Booyah! Get out your beads cause Mardi Gras is fast approaching and if you’re thinking about all things Cajun like Gumbo, Jambalya, King Cakes, and wild parades, then head to Lafayette, Louisiana! That’s right – Lafayette. Bet you didn’t know that the city has the second largest Mardi Gras parade and celebration in the world. Mardi Gras is February 12th.
A lovely place to park your RV is the Bayou Wilderness RV Park. It’s located just a few minutes from the heart of Lafayette and is an ideal base for exploring other attractions like the Acadian Village and Vermillionville. You will be just a few minutes from Abbeville and Avery Island, home of the Tabasco Pepper Sauce Factory. In Breaux Bridge there’s the Lake Martin Bird Sanctuary, Crawfish Festival and swamp tours. Opelausas has the Jim Bowie Museum, Tony Cachere’s and a casino and race track.
Bayou Wilderness has 120 long (up to 70’), level pull-throughs that are big rig friendly. You’ll find acres of groomed grounds with natural ponds, walking trails, cypress trees, moss and fishing for your enjoyment.
You will find climate controlled showers, clean restrooms and a laundry room. There’s free cable TV and WiFi, RV supplies, gifts, groceries and ice available. If you’re a golf nut, Bayou Wilderness can arrange for you to golf at 2 private PGA golf clubs or you can play the nearby public course.
Bayou Wilderness is family owned with on-site management should any problems arise.
If you decide to visit the Acadian Village, you’ll discover an authentic vision of life in the 19th century. There are authentic homes along a winding bayou that have been restored and are filled with period antiques.
In order to recreate at typical 1800’s Cajun village, 10 acres of farmland had to be transformed into a shaded community with a bayou running through it. Seven of the 11 buildings were donated by the families whose ancestors once occupied them. Each one was moved piece by piece and carefully restored.
Acadian Village also has a RV campground located right outside the grounds, with 38 spots with electrical (30 amps), water hook-ups and dump sites.
Vermilionville is a heritage and folklife museum that portrays the rich cultures of the Cajuns, Creoles and Native Americans. On the banks of the Bayou Vermilion, the historic village contains 19 structures, including seven original homes, which are filled with artifacts reflecting life in the Acadiana area between 1765 and 1890.
A detailed interpretive walking brochure or personal guides escort visitors through the village. In many of the structures, costumed historical interpreters authentically demonstrate traditional crafts or musical styles with a distinctly French accent. Cooking demonstrations, a full-service restaurant and a gift shop enhance the experience. Bayou boat tours are available March through May and September through November.
Enjoy a Cajun meal at La Cuisine de Maman. Choose from local specialties like Gumbo, Po-Boys, Fried Crawfish and Etouffee, plus Old Time Desserts like Gateau de Sirop.
You can also enjoy a weekly Cajun music jam session that’s held every Saturday from 1 to 3:30 at the Visitor Center. The Cajun music jam sessions are open to the public, you don't have to be a musician to come and enjoy great acoustic music. No amps, no filters, just pure Cajun music from the heart. Many visitors remark at just how much they've enjoyed their visit to Lafayette because they were able to experience first-hand our wonderful Cajun music.
There’s a lot to see and explore in southwest Louisiana! “Come as you are, leave different”--- that’s the Louisiana way!