Because of our rich history, Louisiana has some interestingly named towns, lakes, and rivers. While locals don’t even think twice when it comes to pronouncing (or spelling) these words, tourists tend to struggle a bit. Share this article with your friends from out of state and see how many they get right!
- Lake Pontchartrain
Jared/Flickr Pronounced pon-cha-train. Just about everyone has driven across the Causeway at some point.
- Bogue Falaya
Jackie Ann/Flickr Pronounced bowg-ah fal-aya. This 28-mile long river runs through Washington and St. Tammany Parish.
- Ouachita
Finchlake2000/Flickr Pronounced wash-uh-taw. The river is known for its fishing opportunities, and the river separates Monroe from West Monroe.
- Tchoupitoulas
Joe Dykes/Flickr Pronounced chop-ah-too-lus. This New Orleans street has always given tourists a hard time.
- Natchitoches
Kent Kanouse/Flickr Pronounced Nack-o-dish. Natchitoches is the oldest settlement in Louisiana, and now is a perfect time to visit. Every year Natchitoches puts on a spectacular Christmas display that is ranked as one of the best in the country. Over 300,000 lights plus over 100 displays illuminate the Cane River Lake until January 6.
- Atchafalaya
Tobin/Flickr Pronounced Ah-cha-fa-laya. The Atachafalaya River Basin is the largest swamp in the country, and one of Louisiana’s biggest tourist attractions. The swamp is nearly one million acres, and close to 22 million pounds of crawfish is harvested from the basin.
- Tangipahoa
C Hanchey/Flickr Pronounced tang-ah-pah-oa. The word Tangipahoa comes from an Acolapissa word meaning “ear of corn” or “those who gather corn”. The parish was named after the river, which flows through parts of Mississippi and Louisiana before flowing into Lake Pontchartrain.
- Opelousas
Anthony T./Flickr Pronounced op-uh-loo-suhs, this city is known for Zydeco music and Cajun/ Creole food. Located right in the middle of Cajun Country, this perfectly seasoned city has a rich history, charming boutiques and antique stores, and of course, all the Cajun food you could ask for.
- Bogue Chitto
Bogue Chitto State Park/Facebook Pronounced bow-guh chit-uh. A weekend at the Bogue Chitto State Park will renew your love for the great outdoors. Stay in the cabins, spend some time kayaking down the Bogue Chitto River, and exploring the nature trails.
- Tchefuncte
Wikimedia Pronounced cha-funk-tah, this river flows through southeastern Louisiana before flowing into Lake Pontchartrain.
What are some other words tourists have trouble pronouncing? Add them in the comments below!
Jared/Flickr
Pronounced pon-cha-train. Just about everyone has driven across the Causeway at some point.
Jackie Ann/Flickr
Pronounced bowg-ah fal-aya. This 28-mile long river runs through Washington and St. Tammany Parish.
Finchlake2000/Flickr
Pronounced wash-uh-taw. The river is known for its fishing opportunities, and the river separates Monroe from West Monroe.
Joe Dykes/Flickr
Pronounced chop-ah-too-lus. This New Orleans street has always given tourists a hard time.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
Pronounced Nack-o-dish. Natchitoches is the oldest settlement in Louisiana, and now is a perfect time to visit. Every year Natchitoches puts on a spectacular Christmas display that is ranked as one of the best in the country. Over 300,000 lights plus over 100 displays illuminate the Cane River Lake until January 6.
Tobin/Flickr
Pronounced Ah-cha-fa-laya. The Atachafalaya River Basin is the largest swamp in the country, and one of Louisiana’s biggest tourist attractions. The swamp is nearly one million acres, and close to 22 million pounds of crawfish is harvested from the basin.
C Hanchey/Flickr
Pronounced tang-ah-pah-oa. The word Tangipahoa comes from an Acolapissa word meaning “ear of corn” or “those who gather corn”. The parish was named after the river, which flows through parts of Mississippi and Louisiana before flowing into Lake Pontchartrain.
Anthony T./Flickr
Pronounced op-uh-loo-suhs, this city is known for Zydeco music and Cajun/ Creole food. Located right in the middle of Cajun Country, this perfectly seasoned city has a rich history, charming boutiques and antique stores, and of course, all the Cajun food you could ask for.
Bogue Chitto State Park/Facebook
Pronounced bow-guh chit-uh. A weekend at the Bogue Chitto State Park will renew your love for the great outdoors. Stay in the cabins, spend some time kayaking down the Bogue Chitto River, and exploring the nature trails.
Wikimedia
Pronounced cha-funk-tah, this river flows through southeastern Louisiana before flowing into Lake Pontchartrain.
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