Houma

At a Glance

• Known For: “Capital of Deep Bayou Country,” Cajun culture, fishing, crawfish
• Top Things to Do: Explore the Terrebonne Folklife Cultural Center, walk through Southdown Plantation & Museum, take a swamp tour at Greenwood Gator Farms and Tours, enjoy crawfish at the Shack of Houma
• Major Events: Mardi Gras, Louisiana Blackberry Festival, Bayou Arts Festival, Rougarou Fest

Top Things to Do in Houma

Enjoy Cajun hospitality and learn about this unique melange of French, Spanish, African and Native American cultures. Terrebonne Folklife Cultural Center preserves Cajun culture through detailed exhibits and dance, cooking and duck-decoy-carving classes. The Regional Military Museum highlights U.S. military history in South Louisiana, with exhibits of uniforms, artifacts and retired aircraft from the Civil War to World War II. At Southdown Plantation & Museum, explore what life on a sugar plantation was like from the perspective of plantation owners, managers, workers and enslaved people.

Want to explore the great outdoors? Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 4,000 acres of freshwater marsh, swamp and man-made canals, attracting thousands of migratory birds from around the country — perfect for adding rare species to your field journal. And for families with young children, Greenwood Gator Farms and Tours offers facility and swamp tours, where you can learn about the history of alligator farming and the art of alligator hunting.

Places to Stay

For a conveniently located stay with all the necessary amenities, choose the Courtyard by Marriott Houma, Hampton Inn Houma or the Holiday Inn Houma. For a cozier, more intimate experience, book a room at a bed-and-breakfast like Grand Bayou Noir or Bouverans Bed & Breakfast.

Food & Drink

When in Houma, eat crawfish! The Shack of Houma offers rotating daily lunch specials, often including in-season seafood such as boiled crawfish, fried flounder and charbroiled oysters. Big Al’s Seafood Restaurant specializes in Cajun flavors, friendly service and massive platters of crawfish, crab and other shellfish. At Boudreau & Thibodeau’s, order delicious down-home dishes, from slow-pot Cajun specialties to boiled seafood.

Events & Festivals in Houma

Mardi Gras in Houma is a sight to behold, with close to a dozen krewes parading from sunrise to sundown, plus Mardi Gras-themed activities for the kiddos and celebrations throughout Carnival.

In May, the Louisiana Blackberry Festival celebrates the state’s sweetest fruit with berry-themed food and drink, craft vendors, kids' activities and live music. This event is a fantastic way to have fun while also helping out a local children's organization.

In fall, head to the Bayou Arts Festival for free, family-friendly fun, and support local artists and community art projects. At Rougarou Fest, learn about the Cajun legend of a werewolf-like creature, featuring a walk-through folklife village, a haunted house and even a howling contest.

Travel Tips & Resources

It's easy to navigate Houma. Catch a flight to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), rent a car or take a rideshare to Houma, approximately 45 miles away. Houma is also a short drive from Mobile, Alabama (3 hours), Jackson, Mississippi (4 hours), and Houston, Texas (5 hours).