Bon Temps en Louisiana
October 3, 2010 4:51 PM Subscribe
I have recently moved Opelousas, Louisiana for work from Wisconsin. My position will last for a year and I want to know all the festivals, good restaurants, and local music that I should experience for the time I get live down here. I am looking for recommendations for anything in Louisiana or local resources for Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.
Some recommendations I have already received are the French Quarter Festival, Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, and of course Mardi Gras. I would also be grateful for any mefites who would let me couch surf for these events.
Some recommendations I have already received are the French Quarter Festival, Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, and of course Mardi Gras. I would also be grateful for any mefites who would let me couch surf for these events.
You're going to want to mark your calendar for Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette.
posted by BobbyVan at 5:06 PM on October 3, 2010
posted by BobbyVan at 5:06 PM on October 3, 2010
Also, I have had the best time at some of the smaller festivals: less crowded, great music and great food.
posted by govtdrone at 5:08 PM on October 3, 2010
posted by govtdrone at 5:08 PM on October 3, 2010
you just missed it, but the zydeco festival is pretty much in your backyard. as is the rayne frog festival. and the crawfish festival in breaux bridge is about halfway between you & new orleans. that's generally held on one of the same weekends as jazz fest. also, some stuff close to you in my comment here.
really, tons & tons of things in the area, and festival season is starting again pretty strong. they have lots (but all not) listed here.
i'm in new orleans & am mostly old & boring, but i have a couch, and you're welcome to crash.
welcome to the south, y'hear?
posted by msconduct at 5:11 PM on October 3, 2010
really, tons & tons of things in the area, and festival season is starting again pretty strong. they have lots (but all not) listed here.
i'm in new orleans & am mostly old & boring, but i have a couch, and you're welcome to crash.
welcome to the south, y'hear?
posted by msconduct at 5:11 PM on October 3, 2010
Gambit's website always lists coming attractions and is a must for planning. Sorry, no couch and no hot tips, just a little word of advice. Check the dates for Mardi Gras and for Jazz Fest and plan early if you're coming into New Orleans for those.
In New Orleans, the parades happen in earnest for a week or two prior to Mardi Gras day. The season begins January 6th. As you probably know, everything closes on Fat Tuesday, even (and this scandalized me when I first moved here) the Federal Reserve Bank. But at midnight, it's over.
There are two strains of French Louisiana. Celebrations (and food and music) in Lafayette reflect Cajun influence, while in New Orleans, the influence is Creole.
Taste everything. I hope you pass a good time.
posted by Anitanola at 6:09 PM on October 3, 2010
In New Orleans, the parades happen in earnest for a week or two prior to Mardi Gras day. The season begins January 6th. As you probably know, everything closes on Fat Tuesday, even (and this scandalized me when I first moved here) the Federal Reserve Bank. But at midnight, it's over.
There are two strains of French Louisiana. Celebrations (and food and music) in Lafayette reflect Cajun influence, while in New Orleans, the influence is Creole.
Taste everything. I hope you pass a good time.
posted by Anitanola at 6:09 PM on October 3, 2010
I've heard that the Renaissance Festival in Hammond is pretty awesome. I just bought a pair of tickets via Groupon.
Oktoberfest is happening right now, and it's a big local tradition here in New Orleans to go to the Deutches Haus. It's especially timely this year, because it's the last Oktoberfest in this location due to the big LSU/VA hospital thing.
posted by radioamy at 6:28 PM on October 3, 2010
Oktoberfest is happening right now, and it's a big local tradition here in New Orleans to go to the Deutches Haus. It's especially timely this year, because it's the last Oktoberfest in this location due to the big LSU/VA hospital thing.
posted by radioamy at 6:28 PM on October 3, 2010
Opelousas? Friend, you're right down the road from Mamou, the best Saturday morning in Louisiana.
posted by gordie at 6:57 PM on October 3, 2010
posted by gordie at 6:57 PM on October 3, 2010
Also, you can't miss boudin at T-boy's Slaughterhouse or tiny cajuns on horses at Evangeline Downs. Also, the afore mentioned Festival International de Louisiane beats Jazz Fest by a country mile.
Sunday in Metropolousas, the Big Oppel, is a bit of a downer, so buy a fishing pole or head east on I-10 (skip Baton Rouge, keep going).
I was bewitched and am now engaged to my own dark haired cher from Lafayette, so feel free to memail me if you need any other recommendations.
posted by gordie at 7:22 PM on October 3, 2010
Sunday in Metropolousas, the Big Oppel, is a bit of a downer, so buy a fishing pole or head east on I-10 (skip Baton Rouge, keep going).
I was bewitched and am now engaged to my own dark haired cher from Lafayette, so feel free to memail me if you need any other recommendations.
posted by gordie at 7:22 PM on October 3, 2010
I spent years 0-18 in Lafayette (quite recently) so I have some age-limited but up-to-date recommendations:
for Cajun food I like Prejean's then Paul's Pirogue -- but actually Opelousas and little towns around there will probably get you much better food in this category. Don't be scared of gas-station boudin and sweet potato pie. Randol's is good for piles of crabs and Cajun dancing to live music.
Vermilionville is a reconstruction of old-timey "Acadien"-Cajun life in the area just off of Highway 90 in Lafayette. It's an outdoor museum.
My actual favorite restaurants in Lafayette are Mae Sone Noodle House and, just across Johnston Street from that, the Italian Market, distinguished only by the Italian flag outside. They both have excellent, cheapish food -- nothing out of the ordinary in most cities though.
The Blue Moon Saloon is a great music venue/bar/hostel in downtown Lafayette. I believe you can get the vibes of all the other bars around there by their outside decor and decide which is for you.
Third-plus'ing Festival International in Lafayette in April.
For Mardi Gras, sure, go to New Orleans, but ask someone about the courirs in your town and smaller ones around it, like Mamou. I think it'll be impossible not to run across some king cake and small parades in the weeks leading up to the big day.
You're really near Chicot State Park and not far from many other parks and unofficially beautiful areas. On Avery Island past New Iberia you can visit the Tabasco factory for free and the gorgeous Jungle Gardens for $8.
Mandeville/Abita Springs north of New Orleans is a cute area to visit.
I've given you a lot of tourist-brochure recommendations I suppose, but ah well -- I mean them all!
posted by lilbizou at 7:47 PM on October 3, 2010
for Cajun food I like Prejean's then Paul's Pirogue -- but actually Opelousas and little towns around there will probably get you much better food in this category. Don't be scared of gas-station boudin and sweet potato pie. Randol's is good for piles of crabs and Cajun dancing to live music.
Vermilionville is a reconstruction of old-timey "Acadien"-Cajun life in the area just off of Highway 90 in Lafayette. It's an outdoor museum.
My actual favorite restaurants in Lafayette are Mae Sone Noodle House and, just across Johnston Street from that, the Italian Market, distinguished only by the Italian flag outside. They both have excellent, cheapish food -- nothing out of the ordinary in most cities though.
The Blue Moon Saloon is a great music venue/bar/hostel in downtown Lafayette. I believe you can get the vibes of all the other bars around there by their outside decor and decide which is for you.
Third-plus'ing Festival International in Lafayette in April.
For Mardi Gras, sure, go to New Orleans, but ask someone about the courirs in your town and smaller ones around it, like Mamou. I think it'll be impossible not to run across some king cake and small parades in the weeks leading up to the big day.
You're really near Chicot State Park and not far from many other parks and unofficially beautiful areas. On Avery Island past New Iberia you can visit the Tabasco factory for free and the gorgeous Jungle Gardens for $8.
Mandeville/Abita Springs north of New Orleans is a cute area to visit.
I've given you a lot of tourist-brochure recommendations I suppose, but ah well -- I mean them all!
posted by lilbizou at 7:47 PM on October 3, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the recommendations, all! It looks like I'll have a lot do once I finish unpacking.
posted by roguewraith at 8:24 PM on October 3, 2010
posted by roguewraith at 8:24 PM on October 3, 2010
I'm seconding Blue Moon! My favorite place ever. Also - you should sample the donuts from Meche's in Lafayette/Breaux Bridge. Best ever.
posted by ashtabula to opelika at 9:31 PM on October 3, 2010
posted by ashtabula to opelika at 9:31 PM on October 3, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Opelousas is having their Yambilee Fest from October 27th through the 31st.
You have to go to Jazz Fest.
posted by govtdrone at 5:05 PM on October 3, 2010