The Perfect Day: Livingston Edition
River recreation, Laine Hardy on repeat, and a fried seafood platter.
To say that 2020 is shaping up to be quite a different year than planned is an understatement. While a far-flung vacation may not be on the agenda this summer, there's still plenty of fun, family-friendly adventures close to home. In fact, discovering your hometown's hidden gems makes it feel a little more special, doesn't it? Whether you're a native or just driving over for the day, the perfect day in Livingston Parish has a simple formula, really. Good company, good food, (hopefully) good weather.
Head to Tiki Tubing, just six miles north of Denham Springs, for a day of floating on the Amite River. At $25 per person, the cost covers your inner tube and the shuttle upriver to start your trip. The journey back to the Tiki Tubing beach will take about four hours and yes, it's BYOB, so don't forget to pack the cooler! Sandbars throughout give the chance to re-up your drinks or break for a picnic lunch on the water. Float at your own pace and enjoy the serene beauty of the Amite, which empties into Lake Maurepas. If you want to really feel like a local resident, bring along a waterproof speaker and press play on the newest single from hometown hero Laine Hardy. The 19-year-old American Idol winner grew up in Livingston and recently released two acoustic tracks that he'll perform in two upcoming virtual shows.
If you prefer more hands-on recreation, Tickfaw State Park in Springfield has four hiking trails to choose from, as well as a mile-long boardwalk through a variety of different ecosystems: a cypress/tupelo swamp, a bottomland hardwood forest, a mixed pine and hardwood forest, and the Tickfaw River. Once you've gotten just enough vitamin D to build up an appetite, treat yourself to some country cuisine with Cajun flair at any local eatery in Livingston Parish. The gator bites, crawfish beignets, and seafood platters served up at Kevin's Cajun Seafood in Maurepas will have you wondering if a diet can be sustained solely on fried seafood.
Whether your day involves leisurely lolling downriver or just eating enough country cooking to last until your next trip, there's something for you in this not-so-hidden gem of South Louisiana. To plan your day trip in Livingston Parish, head to livingstontourism.com.