News in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou

Pumpkin spice and everything nice – that’s what fall is made of! The restaurants in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou have geared up for a mouthwatering fall season, offering a delectable array of special food and beverage menu items. Here are some of the places where you can experience the flavors of fall up and down the Bayou:

Big Mike’s BBQ

All month long, this smokehouse is giving people “pumpkin to talk about” with their Oktoberfest boo-ze options. A lengthy list of German beer has come to play, along with jumbo Bavarian pretzels and Schwenker pork chops.

CherAmie’s

Nothing screams fall like apples, cranberries and walnuts, which you’ll find featured in several of CherAmie’s dishes in Cut Off. Want a drink to go along with it? Their October drink special is a salted caramel martini!

Cinclare

Their new seasonal menu is out and though you won’t find pumpkin spice anywhere on it, you’ll find other flavors of fall, especially in their popular brown butter pecan blondie. With maple vanilla marshmallow, candied bacon and buttermilk caramel, your taste buds may just decide that pumpkin spice is a thing of the past.

Cuvee

This beloved wine bar just released an unbe-leaf-able fall cocktail lineup, including an apple pie Moscow mule and a tiramisu espresso martini. Any cocktail pairs well with their seasonal lobster bisque, the perfect dish to get you into the sweater weather spirit. a full list of their cocktail specials can be found HERE.

Grady V’s

Their Hocus Pocus float is sure to put a spell on you (it features pumpkin spice RumChata,) but the real slay is their Buffy the Vampire Slayer Burger. Pepperjack cheese, roasted garlic aioli, a sunny side up egg, angus patty and a garlic butter roll pierced by a wooden stake will have even the bravest vampires running for the hills … and diners running for a breath mint.

Spahr’s Seafood

Though Sphar’s is known for their catfish chips, this month, pumpkin pie bread pudding and a purple rain cocktail are the wonder-fall stars of their seasonal menu.

You can’t talk about fall food in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou without mentioning the iconic festivals that take place at this time of year, like the Louisiana Gumbo Festival in Chackbay. From October 13-15, you have the chance to indulge in delicious gumbo while celebrating fall and Cajun culture.

As autumn unfolds, Louisiana's Cajun Bayou invites foodies from near and far to experience the cuisine that helps make the parish and its Cajun Bayou Food Trail so legendary. Whether it's exploring the local year-round flavors or indulging in a restaurant's seasonal menu, you’re in for a treat … and the only trick will be getting your pants to button after lunch.

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Wins Shining Example Award from Southeast Tourism Society

Raceland, Louisiana (September 29, 2023) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, announced Friday they were a recipient of a Shining Example Award for Best Marketing from the Southeast Tourism Society (STS). Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou was selected among nominations from several destinations across the Southeast, and were on hand to receive the award at the STS Connections Conference in Jackson, MS on Wednesday night.

The award recognizes the “You Gotta Try This!” campaign which was launched by Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou in April 2022. The campaign aimed to promote the unique and flavorful culinary scene in Lafourche Parish, and was supported through targeted digital and print media, social media, and public relations outreach.

“We are very thankful to be recognized on a regional level for our marketing efforts over the last year for the “You Gotta Try This” campaign” said President/CEO Cody A. Gray. “We are always encouraging people to wander off the eatin’ path while visiting Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, and are appreciative of all of our tourism partners who helped us achieve this award.”

The tourism office worked with several restaurants and tourism partners up and down the bayou to collect new photo and video assets, and this year relaunched their Cajun Bayou Food Trail with the addition of three new Food Trail restaurants and a new Food Trail T-shirt.

For more information about Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, visit their website at lacajunbayou.com. For more information about the Southeast Tourism Society, visit their website at southeasttourism.org.

It's Fall Y'all! Come Celebrate our Upcoming Events in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou!

It’s fall, y’all … which means that festival season is in full swing in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. We’re back this season with many of the same festivals that everyone already knows and loves – such as the French Food Festival, Acadia Music Fest (Pictured above), La Fete Des Vieux Temps and more! You won't be-leaf what is happening this Fall, so come join us and check out below what else is happening up and down the bayou:

La Fete des Vieux Temps
October 6-8

Immerse yourself in authentic Cajun culture with the “Festival of Old Times,” an event featuring tasty Cajun food (as if there’s any other kind), music, dancing, and an arts-and-crafts show. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism now oversee events at the Lafourche Pavilion, so (not to be biased) this year’s event is sure to be the best one yet!

Louisiana Gumbo Festival
October 13-15

Do you prefer your gumbo with sausage? Or perhaps with chicken? Maybe seafood? Whatever your preference, come enjoy authentic gumbo made from scratch at the Louisiana Gumbo Festival, along with live music and demonstrations. Nearly 500 gallons of gumbo will be made throughout the weekend, so come hungry!
Coco’s 10th Birthday Carnival
October 21

Oh, snap! It’s the 10th birthday of Coco, the gator mascot for the Bayou County Children’s Museum. Grab the kids and celebrate big top-style with carnival rides and games, hot air balloon rides and more. See you and your enfants there later, alligator!

Monsters on Main
October 27

Bring your little ghosts and ghouls to Downtown Thibodaux for a fun evening of free trick-or-treating with participating businesses.

French Food Festival
October 27-29

We hope you’ve got some stretchy pants, because this festival celebrates local dishes influenced by both the French and Cajun cultures. Sample the various dishes while taking in the live music … but be sure to not eat so much that you can’t join in the dancing. The festival received a 2022 Lafourche Parish Bayou Ambassador Award and was named the parish’s 2022 Event of the Year, so come see what the buzz is all about.

Acadia Music Fest
October 28

Local, national and international artists come together on one day in Thibodaux for the Acadia Music Fest. This year, the festival is headlined by Marcus King with appearances by Better Than Ezra, Niko Moon and more. Check out the lineup below and get your tickets by visiting the link HERE.
BBQ, Bourbon & Blues Festival
November 4

Enjoy the finer things in life with the first annual BBQ, Bourbon & Blues Festival … and by “finer things,” we mean great food, great drinks and great music. Just $10 gets you admission to the festival (and plenty of BBQ joints selling everything from pork to chicken to brisket), and an additional $100 admission (for those 18 and older, of course!) provides entry to the bourbon tasting area, where bourbon lovers get a commemorative glass and tastings from more than 30 vendors.

Big Boys Main St. Cook Off
November 10

As a kickoff to Thibodeauxville Fall Festival weekend, dozens of chefs gather in Downtown Thibodaux to compete in a cook-off that showcases Cajun cuisine with local ingredients straight from the bayou. Your $10 admission gets you access to free samples from the cook-off teams and local entertainment as you partake in a true Southern block party. Check out what this festival is all about HERE!

Thibodeauxville Fall Festival
November 11

People come from all over to enjoy good Cajun food, art vendors, live music, a car show and the famous rubber duck race at this free festival. Check out what the festival is all about HERE!

We are fall about a good time, so let festival season commence. It’s time to get your Cajun on!

(Photo Credit: Kyle Valdez)

Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Celebrates Acadian Heritage Day

In July 2022, tourism officials representing Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the Municipality of Clare, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores in Nova Scotia, and the Congrès Mondial Acadien 2024 announced a historic partnership with the intent to bring two regions with close ties to the Acadian culture closer together, in a campaign titled “From Acadian to Cajun: Two Countries, One Culture.” In a continued effort to strengthen the partnership and to recognize and embrace our deep Acadian roots, members of our staff returned from a cultural immersion and media trip to Nova Scotia. They were accompanied by a travel journalist who’d recently visited Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou and is focusing on the cultural ties between the two regions by exploring Nova Scotia as the last leg of her journey.

Upon arrival in Nova Scotia, we met with the Executive Director of the Congrès Mondial Acadien (CMA) 2024 and members of the Municipality of Clare. We exchanged gifts, acknowledging and celebrating our partnership and officially welcoming us to Canada.

Throughout our time in the area, we visited many important Acadian historic sites, including the Grand-Pré National Historic Site (the site of the Acadian Deportation), Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse (the Acadian Village), Musée des Acadiens des Pubnicos (the Acadian Museum & Archives), and the University of St. Anne. We toured Tusket Island, accompanied by Colton LeBlanc, the Minister of Acadian Affairs, and Sally Kenney, the Family Reunions Coordinator for CMA 2024. To experience Louisiana from the Canadian point of view, we were was invited by Daniel LeBlanc, the Director of the Festival Acadien de Clare, to attend a “Louisiana Night”-themed event, where we were recognized and introduced to the community.

After returning to Louisiana on August 8, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson III signed a proclamation recognizing August 15 as Acadian Heritage Day here in Lafourche Parish. This proclamation acknowledges the work being done to promote Acadian and Cajun culture in the parish.

To learn more about the Acadian to Cajun partnership and all of the ways you can experience Cajun culture on a visit to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, head over to https://www.lacajunbayou.com/from-acadian-to-cajun.

Unpack Our Summer Beach Bag in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou

Like many of you, the team at Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism has been on the road quite a bit this summer! Because we love to travel – both for work and personally – we’ve been busy packing, unpacking and repacking all summer long … so something we’re really looking forward to is a staycation on the bayou. We thought it would be helpful to round up a list of all the items that are in our “bayou beach bag” for those headed to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou this summer. (Photo credit: Vesna Dies).

Food Trail Passport: We listed this first because it’s probably the most important thing in our bag this summer. We live, eat and breathe Cajun culture here and any stop along the Cajun Bayou Food Trail promises a dish full of fresh ingredients, culture and love. As an added bonus, you get a super comfy t-shirt after trying five stops along the trail!
Iced Coffee from Willow Café: Technically this is in our hand and not our bag, but it is absolutely a necessity on a hot summer day. If you’re not a coffee person but still like to start your day with a cool beverage, the cafe also offers coffee-free frappes that are just as refreshing.

Fishing Pole & Cast Net: Whether you plan to head out on the water on a Fishing Charter or want to try your luck at the Lockport Bayouside Park, a fishing pole is a must if you want to bring in the bass, red drum or bluegill that the area is known for. (Photo Credit: Vesna Dies).
Kayak Paddle: There are plenty of places in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou to Kayak, Paddleboard, Canoe and enjoy being out on the water. Geux Paddle is a new kayak and paddleboard outfitter that can be found in Raceland and Thibodaux. So grab your paddle and geux out on the water to experience the sights and sounds of Bayou Lafourche. 

Binoculars: Another way to explore the bayou is to take a Swamp Tour. If you’re lucky you won’t need binoculars to see birds, gators and all the other bayou wildlife, but it never hurts to have them on hand! (Photo credit: Vesna Dies)
Dancing Shoes: Yes, you read that right! Music on the Bayou is a free event held every Tuesday at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. Local musicians play every genre from jazz to zydeco to swamp pop.

Sunglasses and Sunscreen: Summer in Louisiana is HOT. Wherever your Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou vacation takes you, make sure to be safe in the sun!

Are we forgetting anything? Let us know and tag us on social media using the hashtag #cajunbayou to show us what’s in your bayou bag!

7 Things You Didn't Know About Crawfish For National Crawfish Day

Happy National Crawfish Day! Here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, crawfish are the (metaphorical) bread and butter of Cajun cuisine. These crustaceans may be little, but they’re packed with flavor and can be very versatile in cooking, especially in popular Cajun dishes like gumbo and étouffée.

New to the whole crawfish thing? Not to worry. We’ve rounded up some fun facts to help you get to know these seafood stars a bit better:

March Down to Louisiana's Cajun Bayou for These Events

Throughout the month of March, people will be shamrockin’ around Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou as they enjoy an array of events that help make the destination especially fun. Here’s a roundup of some March events that are guaranteed to put a spring in your step.

St. Patrick’s Day on the Bayou
March 11, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Though our absolute favorite part of this event is the cardboard boat race down the bayou (Irish all the contestants the best of luck), this event will also feature live music, tasty food and activities for all ages.
Choctaw Firemen’s Fair
March 17-19

We’re turning up the heat for the Choctaw Firemen’s Fair, where you’ll have access to rides, games, music, a parade, and, of course, some of the best Cajun food you’ll ever eat.

Krewe Des Lutins Irish Italian Parade 
March 18, 1 p.m.

You know what they say about St. Patrick’s Day – it’s not over ‘til it’s clover. Give one final St. Patty’s hurrah with the first-ever Krewe Des Lutins Irish-Italian parade hosted by the Lafourche Concert & Events Club. Heads up and hands out … because veggies will be the popular throws for this parade!

Spring Arts Walk
March 24, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Take a breath of fresh spring air and stroll through downtown Thibodaux while visiting with local artists along the sidewalk. Support both small businesses and local artisans by popping into the boutiques and restaurants along the way.
Boilin’ Down the Bayou Crawfish Boil & Crafts Show
March 25, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

At this time of year, it’s not a party unless someone’s serving fresh crawfish … so we’ve got ourselves a major party here. You’re invited to enjoy some tasty Louisiana crawfish, music, and craft booths and vendors at the Oakridge Park and Pavilion.

Downtown Sounds
March 30, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Flow Tribe and Snapper & the Fishsticks will be performing in Thibodaux, so grab your friends and family and head downtown for a night full of fun and live music, all benefiting a good cause. Proceeds from this event go toward The Bryant O’Neil Foundation and suicide prevention awareness.
Louisiana Boulettes & Balloons Festival 
March 31- April 1 

What could be better than hot air balloons, cooking competitions Cajun food, and games? Absolutely nothing! With all these activities in addition to the boulettes, this event will soar to new heights and certainly be a crowd pleaser. 

March on down to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou and see experience everything we have in store for you this month. We can’t wait to see you here!

How to Spend Galentine's Day in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou

February 13th marks Galentine’s Day, the day before the mushy lovey-dove day where you and your gals and/or pals can celebrate with a day of pampering, nourishment, and enjoyment with those around you. This year, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou has you covered with some fun activities to celebrate this day of friendship:

Pamper Yourself at The Esthetic Co.

First things first: Treat yo’ self! The Estethic Co. in Thibodaux is a great way to detoxify and de-stress. Choose from a variety of facial options, body wraps or other treat-yourself-treatment at this skin-care stop in downtown Thibodaux. We are sure the stress of daily life will be washed away.

Brunch at Spahr’s Seafood
Everyone knows a good outing isn’t complete without brunch with your besties. Though Spahr’s is known for seafood – especially their signature catfish chips – you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Pain Perdu. Made with local French bread, a cinnamon-sugar custard, powdered sugar and fresh fruit, this delicacy guarantees your Galentine’s Day will be off on the right foot and give you the sugar rush needed for everything else on this list.

Shop in Downtown Thibodaux

After being pampered and fed, show off your refreshed self as you shop the boutiques downtown. Whether you’re looking for jewelry from Chic Chateau Interiors & Gifts, accessories or décor from The Bead Hive, or clothing from LUCO Boutique, Thibodaux’s shops will help you source something spectacular for every friend on your Galentine’s Day list.

Pottery Class at Purple Penguin Art Company
Nothing says quality time like making something beautiful with your pals. At Purple Penguin, you can arrange for your own private wheel-throwing pottery class, which guarantees a lot of laughs, some messy hands and incredible memories.

Walk the Lockport Elevated Boardwalk
Last, are you a group of moms just happy to get a break from your kids for the day and you need some quiet? Or maybe you and your friends prefer “naturing” yourselves over “nurturing” yourselves. Either way, a quiet stroll down the 440-foot Lockport Boardwalk provides you and your gal pals a well-deserved breath of fresh air .. just what the Galentine’s Day doctor ordered.

The day is all about celebrating time with your friends, so sit back, relax, and enjoy Galentine’s Day in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou is in full swing, and though we don’t have a winter wonderland to walk in (usually), there are plenty of other ways to get in the holiday spirit and have a holly jolly – and Cajun – Christmas.
Any good morning in December should start with hot chocolate – the more whipped cream and marshmallows, the better! Stop by The Simple Bean in Cut Off to order a cup with all the fixins … or, if you need your mornings to start with a tad more caffeine, sample a coffee flight that features holiday flavors like Candy Cane, Sugar Cookie and Cinnamon Mocha. Yum!

If you want to get a head start on your holiday shopping, downtown Thibodaux offers plenty of opportunities to support local businesses and find something for everyone on your list. Well, it’s doubtful you’ll secure a partridge in a pear tree or three French hens … but who needs those? Chic Chateau, Johnny’s Men's Shop, The Bead Hive and LUCO Boutique are but a few of the local shops that have pretty much everything else along with friendly shopkeepers ready to help you find the perfect gift.
End the day with Christmas in the Park at Peltier Park in Thibodaux. This family-friendly event is a drive-through lights display featuring Christmas trees decorated by local organizations, churches and schools, and lights, lights, and more lights! It runs through December 31, operating from 6 to 9 p.m. every night.
If you can’t get enough of that warm and fuzzy holiday feeling and need to get some inspiration for decking the halls while also filling your stomach with authentic Cajun food, head to the Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade and Gumbo Cook Off on December 17. Celebrate the holidays Cajun-style with gumbo, music, craft booths and a lighted boat parade that travels up and down Bayou Lafourche.

There’s no end to the ways you can celebrate the holiday season here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, you’re sure to get a warm welcome … and that’s not just because Papa Noël is making a list and checking it twice. Around here, hospitality just comes with the territory, no matter what the season!

#ExploreMore with Louisiana's Cajun Bayou & Tangi Tourism

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism and Tangipahoa Tourism are once again aiming to score with their #ExploreMore partnership. Despite being rivals on the field, these two tourism destinations are joining forces at the upcoming Nicholls State University and Southeastern Louisiana University football game on November 17.

The two tourism offices will host a joint tailgate at the game in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Fans can stop by for crawfish fettucine, catfish chips, seafood gumbo, mini crab cakes, bread pudding and other tasty treats served with a side of Louisiana hospitality. Whether you’re rooting for the Colonels or the Lions, you’re invited to enjoy good food, good company, and the opportunity to learn more about both parishes.

After a one-year hiatus, the #ExploreMore initiative reignited last year with the respective parishes working together to drive visitation to the two areas, both of which make a great day trip or weekend getaway. The tourism offices have created itineraries full of family-friendly activities such as looking for bald eagles during a boat tour on Bayou Lafourche, trying alligator and andouille rangoons at Cinclare in Thibodaux, or venturing over to the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom to get an up-close look at zebras and giraffes. The 2021 initiative and tailgate, which included a gift basket giveaway, was so successful that it’s back for 2022.

Head over to https://www.lacajunbayou.com/exploremore to get more details on the tailgate, along with information about Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, Tangi Tourism, and all the fun things to do in Louisiana.