Chartered fishing trips, swamp tours, Mardi Gras celebrations, and a tantalizing array of Cajun food await in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, also known as Lafourche Parish.
Located just south of New Orleans, this part of Southern Louisiana is home to breathtaking natural beauty, bayous and coastal wetlands, and a heavy dose of Cajun culture you’ve got to experience.
Discover some of the top things to do in Lafourche Parish below.
They’re big, scaly, and just about the coolest thing, you can see in the outdoors. We’re talking about alligators, and they are among the many critters that you can see on a tour in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. Travel Bayou Des Allemands with 2 Da Swamp and get up and close and personal with a friendly alligator. For something a bit more fast-paced, ride with Airboat Tours by Arthur Matherne. Meander beneath moss-draped trees and a marsh home to a variety of bird species including hawks, herons, bald eagles, and more. Zam’s Bayou Swamp Tours is another great way to glimpse Louisiana wildlife like turtles, birds, and snakes up close. For the best shot at seeing gators, visit between February and October, when the water is at its warmest.
You don’t need your own boat or have knowledge of where the fish are biting to act like an angler here. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou offers some of the best fishing in Louisiana, as well as plenty of chartered fishing trips you can book. Cast your line in coastal marshes or deep in the Gulf of Mexico as you try to snare everything from snapper and speckled trout to marlin, tuna, and redfish. Take your pick from a long list of experienced fishing guides and you’ll be one step closer to hooking the kind of fish you can brag about later.
The Cajun Bayou Food Trail cooks up a Louisiana culinary experience like no other. Eat your way up and down the bayou to savor cuisine with deep traditions and bold flavors made from recipes passed down from one generation to the next. Visit Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Visitor Center in Raceland to pick up a Food Trail map, or download it HERE to get started. Visit five of our participating restaurants, get your passport stamped, and return it to our center to receive a free Cajun Bayou Food Trail T-shirt.
With 16 restaurants along the Cajun Bayou Food Trail, you’ll want to bring your appetite to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.
Lafourche Parish is the heart of Cajun culture in Louisiana, and immersing yourself in it is a must while you’re here. Start at the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, which is made up of six sites spread throughout Southern Louisiana. One of these attractions is the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux, where the authentic Cajun way of life is preserved through its exhibitions, films, and displays of historical artifacts. Get to know Acadian culture and go on a boat tour on Bayou Lafourche with a park ranger. The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center regularly hosts special exhibits and events like Historic Thibodaux Walking Tours and Cajun Music Jams (which includes zydeco, blues, Cajun, jazz and gospel music).
There’s always something going on in Lafourche Parish, and the many festivals in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou are a great way to experience the local culture. Spring brings fun events like Cajun Mardi Gras and the Lockport Food Festival Summer is time for the Cajun Heritage Festival and the Golden Meadow Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo. Leap into fall with favorites like the Louisiana Gumbo Festival and Thibodeauxville Fall Fest. And in the winter, attend the Lockport Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade and the Thibodaux Christmas Festival. A full list of calendar events in Lafourche parish can be found HERE. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss out.
