After suffering the ravaging effects of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana is repositioning itself on the global tourism scene.  The Louisiana Tourism Board encourages visitors to return to this unique southern state with their slogan, “Come and fall in love with Louisiana again”.  For those that have already taken a vacation in Louisiana, you know how special the state is.  Louisiana has plenty of cities to explore outside of New Orleans, such as Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles.  If you tire of the cities, there are plenty of rural areas to visit, and for a unique slice of Louisiana culture, the Bayou is the place to be.  Besides the Cajun and Creole food offered in the Pelican State, there are many things that you will never forget when you plan a Louisiana vacation.  With plenty of Louisiana hotels offering accommodations of all sorts, planning a Louisiana getaway is easier than ever. 

Undoubtedly, the first place to visit on most people’s Louisiana itinerary is the city of New Orleans.  Known the world around for its Mardi Gras celebration, and its booming nightlife, New Orleans is a city quite unlike any other in the United States.  Found on the end banks of the Mississippi River, New Orleans and its historic districts are alive and well, though there is no avoiding the issue that much of the city still lays in ruin.  While city officials and the government on a whole seems to failing the New Orleans revival, you can still find the city to be a joy to explore.  It’s always been about eating, drinking, dancing and listening to music here, and that hasn’t changed.  You can tour much of New Orleans by foot, reaching many of the prime attractions in the French Quarter and the other districts.  For in-depth information on New Orleans you can check out the New Orleans virtual tour.  In New Orleans, your hotel is often just a place to put your stuff first, and a place to sleep second.  The hotels in New Orleans will fit all preferences, including those looking for discount Louisiana hotels.  Areas of the city that feature the bulk of the hotels in New Orleans managed to escape the severe hurricane damage that other sections did, and some spent their downtime renovating.  You can choose to stay in one of the chain Louisiana hotels here, or opt for the more recommended hotels in New Orleans that fit the flavor of the city better.  Many hotels in New Orleans are offering deals to get visitors coming back, so you can often find discount Louisiana hotels this way. You may consider reading our links for Bourbon Street hotels and French Quarter hotels. 

Much like New Orleans, the capital city of Baton Rouge offers plenty of budget motels.  If you want to upgrade and opt for added comfort, the downtown Baton Rouge hotels offer some alluring full-service options.  Baton Rouge is located about 80 miles northwest of New Orleans on the Mighty Mississippi River, and as the home of LSU and Southern University, the city exhibits an eclectic range of cultural attractions.  Baton Rouge has many culinary delights waiting for you, and as savory as the sweet-smelling magnolias are, they can’t compete with the Cajun and Creole smells that hit you when you are on an empty stomach.  Bed and breakfasts are among the most popular and rewarding Louisiana hotels, and you can find them in Baton Rouge and near the Louisiana plantation homes.  After exploring Baton Rouge and its surroundings, you can either head 55 miles west on to Lafayette, or take a break from the larger cities and hit Marksville.  Best known for its annual events, this country town also earns repute for its Paragon Casino.  With the casino bringing people in, you can find some nice Louisiana hotels in Marksville, including charming bed and breakfasts and the historic Bailey Hotel, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  If you choose to hit up Lafayette instead, you will be heading to the unofficial “Capital of Cajun Country”.  Among the things to do here is take a swamp boat tour that includes the Atchafalaya Experience.  The Lafayette hotels have something for every taste, from upscale to discount Louisiana hotels. 

Continuing east from Lafayette along I-10 brings you to the small and charming town of Lake Charles.  As part of “Cajun Country” you can imagine the eats are pretty good here.  So is the recreation, which allows you to tour nearby swamps, enjoy nearby beaches and enjoy Louisiana fishing.  The Gray Plantation golf course here is one of the best golf courses in Louisiana, and in July, the Annual Cajun Music & Food Festival is something you won’t soon forget.  Like most of Louisiana’s top destinations, the Lake Charles LA hotels come in all varieties.  There are super budget Lake Charles LA hotels, and the area bed and breakfasts are a nice alternative to the Lake Charles LA hotels.  While you can spend the bulk, or all, of your Louisiana vacation in the southern part of the state, the upper half is rewarding as well.  Residents from the neighboring states of Texas and Arkansas enjoy visiting the city of Shreveport, primarily for its casinos.  Shreveport is just a 3 hours drive from Dallas, and though many come from miles around the enjoy its casinos, others may come to see the largest rose garden in the world at the Gardens of the Americas.  The Csi Port Discovery Center is a pleasure to explore for its interactive, hands-on experiences and its IMAX Dome Theater.  In October, you can catch the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport, and the city is a great place from which to explore Louisiana fishing and golf.  As for the Shreveport hotels, there are basically three categories.  You can find discount Louisiana hotels here of the chain variety, or you can check out the casino Shreveport hotels.  If these Shreveport hotels don’t have what you are looking for, you can try the city’s bed and breakfasts.