People of all ages will love spending a day at Avery Island. The history behind the salt dome is fascinating, and the jungle gardens are simply beautiful, so make sure you bring your camera!
Avery Island is a salt dome in Iberia Parish that’s best known at the home of that famous little red bottle, Tabasco.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting Avery Island, you really should move it to the top of your to-do list.
When you get to Avery Island, begin your day at the Visitors Center.
The 10-stop tour will take you through the museum, the greenhouse, the barrel warehouse, the blending station, and the bottling line.
You’ll also learn about the history of the island, the family, and the history of Tabasco.
End the tour with a stop at the Country Store to sample some snacks seasoned with Tabasco and purchase some of your favorites.
They sell everything from food to cooking utensils and clothes.
The last stop on the tour is Restaurant 1868, a casual cafeteria-style restaurant featuring authentic Cajun food seasoned to perfection with Tabasco sauce.
Next, you’ll want to explore the Jungle Gardens, a beautiful 170-acre garden.
Stretching along Bayou Petite Anse, the garden features exotic and native foliage, tons of wildlife, and that infamous Buddha statue.
E.A. McIlhenny was fascinated with rare plants, and he imported several varieties of azaleas, Japanese camellias, bamboo, and other species to the island.
But a trip to Avery Island wouldn’t be complete without visiting Bird City.
After plume hunters slaughtered thousands of egrets in the 1890s to make women’s hats, McIlhenny took in eight baby egrets, raising them in captivity until they were old enough to be released in the fall to migrate across the Gulf of Mexico. The following spring, the birds returned to the island and brought their friends!
The migration continues to this day, with thousands of snowy white egrets and other birds making their annual appearance to Bird City.
Tons of wildlife call the Jungle Gardens home.
From bears to alligators, the 170-garden is home to so many different species of wildlife. You never know what you'll see!
So next time you're in the area, make sure you spend time at Avery Island.
It's worth your while!
Have you ever been to Avery Island? Let us know in the comments below!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
