Hit the Road: 21 Fun Fall Travel Ideas

1 | Alexandria

The Alexandria Museum of Art is home to a large collection of artwork (both from renowned art icons to lesser-known artists from every corner of the globe). Be sure to catch the 38th September Competition (through Oct. 11), a juried exhibition highlighting contemporary art practices in a wide variety of media. 933 Second St., Alexandria, (318) 443-3458, themuseum.org

2 | Lake Charles

Visit the Panorama Music House, a two-story venue located downtown with a full calendar of live music performances every Wednesday through Sunday night. Find a spot upstairs for a great view of the stage and grab a drink at the rooftop bar. 331 Broad St., Lake Charles, (337) 990-5361, panoramamusichouse.toast.site

3 | Gentilly Fest

Gentilly Fest, taking place this year October 10-12, features continuous live music on three stages, a bevy of local food and beverage options, arts and crafts, a kids’ village and more. Headliners include All Strings Attached featuring Michael Ward and sons Shaun and Cortes on Friday night; Hot Boy Ronald on Saturday night; and Cupid on Sunday night. Pontchartrain Park, 5701 Press Drive, New Orleans, gentillyfestival.com

4 | Ponchatoula

The Twin Steeples Creative Arts Center in Ponchatoula provides a welcoming and inclusive space for artists of all kinds, including painters, sculptors, musicians, writers, filmmakers and creators of all disciplines. The nonprofit organization also hosts multidisciplinary workshops, performances and gallery shows. 220 E. Oak St., Ponchatoula, (985) 265-8411, twinsteeples.org

5 | Hammond

Monster Mini Golf — the newest attraction to open in Tangipahoa Parish — features glow-in-the-dark mini golf, a monstrous gaming arcade, laser tag, bowling, a laser maze and virtual reality games. 1665 S.W. Railroad Ave., Hammond, (985) 662-0053, monsterminigolf.com

6 | Lafourche Parish

The Cajun Bayou Food Trail in Lafourche Parish (located just 45 minutes south of New Orleans) features trail markers (there’s also a map on the website) winding through wetlands and Cajun communities — all leading the way to incredible dining adventures. Some of the stops include Bourgeois Meat Market in Thibodaux, Bayou Boucherie in Raceland and Harry’s Po-Boys in LaRose. lacajunbayou.com

7 | Baton Rouge

On Friday evenings between Sept. 13 and Oct. 24, be sure to check out Live After Five — the largest and longest-running free concert series in Baton Rouge. Rhorer Plaza, 200 St. Louis St., Baton Rouge, (225)  250-7474, downtownbr.org

8 | Husser

Covey Rise Lodge in Tangipahoa Parish offers skeet shooting, sporting clays and guided hunts; luxury accommodations; and premium amenities — all in the heart of Sportsman’s Paradise. 24009 Singing Waterfall Road, Husser, (985) 747-0310, coveyriselodge.com

9 | Baton Rouge

The Red Stick Farmers Market in downtown Baton Rouge, led by the nonprofit Big River Economic & Agricultural Development Alliance, is held on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon throughout the year. Expect to find artisanal breads, fresh produce, cold-pressed juice, plants and more. 5th and Main streets, Baton Rouge, breada.org

10 | Baton Rouge

While it’s one thing to watch LSU football on television, it is quite another to tailgate and then see the action live at Tiger Stadium. Home games this season include Louisiana Tech (Sept. 6), Florida (Sept. 13), Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 20), South Carolina (Oct. 11), Texas A&M (Oct. 25), Arkansas (Nov. 15) and Western Kentucky (Nov. 22). North Stadium Drive at Nicholson Drive, LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, lsusports.net

11 | DeSoto Parish

DeSoto Parish’s new slogan, “Find Your Unwind,” perfectly sums up a a trip to this west-central Louisiana area. The Toledo Bend Forest Scenic Byway, which runs along the state’s border with Texas, is the perfect place to spot wildlife in its natural habitat. A one-day self-guided tour can easily cover the 78-mile byway. Be sure to spend some time at the South Toledo Bend State Park, which lies on several small bluffs extending above the Toledo Bend Reservoir (the largest man-made lake in the South). byways.explorelouisiana.com

12 | Hammond

The Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center in Hammond’s downtown Historic District —  the No. 1 interactive educational museum on the Northshore — offers hands-on play and learning experiences that improve children’s motor skills, encourage problem-solving and stimulate the imagination. Exhibitions include The Waterfront (a kid-sized working pier and shrimp boat), Under Construction (where kids can connect plumbing fixtures, take measurements and build with blocks) and Wind Tunnel (exploring concepts of wind and flight). 113 N. Cypress St., Hammond, (985) 340-9150, lcdcofhammond.org

13 | River Parishes

The Louisiana Office of Tourism and the makers of Tabasco have created a number of regional culinary trails that traverse byways, prairies, marshlands and waterways. For example, the Andouille Trail winds through the River Parishes and celebrates the combined heritage of the French and German cultures that created this spicy adaptation that’s now found in many Cajun dishes. andouilletrail.com

14 | Washington Parish

Hiking the Gorge Run Trail in Washington Parish’s Bogue Chitto State Park is the ideal place to see the leaves changing color. The six-mile hike traverses diverse scenery, including rolling hills, forests, the Bogue Chitto River and lowlands with cypress trees. 17049 State Park Blvd., Franklinton, (985) 839-5707, lastateparks.com

15 | Kisatchie National Forest

Kisatchie National Forest — the only national forest in Louisiana — encompasses 604,000 acres across seven parishes. It offers diverse recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, boating and hunting. fs.usda.gov

16 | Baton Rouge

The Origin Hotel Baton Rouge, a Wyndham Hotel, is a chic, contemporary hotel with 87 guest rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, complimentary bike rentals and an all-day cafe dubbed Passé. The building was once home to the Baton Rouge Savings & Loan Association and, later, the East Baton Rouge Arts and Technology School.  Today, the hotel preserves this legacy with murals, artwork and journals woven into its design. 101 St. Ferdinand St., Baton Rouge, (225) 224-0022, originhotel.com

17 | Lake Charles

Lake Charles With fall in full swing, it’s the perfect time to pick up some regional produce at area farmers markets. The Charlestown Farmers Market in Lake Charles happens each Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon and highlights Louisiana-made products, including grains, fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats, gumbo, canned goods, baked goods, plants and more. Mark your calendar for the first Saturday of the month (dubbed Meet Me at the Market), to enjoy the addition of food trucks and live music. 1001 Ryan St., Lake Charles, visitlakecharles.org

18 | Louisiana State Parks

Louisiana State Parks is a new pilot program that allows Louisiana residents to get a free one-day pass to any Louisiana state park or historic site with their library card (at 19 participating libraries across the state). The program also allows participants to check out a Geaux Explore backpack that contains a set of binoculars, a compass, a magnifying glass, Leave No Trace outdoor ethics cards and guides to Louisiana’s birds, wildlife, trees and wildflowers. checkoutlouisiana.org

19 | Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is home to colorful art murals throughout downtown and Mid City. While some are relatively new, others are in progress or have been around for nearly 40 years. While it’s easy to see them all in one day, top picks include the Visit Baton Rouge Postcard mural by Kayla Newnam at 359 Third Street, and the Hands mural by Jacob Zumo and Brandan Odums at 200 Convention St. visitbatonrouge.com

20 | Lafayette

Since 1974, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles (being held this year Oct. 10-12) has offered a unique blend of Louisiana food, music, crafts, and Cajun and Creole culture. Girard Park, 500 Girard Park Drive, Lafayette, festivalsacadiens.com

21 | Alexandria

For a lovely weekend away, be sure to book a stay at The Hotel Bentley in Alexandria. Opened in 1908, the historic hotel offers stately guest rooms, high-end amenities and gracious hospitality. Be sure to make a reservation at the hotel’s premier seafood and steakhouse restaurant, the Diamond Grill. 200 Desoto St., Alexandria, (318) 442-2226, visithotelbentley.com