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Known as the “Cajun Coast,” over half of St. Mary Parish is covered in water. There’s beautiful Cypremort Point State Park, which offers man-made beaches, fishing, and sailboating. The Bayou Teche ends its 125-mile journey to merge with the Lower Atchafalaya River near the town of Patterson—the lower section that winds through the parish is well worth a drive down the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway. The Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge merges 9,028 acres of protected cypress-tupelo swamps, hardwood forests, and freshwater marshes offer a plethora of paddling trails and serve as the primary sanctuary for the Louisiana black bear, the state’s official mammal. The historic district of Franklin, the parish seat and a former sugar boom town, is perfect for a stroll beneath the moss-covered oaks and cast iron street lamps—over 420 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Morgan City, the parish’s largest town, the International Petroleum Museum and Exposition is the only place in the world where visitors can experience life aboard an authentic offshore oil rig. The Native American Chitimacha Tribe (often translated as the “people of the many waters”) makes their home at a bend in the Bayou Teche near Charenton—their famed weaved baskets are on display at the Chitimacha Museum.
Lafayette's blog showcasing the food, music, culture and history at the heart of Cajun & Creole Country.
See All PostsThe most exciting week of live music to grace our city is here. Musicians from far-reaching corners of the globe gather for five days of unparalleled rhythm, dance, art, and…
Get ready for a belly-full of fun and a Cajun experience like no other! The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, held the first weekend in May, isn't just about crawfish (although…
The U.S. Civil Rights Trail marks important landmarks, primarily in Southern states, where activists challenged segregation in churches, courthouses, schools, and other sites in…
Thrift stores are making a comeback. Whether you're looking for that ultra-rare rock tee or just an affordable pair of shoes, Lafayette has everything from resale designer…
The city of Lafayette, LA is located in the center of Lafayette Parish at the intersection of I-10 and I-49 between New Orleans and Houston and only 35 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico.
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