I grew up in a small town called Mallet in St. Landry Parish, so I lived rural until I was 18 and started touring professionally. I hunted, rode horses, fed the pigs and worked the crawfish ponds like most people do who live in the country of southwest Louisiana. When I was a kid, it was a special treat to take a trip into New Orleans. It was a real city for a country boy like me. Now, my heart is in Cajun Country, but I have love for the whole state of Louisiana.
If I were to take a newcomer on a tour of Louisiana, first I'd take them to New Orleans because it's the gateway into Louisiana and our premiere destination city. I would then take them I-10 West to the Atchafalaya Basin and McGee's Landing in Henderson for a boat ride to see the nation's largest swamp. When people think of Louisiana, they think swamps and bayous, and we've got lots of both! Also many people who come to visit Louisiana have seen me or my fellow Zydeco artists perform in their home towns in the Midwest or the Northeast, so they invariably want to also visit St. Landry Parish and the Opelousas area, which is the birthplace and "The World Capital of Zydeco".
If I were to take a newcomer on a tour of Louisiana, first I'd take them to New Orleans…
–Terrance Simien
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When it's time to eat, I'm taking them to Ole Tyme Grocery in Lafayette for po-boys, or maybe to Best Stop in Scott or Ray's in Opelousas for boudin. For dinner, we might head to Charley G's or Blue Dog in Lafayette.
I don't know much about shopping, but my wife tells me there's great shopping in Louisiana. Her favorite spots in downtown Lafayette are the Jefferson Street Market and San Souci Gallery, both of which sell local art. I do like shopping for local music at Vermilionville Gift Shop. And when I'm in New Orleans, I like to go to Louisiana Music Factory for more local music CDs.
Music is something I know a thing or two about, and to my mind it doesn't get any better than catching live music at El Sido's, Grant St. and Blue Moon in Lafayette and Slim's in Opelousas.
Of course, some of the best music Louisiana has to offer can be found at our many festivals. I love the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival because for over 30 years they have presented our indigenous Zydeco music right alongside all of the other popular music they program, making our music as valuable and important as all of the rest. Festival International in Lafayette is also a great time, and important in helping preserve and promote the Francophone Creole culture of south central Louisiana.
Louisiana is a great family destination, too. My daughter loves going to festivals. I also like to take her the country to see my family and to give her a greater sense of our family history. Just an afternoon visit with my parents, aunts and uncles, whose first language is French, can be a very enlightening encounter. She loves to go to New Orleans as well. And I like to see her absorbing history in such an engaging environment. The French Quarter in New Orleans is great for that. Another good destination is St. Ann's Church in Mallet (near my childhood home in St. Landry Parish). It's one of the oldest Black Catholic churches in the country.
The Creole Country of southwest and south central Louisiana is home to a rich, fascinating culture. St. Landry Parish and the Opelousas area is the third oldest settlement in Louisiana and home to a large population of French speaking Creoles. (It is where my roots are and the place I go for inspiration to write a song about my people and my heritage, like "You Should Know Your Way By Now" aka "Creole Country". But outside of culture and history, food and music, Louisiana is just a beautiful place. Try catching sunrise or sunset at the Atchafalaya Basin ñ either will take your breath away. When I drive home from a long tour and I hit the basin bridge at sunrise, I remember why I love Louisiana so much!
There is so much to see and do in Louisiana. Here are a few ideas to get you started.