Top 10 Things to Do in St. Martin Parish

Welcome to St. Martin Parish! It's a short drive from New Orleans or Baton Rouge, and here the beautiful historic towns of Breaux Bridge, Henderson, St. Martinville and more welcome visitors into their Cajun culture. Taste incredible Cajun dishes, discover the plentiful wildlife and outdoor activities found in the Atchafalaya Basin, listen to live music all night then get ready for brunch in the morning. 

1. Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is enormous, covering 14 Louisiana parishes and serving as home to countless species of plants and animals — particularly bird life. There are seemingly endless opportunities for biking, birding, kayaking and fishing. Start your Atchafalaya travels at the Atchafalaya Welcome Center on I-10 in Breaux Bridge.

2. Atchafalaya Basin Landing & Swamp Tours

This marina bills itself as the “gateway to the Atchafalaya wilderness,” referring to the massive maze of waterways that flow through much of south Louisiana. It’s a good description for one of the best-known spots for embarking on an airboat tour or renting a houseboat for an overnight excursion. Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tours is an awesome base camp for your swamp adventures, with expert guides to show you around this magical landscape. Learn more about swamp tours.

3. Zydeco Breakfast at Buck & Johnny’s

If you find yourself in downtown Breaux Bridge on any given Saturday morning, zydeco breakfast at Buck & Johnny’s is a must-do. The restaurant is known for its Italian cuisine, but its breakfast is pure Cajun, with menu items like Don't Mess with my Tasso — plus endless mimosas. Music is provided by such groups as Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners and Lil’ Pookie & the Zydeco Sensations. Whoever’s playing, you’re guaranteed to leave with a full belly and stories to share back home.

4. Cajun Dancing

To hear authentic Cajun music in the place it was born, La Poussiere should be on your short list. The dance hall was founded in 1955, and its very name tells a story: In the early days, folks would show up and dance through the night to Cajun bands, shaking dust (la poussiere in French) off the floor.

Adding to La Poussiere’s reputation is the long list of notable musicians who have graced its stage (among them, Cajun music icons Wayne Toups and Steve Riley), as well as numerous appearances in magazines and television documentaries. Whether you just want to take it all in over a drink or you're ready to tear up the dance floor, this venue is sure to deliver a good time.

5. Antiques Shopping in Breaux Bridge

Breaux Bridge, founded in 1829, is a city with deep history and local charm. You can pick up pieces of its history yourself when visiting Breaux Bridge’s antiques stores. Start your shopping adventure at Lagniappe Antique Mall.

6. Dining at Nash's

Nash's, located in Broussard, is the kind of place that locals have been coming to for decades. Served inside a historical home built in 1900, the cuisine blends the best Italian and Cajun traditions, like shrimp and eggplant Parmigiana. Enjoy pasta, seafood and fine wines at this legendary local establishment.

7. Louisiana Marketshops at the 115

For a glimpse into Acadiana’s artsy side, head to Louisiana Marketshops at the 115, located in Henderson. This is where you’ll find local crafts and one-of-a-kind items that make perfect gifts and souvenirs to take home from your travels. Recycled treasures, jewelry, paintings… the word “eclectic” was conceived to describe places like this.

8. Acadian Memorial

The Acadians (better known today as Cajuns) have a fascinating and harrowing backstory. It’s not all pretty, but it is certainly powerful. Approximately 3,000 men, women and children were expelled from their homes in French-speaking eastern Canada in the 1750s and 1760s, during a period called the Great Deportation or the Great Expulsion. These families settled in South Louisiana and not only survived, but thrived; Cajun culture’s survival over the past 250 years is testimony to their resilience.

At the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville, you’ll find artistic and historical displays detailing the lives of the Cajuns, right in the area in which they settled.

9. Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival

There are numerous crawfish festivals throughout Louisiana, and this is one is not only a local favorite, but one that brings in crawfish connoisseurs from far beyond St. Martin Parish’s borders. Just consider the scale of activities going on. More than 30 zydeco, Cajun and swamp pop bands play at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, and the food — oh, the food — is pure Louisiana goodness.

Dine on hearty étouffée, jambalaya, bisque and boudin, but save room for the festival’s namesake delicacy, which is guaranteed to send you home with a smile. Stick around for the crawfish races, the carnival midway, a crawfish étouffée cookoff and the crawfish-eating contest.

10. Bayou Teche Brewing

Talk to enough fans of Louisiana beer, and Bayou Teche Brewing will likely come up. It’s one of the most popular labels in the state, and it’s brewed in the small town of Arnaudville. Visit the brewery yourself and take a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour, where you’ll learn all about how Bayou Teche makes phenomenal beers like the seasonal sour Tart Side of the Teche and the citrusy Swamp Thing IPA.