Every college town has its own special personality and you’ll be making a lot of friends—and memories—there. Once you get settled in your new home away from home, make it a point to do some exploring. Check out the coffee shops, bookstores, shopping, restaurants, nightclubs and tourist destinations. And find ways to get involved in your new community through volunteer work as well.
New Orleans
80 miles east of Baton Rouge
Home to: Dillard University, Tulane University, Loyola University New Orleans, University of New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana, Southern University at New Orleans, University of Holy Cross, LSU Health Sciences Center, Delgado Community College
Population: 390,000
Highlights: French Quarter, City Park, Mardi Gras, Jazzfest, Celebration in the Oaks, Café du Monde, Superdome, White Linen Night, New Orleans Film Festival, National WWII Museum.
Monroe
100 miles east of Shreveport
Home to: University of Louisiana - Monroe
Population: 46,000
Highlights: Biedenharn Museum & Gardens, Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Pecanland Mall, Twin City Ballet, Masur Museum of Art.
Natchitoches
75 miles southeast of Shreveport
Home to: Northwestern State University
Population: 17,000
Highlights: The Riverbank, Winter Wonderland, Natchitoches Christmas Festival, Fort St. Jean Baptiste, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Shreveport
100 miles west of Monroe
Home to: LSU Shreveport, Centenary College of Louisiana, Southern University Shreveport, Remington College, LSU Health Shreveport, Bossier Parish Community College
Population: 187,000
Highlights: Festival Plaza, Red River Revel Arts Festival, Shreveport Aquarium, State Fair of Louisiana, Red River National Wildlife Refuge.
Ruston
30 miles west of Monroe,
60 miles east of Shreveport
Home to: Louisiana Tech University/Grambling State University (just 6 miles away)
Population: 22,000
Highlights: Historic Downtown District, Lincoln Parish Park, Dixie Center for the Arts, Ponchatoulas Restaurant, Lake D’Arbonne, Louisiana Military Museum
Hammond
45 miles east of Baton Rouge,
45 miles northwest of New Orleans
Home to: Southeastern Louisiana University
Population: 21,000
Highlights: Gumbo Ya Ya, Strawberry Jubilee, Hot August Night, Louisiana Renaissance Festival, Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Global Wildlife Center, Middendorf’s Restaurant, local breweries.
Baton Rouge
80 miles west of New Orleans,
40 miles east of Lafayette
Home to: Louisiana State University, Southern University, Baton Rouge Community College
Population: 225,000
Highlights: Louisiana Art & Science Museum, Rural Life Museum, Raising Cane’s River Center (concerts, Broadway shows, special events), USS Kidd, Manship Theatre, State Capitol, Live After Five concerts, upscale shopping at Perkins Rowe and Towne Center, numerous fine dining restaurants and casual eateries.
Lafayette
40 miles west of Baton Rouge,
135 miles west of New Orleans
Home to: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Population: 125,000
Highlights: Festival International de Louisiane, Festivals Acadiens, Cajun Mardi Gras, Blue Dog Café, Vermilionville, Cajun and Creole restaurants, Avery Island, swamp tours.
