Y'all ready for a road trip? I've got just the perfect scenic drive in Louisiana that will lead you through some of my favorite small towns in Cajun Country. Make sure you've stocked up on all your favorite road trip snacks and have your favorite playlist ready (bonus points if it's a Zydeco playlist) and let's hit the road.

The Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway stretches for 283 miles across Acadiana.

The map above only highlights a few of the towns we’ll be exploring in this article. There are a few different routes you can take, plus a few spurs that travel off to other towns like Arnaudville, Krotz Springs, and Palmetto, but I’ve modified this scenic drive in Louisiana to keep it to a short and sweet loop that you can complete in a day or two.

This shortened route would take about two hours to complete, but of course, you’re going to want to stop off and see the sights along the way.

I’d recommend making a weekend out of it, that way you’re not rushed and can take your time. Don’t worry, I’ve got the perfect place to stay included.

The trail starts in Eunice, Louisiana’s “Prairie Cajun Capital.”

Strangely enough, Eunice sits in three different parishes: St. Landry, Acadia, and Evangeline. I guess everyone just wanted a slice of this charming small town in Louisiana!

Eunice was once a major railroad town, and a stop at the Eunice Depot Museum is a must.

Here you’ll learn more about the history of Eunice, the rise and fall of the railroads, and the thriving community that lives here today.

Next up: Crowley

Where life is rice and easy. Well, that's Crowley's motto, anyway!

Rice is a cornerstone in Cajun and Creole cuisine, and Crowley throws the annual International Rice Festival every October to celebrate all things rice related.

This festival has been going on since 1937, making it the oldest agricultural festival in Louisiana!

Next, hop on over to Rayne, the "Frog Capital of the World."

There's a lot to love about this quirky town, and the frogs are just one of them! Frog legs were once a major export for this tiny town in Louisiana, and while the demand has plummeted, their love for frogs has only intensified! Rayne is also known for its mesmerizing murals that paint the town, as well as the annual Frog Festival.

Rayne has another quirky claim to fame...

...Rayne is home to the only cemetery in the country that faces the wrong direction! Cemetery plots are typically laid out facing an east-west direction to symbolize the rising/setting of the sun and the resurrection of Christ. No one knows the real reason this cemetery faces north-south, but most generally agree that it just boils down to good old human error. By the time they figured it out, it was too late to fix it.

Onward we go! Next stop: Opelousas

Opelousas is known as the Zydeco Capital of the World, so you better roll up blasting some Zydeco music!

As you wander around the town, be sure to check out the Orphan Train Museum, a hidden gem here in Opelousas.

In the 1850s, New York was experiencing a very unique problem. There were thousands of orphaned children living on the streets after their parents had died from the massive influenza outbreak. Two organizations banded together and worked with the Catholic church to get these children into homes across the country. Many of these children traveled by rail and found homes in Louisiana. The

Orphan Train Museum has preserved their histories as much as possible.

Ready for some outdoor adventure? Ville Platte is the place to be!

Switching gears from museums and historic downtowns, Ville Platte is where you can get some fresh air and enjoy some natural scenery.

Chicot State Park and the Louisiana State Arboretum are both in Ville Platte, and they've got endless opportunities for hiking, paddling, and more.

Chicot State Park also has some dreamy waterfront cabins you can stay in if you're planning on making this a weekend getaway. Louisiana's largest state park is nestled around Chicot Lake, and one of the best ways to experience it is by renting a canoe and setting off on the paddle trail here. I've done it and can personally attest to how incredible it is!

Last but not least, we end our adventure in Mamou.

This charming small town in Louisiana is probably best known for its epic Cajun Mardi Gras, but no visit to Mamou is complete without paying a visit to the world-famous Fred's Lounge.

Mamou prides itself on being the "Cajun Music Capital of the World" and Fred's is the best place to experience it.

Fred's Lounge is only open on Saturday mornings from about 8 a.m. till 2 p.m. (music starts at 9) but this is where you'll hear some of the most talented local musical legends play, a tradition for Cajun Country that's been around for over 75 years.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

The Zydeco Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway is just one of many scenic drives in Louisiana. If you enjoyed this byway, you'll love the Longleaf Scenic Byway.