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Head to Avery Island for TABASCO® hot sauce history, gorgeous gardens and natural wonders.
At a Glance
- Known For: Salt dome, birthplace of TABASCO® brand pepper sauce, Jungle Gardens
- Top Things to Do: Tour the TABASCO® Brand Factory and Museum, walk through Jungle Gardens, dine at TABASCO® Restaurant 1868
- Major Events: In nearby New Iberia, Mardi Gras, Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, Delcambre Shrimp Festival, Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival, World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off
Top Things to Do on Avery Island
The birthplace of TABASCO® brand pepper sauce, Avery Island has been owned for more than 180 years by the interrelated Marsh, Avery and McIlhenny families, plantation owners and community leaders. The island first formed as a salt dome, a unique geological phenomenon in which ancient salt beds push upward through the rock, revealing intricate layers that often contain fossils and artifacts from past residents.
A visit to the TABASCO® Brand Factory and Museum should be at the top of your list. The self-guided tour takes you from the museum to the pepper greenhouse, barrel warehouse, blending room, salt mine and bottling line — a full seed-to-sauce experience. The tour is $15.50 for adults, $12.50 for children over 4 and $13.95 for seniors and veterans. Visit the TABASCO® website for holiday closures and contact information.
Just half a mile up the road is Jungle Gardens, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous nature preserve also founded by the McIlhenny Family. Stroll the gardens and discover a 900-year-old Buddha statue, or visit Bird City, home to thousands of protected snowy white egrets and other wildlife. And don’t leave without a selfie with Monsurat, the largest alligator ever seen on the island.
Places to Stay
For the comfort and convenience of a name-brand hotel, book a room at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Iberia-Avery Island or Hampton Inn & Suites New Iberia-Avery Island. Or choose a cozy stay, such as the cottages at Rip Van Winkle Gardens or the suites at the Louisiana Cajun Mansion in nearby New Iberia.
Food & Drink
While you’re at the TABASCO® Brand Factory and Museum, grab lunch at TABASCO® Restaurant 1868, a casual Cajun spot serving Louisiana favorites with a signature spicy twist. Start with boudin egg rolls or TABASCO® chili, then dive into crawfish étouffée, spicy fried seafood or piled-high po’boys. Just 15 minutes away, Landry’s Seafood & Steakhouse in New Iberia is a favorite for its seafood buffet, comfort food (think fried shrimp, corn bisque, catfish on the bone) and weekly live music.
Events & Festivals on Avery Island
While Avery Island doesn’t usually host large-scale annual events, the neighboring city of New Iberia offers plenty of festivals to enjoy, from Mardi Gras to Halloween.
Every spring, the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival celebrates local literature with a book fair, reader’s theater, live music and author talks. Previous special guests have included Lisa Wingate, author of “Before We Were Yours,” and Natalie Baszile, author of “Queen Sugar.” In summer, head to the Delcambre Shrimp Festival for pageants, live music and a shrimp-eating contest. And in fall, the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival features parades, contests, shows, a fais do-do (or Cajun dance party) and a street fair.
Travel Tips & Resources
It's easy to navigate Avery Island. Catch a flight to Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT), rent a car or take a rideshare to Avery Island, approximately 27 miles away. Avery Island is also a short drive from New Orleans (3 hours), Houston, Texas (4 hours), and Pensacola, Florida (5 hours).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do on Avery Island?
Some of the best things to do on Avery Island, Louisiana, include touring the TABASCO® Brand Factory and Museum, where visitors can experience the full seed-to-sauce process from pepper plants to bottling. Nature lovers can stroll through Jungle Gardens, a scenic preserve known for Bird City’s protected egrets, a centuries-old Buddha statue and local wildlife. While on the island, enjoy Cajun-inspired dishes with a spicy twist at TABASCO® Restaurant 1868, and explore nearby New Iberia for seasonal festivals like Mardi Gras and the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival.
What is Avery Island known for?
Avery Island is best known as the birthplace and home of TABASCO® brand pepper sauce, where visitors can tour the TABASCO® Brand Factory and Museum. The island is also known for Jungle Gardens, Bird City’s wildfowl refuge, its unique salt dome geology and one of the largest groves of giant timber bamboo outside China.
What is the best time of year to visit Avery Island?
While there really isn’t a bad time of year to visit Avery Island, we’d say the best time is spring and fall, perfect for outdoor activities. Summers can be hot and humid, while winters are generally mild and less crowded.
What is the weather like on Avery Island?
Avery Island typically enjoys hot, humid summers and short, cold winters. Expect average highs of 91° F in July, with lows dipping to 41° F in January. Pack layers for winter, and sunscreen and a hat for summer.
Where can I get more travel information about Avery Island?
For official travel information about Avery Island, Louisiana, visit Iberia Parish Tourism, the city’s official destination marketing organization. The site provides visitor guides, maps, transportation details, hotel and lodging information, event calendars and planning resources to help travelers make the most of their visit. Travelers can also find statewide trip ideas, itineraries and regional guides on ExploreLouisiana.com, Louisiana’s official tourism website.