting 150 acres of nature trails, sports fields, picnic areas, fishing ponds, and inclusive playgrounds, Kiroli Park is one of the most beautiful parks in northern Louisiana. Admission is only one dollar, which is a steal if you ask me! The nature paths will take you all around the park, with each step more beautiful than the next. Kiroli Park emphasizes accessibility, making sure folks with strollers and wheelchairs can easily navigate this beautiful park.
Advertisement
Spring Hikes In Louisiana
Springtime has a way of getting everyone off the couch and onto the trails. Whether you want to tackle the longest trail in the state or traverse through the swamps of Jean Lafitte’s Barataria Preserve, there’s truly a trail for everyone, and having an AllTrails+ Account can be super helpful. Here are some of our favorite spring hikes in Louisiana to add to your bucket list:
9. Wild Azalea Trail
Wild Azalea Trailhead, 352-398 Castor Plunge Rd, Woodworth, LA 71485, USA
There are hundreds of trails within the Kisatchie National Forest, but few can compare to the Wild Azalea Trail. Clocking in at around 24 miles, it’s the longest primitive hiking trail in Louisiana (Tammany Trace is the longest paved trail). The trailheads are at the Woodworth Town Hall and Valentine Lake Recreation Area, making it super easy to spend some time at the lake before you hit the trail! Even if you only do a portion, it’s worth it to see all of the wild azaleas along the trail. These beauties will bloom from the end of March until May, so try to time your hike in mid-April to give yourself the best chance of seeing them in bloom.
10. Louisiana State Arboretum
Louisiana State Arboretum State Preservation Area, 1300 Sudie Lawton Lane, Ville Platte, LA 70586, USA
Location: 1300 Sudie Lawton Lane, Ville Platte, LA 70586
Popularity: Fairly popular
Price: Free
Sitting pretty in the heart of Cajun Country, the Louisiana State Arboretum is a great way to spend a spring day, and it’s an easy day trip from either Lake Charles or Lafayette. Several hiking trails weave throughout the Arboretum and take you on an enchanting journey through the Cajun Prairies and bottomland hardwood forest with beautiful pops of color along the way. Chicot State Park is right next door and also has plenty of must-see hiking trails that are perfect for spring.
11. Northlake Nature Center
Northlake Nature Center, 23135 U.S. Hwy 190, Mandeville, LA 70448, USA
Location: 23135 U.S. Hwy 190, Mandeville, LA 70448
Popularity: Fairly popular
Price: Free
Tucked away on the Northshore and less than an hour’s drive from the French Quarter sits the Northlake Nature Center. Here you’ll find 400 acres to discover, including three different ecosystems: a hardwood forest, a pine-hardwood forest, and a pond swamp. It’s a bit of a gumbo of ecosystems! The trails are all less than two miles, so you can mix and match to fit your schedule.
Nearby, Fontainebleau State Park offers even more beautiful hiking trails and even a lovely little stretch of beach that overlooks Lake Pontchartrain and it’s a fabulous spot to watch the sunset.
Spring Picnic Spots In Louisiana
Picnics and springtime go together like peanut butter and jelly…which, coincidentally, is a fabulous picnic sandwich. Grab your favorite picnic basket (and maybe a few pounds of crawfish) and head over to one of these must-see picnic spots in Louisiana for a picture-perfect afternoon:
12. Valentine Lake
Valentine Lake Recreation Complex, Camping and Day Use, 282-D Valentine North Shore Kisatchie National Forest, Elmer, LA 71424, USA
Hiding in the Kisatchie National Forest, Valentine Lake is a 46-acre lake that’s perfect for a spring picnic. The Valentine Lake Recreation Center has plenty of picnic tables to enjoy, and if you bring your own canoe, you can drag and drop it into the lake for a fun little adventure. Motorized boats aren’t allowed on the lake, so it’s perfect for canoeing and kayaking. If you want to turn your day trip into a weekend getaway, you can always bring your gear and reserve one of the camping slots.
13. Milford Wampold Memorial Park
Milford Wampold Memorial Park, 901 Stanford Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA
Milford Wampold Memorial Park is a 4.15-acre park resting on the shores of the LSU Lake in Baton Rouge. Amenities at this park include a boat launch, fishing opportunities, and an outdoor fitness station which are all ADA-compliant. There’s also a quarter mile of walking trails to discover, and a lovely little beach to enjoy, too!
There are so many wonderful springtime adventures in Louisiana to discover, this barely scratches the surface. Activities like swamp tours through the bayou are perfect this time of year, and if you’re interested in exploring Louisiana’s waterways, check out some of our favorite swamp tours.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
