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10 Easy Road Trips From Lafayette, Louisiana: Iconic Things To Do Nearby
If you’re in Lafayette, Louisiana and itching to hit the road for a few hours, you’re in luck. Within about an hour’s drive, you can find swamp tours, small-town main streets, Cajun food, and some of the prettiest countryside in south Louisiana. In this guide, we’ll look at 10 short road trips from Lafayette that take you into nearby parishes (what Louisiana calls counties): Acadia, Iberia, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion. Each one makes an easy day trip, and you won’t have to spend half your day in the car.1. New Iberia & Shadows-on-the-Teche (Iberia Parish)
About 25 miles southeast of Lafayette, New Iberia sits right on Bayou Teche and feels like a classic south Louisiana town. Don’t miss:- Shadows-on-the-Teche – A beautiful 19th‑century plantation home with huge oak trees dripping in Spanish moss. The house tours walk you through both the pretty and the painful parts of its history.
- Downtown New Iberia – Stroll along Main Street, pop into antique shops, and grab a plate lunch at a local café.
- Bayou Teche waterfront – On a calm day, the water almost looks like glass. It’s a great place to just sit and listen to the boats drift by.
2. Avery Island & Jungle Gardens (Iberia Parish)
Just a short hop south of New Iberia sits Avery Island, home of the famous TABASCO brand. Even if you don’t love hot sauce, the island is worth the drive. Top things to do on Avery Island:- TABASCO Factory Tour – See how the sauce is aged in oak barrels, learn about the peppers, and sample different flavors in the country store. It’s like a spicy theme park for your taste buds.
- Jungle Gardens – A 170‑acre garden with live oaks, bamboo, ponds, and birds. Drive the loop or hop out and walk short trails. In spring, it’s full of egrets and other wading birds.
- Bird City – A historic rookery where thousands of birds nest. Bring binoculars if you have them.
3. Breaux Bridge: Crawfish & Antique Shops (St. Martin Parish)
Less than 15 miles northeast of Lafayette, Breaux Bridge calls itself the “Crawfish Capital of the World,” and honestly, it lives up to the name. Why go:- Crawfish restaurants – In season (roughly January through early summer), you can get big trays of boiled crawfish, potatoes, and corn served on paper-covered tables. It’s messy in the best way.
- Downtown Breaux Bridge – Old brick buildings, boutiques, and antique shops. It’s the kind of place where you actually want to slow down and wander.
- Bayou Teche views – Snap a photo by the historic bridge or simply watch the water flow by while you sip sweet tea.
4. Henderson & Atchafalaya Basin Swamp Tours (St. Martin Parish)
Drive about 20–25 minutes east of Lafayette and you’ll reach Henderson, your gateway to the Atchafalaya Basin, one of the largest river swamps in the country. What to do:- Swamp tour – Take a guided boat ride through cypress trees, Spanish moss, and quiet backwaters. You’ll likely see alligators, herons, egrets, and turtles.
- Fishing & airboat rides – Many outfitters offer fishing trips and faster airboat tours if you’re craving a little more speed.
- Cajun food shacks – Think fried catfish, boudin, and cracklins at no‑frills spots near the boat launches.
5. Opelousas: Music, Faith, and Small‑Town Charm (St. Landry Parish)
Around 25 miles north of Lafayette, Opelousas mixes Creole, Cajun, and Zydeco culture in a way that feels very real and very local. Highlights in Opelousas:- Historic churches and downtown – Walk around the old town square and peek into local shops. The architecture has that classic Louisiana feel.
- Music heritage – Opelousas is known as the “Zydeco Music Capital of the World.” Depending on the day, you might find a live band playing at a dance hall or festival.
- Local eats – Plate lunches, gumbo, and rice dishes that taste like somebody’s grandma is in the kitchen.
6. Eunice: Saturday Night Cajun Music (St. Landry Parish)
Drive northwest from Lafayette for about 45–50 minutes and you’ll reach Eunice, a town that comes alive on the weekends. Why Eunice is worth the drive:- Cajun and zydeco dance halls – On Saturday nights, you’ll find live bands, two‑steppin’, and locals of all ages on the dance floor.
- Cajun music jam sessions – Some places host open jams where musicians sit in a circle and play traditional songs. You don’t need to know the tunes to enjoy it.
- Festivals – Eunice is big on events, especially around Mardi Gras and other holidays.
7. Rayne: The Frog Capital of the World (Acadia Parish)
Head about 20 miles west of Lafayette and you’ll find Rayne, a small town with a quirky twist. What makes Rayne unique:- Frog murals – The town is filled with colorful frog paintings and statues. It sounds silly, but it’s actually a lot of fun to spot them around town.
- Historic downtown – Charming buildings, local shops, and a laid‑back pace that’s perfect for a slow afternoon.
- Frog Festival (seasonal) – If you’re around during the annual festival, expect music, food, and lots of frog‑themed fun.
8. Crowley: Rice Fields and Old Opera House (Acadia Parish)
A little farther west from Rayne, about 30–35 miles from Lafayette, sits Crowley, known for rice farming and historic charm. Things to see in Crowley:- Grand Opera House of the South – A beautifully restored theater that once hosted performers back in the early 1900s. Check for tours or live shows.
- Downtown Crowley – Old brick streets, classic storefronts, and a peaceful vibe.
- Rice country scenery – The drive itself is part of the experience. Wide‑open fields, old barns, and big skies make for a classic south Louisiana backdrop.
9. Abbeville: Riverfront, Seafood, and Sunsets (Vermilion Parish)
About 20–25 miles south of Lafayette, Abbeville offers small‑town charm with a strong French‑Cajun feel. Why you’ll enjoy Abbeville:- Town square and courthouse – The center of town is picture‑perfect, especially in the late afternoon light.
- Seafood restaurants – This area is known for fresh seafood. Think shrimp, oysters, and crab, often fried to crispy perfection.
- Vermilion River views – Grab a spot near the water and watch the day wind down.
10. Intracoastal City & Pecan Island: Edge of the Marsh (Vermilion Parish)
If you’re up for a slightly longer drive (think an hour to an hour and a half, depending on how far you go), head south through Vermilion Parish toward Intracoastal City and Pecan Island. What you’ll find:- Marsh and coastal scenery – Wide‑open marshes, canals, and big horizons. On some days it feels like the sky goes on forever.
- Birdwatching – This area can be great for spotting coastal birds, especially during migration seasons.
- Fishing and boat launches – If you’re into fishing, you’ll find access points for saltwater and brackish water trips.
Tips for Planning Short Road Trips From Lafayette
To make the most of these day trips from Lafayette, Louisiana, keep a few simple tips in mind:- Check opening hours – Museums, tours, and some restaurants may have limited hours, especially on Sundays and Mondays.
- Bring cash – Smaller spots and festivals may not always take cards.
- Dress for the weather – South Louisiana can be hot, humid, and sometimes muddy. Light clothes and comfy shoes help a lot.
- Talk to locals – Some of the best food and music spots aren’t obvious online. A quick chat with someone at a gas station or café can lead you to hidden gems.
Share Your Favorite Road Trips From Lafayette
These 10 short out‑of‑parish road trips from Lafayette are just a starting point. Once you begin exploring places like Breaux Bridge, New Iberia, and Abbeville, you’ll quickly realize how much there is to see within an hour’s drive. Have you taken any of these drives?- Which town surprised you the most?
- Do you have a favorite swamp tour or small‑town café?
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