Spring has sprung and summer isn’t far away, meaning that one of the most popular times of year for Acadiana tourism has begun! It may bring the heat, but the warmer months also bring unique attractions that are fun for all ages. Music and art festivals, natural excursions, fishing and (perhaps most importantly) feasting—they’re all great reasons for tourists to take a trip down to Cajun country! It’s not all alligators and Zydeco, though; the Southwest corner of Louisiana that we call “Acadiana” is full of good times both quaint and modern.
Downtown Lafayette & The Azalea Trail
Lafayette, also known as “Hub City” is Acadiana’s largest city. It’s a near-perfect halfway point between New Orleans and Houston and is the home of the University of Louisiana as well as many museums, a growing tech industry, a culinary hot spot, and a seemingly endless cultural arts scene. At the very center of this city is the downtown district: a small but populous area with numerous attractions worth visiting; especially in the spring and summer.
Throughout the spring, when the damp chill of winter has passed and the sweltering days of summer are still yet to arrive, several festivals and events take place in and around downtown Lafayette. Every Friday, Downtown Alive hosts free concerts in the small park that’s tucked away downtown, and one Saturday a month, “Art Walk” takes place, featuring exhibits from local artists, live music, theater, and immersive art experiences; not to mention shops and vendors selling unique pieces.
In April, the downtown area hosts Festival International de Louisiane, a global music and arts festival that attracts diverse talent from across the world. Perhaps Lafayette’s most famous event, people travel from all over to see this collection of artists that, throughout the years, have hailed from almost every country in the world. From Latin dance and African rhythm to Russian folk and European EDM; the festival truly has something for everyone. Downtown is full of scenic beauty as well. In addition to the historic buildings and beautiful French and Spanish architecture, the area boasts the Azalea trail, a 20 mile stretch of Azaleas; some of which are over fifty years old!
There’s a wealth of savory foods downtown, so our food pairing suggestions for downtown include sweets and other snacks that are easily carried:
Don’t forget to bring along a koozie or tumbler to keep your drink cool while you walk from place to place, either! Even in springtime, Louisiana can get hot!
Lake Martin & Cypremort Point
Though the vibrant culture of art and music is a massive selling point for Acadiana’s tourists, the natural beauty of southwest Louisiana is not to be understated. The flat, swampy terrain of this patch of Gulf Coast results in beautiful lakes, rivers and marshes that are teeming with unique wildlife. Cranes, spoonbills, alligators, pelicans, snapping turtles and more are found in abundance on the calm waters of the area’s waterways. The knees of shady cypress trees dot the waters of Acadiana’s lakes and swamps, and the stretching fields and forests boast ancient live oaks that sprawl impossible distances.
Not only is the natural beauty worth seeing in its own right, it also makes great territory for hunting, fishing and birdwatching. Louisiana is known as “sportsman’s paradise” for a reason. In St. Martin Parish, you can find Lake Martin, a large lake teeming with wildlife and great fishing opportunities. You can rent a canoe and kayak and enjoy a day out on the water beneath the sun, or (once you’ve picked up a fishing license), cast out a line and enjoy some of the finest freshwater fishing in the country. A little further away is Cypremort Point, a state park that provides a saltwater alternative to Lake Martin. Accessible by car, you can drive down and enjoy saltwater fishing on the beaches of the Gulf, or catch crabs, camp, and picnic in the sand.
Since restaurants are pretty thin on the ground, we recommend a healthy supply of savory goods that you can pack in one of our insulated totes or just a plain old ice chest:
Scott & The Boudin Roundabout
Though the other attractions are beloved by locals and tourists alike, most locals know that Scott is the true attraction whether you’re a foodie or just truly interested in Cajun culture. Scott is a unique and fascinating place with a wonderful history that you can read about in one of our blog posts, but the main attraction lies in a little circle surrounded by some of the finest foods in the world: the boudin roundabout. This circle of road is home to some purveyors of the finest boudin, cracklin, and Cajun meats available anywhere.
As it is the home of Billy’s famous Scott location, it won’t be necessary to bring any food to this leg of your journey. Instead, swing by and stock up on hard-to-find Cajun goodies like boudin, cracklins, stuffed meats, andouille, tasso and more! Be sure you bring extra for your journey home—some of it is unlikely to survive the car trip without being eaten. While you’re here, be sure to pick up a hat and a shirt as a souvenir so everyone will know you visited the tastiest place on Earth.
Endless Sights and Sounds
The reasons to take a trip down to Cajun country don’t end there; there are so many fascinating sights to see and so much delicious local cuisine to sample. In addition to the area’s most delicious attractions like boudin and cracklins, there are local staples like crawfish, shrimp, po-boys, alligator and more that are available in almost every Cajun restaurant. You can take a trip down to Avery Island to see where world famous Tabasco hot sauce is made, or take in some more natural splendor at Rip Van Winkle Gardens. You can glimpse history in one of the area’s many museums, or even step back in time at historic Acadian Village. As long as you stop at one of Billy’s four locations for a bite, you’re sure to have a successful trip! Even if you can’t make it down, you can always get a taste of Louisiana delivered straight to your door when you shop online.