Bourbon Street ~ New Orleans, LA

New Orleans with Metairie and Kenner is Louisiana's largest metropolitan area, encompassing seven of the state's parishes. Called the Big Easy, Crescent City or self proclaimed as America's Most Interesting City, New Orleans is well-known for the French Quarter, its celebration of Mardi Gras, great Jazz music and Creole and Cajun cuisine. The reigning 2009 Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints make their home at the Louisiana Superdome in downtown New Orleans. The Superdome also hosts the Sugar Bowl, and was used as temporary housing during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Full of exciting events, sites and sounds, New Orleans is a must see and experience for travelers.

Football Fans get ready for an exciting season with the Saints. Set to defend their 2009 Super Bowl championship season, the Saints kick off the 2010 season September 9th against the Vikings in the Superdome. Saints Fans are assured of 17 weeks of games to enjoy - and hopefully more into 2011.

Always exciting, New Orleans hosts several fantastic fall festivals. The 2010 New Orleans Seafood Festival is September 10th through 12th. Held in Lafayette Square downtown, this fourth annual event benefits the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. Seafood from Louisiana remains safe and healthy to eat. The local crawfish featured in many dishes are a freshwater crustacean. Come sample cuisine from famous local restaurants and chefs, watch celebrity chef demonstrations and enjoy a weekend of fun and live music. The Best Western St Christopher Hotel is a few blocks from Lafayette Square - an ideal location for travelers to downtown New Orleans.

October brings the New Orleans Film Festival to the city. Did you know that Louisiana is the third biggest destination for film in America? New Orleans is surpassed only by Hollywood and New York City. The 2010 New Orleans Film Festival is the 21st Annual, with screenings at venues across the city. A great opportunity to see a diverse selection of the best cutting-edge films.

The Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival is October 16th and 17th, 2010. Presented by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the festival features two stages with performances by Taj Mahal, Corey Harris, Henry Gray and Ruthie Foster among other top blues musicians. This is the fifth annual festival, and along with the music you will feast on the best southern BBQ around.

Voodoo Experience 2010 is the last three days of October. The youngest of local music festivals the award winning Voodoo Experience celebrates its 12 annual event. With an amazing and diverse line-up of top-names across all genres of music, you will enjoy performances from Afrojack and Buckwheat Zydeco, to Ozzy Osbourne and Weezer. Celebrate all the music of New Orleans at City Park behind the New Orleans Museum of Art.

There are over ten Best Western Hotel locations in and around New Orleans. The Best Western French Quarter Landmark Hotel and Best Western St Charles Inn are convenient locations for visitors to downtown. The award winning Best Western Westbank is located just south of downtown and features an Olympic-size pool. Enjoy your visit to New Orleans with Best Western Hotels.

Louisiana Plantation Home

Central Louisiana is steeped in history with towns like Natchitoches and Alexandria. The Cane River Lake along Natchitoches Front Street takes visitors back to a more genteel time. Alexandria, with the Red River, bayous and the Kisatchie National Forest nearby is a sports and outdoor paradise. Plantation homes like the Kent House or the Louisiana History Museum give visitors a glimpse at Alexandria and Central Louisiana’s history. The Toledo Bend Reservoir, along Louisiana’s western border, draws boaters and bass fishermen to enjoy its outstanding recreation. East along Highway 28 travelers pass Catahoula Lake towards Ferriday, Vidalia and the mighty Mississippi.

For a great Labor Day weekend of fun and entertainment the Cane River Zydeco Festival and Poker Run is ideal. Enjoy the Zydeco bands in downtown Natchitoches, take a motorcycle ride through Natchitoches Parish to visit the stops on the Poker Run, and even enter the dance contest or motorcycle games. All proceeds benefit local charities, so come on out and join in the fun.

The Best Western Natchitoches Inn is ideal for travelers to the area. Located conveniently off of Highway 6, the Colonial Trails Scenic Byway, and Interstate 49 it is perfect whether you a just passing through or spending the weekend for the Cane River Zydeco Festival and Poker Run. With affordable rates and comfortable rooms, make sure to stay long enough to enjoy historic downtown Natchitoches or tour the local Plantation Homes.

Music fans mark September 11th for the Rapides Symphony Orchestra performance at the Alexandria Riverfront Amphitheater. The 2010 Pops on the River Concert is a spectacular annual event. You can enjoy fine food and drink along with the sounds of the symphony playing outdoors on the riverbank.

Jena, north of Alexandria, hosts Fall Fest mid-October. With live music, a tractor pull and games for all ages, this is a great fall family event. Enjoy a weekend of fun, with one day of trades and swapping. Fall Fest is held at the Jena Fairgrounds. The Best Western of Alexandria Inn and Suites makes a great place to stay in the Alexandria area. Convenient to Alexandria Zoo, the Kent House and events at Rapides Coliseum, book an extra day or two to enjoy the area.

Celebrate Halloween this year appropriately at the Haunted History Tour at American Cemetery in Natchitoches. Being the oldest settlement in Louisiana also means Natchitoches has the oldest cemetery in the state. Come out for a haunting evening featuring local actors portraying the most dramatic historical characters of Natchitoches. Meet Isabella, the ghost of a French aristocrat turned nun, and three generations of the L’Herrison Family, one of the regions first families. Halloween fans, this is the place to be for a real scare.

Alexandria celebrates Twelve Days of Christmas in December. For twelve consecutive nights Alexandria comes alive with events and activities for the holidays. Special chorale performances, caroling, a Christmas parade, re enactments of the Christmas story, bands and dancing to get everyone into the spirit of the holidays. The Twelve Nights of Christmas 2010 run December 3rd through the 20th.

Bridge in Lake Charles, Louisiana

Southern Louisiana is Cajun Country. Lake Charles set on the Calcasieu River is a busy port city and commercial center for Southwestern Louisiana. Diverse in its offerings, Lake Charles Charpentier District is full of historic Victorian buildings; there is horse racing, casinos and the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge nearby. Houma east across the deltas, wetlands and bayous, is a major fishing town and hosts the Golden Meadow-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo. The Rodeo has been cancelled for 2010, but plans are for the fun and excitement to return in 2011. Lafayette is the largest city in Cajun country and center of the Acadiana area of Southern Louisiana.

Lake Charles is called the Festival Capital of the state of Louisiana. Over 75 fairs and festivals are held each year and events have not slowed down in 2010. September brings BooZoo’s Labor Day Festival in Iowa, just east of Lake Charles. The Cajun Bon Temps Festival in Carlyss is held over three days at St Theresa Catholic Church in Carlyss to the west of Lake Charles. St Margaret Catholic Church in Lake Charles hosts the Calca-Chew Food Festival the end of September. All are typical Cajun festivals so bring an appetite for shrimp etouffee, gumbo and barbecue and get ready for a lot of fun.

There are two Best Western Hotels in the Lake Charles area. The Best Western Executive Hotel and Suites in Sulphur is just four miles from Lake Charles just off Interstate 10. The Best Western Richmond Suites Hotel is also located off of Interstate 10 in Lake Charles. With affordable rates and comfortable rooms and suites, head to Cajun country for a festival and make it a weekend getaway. If the weather is nice, enjoy Lake Charles Beach, anytime is good for a walk along the Creole Nature Trail or take in a game at McNeese State University in Lake Charles.

Houma is not to be outdone and October is a great month to plan a visit to the area. The 2010 Cajun Heritage Festival and Louisiana State Woodcarving Championships are held mid-October in Larose. Larose also hosts the 2010 French Food Festival near the end of October. This is the 24th annual event, and one of the best in the south to experience Cajun cuisine, culture and heritage. Larose, located on the Lafourche bayou, is home to a strong legacy of the Lafourcheasie, which will be featured in folk life demonstrations as well as the food.

The Best Western Isabelle Court in Galliano is less than ten miles from Larose to the south, an ideal location for visitors, as well as travelers across southern Louisiana. The Best Western River Region Inn in Luling is central in St Charles Parish and convenient for air travelers through New Orleans. The Best Western Houma Inn in Gray is northwest of Houma on Highway 90. It is time to enjoy Cajun country with a getaway, book a Best Western Hotel and enjoy!

Shreveport, Louisiana Skyline

Northern Louisiana from Shreveport and Bossier City in the Northwest to small towns like Delhi and Bastrop in the Northeast is an outdoor paradise. Sportsmen and recreation enthusiasts fill Interstate 20 en route to their perfect destinations. Monroe hosts a unique charitable event mid-August. Come watch Police and Firefighters in action at the Battle of the Badges. Local and regional policemen and firemen participate in an amateur boxing show that benefits Monroe charities. Complete with ring girls and lots of boxing action – this is a rare opportunity to support the community and your favorite policeman or firefighter. The Best Western Airport Inn in Monroe and the Best Western West Monroe Inn are ideal locations for lodging. With affordable rates and comfortable accommodations, make a trip to Monroe for a weekend getaway.

The 2010 State Fair of Louisiana, held in Shreveport, is October 21st through November 7th. With the thrill of the carnival and midway, the traditional exhibits and top name entertainment, the State Fair of Louisiana is a great destination. See the best of Louisiana agriculture, forestry and livestock, enter a cooking contest, or take in the rodeo – the schedule is packed. Headliners include the Bellamy Brothers, Midnight Star and Jason Boland and the Stragglers among others. Remember the concerts are free with admission to the fair.

The Best Western Richmond Suites Hotel and the Best Western Chateau Suite Hotel are located along Interstate 20, convenient to the fair grounds. The Best Western Chateau Suite Hotel is downtown, close to attractions like the Louisiana Boardwalk or the Sci-port Discover Center. The Best Western Richmond Suites Hotel is just west of downtown near the Shreveport Regional Airport. Fairgoers spend an extra day or two and enjoy all of your favorite Shreveport area attractions.

Music Fans check your calendars for the 2010 Highland Jazz and Blues Festival November 13th. Held in Columbia Park in Shreveport, you can enjoy the best local and national musicians including Buddy Fleet and Shreveport’s native sons The Gourds. In addition to music, the Artists Alley returns with unique arts, crafts and jewelry. There will be plenty of food booths, so you can stay the entire day and enjoy all the talent. Two stages and six hours of non-stop music and it is free – can’t beat that.