Cajun day trip

Question

We were thinking of taking a day trip to the New Iberia/ Lafayette area one day during our upcoming trip. We have done other day trips (MS gulf coast, Grand Isle, plantation/swamp tours), but never gone this way. Can anyone recommend things to see/do/eat in this area? Thanks!

Answer

A day trip from New Orleans to the New Iberia/Lafayette area is absolutely doable and offers a very different feel from both the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the south-of-town wetlands. This is the heart of Cajun Country, known for its food, music, live oak–lined bayous, plantation history, and unique cultural attractions. Below is a detailed guide to help you make the most of your day.

Most people drive about 2–2.5 hours from New Orleans to Lafayette or New Iberia. If you leave early, you can comfortably fit in a good mix of culture, nature, and food.

Here are several top options for things to see, do, and eat.

Tabasco Factory & Avery Island – One of the region’s signature attractions. You can tour the Tabasco plant, explore the museum-style visitor center, and stroll through Jungle Gardens, a gorgeous botanical and bird sanctuary with giant live oaks and roaming wildlife.
Shadows-on-the-Teche (New Iberia) – A beautifully preserved antebellum home right on Bayou Teche. The tour focuses more on history and daily life than grandeur, making it a meaningful and educational stop.
Rip Van Winkle Gardens / Jefferson Island – Another lovely plantation home with beautiful grounds overlooking Lake Peigneur. Great photography spots and a peaceful place to walk.
Lafayette Cajun & Creole Food Spots – The food alone is worth the drive. Don’t miss spots like Prejean’s (classic Cajun), Johnson’s Boucanière (boudin and smoked meats), Olde Tyme Grocery (famous po’boys), or Don’s Seafood (Cajun comfort favorites).
Boudin Trail Stops – New Iberia, Broussard, and Lafayette have some of the best boudin and cracklins in Louisiana. Try places like Kartchner’s, Billy’s, or Bonin’s.
Vermilionville (Lafayette) – A living history village showing Acadian and Creole life from the 18th–19th centuries. It’s compact and well done, with costumed interpreters and craft demonstrations.
Atchafalaya Basin Swamp Tour (near Henderson) – If you haven’t done a swamp tour in this part of the state, it’s worth it. The cypress-tupelo forests of the Atchafalaya look different from the swamps east of New Orleans—broader bayous, enormous trees, and frequent wildlife sightings.
Bayou Teche drive – The slow, winding drive between New Iberia and St. Martinville is beautiful. St. Martinville itself has a lovely town square and cultural sites tied to Acadian history.
Acadian Memorial & St. Martin de Tours Church (St. Martinville) – If you enjoy history, this is a meaningful stop telling the story of the Acadians (Cajuns) who were exiled from Canada and settled in south Louisiana.

For an easy sample itinerary, you could do something like this:

Leave New Orleans early and head straight to Avery Island for the Tabasco tour and Jungle Gardens.
Lunch in New Iberia or Lafayette (from classic Cajun plates to famous boudin shops).
Walk through Shadows-on-the-Teche or explore St. Martinville and Bayou Teche.
Optional swamp tour in Henderson or a visit to Vermilionville if you prefer culture over nature.

You’ll get a wonderful taste of Cajun Country—quieter towns, gorgeous bayous, rich Acadian history, and some of the best food anywhere in Louisiana. It’s a perfect complement to a New Orleans–based trip and well worth the drive for a full day’s adventure.

Cajun day trip

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