Yglesias, Matthew D

Crawfish is synonymous with Louisiana, so celebrate that fact at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Held every year, the gathering is considered to be one of the best food festivals in the whole country. Great family fun, live music, and lots of crawfish! Make sure you have some cool water or beverage for all the spicy fun.

The combination of gambling and heading out to sea is both romantic and adventurous. So take on all the adventure the two of you can handle on Casino Rouge. This floating casino replicates an old time paddle wheeler, and you can float and gamble at the same time! Plus, if all that betting is getting you hungry, enjoy the all-you-can-eat buffet and then take a cozy stroll on deck.

Baton Rouge celebrates nature's wild kingdom at Brec's Baton Rouge Zoo. The Realm of the Tiger is the latest spotlight feature at the zoo, as it dramatically illustrates how the tiger lives in its natural environment as well as how it uses its natural instincts to find food and to remain one of the jungle's most respected residents. Also, see the zoo's latest addition, the baby baboon and enjoy the colors of the dusky shades of sunlight on the very popular Twilight Tour. All that plus the summer zoo camp for kids all go to make Brec's Baton Rouge Zoo the #1 family attraction in the city.

If you like your nature served up with a good helping of history, then the Port Hudson State Commemorative Area is just for you. Enjoy the expansive walking trails, picnic tables and open lawns as they make up this sprawling 650-acre area that was once part of a Civil War battlefield. With such an historic backdrop, it is no wonder that there are always Civil War reenactments happening on site several times a month. So whether you're a history buff or just want a great day outdoors with the family, the Port Hudson State Commemorative Area is an excellent choice.