What constitutes an authentic Louisiana experience for people age 50 and above?
Perhaps it’s shopping at the Red Stick Farmers Market. Or taking the children or grandchildren to the Global Wildlife Center. Or eating the thin-cut fried catfish at Middendorf’s. Or attending the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Or visiting a historic River Road plantation.
Those are among the items on the Top 50 for 50+, a list of the state’s top attractions for residents and visitors 50 and above, as voted on by people 50 and above and compiled by Encore Louisiana and the office of Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu.
“The Top 50 for 50+ celebrates the best that Louisiana has to offer,” Landrieu says, “the places, programs and experiences that make life in Louisiana at 50 and above so unique and fulfilling.”
In 1997, just as the oldest baby boomers were entering their 50s, Louisiana convened a task force to address potential impacts and opportunities of the state’s aging population. Two years later, the Legislature established the Encore Louisiana Commission within the office of the lieutenant governor.
To achieve the commission’s goal of retaining and attracting people age 50 and above, it promotes active living, community livability and quality of life through community education, strategic partnerships and recognition programs.
Baby boomers now account for more than 76 million people in the U.S., including more than 30% of Louisiana’s population—a number that is expected to reach 36% by 2029. People 50 and above hold 70% of the nation’s assets, bring in $2 trillion in annual income and account for 50% of all discretionary spending.
“As our lives are getting longer and healthier, our years at 50 and beyond truly can be our best,” Landrieu says. “Individuals age 50 and above also bring great economic benefit to Louisiana. The Top 50 for 50+ initiative is one way we can retain and attract residents in this age segment.”
More than 2,700 votes were cast by people 50 and above, who selected their favorites in 10 categories. Thirteen Capital Region entities, including three Baton Rouge-centric and five with a statewide presence, made the list.
Red Stick Farmers Market ranked among the best local shopping experiences, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Woman’s Hospital ranked as the best places to work. American Red Cross, CASA, Habitat for Humanity, LSU Health System and United Way—all of which have a presence in Baton Rouge as well as other parts of the state—ranked among the best volunteer opportunities.
Three Tangipahoa Parish entities also were listed: The Global Wildlife Center north of Robert ranked among the best places to visit with the kids/grandkids; the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival ranked among favorite festivals; and Middendorf’s, the legendary Manchac seafood eatery, ranked among favorite restaurants.
St. Francisville’s historic district was listed among the best neighborhoods or residential developments, and River Road Plantations along the Mississippi River were listed among the top destinations and attractions.
For more information, visit encorelouisiana.com.
THE ENVELOPES PLEASE …
A list of Louisiana’s Top 50 for 50+ attractions:
Best neighborhood or residential development
• Garden District/Uptown, New Orleans
• Money Hill Golf and Country Club, Abita Springs
• Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District
• New Orleans Arts District [Warehouse District]
• St. Francisville Historic District
Best local shopping experience
• French Market, New Orleans
• French Quarter, New Orleans
• Louisiana Boardwalk, Bossier City
• Magazine Street, New Orleans
• Red Stick Farmers Market, Baton Rouge
Best places to enjoy the outdoors
• Audubon Park/Audubon Park Golf Course, New Orleans
• City Park, New Orleans
• Gulf fishing, Grand Isle and south Lafourche Parish
• Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
• Jungle Gardens, Avery Island
• Lake D’Arbonne and Lake D’Arbonne State Park, Farmerville
Best places to visit with the kids/grandkids
• Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans
• Aubudon Zoo, New Orleans
• Global Wildlife Center, Folsom
• Louisiana Children’s Museum, New Orleans
• McIlhenny Tabasco Company, Avery Island
• Sci-Port, Shreveport
Best volunteer opportunities
• American Red Cross, statewide
• CASA, statewide
• Children’s Hospital, New Orleans
• Habitat for Humanity, statewide
• United Way, statewide
Favorite festivals
• Festival International de Louisiane, Lafayette
• French Quarter Fest, New Orleans
• Natchitoches Christmas Festival/Festival of Lights
• New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
• Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
Favorite restaurants
• Commander’s Palace, New Orleans
• Galatoire’s, New Orleans
• Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant, Natchitoches
• Middendorf’s, Manchac
• Prejean’s, Lafayette
Best places to work
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Baton Rouge
• LSU Health System, statewide
• Woman’s Hospital, Baton Rouge
Best places to learn something new
• Historic New Orleans Collection
• John Folse Culinary Institute, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux
• McNeese State University Leisure Learning, Lake Charles
• Northwestern State University Continuing Education, Natchitoches
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Top destinations and attractions
• Cabildo/Presbytere, New Orleans
• Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District
• New Orleans Museum of Art
• River Road plantations, Mississippi River Road
• National World War II Museum, New Orleans
SOURCES: Encore Louisiana; office of lieutenant governor
