Houma, Louisiana: 10 Best Things To Do Nearby

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10 Fun Things To Do In and Around Houma, Louisiana

If you’re looking for a real-deal South Louisiana experience, Houma in Terrebonne Parish should be on your list. It’s about an hour southwest of New Orleans, but it feels like a whole different world — slower pace, bayous everywhere, and some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or passing through on a road trip, here are 10 things to do in Houma, LA (and nearby) that mix Cajun culture, swamps, history, and great food.

1. Take a Swamp Tour in the Bayou Country

If you do only one thing in Houma, make it a swamp tour. You’ll cruise through narrow bayous lined with cypress trees, Spanish moss hanging overhead like a curtain. On a good day, you’ll spot alligators sunning on the banks, egrets and herons fishing, maybe even turtles stacked on a log. Popular options in the Houma area include:
  • Airboat tours for a fast, windy ride
  • Covered boat tours for a slower, more relaxed trip
Many guides grew up on these waters, so you’ll hear stories about hurricanes, fishing, and old Cajun traditions. It feels less like a “tour” and more like riding along with a neighbor who just knows everything about the bayou. Tip: Bring bug spray, a hat, and your camera. Alligators don’t pose, so you have to be ready.

2. Walk Through History at the Regional Military Museum

For a small city, Houma has a surprisingly impressive Regional Military Museum. Inside, you’ll find:
  • Real tanks, trucks, and helicopters you can get close to
  • Uniforms and gear from World War II, Vietnam, and more
  • Stories and photos of local veterans
What makes this place special is how personal it feels. Many exhibits were donated by local families, and volunteers often share firsthand stories. You’re not just looking at history—you’re meeting it. If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll love seeing the vehicles up close. If you’re into history, you’ll probably spend longer here than you planned.

3. Explore Southdown Plantation & Terrebonne Museum

For a look at life in old South Louisiana, head to Southdown Plantation, a bright pink historic home in Houma. The Southdown Plantation House and museum:
  • Sits on former sugarcane land along Bayou Terrebonne
  • Shows what life was like for both wealthy families and the workers who kept the place running
  • Includes exhibits on Cajun culture, Mardi Gras, and local history
The house itself, with its big porches and old oak trees, feels like stepping into another time. You can also learn about sugarcane farming and the complicated history of plantations in Louisiana. Tip: Ask about special events and craft fairs—Southdown often hosts local festivals and markets.

4. Follow the Bayou Country Crawfish Trail

You can’t talk about things to do in Houma without talking about food. Houma is part of the Bayou Country Crawfish Trail, a tasty self-guided route that connects local spots serving:
  • Boiled crawfish (in season, usually late winter through early summer)
  • Seafood po’boys loaded with shrimp, oysters, or catfish
  • Gumbo, étouffée, and boudin
Even if crawfish isn’t in season, there’s always something good on the menu. Many restaurants are casual, family-owned places where the seafood is fresh and the seasoning is serious. Imagine sitting at a big table covered in newspaper, a pile of hot crawfish in front of you, your fingers messy with spicy seasoning. That’s Houma at its best. Tip: Don’t be shy about asking how to peel crawfish if it’s your first time. Locals are usually happy to show you.

5. Experience Local Culture at Mardi Gras (or Any Festival)

Houma has one of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana outside New Orleans. The parades are family-friendly, the crowds are smaller, and the throws (beads, toys, trinkets) are just as wild. But even if you’re not there for Mardi Gras season, there’s almost always something going on:
  • Cajun music festivals
  • Seafood and gumbo cook-offs
  • Arts and crafts fairs at places like Southdown Plantation
Local festivals are a great way to hear live Zydeco or Cajun music, try new foods, and meet people. You might even find yourself dancing in the street before the night is over.

6. Drive the Wetlands Cultural Byway

If you like scenic drives, the Wetlands Cultural Byway around Houma is worth a half-day or more. You’ll pass:
  • Bayous winding alongside the road
  • Tiny fishing towns on stilts and pilings
  • Marshes where water and land blend together
This is one of the best ways to understand what makes Terrebonne Parish special. You’ll see shrimp boats, small churches, and maybe a roadside stand selling boiled peanuts or fresh seafood. Pull off at a boat launch, walk down to the water, and just listen. The quiet, broken only by birds and the sound of boats in the distance, is a big part of the charm here.

7. Fish, Paddle, or Birdwatch on the Bayous

Houma is surrounded by water, so it’s easy to get outside. You can:
  • Book an inshore fishing charter for redfish, speckled trout, and more
  • Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle slow bayous and canals
  • Bring binoculars and go birdwatching—herons, egrets, pelicans, and hawks are common
Even if you’re not hardcore into fishing, just being out on the water in the early morning or late afternoon feels special. The light on the marsh, the stillness of the bayou—it’s a side of Louisiana most visitors never see if they stay only in New Orleans. Tip: Weather changes fast in South Louisiana. Check the forecast and pack a light rain jacket if you’re heading out on the water.

8. Learn Local Stories at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum

In downtown Houma, the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum focuses on the people who live and work on the water. Inside, you’ll find:
  • Displays about shrimping, crabbing, and oyster harvesting
  • Boats, gear, and tools used by local fishermen
  • Exhibits that explain how the wetlands are changing
It’s not a huge museum, but it’s packed with information and personal stories. It helps you understand how closely Houma’s way of life is tied to the water—and why coastal erosion and hurricanes matter so much here. Bonus: The museum is close to restaurants and shops, so you can easily pair it with lunch downtown.

9. Stroll the Houma Downtown Area

Downtown Houma may be small, but it’s worth a walk. You’ll find:
  • Local restaurants serving Cajun and Creole dishes
  • Bars with live music on some nights
  • Public art and historic buildings along the bayou
Take a slow stroll, grab an iced coffee or sweet tea, and pop into a shop or two. In the evening, you might catch a band playing or a small event in one of the downtown spaces. If you like photography, this area gives you a mix of old bridges, water views, and colorful storefronts to shoot.

10. Take a Day Trip to Cocodrie and the Gulf Edge

If you’re up for a little drive, head south from Houma toward Cocodrie, a tiny community closer to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way you’ll see:
  • Marshes stretching out toward the horizon
  • Camps and houses perched high on tall stilts
  • Boat launches and fishing docks buzzing with activity
Cocodrie and the surrounding area are popular starting points for offshore and coastal fishing trips. Even if you’re not fishing, just reaching the “end of the road” has its own feeling—like you’ve come to the edge of the continent. On clear evenings, sunsets over the marsh can be incredible.

Final Thoughts: Why Houma Belongs on Your Louisiana Itinerary

Houma, Louisiana, is more than a quick stop on the way to somewhere else. It’s a place where:
  • Strangers still wave as you drive by
  • Seafood is as fresh as it gets
  • Bayous and marshes shape everyday life
If you’re looking for authentic Cajun country, quieter than New Orleans but full of character, Houma and Terrebonne Parish deliver—through swamp tours, local museums, festivals, and simple moments watching the water. Have you been to Houma or explored the bayous nearby? What was your favorite thing to do? Share your experience in the comments — and if you found this guide helpful, please share it with a friend or on social media to help more people discover Houma, Louisiana.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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