Acadiana’s Gueydan began with an entrepreneurial Frenchmen. Jean-Pierre Gueydan arrived in New Orleans in the mid-19th century and later moved to Abbeville to start a business. In 1896, he purchased 40,000 acres of marshland in Vermilion Parish to grow rice.…
There’s nothing sadder than the sight of a pooch watching you walk out the door, keys in hand and no leash. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Acadiana offers many pet-friendly spots these days, from well-developed dog parks…
Pinky’s not hard to spot. The albino bottlenose dolphin was birthed a bright Pepto-Bismol color due to a lack of the pigment melanin. She frequents the Calcasieu Ship Channel and surrounding waterways below Lake Charles, sometimes traveling as far down…
Julian Hinkley wasn’t a rich man but he and his wife owned property in Pecan Island…
Like many of Louisiana’s southwest cities, Jennings sprouted as a railroad depot in the late 1800's, later buoyed by oil exploration and agriculture. Today, the town off Interstate 10 between Lafayette and Lake Charles attracts visitors for its crawfish tours,…
Like many southwestern Louisiana towns, Rayne got its origins in the western expansion of the railroad; the town was named for Rayne Grey, an engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad. But it would be frogs that put the agricultural town on…
Traveling to Grand Isle at the bottom of Louisiana sometimes feels like heading to the ends of the earth. And that’s its major draw. This barrier island facing the Gulf attracts thousands of visitors each year for its remote location…
On any given year, Louisiana’s blessed with a rich tapestry of culture, filled with both popular and classical concerts, lively dance and theater and vibrant visual art. This fall, South Louisiana adds to that repertoire, reaching into the past and…
Breaux Bridge is home to several outstanding antique shops so whatever you’re searching for, the odds are good you’ll find it here. Lagniappe Antique Mall located in the old Domingue Motor Co. reigns as the largest, with 17,000 square feet…
It’s hard to imagine steamboats docked along Bayou Courtableau, bustling activity moving cotton, cattle, sugar and molasses into the town of Washington. Today, the sleepy St. Landry Parish town dating to 1720 French settlement boasts of historic homes and businesses…
The prairie town of Eunice bursts with Cajun and Creole music history and a good day to visit is Saturday when several museums dedicated to music are open and it’s almost a given live music will be playing somewhere. They…
Tiffany Lowery The Nature's Clay, Moss Bluff As a freshman working toward a journalism degree at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Tiffany Lowery was talked into taking an elective pottery class. “I was against it,” says Lowery, a Moss…
There’s nothing like checking into a resort with girlfriends, kicking back and letting loose. Lake Charles casinos L’Auberge and Golden Nugget offer everything friends would want for an enjoyable getaway — and you never have to leave the property! Both…
Watching a dog race around a park with like-minded canines cheers the heart. They’re so happy! It’s like a playdate for children, only one for those with four legs. It’s also nice for our pooches to tag along as we…
Now that we’re rolling into the holidays, it’s time to think gift-giving, but how about saving the earth at the same time? Antiquing, thrifting and perusing consignment shops are the ultimate recycling, not to mention finding that elusive item your…
Acadians are bursting with creativity, whether it’s coming from our indigenous culture or from visiting visual and performing artists. Literally every corner of our region offers special cultural experiences. Whatever your passion desires when it comes to the arts, Acadiana…
Congrès Mondial Acadian, an international Acadian (Cajun) celebration, happens every four years. August is the month for Congrès, coinciding with National Acadian Day on Aug. 15. If you can’t go to Nova Scotia this year, visit St. Martinville for all…
Stepping into a museum is like entering a portal that transcends time, space and culture. The hushed reverence of its halls, adorned with masterpieces and artifacts, invites visitors into a realm where history, art and human creativity intertwine. Acadiana has…
1 | Water Fights We never grow up when it comes to water fights, and Acadiana fire departments are no different. At 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, firefighting teams from Erath, Delcambre, Leblanc, Henry and the Meaux/Nunez fire departments will…
1 | Music Being the largest international music festival in the country, of course there’s music. Each year, the nonprofit organization that runs the festival invites musicians from around the country and more than two dozen countries. This year, to…
The heart of swamp pop phenomenon lies in Ville Platte, named the “Swamp Pop Capital of the World” by the Louisiana Legislature. This February, it’s the 18th annual Swamp Pop Reunion concert at the Ville Platte Civic Center. Tickets went…
The holidays roll in Acadiana like a slow-moving fog, teasing us with festivities at the beginning of the month until we’re blanketed with the trifecta of Hanukkah, Christmas and KwanzaA. But the fun doesn’t stop there in Louisiana. After we…
1 | Travel to Lebanon Sam and Georges Homsi bring their Middle Eastern heritage to Cousin’s Lebanese Cuisine. Experience with authentic Lebanese menu items such as hummus, baba ghanoush, grape leaves,…
There's much to celebrate in Ruston this fall, home to both Louisiana Tech and Grambling universities and affectionately known as "Louisiana's College Town." The northeastern Louisiana town resides in Lincoln Parish, which is commemorating its 15oth anniversary this year and…
1 | Café JoJo's Dine Touring film sites makes one hungry. Enjoy some of the riverfront restaurant’s seafood dishes with bounty brought in from right outside the doors. Or indulge in trademark martinis and margaritas. Café JoJo’s, a local fine…
1 | Crowley Moton Co. & Ford Building History Lesson The old Ford Motor Company building, built in 1920, is now home to four city-run museums: The Ford Automotive Museum, the Rice Interpretive Center, History of Crowley and J.D. Miller…
1 | Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino Racing In addition to its dining options, hotel, live concerts and slot machines, Evangeline Downs offers a one-mile oval racing track with thoroughbred racing April through August and quarter horse racing October to…
Summer’s here, the kids are underfoot and everyone’s demanding what to do. In Acadiana, the summer fun is endless, from swamp tours and other exciting outdoors activities to learning Cajun dance and speaking French. So, get out your calendar and…
1 Bayou Country Crawfish Trail Dine on Crustacean No, it’s not a trek through the woods, but a culinary trail that honors our favorite spring crustacean. In Houma and Thibodaux, there are more than 30 places to pause for crawfish…
1 | Lagniappe Antiques Shopping Start the shopping stroll through quaint downtown Breaux Bridge with a stop at one of its largest establishments at 17,000 square feet. Lagniappe Antiques contains rows and rows of antique dealers, as well as items…
How lucky we are in Louisiana to enjoy the year-concluding holidays, ring in the New Year of 2023 and then roll right into Mardi Gras. Acadiana has more than its share of these celebratory events. We’ve assembled a few…
Check into the Hotel Bentley in the heart of downtown Alexandria with its dramatic lobby, then put on your walking shoes and discover the hidden gems of the city. The Historic Downtown Walking Tour, with a handy map available on…
Acadiana is bursting with fun things to do. There are so many attractions to enjoy in Acadiana, including outdoors activities, historical sites and museums. Then, of course, there’s the food! If you’re looking to get out and about this summer,…
Conservation Anne Darrah had rarely volunteered in New Iberia until she got the idea of improving her neighborhood by planting trees. She is a retired designer and art director who won numerous awards for her work at The Times of…
You'll find all of the cool kids at The Virgin hotel in New Orleans' Warehouse District this fall and beyond. Playful design and see-and-be-seen bars, eateries and other spaces round out the signature experience people have…
Photos by Joseph Vidrine, Romero & Romero, Haylei Smith and Denny Culbert Summertime means fun time in Acadiana, and there’s plenty of jollification to go around. While many of Acadiana’s attractions are indoors, even more exists in the great outdoors,…
Thank goodness for the endless outdoor opportunities located throughout South Louisiana. Take lakes, for instance, great bodies of water that provide excellent fishing, boating, swimming and birding. Not to mention they’re cool and refreshing should you wish to dive in.…
Thank goodness for the endless outdoor opportunities located throughout South Louisiana. Take lakes, for instance, great bodies of water that provide excellent fishing, boating, swimming and birding. Not to mention they’re cool and refreshing should you wish to dive in.…
The Cajun boucherie dates back centuries, a communal hog butchering where careful attempts were made to use every inch of the animal to adequately feed the coterie. Usually held in cold weather months, the boucherie produced items for backbone stew,…
The art world was turned on its head when Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened in Bentonville, Arkansas, an architectural masterpiece designed by Moshe Safdie that celebrates both art and nature. Since Crystal Bridges opened in 2005, the small…
In Alaska, honeymoon options are as diverse as the state. For a relaxing, quiet getaway, cruises up the Inside Passage may be in order. A flight to Anchorage with a ride on the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park may…
It’s the perfect time to spotlight the exquisite watering holes throughout Acadiana, everything from beer taprooms and live music venues to ethnic experiences and high-end restaurants where signature cocktails are served. ¶ Here are our picks for the best bars…
Go ahead, twist our arm! The 318 Restaurant Week, a citywide promotion of local restaurants organized by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and its partners, returns March 18 through 23 at more than 50 participating restaurants. Lunch and…
Moderate climate, great food, the great outdoors, Mardi Gras — Louisiana has a lot to offer. With seniors about to become the largest demographics in the nation, Louisiana is primed to attract those who want to spend their glory years in…
Atlanta may be the most-visited but rarely-seen city in America — its international airport calls itself the world’s busiest in terms of passenger traffic. But if you’re like many travelers and only visit Atlanta to change planes, it’s time to…
Years ago, on a visit to Toledo Bend I spotted a bald eagle’s nest in a remote spot of South Toledo Bend State Park. When January rolled around this year and I was in bad need of a nature…
Two hours from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, takes you to Jackson, New Orleans and the Coast, which is why it’s known as the Hub City. Shopping, craft breweries and art galleries dot the historic downtown and at the city’s heart lies the…
Twin’s Burgers & Sweet’s boudin king cake consists of a savory dough and boudin marriage, drizzled with Steen’s syrup on top and cracklin’ bits Carnival’s Gateau des Rois may have its beginnings in France but today’s Louisiana king cakes have…
This past week Norwegian Cruise Line brought its Norwegian Breakaway ship to the New Orleans port and now offers five- to 11-days cruises to the Caribbean. The Breakaway, named Best Cruise Ship for Families by USA Today, is now the…
Fall comes slowly to Louisiana, with temperatures taking their sweet time to drop and trees turning colors closer to Thanksgiving than Halloween. If you’re eager for something that smells and tastes like autumn, besides the pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks,…
