Yesterday I was in Jennings to participate in a press conference about the Grand Reveil Acadien which is happening across south Louisiana Oct. 7 – Oct. 16. While I was there I took the opportunity to talk about a neat project our office just completed. In conjunction with Louisiana’s 200th birthday we produced 200 Free Things to Do When You Visit Louisiana.  The list features fun activities throughout the state. And the best part is it’s all free.

Here are a few of my favorite items:

1. Visit Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge to get an overview of Louisiana’s culture and history.
2. Drive into Louisiana’s outback. Located along the Creole Nature Trail All American Road, this 180-mile trail is a rare opportunity to view Louisiana’s fertile prairies, lush marshes and abundant wildlife with more than 400 species of birds for those avid birders, and alligators that outnumber people 10 to 1. Make sure to pick up a free GPS Ranger at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana CVB to experience a self-guided tour.
3. See prehistoric Indian mounds near Monroe. Louisiana’s Ancient Mounds Trail is focused in northeast Louisiana, and mounds on the trail are viewable from public highways. Downloadable driving maps are available at the Louisiana Division of Archeology’s website.
4. Immerse yourself in New Orleans history. Stop by The Historic New Orleans Collection for a crash course on the city’s history that spans almost 300 years.
5. Tour the Chalmette Battlefield. It was here where Gen. Andrew Jackson led his troops to victory against the British in the greatest American land battle victory of the War of 1812.
6. See a 500-year old oak tree at St. John Cathedral which is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
7. Enjoy a high-flying adventure at the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum. This museum tells the story of war hero Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, his Flying Tigers and many other local heroes. You will also see exhibits on Selman Field, a navigation school and the beginnings of Delta Airlines.
8. Visit a former capital of Texas—in Louisiana. Los Adaes, the symbol of New Spain in colonial Louisiana, was once the capital of Texas and the scene of a unique cooperation among the French, the Spanish and the indigenous Native Americans of the region. The site, just west of Natchitoches, is a Louisiana State Historic Site.
9. Tour the Tabasco pepper sauce factory at Avery Island. The sauce has been made in this town near New Iberia since 1868.
10. Walk in the footsteps of stars along the Shreveport-Bossier Film Trail. Visit key filming locations for film and television projects like True Blood, W., Mr. Brooks, Soul Men and Mad Money. Locales range from art galleries to historic cemeteries.

 This is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the other 190 items and have some free-fun exploring Louisiana.