Our upcoming trip to New Orleans and Cajun Country (Breaux Bridge, New Iberia, St. Martinville) has been pushed back a couple weeks into mid-June, so I am prepared for it to be hot and steamy while we are there.

So, I am looking for tips on places to swim in the area if we decide we need to cool off in the afternoons. I know about Cypremont (sp?) state park, which has a small swimming beach and am looking for other possibilities. Any places that people go to cool off?

Used to live in NO...be sure, if you swim in a lake or river, that there are no 'gators'...

Cypremort Point is fine for swimming although the water is quite brown. Only tips I have are to step into storefronts, etc... to cool off, have some ice cream, and wear comfortable clothes.

Baton Rouge has a large water park. Houma has one as well, but I don't see those cities in your list.

Other than that, your hotel pool is the best bet.

Yikes! I'd stick to a pool.

Oh! My cousin opened a restaurant across from the church in St. Martinville. Le petit Paris or something similar. Stop in for crawfish etouffee, pistolettes, or beignets & coffee.

Enjoy your trip!

Well, that's why I asked - LOL. I guess no swimming for us

I grew up swimming in creeks and small lakes. Every slightly rural area around here has plenty of places to swim.

We've had this conversation before, but the closest really good beach is Ship Island, MS. Go to the MS Gulf Coast and take the ferry to get there. There is crystal clear water and snow white sand beaches.

It's your best bet for a nice swim if you really need it.

If we, in Florida, try to swim in a lake (any lake) we would be very likely to encounter our "state reptile". This is even more true if done at dusk.

Make sure that the same does not apply to "Cajun Country".

LOL - yes, I know we have had this conversation before

But since we wont be in that area, Ship Island is sort of out.

How about a canoe trip. Do a search for Whiskey Chitto River. I remember from one of your previous post that you like nature trips. This would really fit the bill. You would probably need to set aside a full day.

Thanks - I will do a search on that. We have a free day in our itinerary, so that sounds like a great way to spend it.

Elevation12Feet,

I had totally forgotten about the Whiskey Chitto River. We used to do that a lot growing up, and it's definitely a great way to cool off. It's probably 45 minutes from Lafayette, near Kinder, La, I believe.

The river is very clear and cool, a great place to go canoeing.

Some web sites:
http://www.whiskeychitto.com/index.html

http://riverfrontcanoerental.com/map.html

COMING FROM LAFAYETTE: Take the I-10 West. Exit No.64. This is the Jennings exit-Hwy. 26. Follow Highway 26 all the way into Oberlin. You will see the courthouse in front of you. Take a right at the Courthouse and then a left at the next stop sign. Go 9 miles until you see the Whiskey Chitto Bridge. Cross over the bridge and take an immediate left at the riverbank.


I highly recommend this. It is a very enjoyable experience. Just drive on over from Lafayette in your bathing suit, all lathered up in sunscreen, and bring plenty of water and you're all ready to go...