Louisiana, the Pelican State, has a rich history that can be found in its architecture, food, and music, from jazz to zydeco. Before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the region was explored and controlled by the Spanish and French. In the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Louisiana had important roles because of its strategic location at the base of the Mississippi River and its importance to trade and commerce. Pirates of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico could easily hide in the bayous and inlets along Louisiana's Gulf of Mexico coastline. Louisiana's pirate heritage is celebrated at the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park. Drivers, who follow the scenic highways that wind through southern Louisiana, can stop along the scenic bayous, eat crawfish, listen to Cajun music, go bass fishing, participate in sports hunting, and enjoy birding at the wildlife refuges. Guided tours, fishing, and hunting expeditions are available. Visitors, who enjoy the quiet of the bayous, can quietly paddle or drift through the waterways looking for varieties of semi-tropical and tropical animals, birds, and plants. Charter fishing in the Gulf of Mexico also is available. Louisiana's climate is perfect for gardens. Two gardens worth visiting are Live Oak Gardens and Jungle Gardens and Bird Sanctuary. Louisiana also is home to a Creole culture. Plantations flourished in Louisiana, and some of the beautiful antebellum mansions are open for visitors. No trip to Louisiana is complete without visiting New Orleans with its historic French Quarter and Garden District as well as its beautiful zoo, elegant restaurants, great shops, luxury hotels, casinos, and night clubs. Known for its music, New Orleans has varieties of musical venues from the interesting street performers and jazz clubs to Preservation Hall, famous for its traditional music. Visitors, who prefer camping, can find clean and safe camping facilities throughout Louisiana, even close to New Orleans. Baton Rogue, the capital city, has a Mississippi River culture similar to New Orleans with golfing and a museum dedicated to preserving the rural life. Travelers in northern Louisiana can visit Shreveport, location of the Louisiana State Fair, and the nearby lakes, bayous, and national forests for water sports, hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures. Like other states along the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana is on the Intercoastal Waterway that allows boaters and sailors to enjoy visiting the quaint coastal towns. All major airlines serve New Orleans and the interstate highways provide easy access to the State.