There’s no doubt Louisiana is an exciting travel destination for vacationers in 2024. The “Bayou State” is a cultural melting pot featuring a fascinating blend of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences that can be seen in its traditions, languages, and celebrations. While the majority of tourists will venture to places like New Orleans with its popular Mardi Gras to experience this unique facet of Louisiana culture, there is an alternative for those looking to try something new.

Spread across the state are many smaller communities that offer much the same in terms of Southern hospitality and excitement as the bigger cities but without the crowds. Whether you’re looking to explore the state’s culinary and music scenes or even its equally compelling natural beauty, this selection of the seven coolest towns in Louisiana for a summer vacation in 2024 is a must-read.

Grand Isle

Beautiful Grand Isle is an ideal spot for those seeking a summer beach vacation. Situated on Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico, it’s home to Grand Isle State Park with its family-friendly public beach and safe swimming. The park also includes a fishing pier providing excellent opportunities for catching fish without needing a boat. Campsites are available, too, allowing stays right by the beach. For birdwatchers and nature lovers, the Grand Isle Birding Trail is a must-visit. The island is a vital stopover for migratory birds, and the trail provides a chance to see numerous species in their natural habitat, especially during the spring migration.

Another notable spot is the Grand Isle Butterfly Dome. Located within the community center, this enclosed garden is home to many native species and offers a unique chance for a close-up look at these beautiful creatures. The Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is a great time to visit. The oldest fishing tournament in the United States, this year’s event takes place from July 25 – 27, 2024, and promises to attract anglers from across the country for its festive atmosphere and superlative fishing.

Natchitoches

The town of Natchitoches is a great summer vacation spot for history buffs. Located on the I-49 76 miles south of Shreveport, Natchitoches was established in 1714 and is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. A highlight of a stay here is exploring the Natchitoches Historic District. Stretching along the banks of the Cane River, it features 33 blocks of charming shops and quaint B&Bs set in beautifully preserved French Creole architecture. Iconic brick-paved Front Street is a delight to wander and is lined with boutiques and restaurants that offer a taste of Southern cuisine.

Be sure to also spend time visiting Cane River Creole National Historical Park. This historic park includes two former French Creole cotton plantations, Oakland and Magnolia, both offering guided tours. Another must-visit is the Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery, one of the oldest in the U.S.

Mandeville

Fancy a pretty lakeside setting for that summer vacation? Charming Mandeville might be just the ticket. Located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Mandeville boasts a picturesque lakefront area that’s ideal for a pleasant stroll, while magnificent sunsets can be enjoyed at Sunset Point Park. The Mandeville Trailhead and Cultural Interpretive Center is a must-visit and provides plenty of useful information about the town’s cultural offerings and history.

Summer events are plentiful here and include music and culinary events, many set against the backdrop of the pretty downtown area. Round things off with a fun cruise, and if you feel like exploring the south end of the lake, take a boat ride to New Orleans.

Abbeville

Abbeville is just a short drive south of Lafayette and is a good choice for a summer vacation in 2024. This cool small town, with its attractive antebellum and Victorian-era architecture, is deeply rooted in Cajun and Creole traditions, making it a great spot for an authentic Southern experience. The Abbeville Cultural and Historical Museum is a great place to learn more about the town’s fascinating history and also houses a great art gallery showcasing the works of talented regional artists.

The town’s food scene is one of the coolest in the state, especially for those with a hankering for mouth-watering seafood dishes like the famous Abbeville seafood gumbo, a delicious blend of local flavors and spices. Fresh crawfish boils are plentiful and offer a taste of traditional Cajun boudin, a delicious rice and pork sausage that’s available at many local eateries.

Eunice

Referred to as the “Heart of Cajun Country,” Eunice celebrates its rich heritage with a variety of cultural attractions and events that offer an authentic taste of Louisiana’s unique culture through music, food, and history. Top things to do in Eunice include taking in a show at the Liberty Theater. Built in 1924, this historic venue is home to Rendez-vous des Cajuns, a live radio show performed in the style of Nashville’s Grand Olde Opry but with Cajun music and French-speaking hosts.

The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is another key sightseeing spot and provides educational exhibits and workshops about the life and culture of the Acadian and Creole people. On weekends throughout the summer it hosts traditional craft demonstrations and music performances of Cajun and Zydeco music.

St. Francisville

St. Francisville is the perfect place for a summer vacation on the Mississippi River. Just a 36-minute drive from Baton Rouge (a plus that makes a side trip to the state capital easy) the town owes its stunning setting not only to its well-preserved antebellum architecture and historic downtown but also to its position along the bluffs of the Mississippi. Among the most historic attractions to visit here are the Myrtles Plantation, one of America’s most haunted homes (guided ghost tours are available), and the Rosedown Plantation, set on 371 acres with a garden.

No summer vacation is complete here without spending time exploring the Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area. It’s perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying the local flora and fauna.

Breaux Bridge

Located just a few miles east of Lafayette, Breaux Bridge is an ideal spot for a summer vacation for those looking for an authentic Louisiana food experience. Dubbed the “Crawfish Capital of the World,” this charming small town is a hub of Cajun culture and gastronomy. Although held in May, those able to start their vacation a little early will want to attend the 2024 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival to participate in everything from crawfish races and cook-offs to traditional Cajun and Zydeco music performances.

Whatever part of summer you arrive, there are plenty of other fun things to do in Breaux Bridge. Topping most lists is venturing onto the Bayou Teche, a 125-mile-long waterway that runs through the town that’s perfect for kayaking and fishing.

When it comes to planning unique summer getaways, the towns of Louisiana are worth considering. Not only do they offer an enchanting mix of culture and history, but they also present opportunities to sample authentic Southern experiences without the crowds…and often without the big ticket prices. Whether it’s exploring beaches and ancient waterways, enjoying local delicacies, or participating in historic festivals, these 7 cool towns in Louisiana are perfect for a summer vacation in 2024.

LAKE CHARLES – The school superintendent for Calcasieu Parish is facing calls for his resignation after he chose not to cancel classes April 10, when three tornados hit the area. 

Shannon Lafargue defended his decision in a video statement, saying he kept schools open based on the information available to him and prioritized safety.

However, many community members are angry the superintendent did not cancel school, saying he put students, teachers and staff at risk. Bus drivers are particularly upset, as they were forced to drive through dangerous conditions, including flooded streets and winds of more than 25 mph. Bus routes were further impacted six days later when more than 30 drivers decided not to report to work in protest.

Emails the Illuminator obtained show Lafargue was aware the National Weather Service modified its risk forecast for severe storms April 10 to level 4 out of 5 as early as the morning of April 9. The worst of the weather struck between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. 

The National Weather Service confirmed three separate tornadoes touched down in the Lake Charles area on the morning of April 10. They included an EF-2 tornado with winds up to 115 mph near McNeese State University, and two EF-1 twisters in Cameron Parish. 

At the April 16 Calcasieu Parish School Board meeting, District 11 representative Phylis Ayo asked for a formal investigation of how the school superintendent handled the April 10 weather event to determine where the breakdown in communication occurred. 

“Something went down, and we don’t know what it is. A formal investigation needs to happen sooner rather than later,” Ayo said.

A unanimous board vote was needed to add an item to the meeting’s agenda for the proposed investigation. District 8 Representative Eric Tarver said he would not support the motion, drawing boos from the standing-room-only audience. Board members Billy Breaux, Glenda Gay and Dean Roberts also voted against the agenda change. 

At a special board meeting April 30, Lafargue recommended school board members approve a delayed school start protocol for future weather events. Bus drivers also got the opportunity to air their grievances, with many saying Lafargue owed them an apology.

Bus driver Sharon Welcome said school district officials have previously failed to prioritize the safety of bus drivers, students and teachers during severe weather. 

“It’s not the first time. It’s not the fourth or the fifth time that something like this has happened. Enough is enough,” Welcome said. “I’m not going to jeopardize myself for your negligence.”

“The buck stops with you, bus drivers,” Kathy Landry, district representative for the Louisiana School Bus Operators Association, told drivers in the audience. “As your rep, anytime you don’t feel it’s safe to drive that bus, you don’t have to, and the federal government will back us on that one.”

Corey Arvie said he had seven students on board when the severe weather struck April 10. The conditions left them stuck in the middle of the road, less than 2 miles away from the tornado that struck Ryan Street. Arvie said his bus was facing toward the wind, and he worried about tree limbs crashing through his windshield.

“Today marks 20 days that I’ve dealt with trauma, crying out of nowhere, trying to earn the trust of parents again to be their bus driver,” Arvie said. “It’s hard getting up every morning knowing that these parents are trusting us with their kids’ lives, and any wrong turn, any little mistake can cost a life. It’s hard for us to keep going right now.”

Arvie said bus drivers should be represented on the school board and among school district leadership.

“I really do feel like … there should be a bus driver, either on the crisis team, in an office, because no one knows what we go through on a day-to-day basis.”

Teri Johnson, a Southwest Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees representative, asked Lafargue to apologize to those in the audience.

“I haven’t earned your trust. I’m going to do something about it tonight,” Lafargue responded. “It may be too late, but at least from this point forward, no matter what happens to me, our district is going to be better … You voiced your opinion. I said in that video, that didn’t resonate with you, that this will never happen again. You are the most valuable people … I take full responsibility, and everything that goes with that is an apology.”

The school board approved a delayed start policy that would go into effect when severe weather threatens, allowing school to begin as late as 10 a.m.

According to District 10 School Board member Tony O’Banion, the board has received evaluation forms that would decide Lafargue’s future with the system. He told the Illuminator the board will go into executive session during its May 14 meeting to discuss the evaluations and will decide whether Lafargue’s contract will be renewed by June 30.

Louisiana charter schools might soon be able to remove certain enrollment requirements for students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students. It’s a move that parents of those students feel limits their options in a school system based on choice.

House Bill 708, authored by Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, moved out of the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, despite initial pushback from some committee members and the public. It heads next to the Senate floor and, if approved, would have to go back to the House for concurrence on a committee amendment. 

In 2015, former Sen. Dan Claitor authored a bill to add the language to state law that Freiberg is trying to remove. Claitor spoke to the committee in opposition to Freiberg’s bill. 

Under Claitor’s bill, certain charter schools must have a percentage of students equal to 85% of the disabled or economically disadvantaged students in the local school district. 

For example, if 55% of a local school district’s population is economically disadvantaged students, 46.75% of the charter school’s enrollment must be economically disadvantaged students.

Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, questioned the reasoning behind Freiberg’s bill. 

“I am a hundred percent charter, but I don’t understand the resistance,” Mizell said. “I don’t understand taking the rule out that gave us the only protection saying charters are absolutely fair across the board.”

Proponents of Freiberg’s bill said the quotas are unfair because charter schools are held to a higher standard than other public schools. Standard public schools are not required to enroll a certain number of students with disabilities or economic disadvantages.

“The quotas only give people who have an ax to grind an ability to go in to be able to cause harm,” said Kenneth Campbell, previously the executive director of charter schools for the Louisiana Department of Education.

Some charter schools have selective admissions and have resisted providing special education services, although they’re required at public schools under state and federal law.

Proponents also argued it is not fair to require that parents provide their household income or children’s disability details on charter school applications when public schools do not require the same information for enrollment. 

Opponents of the bill reminded the committee that since Claitor’s law was enacted in 2015, the number of charter schools in compliance with the enrollment quotas has increased but is still not adequate.

According to a Louisiana Legislative Auditor report in 2022, 10.3% of charter schools required to serve a specific number of economically disadvantaged students did not meet the requirements. The rate is an improvement from the 2016-17 school year, when 21.3% charters did not reach their quota.

The report also says multiple schools repeatedly failed to meet the economically disadvantaged requirement. It did not include information on how many schools were meeting the requirement for students with disabilities. 

Opponents of Freiberg’s bill were also concerned that removing the quota would allow “bad actors.”

“If we remove that requirement for charter schools to even serve those populations, there are going to be schools that figure out ways to avoid serving those children,” said Tania Nyman, an education advocate from East Baton Rouge Parish. “And that is not going to be beneficial for the community at large.”

Although the proposal removes “goal lines” for charter schools, it still requires the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules and regulations to oversee charter schools in this capacity. The stipulation was added as an amendment in committee. 

Ashley Townsend, deputy policy chief for the Louisiana Department of Education, explained to committee members that BESE would essentially create a complaint process for parents to turn to if they feel that a charter school is discriminating against children with disabilities or those who are economically disadvantaged. 

Ben Lemoine, BESE’s executive director of governmental relations, indicated that board members support Freiberg’s legislation.