Cajun and Creole Country
Listen to lively Cajun music, taste Louisiana specialties, and meet the farmers, fishermen, musicians, and artisans who keep the region’s traditions alive. This seven-day journey takes you from the waterways and working farms of Cajun Country to the historic streets of New Orleans.
Cruise through the Atchafalaya Basin in search of alligators and other wildlife, tour a rice and crawfish farm, and learn how TABASCO® Sauce is made on Avery Island. You’ll also sample regional favorites, watch a Cajun cooking demonstration, and gather with local residents for an authentic seafood boil.
The journey concludes in New Orleans, where you’ll explore the National WWII Museum, tour the French Quarter with a local guide, and visit Mardi Gras World. Along the way, local stories, music, food, and warm Southern hospitality offer a meaningful introduction to the people and traditions of Louisiana.
Highlights of Cajun and Creole Country
- Tour Mardi Gras World and see how the famous parade floats are created
- Visit working rice, crawfish, shrimp, and alligator farms
- Taste authentic Louisiana cuisine during a cooking demonstration and seafood boil
- Explore the National WWII Museum, Vermilionville Historic Village, and the TABASCO® factory
- Cruise through Louisiana swamps in search of alligators, birds, and native wildlife
DAY 1: WELCOME TO THE BIG EASY!
Welcome to New Orleans! Get acquainted with your fellow travelers and meet your Tour Director at tonight’s welcome dinner. D
DAY 2: HOUMAS HOUSE/GREAT RIVER ROAD MUSEUM/SWAMP TOUR
Travel into Cajun Country for a guided tour of Houmas House Estate, a beautifully restored mansion along the Mississippi River that reflects the wealth and grandeur of a nineteenth-century sugarcane plantation. After lunch at Dixie’s Café, enjoy a relaxing cruise through Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin Swamp, where you may spot alligators, osprey, and other wildlife along the waterways. Later, visit Cypress Cove to meet Yvette Landry and Jourdan Thibodeaux for an engaging introduction to Louisiana French music and culture. Listen to Cajun and Creole music, hear local stories, learn traditional dances, and even try your hand at Cajun percussion instruments or the accordion. B, L, D
DAY 3: FARM TOUR/HISTORIC VILLAGE/BEIGNETS
Visit a working rice and crawfish farm to learn how local farmers grow and harvest both crops in the same fields using double-cropping techniques. Then travel to Vermilionville Historic Village, where you’ll enjoy lunch and watch a demonstration on making traditional Louisiana beignets, complete with a chance to sample this sweet local favorite. Later, stroll through the historic village to learn about the Native American, Acadian, and Creole cultures of the Attakapas region and the natural resources that shaped life in southern Louisiana. B, L
DAY 4: AVERY ISLAND/HOT SAUCE/COOKING DEMO/ALLIGATORS
Today, visit the world-famous TABASCO® Pepper Sauce Factory on Avery Island to see how the iconic sauce is made. Then enjoy a special four-course Southern meal prepared with TABASCO® flavors alongside one of the company’s executive chefs. After lunch, explore Avery Island Jungle Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, home to exotic plants and native wildlife. Later, tour a working alligator farm where you may even have the opportunity to hold a baby alligator. B, L, D
DAY 5: SHRIMP/BASKET WEAVING/AUTHENTIC SEAFOOD BOIL
Learn about the hardworking fishing families of southern Louisiana as you watch the process of drying and seasoning shrimp, often called Cajun popcorn. You’ll also enjoy the chance to sample this flavorful local specialty. Later, visit the Bayou Terrebonne Water Life Museum to meet master palmetto basket weaver Janie Luster of the United Houma Nation. As she demonstrates her craft, you’ll learn more about the tribe’s culture, history, and traditions. Tonight, gather with locals for an authentic Cajun seafood boil, with non-seafood options also available. B, L, D
DAY 6: NEW ORLEANS/WWII MUSEUM/FRENCH QUARTER
Return to New Orleans for a visit to the National WWII Museum, where exhibits, letters, films, and artifacts share the stories of American men and women during World War II. Enjoy lunch and a musical performance at the museum before setting out on a guided tour of New Orleans. Explore the famous French Quarter, view the elegant homes of the Garden District, and see some of the city’s distinctive cemeteries filled with ornate sculptures and decorative artwork. Tonight, enjoy free time near the French Quarter to explore and dine on your own. B, L
DAY 7: MARDI GRAS/FAREWELL
Before returning home, enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit to Mardi Gras World, where you’ll see how the spectacular floats for New Orleans’ famous Mardi Gras celebrations come to life. Then say goodbye to new friends as you head home with wonderful memories of Cajun and Creole Country. B
Quality Accommodations
Night 1: Hilton New Orleans Airport, Kenner, LA
Nights 2-3: Drury Inn and Suites, Lafayette, LA
Nights 4-5: Homewood Suites, Houma, LA
Night 6: New Orleans Marriott, French Quarter, LA
Dates:
Mar 8-14, 2027
Price Per Person:
Double: $2,647
Single: $3,095
Pre/Post Tour Hotel:
Airport: $228/night
Depart/Return:
New Orleans, LA
Inclusions:
- Free airport shuttle or hotel parking
- Welcome Dinner and meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- Fees and tips for included attractions and meals
- Luggage handling at most hotels
- Free bottled water on coach
- 24-hour emergency call service
Arrival Time
Our Welcome Dinner on Day 1 is at our hotel, Hilton New Orleans Airport, starting at 6:30 p.m. We recommend scheduling your flight to arrive by 4:00 p.m.
Departure Time
Schedule your flight home to depart the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport any time after 1:30 p.m. on Day 7.
Airport Transportation / Vehicle Parking
Our starting hotel the Hilton New Orleans Airport offers a complimentary shuttle service to/from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. If you are driving to New Orleans, they also offer complimentary parking for the duration of the tour.
Walking Distance
Moderate walking is required to fully enjoy this tour. Some walking will also be on uneven paths. While walking canes are allowed, we are unable to accommodate travelers using other mobility devices, including walkers and wheelchairs.
Average Temps
March – high of 75°, low of 55°
Time Zone
Central
Hotel Amenities
Most accommodations arranged by Country Travel Discoveries are equipped with in-room amenities such as a hair dryer, iron, and coffee maker. In addition, some properties may also have a pool, fitness center, or laundry facilities.
Additional Information
A total of three mailings are sent to assist you in preparing for your tour, including information sent upon receipt of your reservation.
Dress on tour is casual. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, visors, and comfortable walking shoes will add to your enjoyment of this tour.
