College Towns
Whether you’re visiting colleges and universities in Louisiana as an alum, family member of a current or prospective student or a collegiate sports fan, the educational institutions are based in some of the state’s greatest cities.
New Orleans is home to Loyola University and Tulane University of Louisiana. Both are private institutions located in the Uptown district on St. Charles Avenue—only 20 minutes from the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans. That makes it easy for visitors to tour both universities and take in some of the Crescent City’s most popular sights. You can even walk to the vast Audubon Park, a beautiful green space with an 18-hole golf course and oak-shaded picnic spots, from both campuses. Spend a morning or afternoon at the riverside Audubon Zoo and grab lunch or dinner at a restaurant nearby such as Saba (an upscale Israeli eatery) or Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar (a no-frills sandwich joint).
Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge is a top research institution with more than 330 academic fields of study. Louisiana’s flagship institution has more than eight campuses across the state, including ones in Shreveport and Alexandria, but LSU in Baton Rouge is the largest of them all at 2,000 acres. Time your campus tour to coincide with a Tigers football, baseball, basketball or softball game. Tiger Stadium is one of the most exciting places to watch college football on LSU home game days, which draw crowds of fans dressed in purple and yellow. While you’re in town, visit student haunts near the university such as Magpie Café for pastries and coffee and Overpass Merchant for frozen margs and burgers.
More than 16,000 students attend the University of Louisiana in Lafayette. The city is beloved for its lower cost of living compared to larger cities in the state, laid-back culture rooted in Creole and Cajun traditions and exciting events. In fact, Festival International de Louisiane, the country’s largest music fest, takes place just 1 mile from campus. Cheer on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at a basketball, football, volleyball or soccer game; the teams hold Sun Belt Conference titles in all the sports they play. After your campus tour, enjoy a meal of rotisserie-cooked meats Zea Rotisserie & Bar or polished Parisian plates at Jane’s French Cuisine near the university.
Students are drawn to Northwestern State University (NSU) for its small class sizes and affordable tuition. Located in the central Louisiana city of Natchitoches (pronounced “Nack-a-tish”), NSU was established in 1884, making it the oldest continuously occupied site for higher education in the state. Natchitoches, the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, retains its European roots through historic attractions such as the Fort St. Baptiste State Historic Site and a national historic landmark district. Popular things to do include touring scenes from “Steel Magnolias,” the blockbuster filmed in town, and tasting the Natchitoches meat pie, a handheld, empanada-like pastry that is a local delicacy.
Where to Stay in Louisiana
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has loads of special offers that make booking lodging in Louisiana college towns more affordable. Check out the chain’s AAA, AARP and government and military discounts, or become a Rewards Member today for the chance to earn a free night stay.