Cajun Country - Looking for some ideas
Oct 22nd, 2006, 02:44 PM
#41
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Try staying at Le Rosier Country Inn Bed and Breakfast in New Iberia. Nothing but good reviews and it is across the street from Shadows on the Teche, which is a must-see.
Read the reviews on tripadvisor. It's top notch.
Read the reviews on tripadvisor. It's top notch.
Oct 22nd, 2006, 09:21 PM
#42
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Your generous time span will allow you to cover a lot of territory - Lucky you! I did it two years ago and it was a pleasure. Do take time to take a Disaster tour while in New Orleans as it's a very historic time for the city. You won't regret doing so, especially as you have been to the city before. Plus, your husband will take pictures neither of you will ever forget. I hope you will be staying in one of the historic houses or hotels, rather than a generic hotel chain. New Orleans is so rich in them and they add such flavor to a visit.
Consider a daytrip to drive east along the Gulf Coast as far as Biloxi, Ms (maybe 2 hours?), then back along 90 as it skirts the gulf. It would not only allow you to get your swim in the gulf as there are lots of places to park - the Gulf is very shallow along there and you will have to wade out a good distance before you can actually swim - but, it would give you an in depth view of what Mother Nature did to the area last summer while giving your husband a golden opportunity to take some amazing pictures. It's hard to believe what happened there unless you see it for yourself.
Personally, I have no interest in Casinos, but if you do, Biloxi has several open again.
As far as reading about real Cajun country, you might read "Bayou Farewell- the rich life and tragic death of Lousiana's Cajun Coast" by Mike Tidwell, a book given to me recently by a New Orleanian friend as a "must read". It's about what is happening to the Cajun way of life today due to the rapidly eroding wetlands.
I stayed in St Francisville, La at the Old Castillo B&B two years ago with my kids. I loved its romantic location next to the Bayou Teche - which is like a broad stream there - and the ancient Evangaline Oak. The inn is an old Spanish built building, 1812 or there abouts, with a sense of history and spacious rooms. Our breakfast was excellent and the owner made a wonderful cajun caramel flavored coffee specially for us. That said, I felt the inn's towels needed replacing and the place was a bit bare for the price charged. I also did not like the lifesized statues of the Virgin Mary, etc on the landings, even though I am Catholic. They reminded me of an old Catholic boarding school - which the building once was. If you don't mind such decorations, they rather go with an old Spanish building, stay there; maybe they have better towels now - or bring your own.
Shadows on the Teche was over rated, nothing terribly special as historic houses go, although nice. I have been in several that were almost the same.
However, I second the suggestion to visit the Konricco Rice Mill. We did and it was a highlight of our trip with its great old wooden machinery rumbling and grinding away. It will be something you will remember long after a tour through Shadows-on-the-Teche is forgotten.
The Tabasco tour is quite interesting and its factory shop is a hoot afterwards for everything Tobasco.
If you go to Breaux Bridges, you might stop at Mulattes for dinner for some good food, loud Zydeco music and dancing. You won't believe how many business cards are pinned to the ceiling there or who has stoped to visit it. The town is quite built up and not very country or picturesque. Maybe just plan to eat there while passing through.
Lastly, definitely wander down the state's boot. The farther you go away from civilization the more romantic it gets, I loved wandering. Just keep in mind it took a terrible hit from two hurricanes last year amd all is far from back to normal. Check the internet and call ahead to be certain places are open.
Consider a daytrip to drive east along the Gulf Coast as far as Biloxi, Ms (maybe 2 hours?), then back along 90 as it skirts the gulf. It would not only allow you to get your swim in the gulf as there are lots of places to park - the Gulf is very shallow along there and you will have to wade out a good distance before you can actually swim - but, it would give you an in depth view of what Mother Nature did to the area last summer while giving your husband a golden opportunity to take some amazing pictures. It's hard to believe what happened there unless you see it for yourself.
Personally, I have no interest in Casinos, but if you do, Biloxi has several open again.
As far as reading about real Cajun country, you might read "Bayou Farewell- the rich life and tragic death of Lousiana's Cajun Coast" by Mike Tidwell, a book given to me recently by a New Orleanian friend as a "must read". It's about what is happening to the Cajun way of life today due to the rapidly eroding wetlands.
I stayed in St Francisville, La at the Old Castillo B&B two years ago with my kids. I loved its romantic location next to the Bayou Teche - which is like a broad stream there - and the ancient Evangaline Oak. The inn is an old Spanish built building, 1812 or there abouts, with a sense of history and spacious rooms. Our breakfast was excellent and the owner made a wonderful cajun caramel flavored coffee specially for us. That said, I felt the inn's towels needed replacing and the place was a bit bare for the price charged. I also did not like the lifesized statues of the Virgin Mary, etc on the landings, even though I am Catholic. They reminded me of an old Catholic boarding school - which the building once was. If you don't mind such decorations, they rather go with an old Spanish building, stay there; maybe they have better towels now - or bring your own.
Shadows on the Teche was over rated, nothing terribly special as historic houses go, although nice. I have been in several that were almost the same.
However, I second the suggestion to visit the Konricco Rice Mill. We did and it was a highlight of our trip with its great old wooden machinery rumbling and grinding away. It will be something you will remember long after a tour through Shadows-on-the-Teche is forgotten.
The Tabasco tour is quite interesting and its factory shop is a hoot afterwards for everything Tobasco.
If you go to Breaux Bridges, you might stop at Mulattes for dinner for some good food, loud Zydeco music and dancing. You won't believe how many business cards are pinned to the ceiling there or who has stoped to visit it. The town is quite built up and not very country or picturesque. Maybe just plan to eat there while passing through.
Lastly, definitely wander down the state's boot. The farther you go away from civilization the more romantic it gets, I loved wandering. Just keep in mind it took a terrible hit from two hurricanes last year amd all is far from back to normal. Check the internet and call ahead to be certain places are open.
Oct 23rd, 2006, 11:10 AM
#43
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More great comments 
I checked out LeRosier online and it looks terrific. I emailed them to see what their rates are.
Regarding the Old Castillo, I thought the reviews on Tripadvisor seemed odd, which is why I didn't want to take them at face value. I am getting a better picture of the place with the additional input.
Regarding the disaster tour - I actually spent a few days in New Orleans for work 3 months after Katrina. Nothing disaster related, just have a client down there that I needed to go see. Anyway, a colleague and I drove around to see the devistation then. It was truely amazing and isn't anything I will ever forget. Our trip isn't until the end of May, which is getting close to 2 years after Katrina. What a sad state of affairs if there is still anything to see on a disaster tour after that much time has passed - I know there still will be because the rebuilding is painfully slow, that is just a really long time for people's lives to be in limbo.
For hotels in New Orleans, I haven't made any reservations yet, just doing the research. We will definitely be staying in an independent hotel rather than a chain. I don't care all that much for chain hotels in general - I've woken up too many times in chain hotels and had to figure out where the heck I was because my room looked almost identical to the last 8 rooms I'd stayed in - LOL. So any recommendations for hotels in New Orleans are greatly appreciated too The budget is $135/night without breakfast, $150/night with breakfast.
I checked out LeRosier online and it looks terrific. I emailed them to see what their rates are.
Regarding the Old Castillo, I thought the reviews on Tripadvisor seemed odd, which is why I didn't want to take them at face value. I am getting a better picture of the place with the additional input.
Regarding the disaster tour - I actually spent a few days in New Orleans for work 3 months after Katrina. Nothing disaster related, just have a client down there that I needed to go see. Anyway, a colleague and I drove around to see the devistation then. It was truely amazing and isn't anything I will ever forget. Our trip isn't until the end of May, which is getting close to 2 years after Katrina. What a sad state of affairs if there is still anything to see on a disaster tour after that much time has passed - I know there still will be because the rebuilding is painfully slow, that is just a really long time for people's lives to be in limbo.
For hotels in New Orleans, I haven't made any reservations yet, just doing the research. We will definitely be staying in an independent hotel rather than a chain. I don't care all that much for chain hotels in general - I've woken up too many times in chain hotels and had to figure out where the heck I was because my room looked almost identical to the last 8 rooms I'd stayed in - LOL. So any recommendations for hotels in New Orleans are greatly appreciated too
The budget is $135/night without breakfast, $150/night with breakfast.
Oct 23rd, 2006, 11:46 AM
#44
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In addition to other posts on New Iberia, a visit to the 'The Shadows' antebellum house on the 'Bayou Teche' is a must. Between St. Martinville and Breaux Bridge, the small "Lake Martin" is the most beautiful pristine lake in Cajun Country for scenic views and birding. It's out of the beaten tourist path, so look for it and don't miss it.
Oct 28th, 2006, 06:48 AM
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We took a similar trip just this past September. We spent one night at Camelia House in Covington, then drove to Breaux Bridge and stayed at the Maison des Amis four nights, then drove back to New Orleans and stayed two nights. We didn't have a bad meal, the food was fantastic. Do not miss the Zydeco breakfast at Cafe Des Amis. The Cajun people re so freindly! We also highly recommend a swamp tour on Lake Martin with Norbert LeBlanc. Cafe Jacqueline in Breaux Bridge also serves excellent food along with Mulate's. Acadian Village and Avery Island were both interesting. Prejean's had very good food, the poeple weren't dancing when we were there, but they did have music. Go to Pouche's market for good Cajun sausage and seafood. Have a great trip.
Feb 12th, 2007, 03:31 AM
#48
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I had recently said to avoid the restaurant in Lafayette, Randol's, however, I've had a change of heart! Recently took some clients there for the 'cajun' experience and the food there was great! This is probably due to their new chef, Brian Smith, who has won many culinary awards. And for those that don't want authentic 'cajun' food, they even have Thai snapper and tuna. Delicious! From a local, I urge you to give it a try!
Feb 13th, 2007, 12:13 PM
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I'm a New Iberia native and go back quite often, next time will be in April. Le Rosier is definately a great place to stay or the Gougenheim if you can afford it. http://www.gouguenheim.com/
I always go down to Avery Island, and another nearby island you should check out is Jefferson Island home to Rip Van Winkle gardens http://www.ripvanwinklegardens.com/ it's really beautiful there too.
I'm not sure what days you'll be there, but toward the middle of May IPAL has a production. I run their website http://www.iberiaperforms.com it's housed in a theater built in 1937, and they do a great job.
I always go down to Avery Island, and another nearby island you should check out is Jefferson Island home to Rip Van Winkle gardens http://www.ripvanwinklegardens.com/ it's really beautiful there too.
I'm not sure what days you'll be there, but toward the middle of May IPAL has a production. I run their website http://www.iberiaperforms.com it's housed in a theater built in 1937, and they do a great job.
Feb 13th, 2007, 01:09 PM
#51
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Unfortunately we will miss the IPAL production - we wont be in the area until the first week in June.
I have read about the Rip Van Winkle gardens - they are definitely on our list of possibilities.
I always make 2 lists - a must-see list and a like-to-see list - and then leave room in our itinerary for other things that pop up along the way or for just hanging around doin' nuthin'
We made our hotel reservations - except the night at Baton Rouge.
In New Orleans we have a courtyard balcony room at the Place d'Arms. It seems to be just what we are looking for - historic, courtyard, pool, nice price, location close to a lot of things, but off Bourbon St.
For cajun country, we are staying at the Cajun Country Cottages in Breaux Bridge. This is a little place on a small lake - individual cottages with porches overlooking the lake. We figure that after New Orleans, we might like some peace and quiet
I have read about the Rip Van Winkle gardens - they are definitely on our list of possibilities.
I always make 2 lists - a must-see list and a like-to-see list - and then leave room in our itinerary for other things that pop up along the way or for just hanging around doin' nuthin'
We made our hotel reservations - except the night at Baton Rouge.
In New Orleans we have a courtyard balcony room at the Place d'Arms. It seems to be just what we are looking for - historic, courtyard, pool, nice price, location close to a lot of things, but off Bourbon St.
For cajun country, we are staying at the Cajun Country Cottages in Breaux Bridge. This is a little place on a small lake - individual cottages with porches overlooking the lake. We figure that after New Orleans, we might like some peace and quiet
