We can probably all agree that the Bayou State is the best place in America to grow up. But what about the best small towns in Louisiana? Small town life is great: everyone knows your name, local business abound, and there’s such a strong sense of community. Living in Louisiana means you’re probably familiar with some hidden gems that tend to get overshadowed by tourists wanting to visit New Orleans. Some of these charming little towns make for great day trips in Louisiana. Here are some of the best small towns in Louisiana to grow up in. Did yours make the list?

1. Ville Platte
LJG442/Trip Advisor
Located right in the heart of Cajun Country, Ville Platte is a wonderful place to grow up. With a population of around 8,000, you have that great small town vibe. But it's not so small that it's unheard of: Ville Platte is well-known for their smoked meats and swamp pop music. We consider it one of the best small towns in Louisiana because it's not often that you find a small town with this much culture!
2. Covington
City of Covington/Facebook
This little-big town of around 10,000 offers great schools, playgrounds, and parks. Downtown is full of local shops and restaurants, many located in beautiful historic buildings. There are dozens of suburban neighborhoods that are just great for raising kids. Fun fact: we have the world's tallest statue of Ronald Reagan! It's 10 feet tall with a 6 foot base.
3. Natchitoches
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
The oldest city in Louisiana is a wonderful place to grow up. You're surrounded by historic buildings and the beautiful Cane River Lake. The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts is consistently ranked as one of the top public schools in the entire state. Natchitoches is also home to Northwestern State University, so your kids won't have to stray far when it's time for college!

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4. Minden
Wikimedia
Minden is nestled in the beautiful piney woods of northwest Louisiana. It's a small town filled with historic neighborhoods, unique fairs and festivals, and wonderful people. It's only about 28 miles east of Shreveport, so you won't have to go far to reach a big city.
5. Gonzales
City of Gonzales, Louisiana 70737/Facebook
Gonzales is known as the Jambalaya Capital of the World: does it get any better than that? Here, you can enjoy small town rural life, with a population of around 10,000. Since it's not too far from Baton Rouge, only about 23 miles south, you'll be close to the big city also. Gonzales's yearly Jambalaya Festival draws thousands of attendees!
6. Farmerville
Wikimedia
Farmerville is a lovely little town of around 4,000 in Union Parish. Growing up in Farmerville means you'll probably spend your weekends at Lake D'Arbonne State Park. One of 21 state parks in Louisiana, it's a wonderful place to get in some outdoors fun and enjoy the stunning surroundings we have here in Creole country. Great schools, churches, and a friendly community make Farmerville a wonderful place to grow up.
7. St. Francisville
St. Francisville/Facebook
St. Francisville is known for its many plantations, outdoor parks, and historic homes. It's just under two square miles, but the town has so much history. Recent efforts to revitalize the historic parts of the town have made this a stunning tourist attraction. With great schools and dozens of churches, St. Francisville is also a marvelous place to grow up!

What cities get your vote for best small towns in Louisiana? Share your small town pride in the comments!

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Living in Louisiana

Lisa Sammons | August 08, 2021

What are some good day trips in Louisiana?

As anyone who lives or has visited Louisiana knows, we've got some fantastic places to check out. It's so sad that a lot of people tend to stick to our bigger cities like New Orleans when visiting Bayou Country, because there's so much more to Louisiana! Check out this list of 13 awesome day trips in Louisiana.

What are the best things about living in Louisiana?

There are so many amazing things about life in Louisiana, we don't even know where to begin. The people, the food, the scenery: it's all incredible here! Don't believe us? Here's a list of benefits you won't get from the other 49 states!

What are some more of the best small towns in Louisiana?

You really get to experience the heart and soul of Louisiana in our small towns. We've got some remarkably adorable small towns in Louisiana. Looking for peace and quiet? There's plenty of that here in these little towns!

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Featured Addresses
Ville Platte, LA 70586, USA
Covington, LA, USA
Natchitoches, LA, USA
Minden, LA 71055, USA
Gonzales, LA 70737, USA
Farmerville, LA 71241, USA
Saint Francisville, St Francisville, LA 70775, USA