Enjoy Spirit of the Fest
Drive, Bike & Enjoy Spirit of the Fest
The Spirit of the Fest Driving Tour provides an opportunity not only to support attractions throughout the area, but also to connect with the petroleum and shrimping industries. From the “Mr. Charlie” Oil Rig Museum, the only place in the world where the public can walk aboard an authentic offshore drilling rig, and Remote Operated Vehicle/Dive Museum to the Spirit of Morgan City Shrimp Boat, a trawler standing in monument to Morgan City, dubbed the “Jumbo Shrimp Capital of the World,” and the Southwest Reef Lighthouse which once guided mariners on the Atchafalaya Bay.
Additional tours and exhibits, also part of the Spirt of the Fest Driving Tour, include spots such as the Berwick Bay to Étouffée exhibit at the Louisiana State Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum as well as special exhibit documenting the history of the area displayed throughout festival weekend at the Brown House – Berwick’s Cultural Museum.
Trip Down Memory Lane
The Shrimp & Petroleum Festival goes back more than 80 years to its humble beginnings in 1936. Those 80-plus years provide for a lot of festival memories. From boat parades to the blessing of the fleet, to festival food and fireworks, people are sharing their memories even if they can’t share this year’s festival together. Here are just a few shares on our social media about the Favorite Memories of the Festival:
- Rosey Bottoms – “Being on the blessing boat, seeing great bands, and watching the fireworks with family and friends. Of course all the food and community love.”
- James Sharp – “Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau arts & crafts. Watching the grandkids ride the rides.”
- Mary Leonard Romero – “Riding my dad’s tug every year & decorating it.”
Tag #CajunCoast in your social media posts to let us know your favorite memories of the Shrimp & Petroleum Festival through the years!
Unity in the Community
There is also a Unity in the Community, evening bike ride on September 25 to support the Cajun Coast. The Unity in the Community Bike Ride a slow and easy bike ride from Greenwood and Second Street in Morgan City to Lake End Park. It is a free event, but you must register. Download the form to register.
Deric Anslum will be entertaining at Lake End Park. Groups may set up tents, blankets, chairs with food and drinks prior to the ride, keeping social distancing in mind and may also leave a vehicle to return home with bicycles. Food and drinks will not be available for sale at Lake End Park, so make sure you plan accordingly.
Some come celebrate the Spirit of the Fest this fall on the Cajun Coast!
Staycation Off-the-Beaten Path
You can staycation (or vacation) off-the-beaten-path on the Cajun Coast. We’ve provided several itineraries to make the planning easy for your getaway! While we have itineraries for everything from golf to ghost tours, these itineraries will provide you with some seclusion for socially distancing the world!
Off-the-Beaten-Path Outdoor Vacation Staycation
Featuring stays at Cypremort Point State Park or Burns Point Park, the itinerary provides details on fishing guides, paddling trails, and birdwatching excursions. And being a Louisiana State Park, there are even extra discounts during the fall.
In addition to military and badge discounts for active/retired military and first responders, visitors staying Monday-Thursday, Sept 1-Jan 31 will receive a 15% discount on overnight cabin stays with the code GETOUTSIDE, and customers aged 62 and over are not only eligible for 50%-off campsites year-round with the code 62PLUS, but also if they book 4 consecutive campsite nights, they will receive the next 3 nights free with code SNEAUX, Oct 1-Jan 31. Get the details and book now!
Situated on Lake Palourde, Lake End Park offers bank or pier fishing, a boat launch and a marina with 47 slips (monthly and yearly rental rates are available). 147 RV Sites, 20 Tent Sites, and 4 Pavilions are also available. A sand beach alongside beautiful Lake Palourde with access to amazing bass fishing or paddling, as well as oak-shaded walking trails will provide a lot to do on-site. Additional paddling options are available on the Cajun Coast’s paddling trails. Nearby you can climb aboard the Mr. Charlie Oil Rig and Diving ROV Historical Preservation Room, delighting the kids and grown-ups alike with its engineering marvels. The Great Wall provides an amazing view of the Atchafalaya River and Atchafalaya National Heritage Trail Kiosks will help you learn more about the largest wetlands system in the country. There are plenty of options for dining on Louisiana’s famous cuisine, and strolls along the historic districts and even Main Street shopping will provide options for everyone. Casinos and nightlife options are available for adult recreation, and swamp tours or even ghost tours can add in a little more excitement as well!
Kemper Williams Park in Patterson features traditional RV and tent spots as well as nearby tennis courts, ball fields, nature trails and a sanctioned horseshoe facility. It is also adjacent to the Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild and the Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum, noting speed records of Louisiana’s aviation history and documenting the cypress industry of the area.
The newly renovated Nineteen 06 Bed & Breakfast will provide elegant surroundings, and Wax Lake Lodging has “out-the-back-door” hunting and fishing, so take your pick and relax.
And while the campgrounds themselves may provide you enough amenities that you don’t want to leave, the Cajun Coast has plenty of other outdoor activities to keep you entertained! The Atchafalaya Basin is our playground, and its many inlets provide opportunities for boating and fishing, swimming, and other water sports.
So check out the rest of the itineraries on your Staycations page, and make your reservations to relax today!
Coast with the Most
Many coasts can boast of beaches or deep sea fishing, but the Cajun Coast has so much more! From Cajun culture, food & music, to inland swamp tours and the largest wetlands in the country, you’ll want to visit the coast with the most!
The Cajun Coast is a sampler of everything Louisiana offers, in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere that’s the heart of Cajun hospitality. Explore the exotic beauty of the Atchafalaya on a drive along our scenic byway or in the water along a paddling trail. [See our top 10 water activities] Visit our antebellum homes and historic communities. Explore our museums. Try your luck at a casino. Or play a round of golf at The Atchafalaya at Idlewild, an Audubon Golf Trail course! We have a golfing itinerary prepared along with just about any itinerary you want to follow – from Ghosts to Easy Rider!
The perfect place to start your Louisiana adventure is right here in St. Mary Parish. We’re 90 minutes or less from New Orleans, Baton Rouge or Lafayette. Come to the Cajun Coast and immerse yourself in what National Geographic called this “hauntingly beautiful land” – for a taste of the real Louisiana. We have plenty of accommodations to allow you to stay and explore! From historic homes to houseboats, and national chains to local boutiques, you can find your favorite spot. And, don’t forget the great outdoors; we offer everything from primitive camping spots to cabins and plenty of RV hookups, some steps away from the water.
And, because we want you to play it safe when you come to the coast, our accommodations, attractions, and even the visitor centers are maintaining strict protocols when it comes to cleaning and safety standards. Our shops are practicing social distancing as well, so come enjoy main street shopping and take home a memento of your travels or have your items shipped ahead!
Yes, the Cajun Coast is a dash of history, a cup of natural beauty, seasoned generously with the spice of new things to see and do-you’ll sample all this and more. We’re lucky enough to enjoy life on the Cajun Coast every day. That’s why we love to welcome visitors to share in the fun. Whether you stay a week or a weekend, you’ll find we’re the perfect place to enjoy part of any trip to Louisiana. Yes, the temperatures may rise, but along the water’s edge in Louisiana, you’ll feel cooler on the Cajun Coast – the Coast with the Most!
Bring Your Wild Ones to See Ours!
While we have had a lot of togetherness lately, getting together on the Cajun Coast will provide plenty of room to roam, so bring your wild ones to see ours! We have a variety of outdoor experiences for the entire family. See our list, from paddling trails to tours, and come enjoy your summer on the Cajun Coast!
We have put together a Family-friendly itinerary, and a list of things to do with the kids this summer on the Cajun Coast!
Outdoors on the Cajun Coast
With characters both on the boat and in the water, swamp tours and deep sea charters are favorite highlights of a trip to the Cajun Coast. From Captain Caviar’s adventures to Blu Dog Charters to renting a houseboat, you’ll have great time whether or not you see an alligator or land the huge catch!
With a self-guided driving trail, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area will take you on an adventure, showcasing the dramatic affect water has had on this area.
Byway drives along with biking, paddling and hiking trails, along with the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and Boardwalk in Franklin will keep your nature-lover happy as well.
Walk the “Great Wall,” a 21-foot seawall. Built for flood protection, visitors can climb up for a bird’s eye view of the traffic in the Atchafalaya River, one of the busiest rivers in the state.
Let Them Explore
These FREE tours will make it easy for you to take the whole family exploring! (Only you have to know there is learning wrapped in all that fun!)
The only place in the world where the public can walk aboard an oil rig, kids will enjoy learning about the oil industry and the many ways oil is used at the International Petroleum Museum & Exposition, the “Mr. Charlie.”
Visit the Wedell-Williams Aviation & Cypress Sawmill Museum (A Louisiana State Museum). Their imaginations will soar with all of the aviation exploration, and a Louisiana shrimping exhibit will teach them about this thriving, local (and yummy) industry.
The Southwest Reef Lighthouse in Berwick is an iconic symbol and one of only 3 lighthouses in Louisiana that are easily accessible. Visitors can see the structure up-close for FREE at the Everett S. Berry Memorial Lighthouse Park. A Fresnel lens and fog bell similar to what would have been used in the lighthouse are displayed in the lobby of Berwick Town Hall, located 2 blocks west of the park on Third Street. If you have a Lighthouse Passport (available from https://uslhs.org/products/items/lighthouse-passport), bring it by the Berwick Town Hall during regular business hours for a stamp!
Get in the Water
Summer on the Cajun Coast also means basking in the sunshine along with ways to beat the heat! Spending time on the water is easy on the Cajun Coast. Check out a few locations to play!
Lake End Park in Morgan City, 985-380-4623 (beach, fishing)
Cypremort Point State Park, 337-867-4510 (beach, fishing)
Other Recreation
Bowling, Movies, and Mini-Golf and other recreation can also be found on the Cajun Coast! Check out the adventures, plus a petting zoo and plan your summer fun!
If your adventurer likes to skate, we have a few skate parks as well
Morgan City Skate Park, 985-380-4600
Swamp Skate Park in Bayou Vista, 985-395-6552
Franklin Skate Park, 337-828-3631
COOL TREATS
Cooling off with a good old fashioned snowball is also a delicious solution! These shaved ice concoctions of sugary syrup and any number of add-ins, from condensed milk to fruits and candies, are a prized commodity on a summer afternoon. Below are a few locations to pick up one of these treats around the Cajun Coast!
- Adams’ Snoball – 905 Iberia Street, Franklin, 337-471-1082
- Cajun Sneaux Snowballs – 804 Marguerite Street, Morgan City
- The Big Chill – 202 Tournament Boulevard Berwick, 985-329-2525
So, pack up your crew and find fun in the summer sun on the Cajun Coast!
Come See Us Soon!
When you are ready, we’ll be here! The waters of the Atchafalaya Basin will still be full of mysteries, the fishing will still be fabulous (ready to catch your limit!), and the restaurants will still serve up the freshest of seafood in world-renowned dishes you’ve been dreaming of tasting!
While it might be a while before you are ready to tackle big cities and crowds, we have plenty of wide-open spaces for you to roam. With 800,000 acres of pristine beauty in the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest wetland area in the country as our backyard, and the entire Gulf Coast at our feet, there is no shortage of outdoors. We have paddling trails, scenic byways and trails, and spaces to view birds and wildlife. Whether by bike, hike, boat or kayak, you can still practice safe-distancing here on the Cajun Coast!
And, our hotels and attractions have put additional cleaning and rigorous sanitation protocols into place. If you want to escape overnight, or maybe just find some sanity while working from home, you’ll find a safe space, hot coffee, and a warm smile!
With all of that working from home, we’ve been on a few (dozen) Zoom calls, so we’re offering some Cajun Coast backgrounds to dress up your Zoom – and dream of the day when you can travel!
If you need a virtual taste, order from Cajun Coast merchants, including having your D.a.T. Sauce delivered (with a code for $100 worth of free music downloads from the Last Honky Tonk Music Series) or tune in to Facebook Live concerts for a living room concert from a variety of musicians.
We know these are difficult times, but we are in this together. We appreciate you trusting your travels to us. We pray for a speedy recovery to all those impacted by this virus. Get a sample of itineraries and options, start planning, and come see us soon!
It’s Good to Get Out!
We know travelers will visit Louisiana again, just as they did after 9/11, after Katrina, and after the oil spill, and Louisiana will once again be able to show off this place we love to the world. But, we know that the first place people will visit is their own towns, then regions, then further out, so here’s a bucket list for our first visitors to enjoy and reasons why it’s good to get out!
Escape to the Great Outdoors
You may not yet be ready for the big city, so it’s good that the Cajun Coast has an entire 800,000-acre wetland playground as its backyard. Explore the pristine beauty of the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest wetland area in the country. Check out the sites on the Atchafalaya Water Heritage Trail, learn more about our connection to the waterway. You can even take a swamp tour to go exploring –colorful local guides, like Captain Caviar, can also teach you about the flora and the fauna, including alligators!
Explore the Atchafalaya
Take a Swamp Tour
Shed a Little Light on the Situation
A little sunshine exposure improves your mood and can help your immune system, so taking a trail on the Cajun Coast may help your physical body as well as your happiness levels! The Cajun Coast has a series of paddling trails to get out on the water, or even scenic byways, like the Bayou Teche Byway, to explore by bike or car.
Check out the trails and byways
Paddle a trail on the Cajun Coast
Enjoy the Bayou Teche Byway
And Learn a Little Something
Aside from nature treks, you can take the family on a historic stroll (or drive) through the Franklin or Morgan City Historic Districts, taking in the architecture and beautiful homes. You can download the brochures from the website. There are also a variety of itineraries, to help you decide what topics to explore next – from Civil War, to Birdwatching, to Culture or Casinos!
Find history on the Cajun Coast
Check out the Franklin Historic District
Take Morgan City’s Walking Tour
Find an itinerary to suit your group
Seafood is good for you – Catch a Good Time!
With the Gulf Coast at our feet, you can hire a guide to take you out or launch your own craft into the deep blue waters at more than 30 launch locations throughout the area. And, if fishing for your own catch sounds like a bit much, there are plenty of locations to pick up fresh seafood to prepare at home, or restaurants serving up seafood just about any way you can think to make it!
Fish on the Cajun Coast
Launch your boat
Dining Out – Yes, order the dessert!
We cannot wait to go out to eat on the Cajun Coast! We are already taking advantage of outdoor seating in the beautiful weather and socially distancing for some indoor dining, but when we can just meet friends for a colorful cocktail or take the whole family out for a meal, from down-home barbeque to international flavors, especially those with a Louisiana twist, are definitely on our bucket list when we can get out on the town! Order appetizers, and definitely the dessert!
Shop Local – Help the Economy
While tourism has a huge economic impact on the area, shopping local helps keep these businesses thriving and able to provide unique treasures for our visitors. Main Street Shopping or other local businesses helps fuel the economy and the community. Our stores will be practicing safe-distance guidelines and cleaning protocols to ensure healthy environments.
Stay – Someplace Besides Your House!
Camping in the great outdoors is a great way to get back to nature, get out of your house, and practice social distancing! We have several campgrounds and RV Parks to choose from, as well as a houseboat available for rental! Our hoteliers have also implemented stringent cleaning practices from the lobby to the already clean and comfortable rooms, and they are as ready to see you as you are to see them! Bellhops, concierges and service personnel will be taking extra precautions to ensure you feel safe, so you can concentrate on enjoying your stay.
Express Your Freedom to Travel
And, we can’t wait to provide our special brand of Louisiana hospitality, and open our doors to visitors who become friends on the Cajun Coast! We appreciate those who trust their travels to us!