The Friendly Small Town In Louisiana That’s Perfect For A Summer Day Trip

The warmer months are some of the best times of the year to see Louisiana’s natural wetlands. If you’re looking for a new spot to check out this summer, you might want to put Ville Platte, Louisiana on your radar. Ville Platte is home to about 7,000 residents, making it an ideal small town to spend a day exploring. This tiny town packs a punch with outdoor activities, and it’s just overflowing with natural beauty. Let’s check it out:

Without a doubt, Ville Platte’s biggest attraction is Chicot State Park.

Clocking in at 6,400 acres, it’s the largest state park in Louisiana, so you can rest assured you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied.

The park’s crown jewel is Lake Chicot, an impressive 2,000-acre lake that’s the perfect place to spend a summer day.

It’s a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching. If you’re wanting to see some alligators, this is the place to be!

There are several boat launches within the park for you to put your boat in, but if you really want to experience the sights and sounds of the lake, bring your kayak or canoe and take on the eight-mile paddle trail.

And the waterfront cabins make it extra tempting to turn your day trip into a weekend getaway. From bed to boat in just steps!

You can also rent a canoe from the park if you want to make things a bit easier for yourself.

I’ve done the canoe trail myself and I can tell you from personal experience that it’s one of the most beautiful paddle trails in Louisiana. Especially if you paddle into all of the little alcoves where the water is much calmer and you’re surrounded by cypress trees.

The Louisiana State Arboretum is also located within the park, and there are plenty of nature trails to explore.

Fun fact, it's the oldest state-supported arboretum in the country!

As you weave in and out of the wetlands, interpretive signs along the way will help you understand the area better.

This is also a great area for kids to enjoy, too!

Both flora and fauna are abundant here, and you never know what's going to be in bloom.

These wild azaleas are a personal favorite.

A visit to Ville Platte isn't complete without swinging in the swamp pop museum.

Ville Platte is known for this unique musical genre, and this charming museum highlights some of the greatest swamp pop musicians in history. The address is 205 NW Railroad Avenue, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586.

After a full day of adventure, swing by Cafe Evangeline for a bite to eat.

Housed in a former bank, the charming atmosphere will quickly win you over, and that's before you indulge in one of the tasty menu items. Think upscale Cajun... plenty of seafood dishes, crawfish, the whole nine yards.

Once you've explored Ville Platte, check out some of our other favorite small towns in Louisiana. Happy exploring!