📍 United States

DEEP LOUISIANA: JAZZ ROOTS TO CAJUN BAYOU WILDERNESS

Cypress roots piercing black bayou waters, accordion wails floating through humid night, Spanish moss draping plantation memory. Louisiana, bewitching.

≈ 11
Days
0
Km
9
Stops
📖 7 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Leave the French Quarter for New Orleans' Garden District, antebellum mansions and Southern Gothic atmosphere. Then sail Atchafalaya waters, cypress and bayou, then pass through Avery Island for the taste of Tabasco. End at Lafayette, where zydeco dances and Cajun culture beat strong. An intimate Louisiana, between swamp, spice and music.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

New Orleans

french quarter jazz bleeds into bourbon street

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8 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
French Quarter - emblematic historic district
2
Jackson Square
3
Saint Louis Cathedral - oldest active cathedral in the United States
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of Bourbon Street
→
Visit to the French Quarter welcome center
2
Day

New Orleans

french quarter jazz bleeds into bourbon street

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8 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Garden District - superb 19th century mansions
2
George Washington Cable House
3
Commander's Palace Restaurant
🎯

Activities

→
Streetcar ride on the St Charles line
3
Day

New Orleans

french quarter jazz bleeds into bourbon street

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8 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Audubon Park - magnificent park in the Uptown district
2
Golf course and sports facilities
3
Rookery with hundreds of wading birds
🎯

Activities

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Picnic in the park
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Bird watching at the Fly
4
Day

Bayou Sauvage

urban wilderness refuge guards orleans parish wetlands

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6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge - largest urban refuge in the United States
2
Giant wading bird rookery
3
Observing alligators, bald eagles and brown pelicans
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking trails in the refuge
5
Day

Jean Lafitte

pirate legend haunts national preserve swamp trails

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9 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park
2
Chalmette Battlefield - Battle of New Orleans of 1815
3
National cemetery
🎯

Activities

→
Nature exploration on the outskirts of the city
6
Day

Vacherie

oak alley's tunnel frames plantation grandeur

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10 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Oak Alley Plantation - national historic site
2
Spectacular century-old tree alley
3
Remarkable architecture and landscaping
🎯

Activities

→
Guided plantation tour
→
Photos under the three-hundred-year-old oaks
7
Day

Baton Rouge

capitol art deco tower surveys mississippi bends

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10 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Horace Wilkinson Bridge - highest cantilever bridge over the Mississippi
2
Mississippi River observation
🎯

Activities

→
Photos of the spectacular bridge
→
Walk along the Mississippi
8
Day

Lafayette

cajun heartland where zydeco accordion reigns

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3 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Boat tour in the Louisiana swamps
2
Observation of alligators, herons and egrets
3
Discovery of preserved bayou ecosystem
🎯

Activities

→
Guided boat tour in natural habitat
9
Day

Avery Island

tabasco peppers ripen above salt dome jungle

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4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Tabasco sauce factory - birthplace of the world-famous sauce
2
Welcome center and factory visit
3
Bird City Bird Sanctuary - 100,000 egrets in migration
4
Jungle Gardens with azaleas, camellias and bamboos
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Bird observation during nesting season
→
Garden exploration with alligators, deer and raccoons
10
Day

Atchafalaya

america's largest swamp hides cypress cathedral depths

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10 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Atchafalaya Basin - largest swamp in the United States
2
Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge
3
Observation of alligators, waterfowl and migratory birds
🎯

Activities

→
Exploration of unique wetland and delta ecosystem
11
Day

Chauvin

shrimp boats work terrebonne parish bayou waters

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8 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Chauvin Sculpture Garden - bizarre and wonderful works by Kenny Hill
2
Angels with wings and divine representations
3
Art center and small local museum

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

FROM NEW ORLEANS TO LAFAYETTE: IMMERSION IN THE HEART OF THE BAYOU

📅 11 days 🛣️ 1047.3 Km

LOUISIANA: NEW ORLEANS JAZZ TO CAJUN BAYOU CULTURE AND CUISINE

📅 8 days 🛣️ 552.7 Km

DEEP SOUTH DELTA — FROM NEW ORLEANS TO THE NATCHEZ TRACE

📅 6 days 🛣️ 450.9 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - United States

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather across most regions (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, moderate crowds, and excellent conditions for national parks and cities. Ideal for diverse activities nationwide.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures with spectacular fall foliage, harvest festivals, and comfortable weather. Perfect for outdoor activities, cultural events, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer (June-August): Peak season with warmest weather but highest crowds and prices. Excellent for northern regions, challenging in southwestern deserts, perfect for beaches and national parks.

Winter (December-February): Variable conditions from tropical Florida to snowy Colorado. Perfect for skiing, southern destinations, indoor attractions, lowest prices outside holiday periods.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United States?

Continental diversity with iconic landmarks, cultural melting pot, and endless possibilities. Experience natural wonders, vibrant cities, and authentic American dreams from coast to coast. The country offers incredible diversity with modern amenities and cultural richness. United States provides life-changing experiences with natural beauty and cultural authenticity.