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The only thing hotter than a summer day in New Iberia is the Tabasco sauce made in nearby Avery Island. But this rich slice of the Pelican State boasts more than hot seasonings. Head to southern Louisiana and sample the many flavors of a storied region.
New Iberia’s Spanish roots date to 1779, but the region’s subsequent residents, the Acadians of Nova Scotia who settled throughout Louisiana, are ancestors to much of the current Cajun population. New Iberians honor their heritage through food, festivals and music.
Courtesy of National Trust for Historic Preservation
New Iberia rests on the banks of Bayou Teche waterway, and the Bayou Teche Museum explores the region’s history.
You can’t pass up a chance to try your luck at fishing in some of Louisiana’s most bountiful waterways. Take a boat out on Spanish Lake and try your luck with catfish, crappie, bluegill and bass, or meander down Bayou Teche for more of the same. If a trip that doesn’t involve angling is more your speed, the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail runs right past New Iberia.
Courtesy of Iberia Parish CVB
One historic home that deserves more than a passing glance is the Renoudet Cottage, now operating as Antique Roseville restaurant and tea room. Renoudet Cottage is one of the city’s oldest residences, built as early as 1840 and sometimes used to house the overseers of Shadows-on-the-Teche and other related plantation properties. The restored structure retains its 19th-century charm and authenticity, and it has been enhanced by the surrounding 4 acres of land that feature more than 100 varieties of antique roses, cypress trees and Louisiana irises.
Pursue peace and tranquility at the Rip Van Winkle Gardens, where the Joseph Jefferson Mansion rests among 350-year-old oak trees above a salt dome. Jefferson, an American actor, was best known for his portrayal of Rip Van Winkle; hence, the gardens’ name. The mansion is the centerpiece for 25 acres of semitropical gardens near Lake Peigneur. Café Jefferson and two well-appointed cottages round out the scenery.
Put some heat into your visit down on Avery Island, where the Tabasco Museum is a great way to start the day. The McIlhenny Company’s history is told through exhibits and artifacts in the museum; the barrel warehouse, where peppers are aged, is the operation’s heart.
While in Avery Island, visitors can also walk through a re-creation of an underground salt mine cavern, and shop for spicy souvenirs at the country store. Families love to stop at Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre preserve that hosts bird-watching tours and is home to a shrine that houses an ancient Buddha statue.
Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau
888-942-3742
Louisiana Office of Tourism
800-677-4082