Get Outta Town

Cajun Country

The land that gave the world one of its great cuisines—and a refuge for French-Canadian exiles in the 18th century—is worth at least one overnighter. Lafayette, with its attractive downtown and plentiful accommodations, makes a good hub for exploring the region. The Cajun kitsch can be a bit much at times, but there are some outstanding restaurants and museums, including the Paul and Lulu University Art Museum and Acadian Village, a re-creation of an early-19th-century Acadian settlement. Venture south to picturesque Abbeville, where restaurants serve up some mean oysters on the half shell, or to New Iberia and nearby Avery Island, home of the famous Tabasco hot sauce and a gorgeous 250-acre garden. Breaux Bridge, site of the annual Crawfish Festival, has antiques shops and some excellent Cajun restaurants, including Café des Amis and Mulate's. St. Martinville, south of Breaux Bridge, is an attractive small town and home of the Evangeline Oak, immortalized in Longfellow's classic poem "Evangeline."

To the north lie Grand Coteau, a quaint, historic village set on a natural bluff, and Opelousas, a hotbed of zydeco music; nearby Plaisance hosts the annual Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music festival each Labor Day weekend. A bit farther afield, the normally quiet town of Mamou goes bonkers on Fat Tuesday, when the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras takes to the streets; Saturday mornings, little Fred's Lounge gets packed to the gills with locals and more than a few tourists two-stepping and waltzing to live Cajun music.

Plantation Country

For Gone With the Wind fans, the stretch of the Mississippi north of New Orleans is the ultimate Southern experience. Tour buses ply the highway on both sides of the river, but with a car and a map, it's easy to explore on your own. Fortunes were made here in the 18th and 19th centuries—on the backs of the slaves that worked these plantations—and vestiges of the Old South's wealthy heyday remain in the region's lavish homes, many lovingly restored and open to the public. Highlights include Oak Alley, with its procession of ancient oak trees that flank the entrance, and Nottoway, the largest extant plantation house. Several homes offer accommodations and dining for those who want to linger.

Many of the small towns that dot Plantation Country are fun to explore, but St. Francisville, about 25 mi north of Baton Rouge, deserves special mention. The historic town center is a well-preserved collection of antebellum homes and buildings, and the river landing there is one of the few places in south Louisiana where the Mississippi isn't hemmed in by levees. A cluster of fine plantation homes are nearby, including Rosedown Plantation and Gardens and the attractive Oakley House at Audubon State Historic Site, where John James Audubon taught drawing to the plantation owner's daughter while executing some of the works in his Birds of America series. Baton Rouge itself is worth a visit to see the Old State Capitol (and the new one, where Governor Huey P. Long met his untimely end) and its lively downtown.

Voluntourism

Tourism is the driving force behind New Orleans's economy, and visitors' dollars are helping the city rebuild. But if you want to have a more-direct impact on the Crescent City's reconstruction, get to work. The groups listed here help connect volunteers with all sorts of jobs—everything from gutting/rebuilding homes, landscaping, environmental and cultural preservation, to clerical assistance.

Bayou Rebirth matches volunteers to wetlands restoration projects in Southeast Louisiana. Healthy wetlands, like the ones that once surrounded the greater New Orleans area, lessen the impact of hurricane storm surges. In addition to helping renew precious environmental resources, volunteers get to experience the beautiful ecosystem of the Mississippi River delta. Full day and half day opportunities are available. 504/267-5724. bayourebirth.org.

Beacon of Hope. This grass roots organization is focused on rebuilding neighborhoods in the Lakeside, Gentilly, and Lower Ninth Ward neighborhoods—and actually getting the work done rather than sitting in meetings talking about it. Volunteer opportunities range from light office work to heavy cleanup. In general they work with groups of 10-200 volunteers. 504/309-5120. www.lakewoodbeacon.org.

Catholic Charities. Volunteer opportunities range from half day activities to two day opportunities, from assisting at Second Harvesters Food Bank to helping repaint and repair a person's home damaged from Katrina. 504/523-3755. www.ccano.org.

Habitat for Humanity. Habitat's mission is to eliminate homelessness and make housing affordable. The organization is building new homes in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes; the most-prominent project is the almost-complete Musicians' Village in the Upper Ninth Ward. Volunteers work from 7:15 am to 2 pm and must be at least 16 years old. 504/861-2077. www.habitat-nola.org.

Katrina Corps. This grass-roots organization works with multiple groups and hosts a variety of different projects. Service opportunities include renovating/repairing schools and houses, house gutting, land preservation, and mentoring. Katrina Corps asks for contributions per volunteer (average $10-$20) and provides lunch, transportation, tools, and beverages. 504/301-8902. www.katrinacorps.org.

The New Orleans Hope and Heritage Project. This community-based organization puts local people in charge of city renewal efforts and disaster planning. Projects range from evacuation plans for humans and pets, community-based insurance plans, home rebuilding programs, internships in construction and community care, counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder, and developing neighborhood cultural centers. www.neworleanshealingcenter.org.