Cajun Country Drive
United States
From New Orleans' jazz balconies to the cypress bayous and accordion halls of Acadiana, 274 km through the beating heart of French Louisiana, where Creole cooking, zydeco music, and Mardi Gras traditions survive in a culture unlike anywhere else in America.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- New Orleans
French Quarter ironwork balconies, Creole restaurants, and the birthplace of jazz. Cafe Du Monde beignets and aboveground cemeteries set the tone.
- Thibodaux
Heart of Lafourche Parish, where Cajun French is still spoken at home and bayou-side camps serve boiled crawfish straight from the pot.
- Atchafalaya Basin
The largest river swamp in the United States, vast cypress and tupelo wilderness draped in Spanish moss, home to alligators and roseate spoonbills.
- Henderson
Gateway to the Atchafalaya Basin swamp, where Cajun restaurants serve crawfish etouffee and boudin cooked before the recipes were softened for outsiders.
- Breaux Bridge
The Crawfish Capital of the World. Cafe des Amis hosts a weekend zydeco brunch where diners push back their chairs and dance between courses.
- Lafayette
Capital of Cajun country. Vermilionville recreates 1765-1890 Acadian village life; the Blue Moon Saloon hosts live zydeco every weekend.
Where to Eat
- Prejean's RestaurantCajun
Renowned for authentic Cajun dishes like crawfish étouffée and alligator bites, accompanied by live Zydeco music.
- Randol's RestaurantSeafood
Offers fresh seafood and Cajun specialties in a lively setting with dance floors and live music.
- Café des AmisCreole
Famous for its Zydeco breakfasts and traditional Creole cuisine in a historic building.
Things to Do
- Tabasco Factory TourTour
Explore the history and production of the iconic hot sauce on Avery Island.
- Vermilionville Historic VillageMuseum
Experience 18th and 19th-century Acadian, Creole, and Native American culture through restored homes and exhibits.
- Lake MartinNature
A wildlife preserve ideal for birdwatching, featuring cypress-tupelo swamps and diverse fauna.