Since Louisiana doesn’t see those dreamy winter wonderlands like our friends up north do, we have to make our own winter fun. Luckily, there’s one winter celebration that Louisiana is known for, and that’s Mardi Gras! While the majority of folks head over to New Orleans for Mardi Gras Day, I’d encourage you to take the path less traveled and spend a few days exploring the small towns that make up Cajun Country. Let’s see what these small towns in Louisiana are up to this time of year:
Arnaudville is a charming little town in Cajun Country that’s home to about 1,000 residents.
It is a unique town for many reasons, one of them is that Arnaudville actually lies in two different parishes: St. Landry Parish and St. Martin Parish.
Like many of the towns in Cajun Country, Bayou Teche runs right through it.
Originally, Arnaudville was called La Murière, which means “The Junction,” because it was where Bayou Teche and Bayou Fuselier came together.
Be sure to swing by the Little Big Cup to enjoy some of the finest Cajun cuisine.
The outdoor patio overlooks the bayou and adds a lovely atmosphere to your meal. Reservations are required on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so plan accordingly!
For lodging, this Folk Art Barn checks all the boxes.
It’s located about 10 miles from Arnaudville in a tiny little town called Sunset. I’ve personally stayed here and can confirm it’s every bit as awesome as the pictures. You have plenty of space for your krewe and it’s in a remote location so you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away from it all.
Acadiana is the place to be for Cajun Mardi Gras, and there are a lot of ways to experience it.
Traditionally known as Courir de Mardi Gras, many folks line the streets of small towns like Mamou, Eunice, Church Point, and many others. From traditional fais do-dos to chicken runs, it’s an incredible celebration to be a part of. Learn more about Cajun Mardi Gras in my previous article where I break down the traditions and why the costumes are so colorful (and enforced). Yes, that’s me in the photo above and I made my costume myself using scraps of old t-shirts.
If you’re visiting outside of Mardi Gras, you’ll still find plenty to do around the area.
You can always pop over to Bayou Teche Brewing for a locally made beer. They also serve pizza and a few other options, too!
Thankfully, thanks to our mild winters, you can still enjoy the many outdoor attractions Acadiana is known for.
Pop on over to Lake Martin and enjoy the sights from land or take a swamp boat tour to really see the wetlands from an entirely new perspective.
For more seasonal adventures, check out some of our favorite things to do during winter in Louisiana.
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