Louisiana
These 8 Towns in Louisiana Have Bustling Main Streets
New Orleans, often called the “Big Easy,” is famous for its vibrant live music scene, round-the-clock nightlife, street parties, parades, and fiery Southern cuisine along Bourbon Street. However, the real charm of Louisiana lies in its towns, each offering a unique and intriguing experience. From a shopping mecca in the heart of downtown West Monroe to Mardi Gras celebrations in New Roads to the rich Zydeco music scene in Opelousas, these towns have bustling main streets waiting to be discovered.
Natchitoches
The historic town of Natchitoches is tucked away along the picturesque Cane River. Along Front Street, in downtown Natchitoches, is Kaffie Frederick General Mercantile, Louisiana’s oldest general store, selling everything from home goods to gifts. For something to eat, Mayeaux’s Steak & Seafood offers a delightful experience with premium steaks and seafood in addition to the finest wines. Head to Mama’s Oyster House for a laid-back dining atmosphere and live music. Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant, famous for its signature meat pies, is a short walk away. The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum along Front Street are two incredible museums you will want to check out. For more nearby exploration, take a relaxing riverboat ride on the Cane River Queen. Residents and visitors retreat downtown for annual events like the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival and the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, offering festive fun during the holiday season.
New Iberia
Main Street is one of the most bustling areas in New Iberia. It is home to the Bayou Teche Museum, a beautiful attraction with interactive displays highlighting local industries and culture. Another must-visit place to explore is Shadows-on-the-Teche, a historic plantation open year-round for tours. Books Along the Teche, an independent bookstore on Main Street, allows book lovers to discover rare books and more. The Sliman Theatre for the Performing Arts, housed in a beautifully restored Art Deco building, is the perfect place to see a show. Downtown New Iberia has many excellent places to eat and drink, too. Grab a coffee at Church Alley Cafe & Bistro, order delicious burgers at Bambino’s Burgers, have an elegant dinner at Amalfi, enjoy Japanese dishes at Bojangles Sushi, or sip on cocktails while listening to live music at Napoleon’s Bar. New Iberia hosts several community events at Bouligny Plaza, located along Main Street, hosts events, such as the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff, Teche Area Farmers Market, New Iberia Spanish Festival, and Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival.
West Monroe
West Monroe’s downtown, known as Antique Alley, has evolved to offer a unique and exciting shopping experience. The streets of Antique Alley are lined with trendy boutiques and unique stores selling everything from fashionable clothing and leather goods to gourmet spices and teas. After a day of shopping, enjoy a meal at nearby restaurants with beautiful views of the Ouachita River. With its signature Cajun specialties, Trapp’s is a popular dining destination. For a taste of New York-style pizza and craft beers, head to Flying Heart Brewing & Pub. West Monroe’s Main Street is the central hub for major events like the Twin Cities Mardi Gras Kickoff and the Downtown Gallery Crawl, adding to the city’s unique charm.
Covington
With multiple blocks of stores, galleries, boutiques selling apparel, and the well-known Covington Farmers Markets on Saturdays, there are many things to see and do in downtown Covington. While there, explore the renovated Southern Hotel after stopping by the St. Tammany Art Association to see exciting exhibits and art displays. Museums like the Covington Trailhead Museum and HJ Smith & Sons General Store & Museum are also must-visit attractions downtown. Buster’s Place Restaurant is a great dining option with its extensive menu of fresh seafood and Cajun dishes available for lunch or dinner. The Green Room, a vibrant bar on Boston Street, provides the perfect setting for a fun evening with pool tables, karaoke, live music, and a DJ. Boston Pub is another lively spot to drink and hear jukebox tunes. Enjoy live music at Columbia Street Landing, which hosts free concerts during the spring and fall. It is also the site of the annual Three Rivers Arts Festival.
St. Francisville
The lovely historic downtown St. Francviile has dozens of enjoyable eateries and shops to discover along its bustling main streets. On Commerce Street, dine on Neapolitan pizzas at Big River Pizza Company or French dip po-boys at Magnolia Café. Birdman Coffee & Books, also located on Commerce Street, offers an inviting atmosphere with coffee and baked goods on the menu alongside live music. There is also a restaurant and bar inside the charming St. Francisville Inn. Stroll down Ferdinand Street to get close views of historic churches, homes, and attractions, like the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum. Continue down the street to reach the Backwoods Gallery, District Mercantile, and The Oyster Bar, a beautiful waterfront dining destination. The roads in downtown St. Francisville get lively with annual events like the Tunica Hills Music Festival & Jam, Yellow Leaf Arts Festival, and Christmas in the Country.
New Roads
New Roads, known as “Little Carnival Capital,” is a huge mecca for parades and parties on Main Street during Mardi Gras season. Large crowds also retreat downtown for wine, shopping, and live music at the annual Wine Down on the False River event. New Roads offers ample shopping opportunities for those needing retail therapy in the heart of its downtown district. A stop at the New Roads Antique Mall is a must for rare finds and collectibles. The Pointe Mercantile & More is another ideal place to browse handcrafted artisan items and gifts. There are also fabulous places to eat in the area. Morel’s Restaurant offers seafood dishes, Southern hospitality, and beautiful views of the stunning False River. For other dining options, Ma Mama’s Kitchen and Hot Tails Restaurant serve up Louisiana-style fare in a casual atmosphere. Explore the art and cultural scene at the Julien Poydras Museum & Arts Center. Make plans to attend an art show, film screening, or a concert there.
Opelousas
Downtown Opelousas offers an authentic Louisiana experience deeply influenced by Cajun and Creole traditions. The Le Vieux Village Heritage Park & Museum is a noteworthy destination, as the historic area has early 19th-century houses, shops, and a fascinating museum. The Zydeco Music Exhibit in Le Vieux Village provides information about the origins of Zydeco music in Opelousas. The Creole Heritage Folklife Center, a short drive away, is a landmark that honors Creole heritage. Local eateries offer gumbo, shrimp Creole, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée. Local eateries offer gumbo, shrimp Creole, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée. You will also find some establishments known for specialties like boudin stuffed chicken wings or handmade yam country pies.
Breaux Bridge
Nestled among the picturesque banks of the Bayou Teche, Breaux Bridge is a charming town just two hours west of New Orleans. Stroll downtown to find dining establishments like Tante Marie on the corner of Main Street and Bridge Street. You can order everything from build-your-own-breakfast plates and beignets to bold burgers and Cajun dishes. Coffee lovers can also find Irish coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos on the menu. On the weekends, live music fills the room while you dine. Chez Jacqueline has seafood gumbo and crawfish étouffée, while Angelle’s, a few steps down, serves up old-fashioned hamburgers. Buck & Johnny’s, another option, offers eclectic Italian dishes with Cajun flair. Shop for antiques and collectible items every Friday and Saturday at Silver Screen Vintage Market on Main Street. You will also find stylish attire at Bayou Blush Boutique and Once Upon A Wing. The town’s lively side is on display at the annual Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, which takes place on the first weekend of May.
You may have had New Orleans on your travel bucket list for quite some time due to its scenic views, history, and fantastic music. However, after reading about West Monroe, New Roads, Opelousas, and the five other Louisiana towns on this list, you will soon want to visit them to experience each of their bustling main streets and everything they have to offer, including great food at local restaurants.
“All of the communities that surround it are going to need to be built up,” Romero said. “They’re going to need, you know, extra hospital space and rural clinics and restaurants.”
USDA’s rural development section supports economic development, job creation and services like housing, health care, first-responder services and utility infrastructure, according to its website.
Romero resigned from his seat in the Louisiana Legislature on Dec. 14 and began his new job with the federal government the next day, he said.
He’s replacing acting Director MaryAnn Pistilli and will be based in Alexandria, though he’ll regularly travel the state and meet with local leaders and officials, he said.
The former state lawmaker said Gov. Jeff Landry helped put his name forward for the appointment.
Louisiana
As New Orleans cuts costs, Louisiana auditor reviews take-home vehicles: ‘Is it necessary?’
As New Orleans looks to shave costs, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor is probing whether to curb the city’s roughly 2,800-vehicle fleet, including take-home vehicles.
Auditor Mike Waguespack – who is already monitoring the city’s finances, including overtime costs – said Tuesday that he’ll examine whether employees who have take-home cars actually need them and whether the city is selling vehicles it no longer uses.
The city’s fleet was 40% larger at the end of July than it was in 2023, according to data provided to the Times-Picayune last month. At least 935 municipal employees, or roughly 20% of the city’s workforce, drove cars home as of December, costing the city at least $41 million. Most are police officers.
“Is it necessary? Is it a fringe benefit or is it really justified?” Waguespack said on Tuesday.
Waguespack’s moves come after Mayor-elect Helena Moreno in December questioned Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s use of take-home cars and the size of the city’s overall fleet, and as Moreno’s administration is implementing a host of furloughs and layoffs to avoid a $222 million deficit that would have otherwise plagued the new year.
A spokesperson for Moreno said Monday that “it is clear there are efficiencies to be gained and some unnecessary allocation of resources” in the city’s vehicle fleet.
“Reducing unnecessary expenditures is at the top of the Moreno administration’s priorities,” Todd Ragusa said.
A Cantrell spokesperson did not return a request for an interview.
The auditor’s report will be released as one part of a comprehensive review of the city’s fiscal practices requested by State Bond Commission after it agreed to allow the city to sell $125 million in short-term revenue bonds in November. Waguespack will review New Orleans’ finances for fiscal years 2022 through 2025 and make recommendations.
His office will begin issuing reports on various budgetary issues in the next few months, and will issue the full slew of reports by mid-year, he said.
A deep review
New Orleans has had to contend with state intervention ever since the city discovered a $160 million deficit last year, caused by a failure to account for police overtime, ignored warnings about overspending, and too-rosy revenue projections.
Waguespack weekly approves the city’s drawdowns from the $125 million pool the State Bond Commission authorized last year, so that the city could make payroll for 5,000 employees.
He is also looking into the city’s policies and practices governing overtime spending, another area Moreno has said her administration will take measures to control after she takes office on Jan. 12.
Now, his audit of city vehicles — his first deep-dive into that issue — will examine the condition of municipal vehicles, their maintenance and insurance records. It will also examine the city’s vehicle policies, including who gets to take home a car, Waguespack said.
Waguespack on Tuesday questioned the size of the city’s overall fleet, which includes “pool” vehicles that are not assigned to a particular driver. The city’s total fleet consisted of 2,800 vehicles as of July 30, according to city records provided to the Times-Picayune.
“At first glance it appears that there is an excessive amount of pool cars— some of which are dated in age,” said Waguespack. “It could be an issue of not selling the surplus property.”
Of the fleet, 350 vehicles are pre-2010 models, according to the records. Waguespack said he worries that unnecessary vehicle expenditures — including costs to maintain and insure vehicles past their prime — could be straining the city’s finances.
Increase in fleet
The city did not provide take-home vehicle data for 2020-2024 or total fleet data for 2020-2022 in response to a public records request.
But data it did provide show the overall fleet has increased dramatically in recent years. By the end of 2023, there were 1,970 overall cars, compared to roughly 2,800 in July.
Also in 2023, the New Orleans Police Department rolled out more than 700 new police vehicles as part of a push by then-Interim New Orleans Police Superintendent Michelle Woodfork to give every officer a take-home car to boost recruitment numbers. Of the 935 employees who had take-home cars in December, 832 were NOPD employees.
The city dedicated $26 million of its $388 million in federal pandemic aid to public safety vehicles, according to the city’s American Rescue Plan spending dashboard.
The $41 million the city paid for the take home vehicles in use as of December, per the records, includes only the purchase price of the cars, and not the insurance, maintenance or gas it must also pay.
The size and oversight of the city’s fleet has long been a point of contention.
In 2008, then- Inspector General Robert Cerasoli found that the city was paying $1 million a year for 273 vehicles for public workers, not including purchase costs, and that there had been frequent abuse.
In response, Mayor Mitch Landrieu slashed the number of administrative take-home vehicles to 59, and separately cut the number of cars assigned to public safety employees from 758 in June 2010 to 414.
In 2016, a report by then-Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux found that between 2009 and 2024, the city had no formal fleet management system in place to track how many vehicles the city owned, or how often they were used or repaired.
Mayor’s personal fleet
Moreno highlighted concerns about the city’s take-home car policies in an interview with the Times-Picayune last year.
“We have way too many people with take-home cars that are non-public safety employees,” Moreno said.
Of the 935 employees who have take-home cars in December, 95% had public safety responsibilities.
She also took shots at the mayor’s personal fleet of take-home cars, and said she’d get rid of them. “I don’t know why she needs four.”
Cantrell confirmed at the time that she has three city vehicles – “two large vehicles and one sedan” — which she said were necessary for “safety and protection.” She also fired back that Moreno “doesn’t know what she doesn’t know.”
A list of take-home vehicles provided to the Times-Picayune only lists one vehicle assigned to Cantrell, a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. It’s unclear why the other two vehicles are not listed.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been reported in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Concordia Parish, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) said. The buck was harvested on Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and is the first CWD detection in a wild deer in Concordia Parish.
CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. The latest positive brings the total number of CWD detections for Louisiana to 44.
Initial diagnostics by the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) detected CWD prion in tissue samples submitted by LDWF. Per required protocol, LADDL has forwarded the sample to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for confirmatory testing. Final confirmation is anticipated in the coming weeks.
Due to this preliminary detection during the ongoing deer season, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing. A CWD sample drop-off site is located along Highway 15 near the northern boundary of Richard K. Yancey WMA.
To obtain viable samples for testing, a fresh head including a few inches of neck is required. Data submission cards and bags are available on site. Once completed, the bagged deer head and data card should be placed in the available cooler at the CWD drop-off site.
LDWF is currently in the process of implementing the LDWF CWD response plan. More information regarding the response plan and intended mitigation efforts for this area will be forthcoming.
“We continue to count on our hunters, property owners, deer processors and taxidermists for their assistance in monitoring CWD as their continued partnership with our department will help manage the expanse of CWD in the state keeping our deer population healthy,’’ LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth said.
CWD is a neurodegenerative disease of white-tailed deer and other members of the Cervidae family. The disease is caused by a prion, an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and is 100-percent fatal in affected deer after an indeterminate incubation period. There is no treatment or preventative vaccine for CWD. CWD-infected deer may exhibit symptoms of weight loss and emaciation, salivation, frequent drinking and urination, incoordination, circling, lack of human fear, and subsequent death of the animal.
Although CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend against the human consumption of deer known to be infected with CWD. Also, it is recommended that people hunting in areas known to harbor CWD-infected deer have their deer tested for the disease prior to consumption. LDWF provides CWD testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge.
For more information on CWD, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd.
Questions can be addressed to Dr. Jonathan Roberts at jroberts@wlf.la.gov or Johnathan Bordelon at jbordelon@wlf.la.gov.
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