Louisiana – The Bayou State

You don’t need to have been born on the bayou in order to appreciate everything the beautiful state of Louisiana has to offer. Dubbed ‘The Bayou State’, Louisiana has been part of the United States since it became the 18th state inducted into the Union on April 30, 1812. This state is known for its numerous small businesses, ports, and huge seafood industry. In fact, Louisiana produces a whopping 90% of the world’s crawfish! Soybeans, sugarcane, and dairy products also reign supreme. Of course, as the 25th most populated state, entertainment services are in demand. Residents can get a line-up with more than 200 national HD channels and international channels and award-winning HD DVR technology with Dish Network.

Did you know that Louisiana is a leader when it comes to energy sources? There are a ton of on- and off-shore petroleum and natural gas deposits found in Louisiana’s waters. In fact, during the energy boom of the 1970’s, Louisiana’s economy went up as well due to its abundance of natural energy resources.

Louisiana is, and has always been, a cultural epicenter and something of a “melting pot” for people of diverse backgrounds. There are plenty of cultural and historical sites to see scattered throughout the state, and the French language is ever present throughout the state. It is even emblazoned on Louisiana’s welcome signs.

Since culture and entertainment are so big in Louisiana, you should not be surprised to know that a lot of TV shows are centered in the state. True Blood, Swamp People, NCIS: New Orleans, and Pit Bulls & Parolees are just a few of the shows set in Louisiana. You bet you can find more of them on the Dish Network, which is ranked number one nationally in customer service by J.D. Power and has 24/7 customer support so that you won’t have to miss your favorite Louisiana-based show. Oh, and the On Demand library allows you to choose from over 20,000 TV shows and movies, so you’re always guaranteed to have something fun to watch from your Louisiana home.

New Orleans

Sports aren’t likely to be the first thing you associate with New Orleans (nicknamed NOLA), but the city does boast a number of professional sports teams. NFL is big in the city thanks to its star team, the New Orleans Saints. Also, fans of the NBA will recognize the New Orleans Pelicans, who have qualified for the playoffs seven times in 16 seasons. Dish Network customers can watch these teams with the network’s 24/7 sports coverage with the Multi-Sport Pack.

New Orleans is also known for its rich musical scene. Live performances are the norm on Frenchmen Street, where you will always see different blues, jazz, soul, and R&B acts playing out in the open air. This street is close to the French Quarter and is a main staple of the Marigny neighborhood, which is itself a real must-see when you are in New Orleans. Of course, the French Quarter itself, as well as Uptown and Mid-City, is riddled with all types of music venues. Local restaurants, bars, and pubs have Cajun dancing as well, and everyone is invited to join in the fun. Getting to them from surrounding cities and towns like Slidell and Pearl River is easy since you can just hop on Interstate 10, which runs across Lake Pontchartrain, giving a scenic view on your way into New Orleans.

Life in New Orleans intrinsically involves dealing with the dead. NOLA is known as the City of the Dead for a good reason. Many spots throughout the city are said to be haunted. Chances are that you’ve seen some of these places featured on TV shows. The LaLaurie Mansion is always a popular destination. If you like spirits with your spirits, you can go on a bar crawl to a handful of reportedly haunted pubs, bars, and restaurants. Also, if you are a fan of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles books, you will find out exactly why NOLA is the perfect setting for a dark and brooding vampire tale. You can even see Rice’s former – and reputedly haunted – home on First Street in the gorgeous Garden District.

Or, just sit back and take your pick from more than 200 national HD channels and international channels, all of which are delivered with award winning HD DVR technology. If you’re brand new to the world of Dish Network, visit the main website and become a subscriber. There are always lots of incentive packages available to new customers, like HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime free for 3 months for new customers. Why not check out all the great deals today?

Baton Rouge

Set along the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is actually the capitol of Louisiana. The former Louisiana State Capitol building now serves as a museum. If you are a museum enthusiast, you will find plenty of them in Baton Rouge. In addition to the Old Louisiana State Capitol building, you can visit the LSU Rural Life Museum (which is actually an entire complex of revamped 18th and 19th century buildings), the USS Kidd (a World War II destroyer that now sits permanently docked along the river), and Magnolia Mound Plantation (a stunning French Creole house dating from 1791).

If you want to watch an exciting sports game in person, you can check out LSU’s Tiger Stadium, which can seat well over 100,000 football fans and is known for having some of the best tailgating parties before big games. Those who have gone to watch games in the past have left with a deep appreciation for the spirit of the stadium.

Animal lovers and appreciators of nature will adore the Baton Rouge Zoo. The zoo is home to over 944 different animals and birds, and they can be viewed in their stunning and spacious outdoor habitats. If you have children, bring them along and show them the children’s area. This is where they can be free to play and let their imaginations roam in a safe spot. Also, be sure to get rides on the train and tram; they’re quite exciting and are gentle enough for those who get motion sickness. The whole park is well-kept, and the entry price seems like a bargain. It is a short drive from surrounding towns like Baker, White Hills, Brownfields, and Pecan Ridge.

Sports fans love the fact that Hopper whole-home HD DVR allows the power to pause, rewind and record live TV in any room with up to 2,000 hours of recording space. In fact, Dish Network’s Hopper can now be paired with any Amazon Alexa-enabled device.

Shreveport

Shreveport is one of those cities that get overlooked in favor of the tourist-based ones. However, Shreveport is a future-oriented city with a lot going on during any given day. One of the most exciting things you will find in the city is the . This aquarium might seem like it is a bit small, but it has plenty of interactive exhibits that those both old and young can enjoy. You will find yourself immersed in tropical lagoons, beautiful but dimly-lit ocean caves, and hauntingly realistic shipwrecks, and you will learn all about the creatures who make their homes in these settings.

Of course, Shreveport has its share of museums. The Shreveport Water Works Museum teaches its visitors all about the history of Shreveport’s first water works, which was built on the site in 1887. This national landmark is totally free to visit. Word also has it that this museum has some of the best docents who lead highly informative tours each day. Other museums in the city include the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Barksdale Global Power Museum, and Spring Street Museum.

Science enthusiasts and newcomers to the glories of science alike will delight in a visit to the Sci-Port Discovery Center. This massive (we’re talking 92,000 square feet) science and entertainment center is home to Louisiana’s sole IMAX Dome Theater, which airs educational films with the help of state-of-the-art film technology. There are over 200 interactive exhibits in the Space and Science Center, including the Sawyer Space Dome Planetarium. Whether you live in Shreveport, Greenwood, Blanchard, or are just visiting, this site is absolutely a must-see – or, to put it more accurately, a must-experience.

With so much to see and explore, you’re bound to miss some of your favorite shows and television specials! Fortunately, Dish Network’s Hopper is an HD DVR program that enables you to pause, rewind, and record live TV Now you enjoy the nightlife of Cedar Falls without skipping out on the newest episode of Game of Thrones or Keeping Up with the Kardashians. What’s more, with 2,000 hours of recording space, there’s no need to argue about who gets the TV during primetime hours.

Lafayette

Located in southern Louisiana, Lafayette is commonly referred to as the heart of Cajun Country and has been deemed the Happiest City in America. There are plenty of surrounding suburbs, like Broussard, Milton, Scott, and Youngsville. Just on the outskirts alone, you will find plenty to do. Zoosiana is always an exciting attraction since it is home to a wide array of exotic wildlife who rove freely around this open savanna. The zoo has animal shows, a playground for children, and plenty of shows and demonstrations that it puts on with the help of its animal inhabitants.

In Lafayette itself, there is no shortage of things to see and do. There are several different swamp and airboat tours that you can take if you’re not afraid of running into a few gators along the way. This really allows you to get a feel for Cajun Country and see a whole new side of nature if you’re not from the area.

Nature can be experienced in a number of various ways in Lafayette. Aside from swamp tours, you can check out all of Lafayette’s stunning ancient oak trees. Original settlers in the area used these trees for both protection and shade, and there were many events (like weddings and dances) carried out beneath their proud, protective branches. While you tour these trees’ locations, you will learn about Dr. Edwin L. Stephens, the first president of University of Louisiana Lafayette. Dr. Stephens loved oak trees and planted some right there on campus; they still stand today, as does a statue in his honor.

Is there a downside to living in Louisiana?

Louisiana is a beautiful state with a lot of things to experience on a daily basis, but it isn’t all fun and games. One of the things a lot of people dislike about living in Louisiana is that it is basically the prison capitol of the world. This is the only American state that allows non-unanimous verdicts from juries in felony cases. In other words, only 10 of 12 jury members have to be in agreement. This makes it easy for a conviction to be made, which, of course, keeps the prisons profiting from being so full.

Oh, and we better not forget to mention the roadways in Louisiana. A lot of the infrastructure and roads need massive overhauls. And, if you ask anyone who lives in Louisiana, the drivers tend to make driving on these roadways even worse. Road rage is common, as are drivers who make risky, dangerous decisions.

Services in the state

Dish Network

There are a lot of great services available in the state of Louisiana. Take, for example, the widespread availability of Dish Network. With Dish Network, you get TV and high-speed internet bundles available for one convenient payment each month. HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime are free for 3 months for new customers. Also, Hopper whole-home HD DVR allows the power to pause, rewind and record live TV in any room with up to 2,000 hours of recording space. It can now be paired with any Amazon Alexa-enabled device. Nifty, right? You will never be bored while living in Louisiana with so many different things to watch. Oh, and for those who are Spanish-speaking? Dish Network’s Dish LATINO has the best of Spanish and English language programming, so you can flip between broadcasts in either language.

Cell Phone Service Providers

You will probably plan on having a cell phone with you while you’re in Louisiana, but if you need to get service while you’re there, Louisiana has a few excellent service providers. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint all have wide coverage areas. The only tricky part of getting service is accessing it when you are in a remote area. Some parts of Louisiana simply don’t get good – or any – cell phone service. Still, when you do get it, it comes in clear. There are also some smaller carriers that have more affordably priced plans.

Conclusion

Louisiana is a state that is rich in beauty, history, and culture. Its food is unique and usually deliciously seasoned, and you can go into any major city and find plenty of bars, pubs, and restaurants. Entertainment is booming, too, whether you’re out on the town or staying at home. With Dish Network’s line-up with more than 200 national HD channels and international channels, a night in can be just as enjoyable as a night out in one of Louisiana’s lovely cities.