Spring Break: Louisiana Edition
- Kayla
- Jan 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 30
There is something truly special about Louisiana in the spring. For spring break 2024, we opted for a trip filled with vibrant culture, comfort zone breaking experiences- like trying alligator bites, yummy food, and some much-needed family time. We split our time between the soulful streets of New Orleans and the enchanting swamps, enjoying the charming rhythm of Louisiana.
Our Home Base
We stayed in an Airbnb in Lafayette known as the Freetown Flat. This modern "tiny home" was the perfect base for our adventures. The home was comfortable, centrally located, unique and clean. The owner even had instruments for guests to play in the living area. We had fun with them : ) Truth be told, there was one annoying thing we delt with while staying at this Airbnb... the neighbors rooster! There is always something... no matter where you go, ha!
Other than that, we spent our mornings enjoying coffee on the balcony and our afternoons around the corner at Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe. Borden's is a dairy company that began operating in the 1940's. The location in Lafayette is the last remaining retail Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe in the world, which is a shame because it is delicious! We loved their nostalgic, vintage setup, it was a hit with the kids and the perfect way to end the evenings.
The New Orleans Experience
We couldn't visit Louisiana without spending time in the Big Easy. Armed with our Jazzy Passes, we hopped on the famous streetcars to explore the city. Honestly, the actual city of New Orleans was not our vibe, BUT we thoroughly enjoyed the City Park area. And of course, no trip to New Orleans is complete without a stop at Café Du Monde. Luckily there is a location in the park. There is nothing quite like sitting outside on the cafe porch with a plate of warm beignets and chicory coffee while listening to live music drift through the air. While the amusement rides at City Park were closed for repairs during our visit, it didn't slow us down one bit. We spent a beautiful afternoon at the park, walking the sculpture garden, playing at the playground and soaking in the landscape. Just up the street from the park we had the most amazing lunch at Cafe Navarre. We dined alfresco on delicious po boys and paninis. It was one of our favorite meals we had while visiting Louisiana. We treated ourselves to some of the most creative scoops at Creole Creamery while in the area too.
You may be wondering why we didn't really enjoy New Orleans. Simply put, I felt it was too unnatural and tourist driven. It very much had the touristy feel you get when you step off of a cruise ship. That's really it. My family and I enjoy a more natural local feel when we are visiting places. So I am not saying don't visit New Orleans! You may love the vibe.
Into the Swamps!
For a bit of adventure, we headed out with McGee’s Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours. Zipping across the water on an airboat is an absolute rush! It was our first time riding an airboat. My husband and I enjoyed the experience, the kids... not so much! They didn't enjoy the speed or the noise level of the fan on the airboat. Once we were just putting around they were fine. It was neat to see the cypress trees, floating homes, and wildlife. Our guide told us some of the fascinating history of the area, about himself, and about the concerning manmade changes in the swamps. He was truly an expert at navigating the tricky waters. It was both a educational and bucket list experience.
Our Favorite Day: Avery Island
Surprisingly, our favorite day of the entire trip was our visit to Avery Island. We took the tour of the TABASCO® Factory and wandered through the breathtakingly beautiful Jungle Gardens on site. It was fascinating to learn the history of how this sauce came to be and see its successful operation still today. During the tour you are able to see the process from start to finish of how Tabasco is grown, made, and bottled. The real star of the trip, however, was the food. We had our favorite Cajun meal of the entire trip at TABASCO Restaurant 1868. It turns out that everything tastes just a little bit better when it's served with the right sauce! We even got our kids to sample some! To balance out the spice, we stopped for a final time at Borden's ice cream to end our day. There might have been bribery involved with getting our kids to try hot sauce, wink, wink.
Louisiana offered us a blend of education, entertainment, and relaxation. We left with full bellies and full hearts. If you’re looking for a spring break destination that’s full of local charm (and world-class hot sauce), Louisiana should definitely be on your list.
Other notable Louisiana stops (from our travels up and down I-10)
Elsie's Pies and Plates in Baton Rouge, creative and delicious food just a short stop off the highway.
Atchafalaya Welcome Center, the most unique place to stop and stretch your legs : )
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