Visiting Cajun Country

The urban heart of Cajun Country – Lafayette, it’s time for a getaway. If Lafayette is the heart of Cajun Country, coastal Louisiana is the lifeblood of Southern Louisiana. Rich natural resources abound, from the Atchafalaya Delta and Marsh Island State Wildlife Refuge to the Rockefeller State Game Preserve and Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Feast on famous Cajun and Creole cuisine at Prejean’s Restaurant in Lafayette or Billedeaux’s Cajun Kitchen in Lake Charles. A tour through the Atchafalaya swamp is a must for visitors to Cajun Country. Experience Louisiana’s most unique and famous ecosystem, including moss draped cypress trees and sleeping alligators.

Lafayette is the hub city of Acadiana (South Louisiana or Cajun Country), and one of the region’s largest cities. Experience region culture at Lafayette’s Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in October. The 2011 festival runs October 14th through the 16th, featuring the Bayou Food Festival, Louisiana Craft Fair and Festival de Musique. There is no better event to celebrate the riches of Louisiana culture and heritage.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the state’s second largest campus. UL Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns athletic teams are the pride of the city. Catch one of the Ragin’ Cajun fall football games at “The Swamp” or Cajun Field and don’t miss a men’s or women’s basketball game at the Cajundome. If you’re on campus in October, the Acadiana Wine & Food Festival is hosted at the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum.

Celebrate the shrimp harvest in Morgan City at Louisiana’s oldest chartered harvest festival - The Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival. Honoring two critical industries providing economic lifeline to Cajun Country, the 2011 festival is the 76th year for this Labor Day weekend event. Have your fill of authentic Cajun cooking including fried alligator along with the jambalaya and shrimp. Take a seat under the oaks at Morgan City’s Lawrence Park for your favorite music, run a 5K, join the golf tournament or browse more than 100 arts and crafts tents showcasing the south’s finest craftsmen.

Visit Morgan City for a magical Christmas experience. Tour magnificent antebellum homes dressed in traditional Victorian holiday décor. Travel down tree lined streets lined with twinkling lights to catch a holiday performance or see a festive holiday parade.

Lake Charles in southwest Louisiana sits on freshwater Lake Charles featuring a rare inland white-sand beach. Known for an abundance of festivals, a getaway to Lake Charles is always in order. For an old time country fair visit Sulphur west of Lake Charles. 2011 brings the 87th Annual Cal-Cam Fair, a fall tradition showcasing the riches of Calcasieu and Cameron parishes. The fair runs October 12th through the 16th.

Cajun Country Hotel Map