While there is no bad time to visit the Bayou State, wintertime is one of the best seasons to plan your trip. Enjoy all of the best food, sights, and attractions without the crowds! Here are 5 reasons why winter is the best time of year to visit Louisiana.

Mild Winters:

Is there 10 feet of snow on your front steps? Is your current wardrobe just a rotation of your heaviest winter jackets? Get out of the cold with a trip to sub-tropical Louisiana. While some years one may find a rare dusting of snow on the ground or ice on car windows, the winters are mild and quite enjoyable. Some days you can wear a sweater in the morning and be in flip-flops by mid-afternoon!

Incredible Festivals:

 

Allstate Sugar Bowl: Get your tickets for one of the oldest college football games in the country. On January 1st, the Georgia Bulldogs and the Baylor Bears will face off at the Allstate Sugar Bowl held annually at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

16th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off: World-class chefs, home cooks, and every gumbo-lover in Acadia Parish will gather in Crowley for the 16th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off on February 1st. Bring an appetite and taste all the best recipes to help decide who’s gumbo is the best of the best.

Mardi Gras: While Mardi Gras technically falls on February 25th in 2020, the state of Louisiana starts the party off in early January. It isn’t uncommon to see a local krewe parading down in New Orleans or various Mardi Gras celebrations across the different towns and parishes in the state.

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival: TWFest (as the locals call it) is an annual literary celebration in honor of playwright Tennessee Williams. During March 25th-29th, New Orleans will flood with writers, actors, musicians, and artists for this scholarly festival. Events include workshops, masterclasses, literary walking tours, panel discussions, and more.

Celebrate Black History Month:

 

Louisiana has a rich African-American heritage and is one of the best destinations to learn about the history and cultural contributions with several museums and historical sites across the state. Visit the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville or the New Orleans African American Museum to learn about black history and culture or explore the African American Heritage Trail to follow in the footsteps of the brave men and women that made America what it is today.

Marathons & Running Races:

 

Are you looking for a New Years' resolution that will stick? Commit to your health goals and sign up for a 5k, 10k, or marathon in Louisiana! Not only will the commitment to the race help you stick to your resolution, but it also offers an excuse for a mid-winter getaway. Complete the 5 or 10K Run on the Bayou through the beautiful Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego or push yourself at the Louisiana Marathon through downtown Baton Rouge.

Romantic Towns & Inns all Across the State:

 

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and there is no better place to surprise your loved one than at one of Louisiana’s many romantic inns and B&Bs. Stay at an elegant plantation or a Cajun cottage for a unique Valentine’s Day you’ll want to brag about. Find the perfect lodging for your romantic getaway through the Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association’s collection of unique and romantic inns.

Enjoy all the best food, attractions, and events that Louisiana has to offer this winter season. With the infamous Mardi Gras celebrations, sub-tropical weather, and romantic inns across the state, you won’t want to leave!

Ready to get away this winter to Louisiana? The Louisiana Bed & Breakfast Association boasts several one-of-a-kind inns, bed & breakfasts, and historic homes located in all corners of the state.