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Situated between lush Mississippi and rugged Texas, subtropical Louisiana is most famous for the city of New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Mardi Gras Parade. Yet, this southern state has a plethora of small towns that are charming, attractive, and enchanting as well. From the town of Breaux Bridge and Lake Martin to Opelousas and the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, the Pelican State is an alluring state. From Farmerville to Natchitoches, and from Minden to St. Francisville, discover 11 of the most charming small Louisianan towns that are perfect for a great getaway, either with family, with friends, or even alone.

Breaux Bridge

Located eight miles from the city of Lafayette, picturesque Breaux Bridge is home to a wealth of interesting historic and natural attractions. Some of these places appeal to the outdoor enthusiast, like Lake Martin, offering boating and kayaking, and the Atchafalaya Welcome Center. Others supply a taste of charm to the southern experience, including some of the local restaurants like Cafe Sydnie Mae and Tante Marie.

Several other cultural venues and attractions call Breaux Bridge home for those wishing to spend a night or the weekend. The Cajun Country Cottages B&B offers cozy cottages and awesome service. There are also a plethora of tours of the area available in Breaux Bridge, including Champagne鈥檚, Cajun Country, and Atchafalaya Basin Landing and Airboat swamp tours.

Abbeville

Home of Palmetto Island State Park, offering a true southern experience through camping, picnicking, and hiking along the banks of the Vermilion River, the town of Abbeville provides comfort and charm in a number of various ways. Abbeville has several great museums for avid historians. The Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum and the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum both call Abbeville home.

Abbeville, situated just 20 miles south of the city of Lafayette, is also home to some awesome restaurants worthy of being in the south. Shucks! serves delicious gator bites, while Dupuy's has some of the tastiest raw oysters in town. There are also several great places to stay in Abbeville, including the Guest Room on South State Street and the Ducote-Williams House on North Saint Charles.

Covington

Picturesque Covington is home to Smith H.J. & Sons General Store. This rustic, countrified hardware store has been owned and operated by the same family since 1876, which allows for enjoying a cup of coffee, and maybe even juicy gossip, around the fireplace with the locals. Then, if you find yourself staying overnight, the Southern Hotel, on East Boston Street, is a fabulous place.

Also home to the Tammany Trace - Covington Trailhead, history enthusiasts can partake in the history of the Tammany Trace, which connects Camp Salmen Nature Park with Fontainebleau State Park. A variety of annual festivals and events are also held in Covington, including the Bluesberry Festival in October and the Three Rivers Art Festival in November.

Farmerville

Situated at the top of the state, along the northern and eastern banks of Bayou D鈥橝rbonne Lake, the pastoral town of Farmerville is aptly named. Home to several great natural attractions, including D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge and Lake D'Arbonne State Park, there is a bit of something to enjoy in Farmerville for even the most critical nature enthusiast.

Some other awesome amenities in and around the town of Farmerville include the Union Museum of History and Art, as well as several annual festivals. The Louisiana Annual Watermelon Festival draws hundreds of visitors every year with food and art vendors, contests and competitions, and even a parade. Farmville is also home to the D鈥橝rbonne Lake Motel, which offers great service for a fair price.

Natchitoches

The quaint town of Natchitoches is perhaps most famous for the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store, which is the oldest running store in the entire state of Louisiana, and Chateau Saint Denis Hotel, which is quite close to the store. Yet, this pastoral town is also home to the Cane River National Heritage Trail, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, and the Prudhomme-Rouquier House for those who live for history.

Not to leave the children out of the fun, Natchitoches is home to Gator Country Alligator Park, which is a seven-acre park dedicated to the history of the American Alligator, and the National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium. While the Hatchery works to preserve endangered fish, the Aquarium, which is free to everyone, displays several tanks dedicated to fish, turtles, and even a baby alligator.

Tallulah

The small town of Tallulah is in northeastern Louisiana, close to the Mississippi River. This small town is home to the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, which consists of almost 80,000 acres of landscape. Along with deer and bears, one can even sight alligators and other southeastern animals native to Louisiana. Plus, if you wish to spend an entire weekend exploring the wildlife refuge, Holiday Capri Motel has comfortable yet affordable rooms available.

For those visiting who like cultural and historic attractions, the town of Tallulah has several awesome museums, including the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, which has a plethora of great activities, including being able to fly in a 1943 WWII AT-6. The Hermione House Museum is also in Tallulah. From historic displays of Madame C.J. Walker to Conway Twitty, there is a lot to see at this quaint museum.

St. Francisville

Situated above a bend in the Mississippi River, the small town of St. Francisville is home to a plethora of great plantations, including Rosedown, the Myrtles, Oakley, and Greenwood. Each of these places presents its own unique history. For example, the Myrtles Plantation is 鈥渙ne of America鈥檚 most haunted homes鈥� and is now one of the most popular bed and breakfast inns in St. Francisville.

Picturesque St. Francisville is also home to several natural venues. Afton Villa Gardens displays everything from Tulips and Daffodils to Wisteria, Foxglove, and Larkspur. Woodriff Falls, eight miles west of town, provides visitors with a taste of what nature is capable of. Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to the Louisiana Black Bear and several types of migratory birds.

Abita Springs

The picturesque town of Abita Springs in St. Tammany Parish has several great attractions that make it perfect for a weekend getaway. Home to Abita Springs Trailhead Museum, with paintings by artists such as Alan Flattmann and Roy Buuck, and Abita Mystery House, with exhibits detailing everything from Mardi Gras to ancient radios and an old Estey Reed Organ, these venues are perfect for the avid historian.

For those who prefer nature, Abita Springs is home to Tammany Trace, connecting Mandeville with Slidell, Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market, and the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve. If you wish to spend the night or a weekend around town, Abita Springs Hotel and Abita Springs Be & Be Inc. are both within walking distance of downtown.

Minden

Located 30 miles east of Shreveport, the small town of Minden is home to the Germantown Colony Museum and Dorcheat Historical Museum. Along with history, Minden showcases several festivals. The Scottish Tartan Festival occurs every April and offers music, dancers, storytellers, and even a medieval camp, while Christmas in Minden Festival, in the month of December, starts with a magnificent Christmas tree lighting.

Some other great aspects of Minden include dining at Crawfish Hole #2 or Roma Italian Bistro or staying overnight at Huffman House Bed and Breakfast. If you wish to get outside and enjoy nature with friends or family, the northern part of Lake Bistineau is just outside of town to the southwest, and Caney Lake is located to the north.

St. Martinville

The tiny town of St. Martinville, situated around 70 miles west of Baton Rouge, is home to phenomenal natural and historic attractions, including Lake Fausse Pointe State Park and Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site. Along with these great attributes, St. Martinville is also responsible for awesome annual festivals. Christmas on the Bayou draws in hundreds of people every year with vendors, music, and even a phenomenal parade.

St. Martinville is known for being home to the Acadian Memorial and Museum and the African American Museum as well. While the Acadian Memorial and Museum has the Wall of Names, which features over 3,000 Acadian refugees, the African American Museum has exhibits spotlighting those individuals directly responsible for shaping the area for the better. Both museums are conveniently located in the Cultural Heritage Center.

Opelousas

The picturesque town of Opelousas is perhaps best known for the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum. This wonderful museum is housed in a former Union Pacific Freight Depot and showcases what those individuals who traveled from New York to Louisiana had to face in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are also a variety of awesome lodging choices in town, including the Evangeline Downs Hotel, only five minutes from the museum.

Opelousas is also famous for Le Vieux Village, which features several historic establishments from the 18th and 19th centuries, including buildings from France and Germany. Another great facet of Opelousas, the Historic Walking Tour, which passes by St. Landry Catholic Church & Cemetery, the Michel Prudhomme House, & T. Lafleur Home, allows for an understanding of what makes Opelousas, the third oldest town in Louisiana.

While there are scores of captivating, alluring towns all over the southeastern part of the United States, like St. Augustine, Florida, and Dahlonega, Georgia, the state of Louisiana is perhaps home to some charming yet appealing towns that are worthy of visiting over and over again. From Abbeville and Palmetto Island State Park to St. Francisville and its many plantations, these eleven charming towns present the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle.