Louisiana is absolutely full of amazing sights to see. From ancient New Orleans graveyards to restored plantations, defensive forts and more, you’re sure to find some Louisiana landmarks that pique your interest. The most famous landmark in Louisiana is Bourbon Street, but there are plenty of others to see.
Here are our favorites.
Top Landmarks in Louisiana
Louisiana Landmarks
Bourbon Street
Arguably not just a single Louisiana landmark but a whole string of them, Bourbon Street is located in the French Quarter and easily one of the most famous avenues in any American city—or any city in the world for that matter.
The happenin’ heart of New Orleans, Bourbon Street is filled with bars, nightclubs, music venues, and other places to party. That said, it’s also only a short walk away from more wholesome to-dos like art galleries, restaurants, and the absolutely requisite beignet-and-coffee pairing available at Cafe du Monde. (For best results, order at or after midnight.)
Attractions and Camping Nearby
There are tons of things to see and do in New Orleans, including some spots on this list. We highly recommend the National WWII Museum and Mardi Gras World.
As mentioned above, there are several RV camping options in and around New Orleans. Here are our top picks:
- French Quarter RV Resort (full-hookup RV parking within walking distance of the French Quarter)
- New Orleans RV Resort and Marina
St. Louis Cathedral
Also located in the French Quarter, the St. Louis Cathedral is one of the must-see Louisiana landmarks for those exploring NOLA. While a church has stood in this location since the early 1700s, this particular building was started in the 1800s and finally completed in 1914. The finished product is absolutely gorgeous and well worth a look, even if you aren’t particularly religious.
If attending service does appeal to you, you are welcome to attend mass at the cathedral on Sunday mornings.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Wondering what else to do in NOLA? Why not check out the New Orleans Museum of Art or catch a show at Preservation Hall?
Any of the camping options listed above would be excellent choices for an RV trip to St. Louis Cathedral. Otherwise, you could try one of these great picks:
Gallier House
Only steps away from historic Jackson Square in the French Quarter, the Gallier House is considered a kind of microcosm of the city of New Orleans as a whole and is one of the most interesting landmarks in Louisiana.
The Gallier House has seen a lot of history—and a lot of physical changes—over the 200 years it’s been standing. Named after its original tenant and well-known architect James Gallier Jr., construction started on the house in 1857 and Gallier and his family moved in by 1860.
Because of Gallier’s design acumen, the house is filled with cutting-edge-for-the-time features, such as hot and cold running water taps, a skylight, and intricate interior design.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Even more amazing New Orleans sights include Steamboat NATCHEZ and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, both are well worth seeing.
So far we’ve listed four excellent NOLA RV camping options. Here are a couple more to choose from:
St. Louis Cemetery #1
New Orleans is well known for its many historic cemeteries, and all of them are worthy Louisiana landmarks to visit. That said, if you’re looking to commune with the oldest spirits in town, St. Louis Cemetery #1 is the destination you want to aim for.
Initially opened in 1789, this is the oldest cemetery in the city—and home to some of the most famous gravesites, including those of Bernard de Marigny, Marie Laveau, and Paul Morphy.
This cemetery is located close to the Mississippi River, and these days, visitors can’t get in without a professional tour guide. Honestly though, this is for the best, since you’ll get a better sense of what you’re actually looking at.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The Louisiana Children’s Museum is a great stop if you happen to have kids in tow during your visit and it is located in New Orleans City Park, which is a lovely place to spend some time.
Want even more awesome NOLA RV camping options? Try these on for size:
George Washington Cable House
This lovely house was home to the American writer of the same name in the late 1800s. Cable was famed for writing about the Creole life experience, and his home was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1962.
Tucked away in the west side of the city’s beautiful Garden District, the house was originally a single-story construction but today has two levels. Legend has it Gable hosted none other than Mark Twain here as a guest!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Jackson Square is a must-visit while in the area and we love the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
Honestly, we’re all out of great New Orleans RV parks to recommend. That said, we’d be surprised if one of the aforementioned parks won’t work for you.
Evergreen Plantation
While the American South is dotted with the remains of plantations, Evergreen Plantation sits between New Orleans and Baton Rouge and stands apart as the most intact complex you can visit today. 37 of the plantation’s buildings claim spots on the National Register of Historic Places—22 of which are slave cabins.
Today the plantation welcomes visitors and offers educational information on all aspects of plantation life, including the darker history of forced labor.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Dixie Landin’ Theme Park isn’t too far away and is worth the drive. In fact, the entire city of Baton Rouge is worth checking out.
When visiting Evergreen Plantation, we recommend staying at the Bonnet Carre Spillway Campground. This is an Army Corps of Engineers location, and though there are no RV hookups available, the rates are incredibly affordable.
Fort Jackson
Traveling the other way from New Orleans along the river, you’ll find yourself at Fort Jackson in Plaquemines Parish.
This fort served as coastal defense for the city of New Orleans in the 1820s and ’30s. A National Historic Landmark, it was the site of a Civil War battle and is labeled “Battery Millar” on some maps of the area. The Union forces were able to claim the fort, which was eventually used as a Union prison later on in the course of the war.
Unfortunately, the interior fort is not currently open to the public, but you can walk around the outside and snap some cool photos. There is also a small museum nearby that helps explain the history of the fort.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The fort is pretty remote, but the Iberville Museum is close enough to do some exploring and The Island Golf Course is a nice spot for those who enjoy golfing.
If you’re hoping to spend the night near Fort Jackson, consider River Oaks West RV Park. This campground is located just down the road from the fort and features full hookups, plenty of shade, and a welcoming staff.
Charpentier Historic District
The Charpentier Historic District landed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, and for good reason. This Lake Charles neighborhood is home to nearly 300 buildings originally constructed between about 1880 and 1939. This includes the Church of the Good Shepherd, which was erected in 1896 and separately listed on the National Register in 1983.
The neighborhood exhibits Queen Anne Revival, Colonial Revival, Bungalow, and Eastlake architecture types, and altogether represents the lumber boom that made Lake Charles blossom around the turn of the 20th century.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Things to do in Lake Charles include the Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel and Casino, Sam Houston Jones State Park, and more.
There are a few great camping options in and around Lake Charles. Some of the best choices include the following:
USS KIDD
An authentic Fletcher-class Navy Destroyer, the USS KIDD is today docked in Baton Rouge and has been designated a Veterans Museum open to the public.
Once aboard this Louisiana landmark, visitors will learn all about this vessel’s storied history, from its namesake—Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr., who died aboard the USS Arizona during the infamous bombing of Pearl Harbor—to its cameo in the Korean War, to its Pacific Tour, and more. The museum also offers lots of general information about what life aboard a ship like this was like for the sailors who called her home for a time.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Baton Rouge is full of fun things to do. We recommend BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo and Louisiana Art and Science Museum.
It’s not difficult to find excellent RV camping in Baton Rouge. Some of the top places to stay are listed below:
Old Louisiana State Capitol
Perhaps one of the most recognizable landmarks in the state of Louisiana, the Old Louisiana State Capitol building is both a historical and architectural wonder. Known for its colorful stained-glass dome, this Baton Rouge landmark served as the state’s capitol building from the mid-1800s until the current building was completed around the time of the Great Depression.
Today, the building serves as a museum and is open to the public. It’s chock-full of original interior decor, fascinating information, and a host of rotating exhibits. Best of all, it’s totally free to enter!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
More things to do in Baton Rouge include Magnolia Mound Museum and Historic Site and Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum.
The two Baton Rouge RV parks listed above are great picks. If you’re looking for something different, see what you think about the parks listed below:
Planning an RV Trip to Louisiana
As you can see, there are tons of great landmarks in Louisiana for you to explore. On top of that, the state is full of awesome state parks and urban landscapes. Rent an RV today, pick a few landmarks from the list above, choose a couple more attractions, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime in the Bayou State!
