BATON ROUGE — JRNY Travel Magazine has announced its 2025 JRNY America Awards, and Louisiana, along with several cities across the state, earned multiple honors.
The recognition comes as Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is pushing to bring tourism back to the state. On a recent episode of the Louisiana Unfiltered Podcast, Nungesser discussed all of the events and sights Louisiana has to offer to tourists both domestically and internationally.
The awards
The JRNY America Awards are broken into 11 different categories, Louisiana, or Louisiana cities or features being recognized in four of those categories. Louisiana took home one of the top awards of the year, being named the U.S. State of the Year. New Orleans was named Best Food City, and the new Amtrak Mardi Gras service, which connects Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, won the Best New Tourism Initiative category. While it didn’t win the category, Louisiana was also recognized as one of the top destination’s of the year.
Nungesser posted about all of the recognitions on Facebook, calling them incredible achievements. “What impressive recognition for our state! The JRNY prestigious State of the Year Award, with New Orleans being recognized for its food scene and the Amtrak Mardi Gras service connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama as the best new tourism initiative,” he said.
Michelin Star dining
In addition to the JRNY Awards, multiple restaurants across the state, including in Baton Rouge and St. Francisville, received new recognition. Three New Orleans restaurants earned Michelin Stars: Emeril’s, Saint-Germian, and Zasu.
Closer to home, Elsie’s Plate & Pie in Baton Rouge and The St. Francisville Inn were added to the Michelin Guide2025 Recommended List for the American South.
Nungesser also commented on the new restaurant recognitions on Facebook, saying, “Three New Orleans restaurants were awarded Michelin Stars and others recognized in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and St. Francisville. What momentum our state has going into the holiday season!”
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