Few towns will offer you the endless natural beauty and cultural history like New Iberia, Louisiana. This beautiful city nestled along Bayou Teche is located about 20 miles south of Lafayette, and it often gets overlooked as a weekend getaway in favor of his northerly big brother, but New Iberia is a perfect destination to call home for a few days while you explore the belly of Cajun Country. From state parks to spicy sauces, staying in New Iberia puts you in the center of some of Louisiana's most iconic attractions. Here are some of our favorite places to stay in New Iberia:

Tensas Tower on the Teche

This unique three-story vacation rental in New Iberia directly overlooks the bayou, and since it’s still within the downtown area, you’ve got the best of both worlds. While this contemporary rental is a wonderful place to stay, it’s worth noting that there is no elevator, so guests will have to climb stairs to access each level.

Chateau Royale

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage also overlooks Bayou Teche and is only a block away from Main Street. It’s pet friendly and offers ample space for the entire family to sprawl out, including a large deck with a delightful view of the bayou for you and your fur babies to enjoy.

Cozy Studio

This waterfront studio vacation rental is ideal for a romantic getaway. Centrally located in the heart of downtown New Iberia, you’re within walking distance of everything you need, and you’re only a short drive away from top attractions like the Rip Van Winkle Gardens and Avery Island.

Lake Fausse Pointe State Park

Located about 25 miles east of New Iberia, Lake Fausse Pointe State Park offers 6,000 acres of swamps, bayous, and wetlands to enjoy. For anyone seeking to explore the Atchafalaya River Basin, this park offers boating, kayaking, and hiking trails to enjoy, plus loads of history about the Chitimacha Indians, the original inhabitants of the area.

Avery Island

While visiting New Iberia, you've got to spend a day exploring Avery Island. This is where Tabasco is made! The family owned and operated business offers factory tours where you can learn all about the process, before heading over to Restaurant 1868 to enjoy Louisiana-inspired dishes featuring Tabasco products.

After the factory tour and lunch, stroll through Avery Island's famous Jungle Gardens. The 170-acre gardens are known for its breathtaking beauty, and both native and exotic plants thrive here. Bird lovers will thoroughly enjoy the overlook at Bird City, a refuge that's home to thousands of egrets and other wading birds.

Cypremort Point State Park

Down at the southern edge of Cajun Country, just before you hit the Gulf of Mexico, you'll find

Cypremort Point State Park. A stark contrast from the Atchafalaya, Cypremort offers a front-row seat to the Vermilion Bay, where visitors can fish from the shore or take a boat out to deeper Gulf waters. There's a half-mile stretch of beach here, which is perfect for soaking up some sun and enjoying the view. Stick around until sunset, you won't be disappointed!

Have you ever spent a weekend exploring New Iberia? Let us know in the comments below.