8 Charming Small Towns That Seem Tailor-Made For Louisianians

Nicknamed the "Crawfish Capital of the World", Breaux Bridge is the perfect town for anyone looking to explore Cajun life. Nestled in the heart of Cajun Country, Breaux Bridge is full of Cajun restaurants, Cajun music, and plenty of fais do dos to pass a good time.

This charming little town in Vermilion Parish has a little bit of everything. Spend some time outdoors at the Palmetto Island State Park, spend some time shopping on Main Street, or dine at one of the many oyster restaurants in the area. Steen’s Syrup is also in Abbeville, and you should absolutely pick up a bottle while you’re in town. Abbeville is probably most known for their giant Omelette Festival, where several chefs come together to make a 5,000 egg omelette around Magdaline Square.

Rayne is a fun little town that embraces their past. Known as the "Frog Capital of the World" due to their history of exporting frog legs in the early 1900s. Expect to see a lot of frog murals and statues in this quirky little town. Rayne also has the only cemetery in the country that faces north-south, rather than east-west.

Head on down to the tip of the boot to Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island for some outdoor adventure. Grand Isle is a fisherman’s paradise, and thousands of anglers travel to Grand Isle annually to participate in their Tarpon Rodeo, held every summer.

Tucked away in the rolling hills of West Feliciana Parish, St. Francisville is filled with historic plantations and beautiful scenery, perfect for an afternoon exploration. Known for its small town quiet life, visitors can explore the historic district filled with several homes, churches, shops, and restaurants on the national historic registry. And of course, St. Francisville is home to the Myrtles Plantation, known for being the most haunted plantation in the country.

This beautiful little town along Bayou Teche was once a finalist for the title for All-American City, and a visit to this beloved town will enchant you. Evangeline Oak Park along Bayou Tech is a scenic little place steeped in history and perfect for a leisurely stroll. The tree is named for the heroine from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem Evangeline, which he wrote in 1847. There are also several buildings listed on the National Historic Registry, and the St. Martinville Tourst Information Center would be happy to provide you with a guided tour.

In the Spring, the historic town of Ponchatoula is host to the Strawberry Festival, one of the most popular festivals in the area. Come out to this free, family-friendly festival for great food, games, entertainment and, of course, all the strawberries you could eat. Ponchatoula also has several antique shops for those looking for one of a kind and hand-crafted items.

The oldest city in Louisiana is filled with charming streets, delicious restaurants and local boutiques to find some one of a kind items. Located on the Cane River Lake, visitors can enjoy the city’s Historic Landmark Distric, which encompasses a 33-block area and includes many historic homes, churches and buildings. Architecture enthusiasts will love a stroll through this charming town.