Cynthia D Brooks, CPA, APAC

Taking a hike is always fun, but it's even more of an adventure when the terrain that you're exploring is as picturesque as the Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park. The trails are as inviting as the pine-oak-hickory forest in which they lie, and several naturalists are available by appointment to guide you through your trek. The park also offers special programs for students and various school groups, as well as day camps and other special events and attractions.

The Strand Theatre prides itself in consistently staging unforgettable, crowd-pleasing entertainment. From the impressive dramatic presentation of Hotel California, one of the country's best Eagles tribute bands, to the hilarious characters that inhabit Mel Brooks' comic masterpiece Young Frankenstein, the Strand's spotlight illuminates a must-see season of music, drama and laughter.

Various facets of history all intersect at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. From artifacts of some of the state's most high-profile figures to pieces from prehistoric life in the area, the dramatic sweep of these collected stories is breathtaking. The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate museum and features 18 world renowned dioramas and rotating exhibits. Science, technology, culture and history intertwine here, and the stories that they tell will give you a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation of what the state's founding fathers went through. Admission is always free and the museum is open seven days a week.