This Louisiana Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime

Winding through the beating heart of Cajun Country, the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway carries travelers along 125 miles of Louisiana's most culturally rich and historically significant waterway, the Bayou Teche. Possibly named for the Chitimacha word "teche," meaning snake, this ancient bayou was once a channel of the mighty Mississippi River and was the primary transportation route for Native Americans, Spanish colonists, French Acadians, and enslaved Africans who shaped the unique cultural tapestry of south-central Louisiana.

From the oil derricks of Morgan City in the south to the farmland of Arnaudville in the north, this nationally designated scenic byway follows Louisiana highways 182 and 31 through the parishes of St. Mary, Iberia, and St. Martin. Along the way, it'll introduce you to the diverse people and places that created the distinctive Cajun and Creole cultures that flourish here today.

Morgan City and Louisiana’s Oil Legacy

Beginning your northward journey in Morgan City, your first stop should be the International Petroleum Museum and Exposition (aka, The Rig Museum), where you’ll learn about Louisiana's oil industry. Home to Mr. Charlie, the world's only publicly accessible offshore drilling rig, this 220-foot platform operated in the Gulf from 1954 to 1986 and played an important role in the development of submersible drilling technologies. Other exhibits detail the dangerous but lucrative offshore petroleum industry that transformed Louisiana's economy in the 20th century.

Take a moment to visit Morgan City's seawall for its superb views across the Atchafalaya River, the main distributary of the Mississippi and gateway to America's largest river swamp. Morgan City’s historic downtown district is also worth a wander and preserves buildings from the town's early days as a timber and shrimp processing center. The nearby Berwick Lighthouse is also worth a look.

The drive north from Morgan City will see you traverse sugarcane fields and marsh landscapes that gradually transition to more developed agricultural areas around Franklin. This stretch provides excellent views of the bayou's natural beauty, with egrets, herons, and occasionally alligators visible along the banks.

Franklin’s Antebellum Architecture

One of Louisiana's best-preserved 19th-century towns (if not the best), your next stop, Franklin, boasts more than 420 structures listed in its National Historic District. The town's Main Street is a must-see for its exceptional collection of antebellum and Victorian-era architecture, including the spectacular Grevemberg House. Now a museum, this elegant Greek Revival mansion was built in 1851 and now houses a large collection of Civil War artifacts, period furniture, and antique toys that were a part of upper-class life in pre-war Louisiana.

Franklin is also a great place to stop for a refreshment break, with local cafés like the Lamp Lighter Coffeehouse & Bistro featuring traditional Louisiana fare in a historic setting. From here, take a walking tour of the downtown Main Street district with its original commercial buildings from the early 1800s before continuing your journey northwards.

Jeanerette and New Iberia

Around 36 miles into your trip along Bayou Teche Scenic Byway, you’ll find yourself in the small community of Jeanerette, a major player in Louisiana's sugar industry. Stop at the “pretty in pink” Jeanerette Museum to learn more about its sugar mill and the impact of sugar production on the region. LeJeune's Bakery is a must-visit for its original 19th-century recipes, including delicious French bread and ginger cakes, all made using methods passed down through generations of bakers.

Twenty minutes north of New Iberia, the byway's largest city and cultural center, you’ll find the McIlhenny Company's Tabasco factory. Located on Avery Island, this factory offers tours to see how America’s most popular hot sauce is produced using a process unchanged since 1868. If time allows, the island's Jungle Gardens is a large botanical preserve with ancient live oaks and native wildlife that’s fun to explore.

New Iberia is also where you’ll find Shadows-on-the-Teche, one of the most significant antebellum homes in the United States. Built in 1834, this opulent mansion details the lives of the more than 200 enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantation, and boasts original furnishings and artifacts covering 150 years of history.

St. Martinville, the Heart of Acadian Louisiana

Known as "Petit Paris" during its 19th-century heyday, St. Martinville was the primary destination for French-speaking refugees from the Acadian deportation of 1755. The Evangeline Oak stands as this section of the byway's most famous landmark. Located on the banks of Bayou Teche, it was here, according to legend, that the romantic reunion of separated Acadian lovers took place.

The Acadian Memorial and Museum complex lists the names of some 3,000 Acadian refugees who arrived in Louisiana between 1765 and 1885, while a large mural depicts their arrival, making it a pilgrimage site for descendants seeking family ties. A related attraction is St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church. Established in 1765 as the "Mother Church of the Acadians," its cemetery contains the supposed grave of Evangeline, one of the reunited lovers the region reveres.

The Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site, with its plantation house and reproduction Acadian farmstead, also details this fascinating story, along with exhibits relating to Acadian and Louisiana culture.

Breaux Bridge to Arnaudville

The final leg of your Louisiana byway adventure passes through Breaux Bridge, the "Crawfish Capital of the World." Here, May’s Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is a week-long celebration of this vital ingredient of Cajun cuisine with cook-offs and crafts. Nearby Lake Martin is great for wildlife spotting, including alligators, wading birds, and other wetland species. Swamp tour operators in the area offer guided excursions into the Atchafalaya Basin, providing close encounters with Louisiana's largest wilderness area.

Your byway journey concludes in Arnaudville, a small farming community that exemplifies the cultural charm of the Teche region. Local dance halls and music venues here feature Cajun and zydeco music with performances by musicians whose families have maintained these musical traditions for generations. Pop into the iconic Tom’s Fiddle & Bow for a look at how these classic instruments are restored, as well as technique tips and inspiration.

The Final Word

Given the fact that it’s one of the longest and best scenic drives in Louisiana, you’ll want to allow at least two days to experience the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway properly. The route is well-marked with brown scenic byway signs, and attractions along the way are easy to find. Many accommodation options are located along the route too, from historic B&Bs to hotels and inns set in restored antebellum homes. However you choose to tackle it, this superb byway provides an authentic Deep South experience you won’t soon forget.