Visiting Cajun Country

Southern Louisiana is Cajun Country. Lake Charles set on the Calcasieu River is a busy port city and commercial center for Southwestern Louisiana. Diverse in its offerings, Lake Charles Charpentier District is full of historic Victorian buildings; there is horse racing, casinos and the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge nearby. Houma east across the deltas, wetlands and bayous, is a major fishing town and hosts the Golden Meadow-Fourchon International Tarpon Rodeo. The Rodeo has been cancelled for 2010, but plans are for the fun and excitement to return in 2011. Lafayette is the largest city in Cajun country and center of the Acadiana area of Southern Louisiana.

Lake Charles is called the Festival Capital of the state of Louisiana. Over 75 fairs and festivals are held each year and events have not slowed down in 2010. September brings BooZoo’s Labor Day Festival in Iowa, just east of Lake Charles. The Cajun Bon Temps Festival in Carlyss is held over three days at St Theresa Catholic Church in Carlyss to the west of Lake Charles. St Margaret Catholic Church in Lake Charles hosts the Calca-Chew Food Festival the end of September. All are typical Cajun festivals so bring an appetite for shrimp etouffee, gumbo and barbecue and get ready for a lot of fun.

There are two Best Western Hotels in the Lake Charles area. The Best Western Executive Hotel and Suites in Sulphur is just four miles from Lake Charles just off Interstate 10. The Best Western Richmond Suites Hotel is also located off of Interstate 10 in Lake Charles. With affordable rates and comfortable rooms and suites, head to Cajun country for a festival and make it a weekend getaway. If the weather is nice, enjoy Lake Charles Beach, anytime is good for a walk along the Creole Nature Trail or take in a game at McNeese State University in Lake Charles.

Houma is not to be outdone and October is a great month to plan a visit to the area. The 2010 Cajun Heritage Festival and Louisiana State Woodcarving Championships are held mid-October in Larose. Larose also hosts the 2010 French Food Festival near the end of October. This is the 24th annual event, and one of the best in the south to experience Cajun cuisine, culture and heritage. Larose, located on the Lafourche bayou, is home to a strong legacy of the Lafourcheasie, which will be featured in folk life demonstrations as well as the food.

The Best Western Isabelle Court in Galliano is less than ten miles from Larose to the south, an ideal location for visitors, as well as travelers across southern Louisiana. The Best Western River Region Inn in Luling is central in St Charles Parish and convenient for air travelers through New Orleans. The Best Western Houma Inn in Gray is northwest of Houma on Highway 90. It is time to enjoy Cajun country with a getaway, book a Best Western Hotel and enjoy!