Points of Interest between Central, Louisiana to Lafayette, Louisiana

picture of Central, Louisiana

Five Unexpected Places to Stop on a Drive from Central, LA to Lafayette, LA

A drive from Central, Louisiana to Lafayette, Louisiana is a scenic trip that takes approximately two hours. This route takes one past beautiful countryside views, swamplands, and important historical and cultural landmarks. The journey starts in Central and proceeds southwards along the highway. This article is about five unexpected places to stop on this drive.

Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, is the halfway point between Central and Lafayette. Baton Rouge is a city with a rich history and a thriving university scene. Visitors who dare to delve a little deeper will find a city full of surprises. A great place to start is the Louisiana State Capitol, a forty-nine-story art deco tower, and a National Historic Landmark. The tower is the tallest building in the state and offers stunning views of the Mississippi River and the city beyond. Another place worth visiting is the Shaw Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art facility that boasts a rooftop terrace, art galleries, and live theatre. A must-try dish in Baton Rouge is the Po'boy, a delicious sandwich made with French bread and a variety of meats and seafood.

  1. Lake Martin (Bolded Title)

Lake Martin is a scenic body of water located on the outskirts of Lafayette. The lake is known for its cypress and tupelo trees, which turn a beautiful shade of orange in the autumn. The lake is also home to several species of birds, fish, and alligators. Visitors can take a guided swamp tour or hire a canoe or kayak to explore the lake. A perfect place to refuel after a day on the water is Prejean's, a Lafayette institution famous for its Cajun cuisine, particularly the crawfish étouffée.

  1. Avery Island (Bolded Title)

Avery Island is a geological oddity located sixty miles southeast of Lafayette. The island sits atop a salt dome and is home to the famous hot sauce, Tabasco. Visitors can tour the Tabasco factory, which produces over seven hundred and fifty thousand bottles of hot sauce per day. The island is also a bird sanctuary, and visitors can see exotic species such as the snowy egret and the roseate spoonbill. A great place to stop for lunch is the Jungle Gardens, a twenty-five-acre garden that is home to over nine hundred species of flora and fauna.

  1. Breaux Bridge (Bolded Title)

Breaux Bridge is a small town located twelve miles northeast of Lafayette. The town is known as the crawfish capital of the world and holds an annual crawfish festival every May. The town has a vibrant Cajun culture, and visitors can see folk art and listen to Zydeco music. A must-visit place in Breaux Bridge is Café Des Amis, a restaurant famous for its crawfish étouffée and weekend Zydeco brunches.

  1. Acadian Village (Bolded Title)

Acadian Village is a historical and cultural park located in Lafayette. The village is a recreated 19th-century Acadian settlement and offers visitors a glimpse into the daily lives of the Acadian people. Visitors can see traditional crafts, such as blacksmithing and weaving, and sample traditional foods, such as boudin and cracklins. A great place to stop for dinner is Poché's, a family-run restaurant in the Cajun heartland famous for its alligator étouffée.

  1. Rip Van Winkle Gardens (Bolded Title)

Rip Van Winkle Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden located on Jefferson Island, fifty miles southeast of Lafayette. The gardens are named after the fabled Rip Van Winkle, who, according to legend, slept for twenty years. Visitors can take a guided tour of the gardens, which includes a visit to the Avery Island salt mine. The gardens are also home to the Joseph Jefferson Mansion, a nineteenth-century mansion that is open to the public. A great place to stop for lunch is The Bird City Café in neighboring New Iberia, famous for its seafood gumbo.

In conclusion, a drive from Central, Louisiana to Lafayette, Louisiana, is an enjoyable and rewarding trip that offers an array of unexpected destinations. Besides the highlights of Lake Martin and the Avery Island factory, there is a lot of Cajun history and culture to explore in places such as Breaux Bridge, the Acadian Village, and the Rip Van Winkle gardens. A wide variety of Cajun foods are on offer in these locations, from crawfish étouffée to alligator meat dishes. So pack your bags and embark on an adventure-filled trip that will leave you with enduring memories of the beauty, diversity, and deep-rooted heritage of Louisiana.