Places hopemch Wants to Go

A 19th-century Gothic, castle-like statehouse by the Mississippi River.

Shop for books in the New Orleans house where William Faulkner once lived.

This New Orleans statue of a portly figure in a goofy hat pays homage to a classic of satirical literature.

All that remains of this small town is its mass grave and a myth of a voodoo priestess who predicted its demise.

A swamp and garden tour featuring local wildlife and exotic botanical specimens from around the world.

The crumbling ruins of this southern American fort have survived storms, war, and cults.

This Birdsill Holly fire hydrant is the remnant of a very different type of hydration innovation.

A haunting, yet lovingly hand-hewn potters' field full of graves that flood with each heavy rain.

A hurricane-stricken oak tree has been reborn as a beautiful chainsaw artwork.

The Louisiana sandwich shop that served Bonnie and Clyde's last meal is a museum that chronicles the criminal couple and honors the Bienville Parish lawmen who stopped their crime spree in an ambush.

A private museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of Mardi Gras' most beloved underdog parades, open by appointment.

A prime example of New Orleans' unique architecture these early 20th century homes were built to look like steamboats.

The state's oldest continuously operating museum houses more than 5,000 Civil War artifacts.

A small park on Bourbon Street features life-size bronze statues of New Orleans musicians.

It's clear this abandoned Art Deco gem was no ordinary cleaners.

The stone labyrinth in this New Orleans city park was laid to symbolize healing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Tiny historical streetcars wind through a small scale version of Crescent City in this whimsical train garden.

A little piece of Paris in the sultry south of the U.S.

The greatest collection of New Orleans masking and processional traditions covering everything from Baby Dolls to Skull and Bone gangs.

A treasure trove of rare and exquisitely detailed antiques

Formerly known as National D-Day Museum, this collection commemorates the battles of Normandy and WWII.

This abandoned Civil War fortress is slowly being swallowed by the waters of Lake Borgne.

A museum of unusual collections, mini-towns, and a half-dog, half-alligator.

This float factory takes the mask off of Mardi Gras and lets visitors see where the magic happens.