Day Trip Itinerary: New Iberia

Situated south of Lafayette and north of the rich Gulf waters of Vermilion Bay, New Iberia abounds with Cajun cuisine, mom-and-pop diners, swamps to explore and so much more. Iberia Parish, of which New Iberia is the most populous city, was one of the first regions to be settled by the Acadians — French-Canadian refugees who arrived in South Louisiana in the 1700s, better known today as Cajuns. Their rich cultural history, paired with unforgettable scenery and hospitality, makes New Iberia one of the most fascinating places to explore in Louisiana.

Here's a few options to spend your day.

Breakfast Options

Teche Café 

Loreauville’s breakfast and lunch spot, Teche Café, serves up traditional breakfast favorites, plus Cajun delicacies like beignets and étouffée and soul-food classics like barbecued chicken and potato salad. This spot opens its doors early, so it's a hot spot for the early birds.

LeJeune’s Bakery

The building that houses LeJeune’s Bakery was built in 1884 by Oscar LeJeune. This beloved family business has kept the traditions of the past alive and still bakes its bread and ginger cakes as the LeJeune ancestors did over 100 years ago! LeJeune’s Bakery is considered so significant that it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Church Alley Cafe & Bistro

Church Alley Cafe & Bistro is a charming dining spot tucked into the town's historic district. With exposed brick walls, elegant lighting and an ever-changing menu rooted in Cajun and Creole classics, it blends cozy ambiance with genuine local flavors. Pair a pecan praline frappe with loaded grits or a ham and Swiss croissant.

Morning Activities and Attractions

New Iberia National Register Historic District

Explore New Iberia's Main Street, a Great American Main Street Award winner. Take a walking tour of the historic buildings and take a stroll along the Bayou Teche Boardwalk. Pop into the local art galleries, boutiques, antiques shops and more for some retail therapy.

Jeanerette Museum

Step into the past at the Jeanerette Museum and learn about the last 200 years of the sugar-cane industry, the cypress lumber industry and the days of the steamboat. Kids will love the Swamp Room, which features more than 40 native specimens in a wildlife setting.

Conrad Rice Mill/KONRIKO Company Store

New Iberia’s Conrad Rice Mill is the oldest rice mill in America and is also one of the leading tourist attractions in the Bayou Teche area. At this National Register of Historic Places site, you can watch an introductory video about the history of rice farming in Louisiana, tour the mill itself and shop at the KONRIKO Company Store for truly local souvenirs.

Shadows-on-the-Teche

Set among live oaks draped with Spanish moss, Shadows-on-the-Teche was built in 1834 by sugar planter David Weeks. The National Trust for Historic Preservation site on the banks of the Bayou Teche opened to the public in 1961 and offers a rare glimpse into the life of a wealthy family through their home and artifacts.

Bayou Teche Museum

Discover Iberia Parish at the Bayou Teche Museum in beautiful downtown New Iberia, where interactive exhibits on everything from local industry to TABASCO® and food festivals welcome visitors. In the Sugar Gallery, watch the process of sugar planting and refining on film, then see an old sugar kettle and other antique farming tools used to process sugar.

Lunch Options

Duffy’s Diner

A 1950s-style dining experience in the heart of New Iberia, Duffy’s Diner serves up po-boys, sandwiches, hot dogs, seafood burgers and dinners, along with gumbos, salads and shakes in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Cafe Jefferson

Check out Cafe Jefferson at Rip Van Winkle Gardens. Nestled in a grove of ancient live oaks, the restaurant offers a breathtaking view of the gardens and Lake Peigneur. Try their famous crab meat au gratin and homemade desserts like the white chocolate bread pudding.

Bon Creole Lunch Counter

Bon Creole is a popular spot for mouthwatering seafood baskets, home-cooked plate lunches, boiled crawfish (available seasonally) and more. Stop by and try their award-winning overstuffed po-boys and gumbo while enjoying the cozy ambiance complete with rustic decor and antique tables.

Afternoon Activities and Attractions

Rip Van Winkle Gardens at Jefferson Island

Located on a coastal salt dome, Jefferson Island is flanked by 15 acres of semi-tropical Rip Van Winkle Gardens and Lake Peigneur. Visitors can start their experience by viewing a documentary on the 1980 collapse of the giant salt dome beneath the lake, then stroll through the exquisitely restored gardens before watching birds at Rip’s Rookery and touring the Joseph Jefferson Home. 

Cypremort Point State Park

Enjoy an afternoon on the water at Cypremort Point State Park, located on Vermilion Bay. A half-mile stretch of a man-made beach provides a delightful area for relaxing, picnicking and fun on the water. The 185-acre park is also a special attraction for nature enthusiasts. Located in the heart of a Louisiana marsh, the site contains an abundance of wildlife, from egrets and bald eagles to river otters, white-tailed deer and the occasional Louisiana black bear. 

Avery Island

The McIlhenny family introduced TABASCO® pepper sauce in 1868. Take a tour of the TABASCO® Factory and Museum to learn the history of this spicy hot sauce and stop by the Country Store for treats and souvenirs. Then explore the Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre botanical park and bird sanctuary with a hidden gem — a 900-year-old Buddha statue.

Dinner Options

Jane's Seafood & Chinese

Jane's Seafood & Chinese has been previously recognized by The Daily Iberian's Best of the Teche for their po'boys, boiled seafood and gumbo. This casual family-friendly environment not only offers the best boiled and fried seafood in town, but you'll also find a variety of Chinese dishes including their famous fried rice. 

Landry’s Cajun Seafood & Steakhouse

Landry’s Cajun Seafood & Steakhouse is located in a rustic home off Jefferson Island Road and features live Cajun music on Friday and Saturday night. The menu includes everything from crawfish bisque to crab meat au gratin and frog legs. 

Pelicans on the Bayou

Perched on Bayou Teche, Pelicans on the Bayou welcomes guests with irresistible Gulf Coast cuisine. Between its laid-back ambiance, expansive water vistas and a menu brimming with seafood favorites with Creole influences, it’s a place where both locals and travelers feast.

Discover additional trip ideas in New Iberia or attractions in the surrounding area.