Wildnerdpix/iStockphoto.com
This south Louisiana road trip, in the heart of “Acadiana," immerses you in Cajun and Creole culture, down-home cuisine and foot-thumping music. Roll by grand antebellum plantations, sugarcane fields and dense cypress swamps. Fuel up on hearty gumbo or étouffée before enjoying Cajun and zydeco jam sessions or letting loose with locals in a dance hall.
graphiknation/iStockphoto.com
Baton Rouge, the state capital, is also known as “plantation country” for its lovely antebellum mansions and blossoming magnolias. While in the city, enjoy art museums and a bounty of restaurants. Before heading out on the I-10 stretch toward Lafayette, pick up po’ boys for the road. As you pass through mile after mile of swampland, let the slower pace seep in.
flickr/gsloan
In Lafayette, unofficial capital of the Cajun Creole heartland, experience the eclectic charms of Acadian culture, including historical cottages, a homegrown music scene and some of the best boudin. The scenic stretch of US 90 between Lafayette and the Delta city of Houma, laced with waterways, offers a glimpse of marshes, bayous and swamps waiting to be explored.
julichka/iStockphoto.com
For a vivid sense of place, stroll to the historic downtown and also explore the surrounding backcountry. Gulf access offers prime saltwater fishing. Spring and fall are the best times for waterfowl and alligator viewing in the swamps. Shrimp boats also are a common sight in this area. Wrap up your trip with a local catch in Houma or shucked oysters in Baton Rouge.
