coast Adventure Guide - Louisiana...coast Adventure Guide VISIT COAST The LTCC is funded in part by the Louisiana Office of Tourism An informative guide to the wonder and wilderness

coast Adventure Guide

VISIT

COAST

The LTCC is funded in part by the Louisiana Office of Tourism A n i n f o r m a t i v e g u i d e t o t h e w o n d e r a n d w i l d e r n e s s o f t h e s p o r t s m a n ’ s p a r a d i s e .

P.O. Box 1579Metairie, LA 70004

Photography Credits: MonsoursPhotography.com & B LaFleur Photography

navigating the louisiana coast

Calcasieu & Cameron Parishes Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau

1205 N. Lakeshore Drive 1 Lake Charles, LA 706011-800-456-SWLA 1 www.visitlakecharles.org

Vermilion Parish Tourist CommissionP.O. Box 1106 1 Abbeville, LA 70511

http://www.mostcajun.com

Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau2513 Hwy 14 1 New Iberia, La 70560

Telephone: 888-942-3742 1 www.iberiatravel.com

St. Mary/Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau112 Main St. 1 Patterson, LA 70392

1-800-256-293 1 www.cajuncoast.com

Terrebonne Parish - Houma Area Convention &Visitors Bureau

114 Tourist Drive 1 Gray, LA 70359 985-868-2732 1 www.houmatravel.com

Lafourche Tourism Commission4484 LA. Hwy. 1 - U.S. Hwy 90 @ LA. Hwy. 1 1 Raceland, LA 70394

1-877-537-5800 1 www.lafourche-tourism.org

Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 411 1 New Orleans, Louisiana 70123

1-877-572-7474 1 www.experiencejefferson.com

Plaquemines Parish Office of Tourism104 New Orleans St. 1 Belle Chasse, LA 70037

1-888-745-0642 1 www.plaqueminestourism.com

St. Bernard Parish Visitor Information Center409 Aycock Street 1 Arabi, LA 70032

(504)278-4242 1 www.VisitStBernard.com

St. Tammany Parish Tourist & Convention Commission68099 Louisiana 59 1 Mandeville, LA 70471-75011-800-634-9443 1 www.louisiananorthshore.com

What’s your adventure?

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m o s t a r e o n t h e c o a s t .

Lake Charles

Avery Island

Leeville/Port Fourchon

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Forked Island

Franklin

Morgan City

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Chalmette

Belle Chasse

Venice

Slidell

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Houma

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www.VisitLouisianaCoast.com

Visiting the Louisiana Coast is an

experience like no other,

abundant in culture, history

and wildlife. If you’re looking

for an authentic experience

that’s part Americana, part

exotic and wild, with a fair

helping of music, dance and

unusual side trips, and one

that doesn’t come with all

the touristy trappings of other

familiar coastal destinations,

you’ll find it in the colorful,

Louisiana Coast ... Welcome.

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Parks & TrailsLorem ipsum nore quadum...

BirdingLorem ipsum nore quadum...

FishingLorem ipsum nore quadum...

HikingLorem ipsum nore quadum...

PaddlingLorem ipsum nore quadum...

Scenic BywaysLorem ipsum nore quadum...

Public Golf CoursesLorem ipsum nore quadum...

BoatingLorem ipsum nore quadum...

BikingLorem ipsum nore quadum...�

Swamp ToursLorem ipsum nore quadum...

FestivalsLorem ipsum nore quadum...

































































































adventuresLearn more about the adventures that can

be had along the Louisiana Coast.

BirdingParks & Nature Trails

Scenic BywaysBoating & Swamp Tours

FishingFairs & Festivals

Biking & CampingGolfing & Paddling

destinationsExplore ten Louisiana coastal parishes,

visiting some of our highlighted coastal cities.

Calcasieu/Cameron Parishes - Cameron & Lake CharlesVermilion Parish - Abbeville & Forked Island

Iberia Parish - New Iberia & Avery IslandSt. Mary Parish - Morgan City & FranklinTerrebonne Parish - Cocodrie & HoumaLafourche Parish - Thibodaux & Leeville

Jefferson Parish - Grand Isle & Jean LafittePlaquemines Parish - Belle Chasse & Venice

St. Bernard Parish - Delacroix & ChalmetteSt. Tammany Parish - Mandeville & Slidell

navigating the coastCoastal map including distances, locational drive

times, Parishes, and visitor center locations.

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coastal contents

L o u i s i a n a ’ s c o a s t a l w e t l a n d s p r o v i d e h a b i t a t f o r a l m o s t

1 . 8 m i l l i o n m i g r a t o r y w a t e r f o w l

Exploring the Louisiana Coast leads to all kinds of exciting new adventures. Journey off

the beaten path to experience the unmatched natural

beauty of Louisiana’s state parks, our national park,

historic sites, and preservation areas as well as many

beautiful local parks along the sprawling Louisiana Coast.

There are 20 National Wildlife Refuges and State Parks, giving visitors

numerous opportunities to enjoy the unique environment of the

Louisiana Coast. Enjoy world-class fishing, hiking through historic

grounds, reliving famous battles, two-stepping at a Louisiana Fais

do-do, or camping under the stars along a picturesque shoreline.

Abbeville, LAPalmetto Island State ParkAbbeville RV Park Nature Trail

Avery Island, LAJungle Gardens

Bourg, LAMKL Farms

Buras, LAFort Jackson

Caernarvon, LASt. Bernard State Park

Cameron, LACameron Prairie National Wildlife RefugeConstance BeachGulf Breeze BeachHolly BeachLacassine National Wildlife RefugeLittle Florida BeachLong Dun BeachMartin-Erbelding BeachPeveto Woods Bird & Butterfly SanctuaryRockefeller Wildlife RefugeRutherford BeachSabine National Wildlife Refuge

Chalmette, LAChalmette Battlefield

Cocodrie, LAPointe aux Chenes Wildlife AreaMarquerite Moffett Birding Area

Cypremort Point, LACypremort Point State Park

Franklin, LABayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge

Gibson, LAWildlife Gardens

Golden Meadow, LAOakridge Park

Grand Isle, LAGrand Isle State Park

Houma, LABlack Star RanchMandalay National Wildlife Refuge

Lacombe, LABig Branch Marsh Wildlife Refuge

Lake Charles, LAPrien Lake ParkNorth BeachSam Houston Jones State Park

Lockport, LALockport Bayouside Park

Mandeville, LAFountainebleau State ParkNorthlake Nature Center

Marrero, LABarataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte Historical Park & Preserve

Metairie, LALafreniere ParkLaSalle Park

Morgan City, LAAtchafalaya National Heritage AreaBrownell Memorial Park Lake End Park

New Iberia, LASpanish LakeRip Van Winkle GardensShadows-on-the-Teche & Gardens

Patterson, LAKemper Williams Park

Pearl River, LAPearl River Wildlife Management Area

St. Bernard, LALos Islenos Museum Nature Trail

St. Martinville, LA Lake Fausse Pointe State Park

Thibodaux, LAThe Wetlands Acadian Cultural CenterPeltier Park

Venice, LADelta Wildlife Refuge

Vinton, LANiblett’s Bluff Park

Westwego, LABayou Segnette State Park

on the trail

Located on the majestic Mississippi Flyway, over 400 different species of birds visit Louisiana yearly. The next time you fly the coop, consider

landing in Louisiana. With such a vast variety

of birds flocking to the Pelican State, Louisiana

is one of the nation’s top destinations for bird

enthusiasts. In fact, Louisiana’s marshes alone

are home to more than 120 songbirds. Our

birding trails across the coastline create plenty

of opportunities to view the abundant wildlife

throughout the Louisiana coastal region. So,

venture away from the nest and journey onto the

Louisiana Coast for an awe-inspiring experience.

You will realize immediately why our state is

really something to tweet home about.

birds of a feather

1 Adventure www.visitlouisianacoast.com

T h e b r o w n p e l i c a n b e c a m e L o u i s i a n a ’ s o f f i c i a l b i r d

o n J u l y 2 7 , 1 9 6 6 .

www.visitlouisianacoast.com Adventure 2

Waterways along the Louisiana Coast are perfect for all types of boating. From canoeing to sailing, and

pirogueing to speed boating, water sports are a Louisiana pastime for

all ages. Louisiana is home to lakes, streams, rivers, bayous, canals,

swamps, marshes, water prairies and wetlands. You can blaze through

the swamps on an airboat, or glide over lakes on a sailboat. Take a spin on the coastal Lakes of Louisiana: Calcasieu Lake, Grand Lake, Lake

Arthur, Lake Charles, Lake Lac Des Allemends, Lake Palourde, Lake

Pontchartrain, Prien Lake, Sabine Pass Lake, and White Lake.

take a spin

Swamp tours line the coast and will take you through many different parts of the marshes and backwaters that make up the Louisiana Coast. Get a close-up view

of the wildlife that inhabits the swamps and marshes. From beautiful

egrets and herons flying among the cypress to alligators sunning on

the banks, there is no better way to experience Louisiana’s wilderness.

Imagine a peaceful journey through a tranquil swamp or your adrenaline

pumping as you fly through the marsh on an airboat.

Crown Point, LALouisiana Tour Company, LLC

Des Allemands, LAAirboat Tours by Arthur

Dularge, LAAirboat Charters Inc.

Gibson, LAA Cajun Man’s Swamp CruiseAtchafalaya Basin ToursBayou Black Airboat Service Tours Grand Chenier, LAAirboats & Alligators

Houma, LAAnnie Miller’s Son’s Marsh and Swamp Tours

Kraemer, LATorres’ Cajun Swamp ToursZam’s Bayou Swamp Tours

Patterson, LACajun Jack’s Swamp Tour

Schriever, LAMunson’s World Famous Swamp Tour

Slidell, LACajun Encounters Swamp TourDr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours, Inc. Mr. Denny’s Swamp TourPearl River Eco-Tours

Theriot, LAWetland Tours

get swampedget on the roadTraveling the scenic byways of the Louisiana coast will bring spectacular views of nature and wildlife. Whether it is a quick one-day trip, or taking a weekend or longer, there

is no better way to experience the Louisiana coast than traveling the

hundreds of miles of scenic byways that crisscross the coast. Our

flair for fun and Southern hospitality welcomes you at every stop,

creating memories that will last you a lifetime. Enjoy the history and

culture of the Louisiana coast as you make your way through our

quaint towns and exciting cities, realizing that a new adventure exists

around every turn. Scenic Byways along the Louisiana Coast: Bayou

Teche Scenic Byway, Cajun Corridor, Creole Nature Trail, Jean Lafitte

Scenic Byway, Louisiana Scenic Bayou Byway, San Bernardo Scenic

Byway, The Great River Road, and The Wetlands Cultural Trail.


T h e C r e o l e N a t u r e Tr a i l A l l - A m e r i c a n R o a d s u p p o r t s 2 8 s p e c i e s o f m a m m a l s , m o r e t h a n 3 0 0 s p e c i e s o f

b i r d s , m i l l i o n s o f m o n a r c h b u t t e r f l i e s , 3 5 s p e c i e s o f a m p h i b i a n s a n d r e p t i l e s , a n d 1 3 2 s p e c i e s o f f i s h .


having a partyThe people of Louisiana’s Coast can find any reason to throw a party, which is why some consider Louisiana to be the Festivals Capital of America. There are festivals along the coast focused

on culture, food, harvests, and music; from the Violet Oyster

Festival to the Cypress Sawmill Festival to the Orange Festival,

and something for everyone in-between. No matter what festival

you visit, you’ll always enjoy delicious food and some of the

best music in the world, making Louisiana coast festivals a fun

experience for the entire family!

January3 Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Festival Cameron, LA3 Gulf Coast Boat, Sport & RV Show Lake Charles, LA3 Battle of New Orleans Commemoration Chalmette, LA

February3 Eagle Expo - Morgan City, LA

March3 Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival Lake Charles, LA3 Iowa Rabbit Festival - Iowa, LA3 Los Islenos Fiesta - St. Bernard, LA3 Louisiana Crawfish Festival - Chalmette, LA3 Louisiana Swamp Stomp Festival Thibodaux, LA

April 3 Cypress Sawmill Festival - Patterson, LA3 Crawfish Boil-off - Buras, LA3 Bayou Teche Black Bear & Birding Festival - Franklin, LA3 Art in April Festival - Chalmette, LA3 Grand Isle Migratory Bird Festival Grand Isle, LA3 Family Fun Festival - Larose, LA3 Thibodaux Fireman’s Fair - Thibodaux, LA

May3 Contraband Days Pirate Festival Lake Charles, LA3 Lockport Food Festival Lockport, LA3 Seafood Festival - Belle Chasse, LA3 Sugar Festival - Arabi, LA3 Tomato Festival - Chalmette, LA June3 Back to the Beach / Save our Lake Festival - Kenner, LA

July3 Fourth of July Fishing Rodeo Southwest Louisiana3 International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo Grand Isle, LA3 Mandeville Seafood Festival Mandeville, LA3 St. Bernard Salutes America St. Bernard, LA3 Golden Meadow/Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo

August3 Blessing of the Fleet - Hopedale, LA3 Gueydan Duck Festival - Gueydan, LA3 Shrimp Festival - Delcambre, LA3 Arts & Crabs Fest - Lake Charles, LA

September3 Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival - Morgan City LA3 La Fete d’Ecologie - Thibodaux, LA3 Labor Day Fishing Rodeo - New Iberia

October3 Cal-Cam Fair - Sulphur, LA3 Louisiana Gumbo Festival Chackbay, LA3 Violet Oyster Festival - Violet, LA3 Wooden Boat Festival Maddisonville, LA3 Tour du Teche Canoe Race - New Iberia3 French Food Festival - Larose, LA3 Cut Off Youth Center Fair - Cut Off, LA November3 Giant Omelette Celebration - Abbeville, LA3 Fall Fest - Lake Charles, LA3 Tour de Jefferson - Westwego, LA3 Thibodauxville Fall Festival Thibodaux, LA

December3 Orange Festival - Boothville, La There are over 400 fes t iva ls he ld throughout the s ta te o f Lou is iana annua l ly.

January – MarchMild Louisiana winters are hard to beat for freshwater fishing. In south Louisiana, bass begin to

spawn as early as February. Crappie or Sac-Au-Lait gather in deep water to feed and prepare

for spawning. Areas around New Orleans like Delacroix, Lake Cataouatche, and Bayou Black

offer great freshwater fishing during the early part of the year.

April – JuneSpring months offer some of the best pan fish action in the country. Shell Crackers or red

ear bream and crappie, which load up around the Atchafalaya Basin Cypress trees, come

to mind. Bass fishing does not slow down during the spring, and there are plenty of fishing

options for bass anglers. Catfish anglers will not be disappointed with numerous rivers and

lakes that hold a good supply of flathead and blue cats. Pick a river, lake, or Mississippi

River oxbow in Louisiana for great spring fishing.

July – SeptemberAs the weather heats up, Louisiana freshwater fishing is just as hot. Experience night fishing

for big bucket mouth bass. Lighted docks and piers are another spot to catch pan fish.

Anglers use rigs and other deep water setups to catch bass during the Louisiana summer.

The bayou state has enough shaded fishing holes to last a lifetime. Freshwater fishing is

close to many cities. Early morning trips beat the summer heat plus leave enough time for

a late lunch and a cool drink.

October – DecemberAs many anglers turn into hunters this time of year, the fall fishing is not as crowded. Duck,

deer, and other hunting activities keep the crowds off the water. Usually, the Mississippi River

drops to levels where anglers find Venice freshwater action at its best. Venice bass fishing

should be on every anglers bucket list. Action across the rest of the state remains great,

too. Cooler temperatures put the feed bag on for the many freshwater species. Anglers will

find fishing a breeze whether it is in the marshes in South Louisiana or banging lures around

tree stumps in the north. Try a blast and cast guided trip. Hunt in the morning and fish in the

afternoon. It is easy to see why Louisiana got the name of Sportsman Paradise.

For a complete listing of our fishing charter guides, marinas and lodges, go to: VisitLouisianaCoast.com.To get a Louisiana Fishing License, go to: www.wlf.louisiana.gov/licenses.

Louisiana is called the Sportsman’s Paradise for a reason. Fishing experts consider this the best fishing in

the world. You can catch fish 365 days a year in Louisiana, and with

our liberal catch limits, there’s plenty for you to bring home.

cast a line

5 Adventure www.visitlouisianacoast.com www.visitlouisianacoast.com Adventure 6

A day on the links along the Louisiana Coast is always above par. Whether you’re teeing off

deep in a swamp or driving the ball over centuries

old cypress trees, playing the Louisiana circuit is

spectacular. One of our courses is showcased on the

PGA Tour, and several are among the best courses in the

nation. The courses are challenging for a scratch golfer, yet

enjoyable enough for anyone looking to enjoy a day on the links with

friends. Our consistently great weather along the Louisiana Coast

makes golfing in Louisiana a year-round sport.

in the swing

Water is everywhere on

Louisiana’s coast. Literally.

Canoeing, kayaking and

paddling through serene waters along the

Louisiana coast is a day-floaters dream. Travel the

lake in a canoe, or explore the bayou in a kayak.

Louisiana’s variety of backwaters and bays,

marshlands and mazes of bayous give the avid

paddler a destination worth rowing about.

Lake Charles, LAGray Plantation Golf CourseContraband Bayou Golf ClubMallard Cove Golf CoursePine Shadows Golf Course

Sulphur, LAFrasch Park Golf CourseBayou Oaks Golf Course

Westlake, LANational Golf Club of Louisiana

New Iberia, LASquirrel Run Golf CourseSugar Oaks Golf & Country Club

Avondale, LATPC Louisiana

Harahan, LAColonial Golf and Country Club

Gretna, LAStonebridge Country Club

Galliano, LATidelands Golf and Country Club

Raceland, LASugarlands Country Club

ThibodauxBayou Country Club

Belle Chase, LABayou Barriere

Patterson, LAAtchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild

Franklin, LA Broken Pine Golf & Country Club

Abita Springs, LAAbita Springs Golf Club

Covington, LACovington Country Club

Slidell, LA Pinewood Country ClubRoyal Golf ClubOak Harbor Golf Club

Houma, LAColonial Acres Golf ClubSouthern Oaks Golf Club

Abbeville, LAAbbeville Country Club

Mathews, LALaTour Golf Club

get rolling

Hiking and camping on the Louisiana Coast is an experience you won’t soon forget. Escape the hustle & bustle of the city to relax

and enjoy the splendor of the Louisiana Coast. Enjoy pine forests, gulf


The Louisiana Coast, with 13 biking trai ls, and mild climate allows for great biking at almost any time of the year. Take your choice of routes, from lightly traveled, paved

rural roads to challenging mountain-biking trails to easy, leisurely paths

through Louisiana’s many state parks. Consider these trails for your adventure: Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, The Levees, Atchafalaya

Swamp Basin, Tammany Trace, St. Bernard State Park, Bayou Black

Loop, Franklin to Morgan City, Houma to Cocodrie, Houma to

Thibodaux Loop, Morgan City to White Castle, New Iberia to Avery

Island loop, New Iberia to St. Martinville, St. Martinville to Fausse

Point Loop, St. Martinville to Franklin and the Mississippi River Trail.

Kemper Williams ParkPatterson, LA

Capri Court CampgroundHouma, LA

Hideaway Ponds Recreational Resort - Gibson, LA

KOC KampgroundNew Iberia, LA

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone ParkLake Charles, LA.

Land-O-Pines Family CampgroundCovington, LA

New Orleans East KampgroundSlidell, LA

Tchefuncte Family CampgroundFolsom, LA Yellow Cotton BaysideBuras, LA

Sam Houston Jones State ParkLake Charles, LA

Lake Fausse Pointe State Park - St. Martinville, LA

Palmetto Island State ParkAbbeville, LA

Fairview-Riverside State ParkMadisonville, LA

Grand Isle State ParkGrand Isle, LA

Bayou Segnette State ParkWestwego, LA

St. Bernard State ParkCaernarvon, LA

Fontainebleau State ParkMandeville, LA

Louisiana Leisure ResortGalliano, LA

Port Fourchon Marina & RVFourchon, LA

Bobby’s Lynn’sLeeville, LA

Kelly Grove Camp GroundLarose, LA

Boudreaux’s CondeauxsGolden Meadow, LA

Bayou ResortGalliano, La

Catfish Lake Cabins & RVGalliano, LA

beaches and mysterious swamps; the wonders of nature are right outside when you camp along the

coast. Experience some of the most majestic wilderness and wildlife up close as you weave though

winding paths and gaze at the clear Southern skies of the Louisiana Coast.

out & About


Explore your destination!

www.VisitLouisianaCoast.com

MOCK PHOTO

abbeville & Forked island

Vermilion Parish

Come celebrate French heritage at the Giant Omelette Celebration in Abbevi l le!

Abbeville. A tradition of great oyster bars runs deep in the history of Abbeville thanks to the first 19th century oystermen who used the Vermilion River flowing through town as an avenue to sell their fresh harvest. Abbeville remains a destination for oyster lovers who satisfy their cravings at a cluster of modern mollusk emporiums. The city’s French heritage runs deeper still, beginning with its founder, who in 1843 named Abbeville for his hometown in France. He modeled the town’s original plan after a typical French village, and today Magdalen Square gives Abbeville a picturesque downtown center with its gazebo, fountain and the historic St. Mary Magdalen Church. Abbeville is home to several annual festivals, including the Giant Omelette Celebration each November. Downtown offers shopping, art galleries, museums and history tours, while birding trails and golf beckon nearby.

Forked Island is located where LA 82 begins. Don’t expect any red lights in this community. It’s just enjoyable, rural, country. Maw & Paw’s offers tons of bait and tackle. Next door, the Cajun Diner is rumored to fix shrimp burgers to die for. This is prime birding territory, and with so much nature to see, you’ll want to retrace your steps on the way back and take it in again. Cross the Forked Island Bridge and head down Pine Island Road. And, here’s a little secret. Find an old crab processing plant, built in the 70’s that never opened for business, and just past it is a great little fishing spot.

Around Abbeville• Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum.

• Enjoy live music Le Bayou Legendaire.

• Abbeville Cultural & Historical Museum

& Art Gallery.

Havin’ fun in Forked Island

• Visit Stelly’s for a bite to eat or some

tackle before you head out fishing.

• Try a delicious shrimp burger at the

popular Cajun Dinner.

Vermilion Parish is known as “the most Cajun place on Earth”.

Nestled against the Gulf, Cameron has over 26 miles of beautiful beaches!

Cameron has a close relationship with nature. Located near Gulf waters, the natural splendor of Cameron beckons, especially along the Creole Nature Trail. This network of scenic highways and walking paths winds through 180 miles of marsh, bayou and shoreline. Much of Cameron Parish has been called “Louisiana’s Outback” for its plentiful wildlife and untamed beauty. The Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge opens more than 9,600 acres of marsh and prairie to the public and includes a visitor center, exhibits and a car tour through its grounds. Fishing charters and lodges are part of our outdoor culture, and Cameron’s long coastline has nurtured rare Louisiana beach front communities.

Lake Charles is a thriving destination that caters to many tastes from glitzy nightlife and the quiet greens of award-winning golf courses to fishing adventures and over 75 festivals! Performing arts are alive with theatre and musical groups, including the Lake Charles Symphony. There are seven diverse museums, one of which houses the largest display of Mardi Gras costumes in the world, in addition to charming galleries rich with art. Also, visit the USS Orleck Naval Museum. Drive the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road - teeming with alligators, birds and fourwildlife refuges! Visitors can stroll through the Charpentier Historic District as the lead crystal glass glitters in the lamplight. Top it off with nightlife that is hot with headline entertainment and excellent amenities at area resorts.

Come on over to Cameron

• Attend the Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival.

• Enjoy a day of fun for the whole family

at the Cameron Jetty Pier.

cameron &lake charles

Calcasieu/Cameron Parishes are home to more than 75 fairs and festivals every year.

Calcasieu/Cameron Parishes

9 Destination www.visitlouisianacoast.com

Livin’ it up in Lake Charles

• Swim, play and sun at the only white sand

inland beach along the Gulf Coast.

• Enjoy the Contraband Days Pirate Festival.

• Celebrate at the Southwest Louisiana

Christmas Lighting Festival.

www.visitlouisianacoast.com Destination 10

MOCK PHOTO

Celebrate the two major industries of St. Mary’s parish at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival!

Morgan city Morgan City’s Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival on Labor Day weekend is a dual celebration of its prime industries. But throughout the year visitors can easily see the impact of the oil and seafood businesses on this city in the middle of the Atchafalaya River’s massive delta. Even in the heart of Morgan City’s 19-block historic center one can climb the flood barrier known locally as the Great Wall for a bird’s eye view of the industrial vessels and shrimp boats plying the busy river before sampling a Cajun-style treatment of the fresh seafood at a local restaurant. Tour a historic drilling rig and learn about Louisiana’s ties to the industry at the International Petroleum Museum and get a close encounter with the area’s natural heritage.

If life is sweet in Franklin, it may have something to do with the vast sugar plantations that established the city as a 19th-century inland port and built the wealth still evident in its downtown center. Distinctive lamp posts line Franklin’s Main Street, home to some of the city’s 400 structures, many that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Each fall, downtown comes alive for the Harvest Moon Fest. Recently renovated and reopened, a year-round roster of cultural events is found at the historic movie house, Teche Theatre. For sportsmen and nature lovers, a public boat launch leads to the Franklin Canal and easy access to the Atchafalaya Basin and the many ecological wonders of Louisiana’s wetlands and its delta region.

St. Mary Parish/Cajun Coast

The Eagle Expo celebrates the numerous eagles which nest throughout the parish!

Festive in Franklin• Explore Oaklawn Manor.

• Tour Grevemberg House Museum.

• Walk or drive through Franklin’s

National Register Historic District.

Magnificent Morgan City

• Tour the International Petroleum

Museum & Exposition.

• Get bird’s eye view of the Atchafalaya

River from the top of the “Great Wall”.

• St. Mary is home of the Sovereign

Nation of the Chitimach.

&franklin

Avery Island is home of TABASCO hot sauce!

new iberia & avery islandIberia Parish


New Iberia is dedicated to preserving its history. Its restored Main Street and historic downtown area win high praise. A walking tour of the East Main Street National Register Residential District reveals the stomping grounds of famed Detective Dave Robicheaux, the main character in novels by New Iberia native and Edgar Award-winning author James Lee Burke. History is on display in the Bayou Teche Museum and at Shadows-on-the-Teche, an antebellum home once occupied by Union soldiers during the Civil War. New Iberia also is home to the South’s largest source of quality religious articles, the Rosary House, which draws visitors from far and near to buy hand-made rosaries, devotional candles, statues and medals.

Avery Island occupies roughly 2,200 acres and sits atop a deposit of solid rock salt thought to be deeper than Mount Everest is high. Geologists believe this deposit is the remnant of a buried ancient seabed. The birthplace of TABASCO® brand pepper sauce, Avery Island has been owned for over 180 years by the Marsh, Avery and McIlhenny families. Lush subtropical flora and venerable live oaks draped with wild muscadine and swags of barbe espagnole, or Spanish moss, cover this geological oddity, which is one of five “islands” rising above south Louisiana’s flat coastal marshes. The Tabasco factory and Jungle Gardens remain a visitor favorite.

The spice of life atAvery Island

• Enjoy a relaxing stroll through Jungle Gardens.

• Tour the TABASCO® Factory and sample

their famous hot sauce.

• View flock of egrets at Bird City.

A good ole time in New Iberia

• Take a walking tour of New Iberia Main Street Historic District.

• Explore the history of the area at Bayou Teche Museum.

• View the beautiful gardens on the New Iberia Azalea Trail.

• Visit the oldest operating rice mill in the country.

The oldest operating rice mills in America are located in New Iberia


thibodaux & leeville

Lafourche Parish

Thibodaux was first settled by French and Spanish Creoles from New Orleans. It rapidly became a refuge for the Acadian exiles of the mid-1700’s. The city’s history still echoes today, through its historic architecture. There’s the 1830’s era E.D. White Historic Site, a plantation on Bayou Lafourche that was home to a Louisiana governor and his son, who served on the U.S. Supreme Court. There’s the Rienzi plantation, built during the Spanish colonial days - according to legend - for the Queen of Spain. There’s also the Laurel Valley Village. Once a massive sugar plantation, its dozens of remaining structures give visitors, a window into the past, as it was lived by field hands. As home to Nicholls State University, Thibodaux benefits from the vibrancy and cultural activities common to a college town. Stop in at the Jean Lafitte Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center to learn more about the area.

Leeville offers great shoreline and inland bay fishing for those looking for Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder. The shoreline of Timbalier Bay is well known in the area for its bountiful estuaries. Barataria Waterway, Bayou Lafourche and Port Fourchon are also rich fishing grounds. In the fall and the spring, bird migrations can be viewed at Fourchon. The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program sponsors an annual Migratory Bird Festival as spring migration begins. The migration is a wonder to see for the birding enthusiast.

Good times in Thibodaux• Experience local culture at Laurel Valley Village.

• Take a walking tour of old Thibodaux.

• Go into the swamps with one of the

local swamp tours.

Playing aroundPort Fourchon

• Catch some of the best fishing in the world.

• Enjoy fresh oysters at Speck’s Oyster Bar.

• Eat some of the freshly caught seafood

at Leeville Seafood Restaurant.

The name of Lafourche Parish is derived from the French word for “fork”.

Lafourche Parish is only 15 miles wide at its widest point, but approximately 100 miles long.

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cocodrie & houma Terrebonne Parish

The name of Cocodr ie is der ived from the Cajun French word for “a l l i gator ” .


Houma has a network of bayous and shipping channels that converge, creating a crisscross of waterways within the city. Many streets are two-lane avenues split by canals plied by small vessels. Shrimp boats docked outside their skippers’ homes is a common sight along the scenic bayou drives. Houma is widely considered the capital of deep bayou country. The city is the jumping-off point for countless charter fishing adventures, birding expeditions and swamp tours along the ecological wetlands stretching out toward the Gulf, while the Native American tribe of the United Houma Nation is headquartered here and hosts frequent cultural events.

Cocodrie. Tried and true anglers with a boat and gear can launch at one of the many marinas in the area, including Coco Marina, Sportsman’s Paradise, and Boudreaux’s Marina in Cocodrie; Bob’s Bayou Black Marina in Gibson; and the Falgoust Canal Marina in Dularge. No boat? No problem! There are many charter services ready to outfit visitors looking for fishing adventures with everything they will need. Fishing in Houma is year round, although the busiest season is April through September, when it is highly recommended for visitors to book a guide several months in advance.

Crazy in Cocodrie• Enjoy a great fishing adventure on the

waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

• Grab a delicious bite to eat at CoCo

Bistreaux Restaurant.

• Learn about the Louisiana coast at the

Louisiana University Marine Consortium.

There’s no place like Houma

• Explore the culture of Terrebonne at the

Folklife Culture Center.

• Experience coastal waterways first hand

on one of the many swamp tours.

• Visit the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife

Museum and learn about the coast.

More than 65% of Terrebonne Parish is wetlands or near open water!


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Belle chasse & venice Plaquemines Parish

Woodland Plantation, now a bed-and-breakfast and restaurant, was constructed in 1834.

Venice is situated just south of New Orleans on the west bank of the Mississippi River, and it is the southernmost community accessible by automobile. The Great River Road Scenic Byway ends in this town, giving it the nickname “The end of the world.” Venice offers a diverse variety of fishing. This area is fed by an abundance of water, making fish habitats some of the best in the world. Whether you are fishing for bass in the marshes of Venice, or heading out for the best offshore fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, Venice is truly a “Sportsman’s Paradise.”

Belle Chasse is home to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. The Woodlands Trail and Park, a backpacker’s paradise, is an established educational, historical and recreational greenway and trail that is open to the general public. 13-miles of natural trails traverse through a bottomland hardwood, coastal forest, passing along edge communities that are a frequent viewing area for wildlife and migratory birds. The Naval Ammunition Depot Trail is a 2.25-mile trail that leads to a grouping of ten World War II Ammunition Magazines nestled in the forest and surrounded by wetland areas.

Belle Chasse Bound• Pick up some of the famous citrus

from the region.

• Visit Woodland Plantation to get a

sense of the regions history.

• Take a tour of the region on a seaplane.

Vive’ la Venice• Drop your line into some of the best

fishing waters around.

• Explore the Breton Wildlife Refuge.

• Visit Historic Fort Jackson.

• Taste the local produce at the Orange

Festival every December.

Plaquemines Parish is known for the amazing citrus that is grown and sold throughout the parish!

Each July Grand Isle hosts the oldest fishing tournament in the United States, the International Tarpon Rodeo!

grand isle & jean lafitteJefferson Parish


Grand Isle is at the Southern end of Highway 1, and its seven magical miles hold all the wonders that Louisiana nature can offer. Oleander and crepe myrtle, palms, ferns and windblown oak trees on Cheniere ridges welcome migrating birds in season. The marshes are filled with aquatic life and water birds. On Grand Isle, time slows and the visitor can savor a unique Louisiana experience. Europeans came to Grand Isle in the early 1800’s and created active sugar and cotton plantations. Grand Isle gained fame as a recreation spot for visitors from nearby New Orleans to enjoy breezes, seawater and early hotels. Today’s visitors find a thriving seaside community with petroleum and seafood industries as well as everything the visiting sportsman, tourist or camper could want.

Jean Lafitte, named for the legendary pirate that made his hideaway here, is a waterway refuge rich in Louisiana culture. You can explore the bayou country, dance to Cajun music or stay overnight at one of the inns that overlook the marshes of the breathtaking Bayou Barataria Basin. A thriving fishing village since the 1700’s, the Barataria region is still the point of departure for fishermen. You, too, can experience some of the best fishing in Louisiana, whether by boat, private charter or atop Lafitte’s public fishing pier.

Journey into Jean Lafitte• Explore the wildlife of the region at

Jean Lafitte National Park.

• Experience nature up close on a swamp tour.

• Enjoy some of the area’s seafood at the

Lafitte Seafood Festival.

A grand ole time in Grand Isle• Experience the bi-annual birding migrations.

• Catch some rays on the beach at Grand Isle State Park.

• Fish inland or offshore with an experienced

Grand Isle Fishing Charter captain.

• Join the party at the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo.

Jefferson is home to the Barataria Preserve and the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve.

Lafourche Parish is only 15 miles wide at its widest point but approximately 100 miles long


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mandeville & slidell St. Tammany Parish

The Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall is the oldest unaltered rural jazz hall in the world.

Slidell begins where Lake Pontchartrain ends, where the lake forges towards the Gulf of Mexico via a deepwater strait. At the Rigolets pass, you’re likely to encounter tooling sailboats and shrimpboats. The hinterland is striped with bayous, perfect for canoe travel. If you’re into waterborne recreation, fishing, sailing, canoeing or waterskiing, there’s no question you’ll be into Slidell. But this is no remote getaway. Slidell stands just across the water from New Orleans, 20 minutes away. Slidell is proud of its historic Olde Towne, with its excellent restaurants, antique shops and an ambience that recalls simpler times. And Slidell may be one of the easiest places to access in Louisiana, at the junction of interstates 10, 12 and 59.

Mandeville is where urban meets natural. Founded in 1834, it developed as a lakeside summer resort for wealthy of the Crescent City. This remains in evidence in the older quarters of the city, and in some of its key historic properties that are found on Lakeshore Drive. To complement its well-established suburbs, Mandeville offers cyclists an entry point on the 31-mile trail, The Tammany Trace. Originally a railroad line, the Tammany Trace flows through an array of communities providing many opportunities for bird watching, wildlife identification and relaxation. Home to the Northlake Nature Center, boardwalks and bridges over waterways take you into secluded areas where nature can be observed. At the edge of town, Fontainebleau State Park offers cabins and campsites with plenty of diversion for nature lovers.

Revel in Slidell• Ride bikes along the Tammany Trace.

• Explore Slidell Historic Antique District.

• Take a swamp tour along the banks

of Lake Pontchartrain.

Marvelous Mandeville

• See the beautiful homes along Lake

Pontchartrain.

• Go out and catch some fish in the Lake.

• Explore Fontainebleau State Park.

St. Tammany is home to the Abita Beer which offers tours of their brewery.

Domino Sugar, in St. Bernard, is the largest sugar refinery in the world, producing 7 million pounds of sugar each day!

delacroix & chalmette

St. Bernard Parish


Chalmette is situated on the San Bernardo Scenic Byway and American History buffs will enjoy the rich history of the community. The Chalmette National Historic Park is the site of the greatest American land victory of the War of 1812. The Battle of the New Orleans was fought on the Chalmette Plantation in 1815. Though the odds were not in their favor, Major General Andrew Jackson led his men to victory, preserving the United States’ claim to the Louisiana Purchase. The park includes monuments and exhibits of this remarkable battle. A short distance from the battlefield lies the Veterans of the Battle of New Orleans and subsequent wars at the Chalmette National Cemetery. This cemetery was established in 1864 and is a significant stop for any visitor to the park. Learn about the unique culture of the “Isleños”, who settled in St. Bernard Parish from the Canary Islands, at the Isleños Museum.

Delacroix has been ranked as one of the world-class sport fishing destinations in the country with Isleños villages dating back to the early 19th century when the residents began trapping, fishing and hunting as a way of life. Experience and enjoy the authentic Isleños traditions when you book your charter fishing trip. Drive a short distance to Shell Beach, Proctor’s Landing or Hopedale where a number of fishing camps await outdoor sportsmen who want to take advantage of some of the best fishing in Louisiana.

What to do in Delacroix• Experience the culture of the area at the

Los Isleños Heritage & Cultural Museum.

• Do some fishing around the waters of Delacroix.

History is set in Chalmette

• Explore the Chalmette Battlefield, the location

of the Battle of New Orleans.

• Taste the local flavors at Rocky & Carlo’s

Restaurant & Bar.

• Enjoy the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in March.

The first settlers in St. Bernard were Canary Islanders, who brought garlic, mirliton, and purple potatoes!


Lake CharlesAbbeville

New IberiaMorgan City

ThibodauxHouma

Grand IsleBelle Chasse

ChalmetteSlidell

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Drive times, in minutes, from city to city

Driving the coast from one end to the other!Little Rock,Arkansas

Jackson,Mississippi

Mobile,Alabama

Houston,Texas

coastal explorationsNavigating the coast will be a fun and exciting adventure for the entire family. Visit any of our Visitors Centers & Bureaus for more information about adventures in and around that parish! Use the charts below to learn more about

drive times to and from coastal cities along

the Louisiana coast. The other chart below

shows distances and drive times from major

cities outside of Louisiana to different coastal

parishes along the Louisiana coast. The map

at right shows major roadways and Visitor

Center locations that can be found along the

Louisiana coast. Navigate the coast and have

the time of your life exploring the culture and

creativity of our wonderful coastline.

Driving distances and times from major cities outside of Louisiana to cities and parishes along the coast.

coast Adventure Guide - Louisiana...coast Adventure Guide VISIT COAST The LTCC is funded in part by the Louisiana Office of Tourism An informative guide to the wonder and wilderness

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