Thibodaux Main Street

Thibodaux just might be more famous than it thinks, for this charmer in upper Lafourche Parish is called out in two songs that made Billboard’s Top Ten: Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya” and Jerry Reed’s “Amos Moses.” Both unabashedly pay homage to the Cajun culture of the town, where like so many other Louisiana communities, the Acadians arrived in the 1700s and left their stamp. Their journey and adaptation to bayou life can be discovered at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center.

There’s an old-country feel to the city, with both fern-laden ornate balconies and rustic diners. A Seafood Napoleon dinner at Fremin's rivals any big city cuisine, but a lunch of gumbo and crab cakes at Spahr's Seafood is as Cajun as it gets. Cinclare hits that sweet spot of everyone’s favorites with a revolving fresh menu for both food and cocktails.

Great local shopping can be found at The Bead Hive, Sugar Boutique or Break The Trend; or if the outdoors is more your thing, then paddle or kayak down beautiful Bayou Lafourche for a different perspective of the city.  

A great way to feel the Thibodaux culture is to get to town for a festival, like the Big Boys Main Street Cookoff, Cajun Linen Night or — for the kids — Storywalk, where a story reveals itself in store windows as you follow the walking map of downtown.