The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, or Atchafalaya Swamp bridge, Louisiana French "L'Atchafalaya"…read more is a 18.2-mile bridge, one of the few roads from Grosse Tete, Louisiana, to Henderson, Louisiana An 18.2 mile bridge that crosses the largest swamp in the US, or if you rather, the largest wetlands in the US. A "Swamp" is a forested wetland. It's an enchanting sight for sure. Nothing like it in the world. It has its own beauty like none other. Home to the Alligator & Nutria. Nutria is a swamp "rat" that is trapped for its luxurious fur. Fur more luxurious than a mink. Cooks up better than a chicken & you can train them as pets. haha. The Atchafalaya swamp is best known for its iconic cypress-tupelo swamp trees, roughly 260,000 breathtaking acres, the largest remaining contiguous tract of coastal cypress trees in the United States. Mostly destroyed by the loggin industry in the 1800's. From 1830 to 1953, the community of "Bayou Chene" the native Chitimacha tribe, lived & thrived there logging, hunting, trapping & fishing the shallow waters. There were a few Chitimacha villages or "towns" there, the "Village of Bones" or "Namu Katsi" the "Cottonwood Village" known as "Kushuh Namu" in the Chitimacha language. That's all gone. Completely gone. Like it wasn't even there. Vanished into the silty shallows. You can research it, it's an interesting read if you enjoy Native American History. Long story short, after years of flooding, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers screwing it up, turning it into a permanent flood zone, with disaster after disaster of rising waters, the community left with the closing of the United States Post Office at Bayou Chene in 1952. Most of the residents of Bayou Chene relocated to the nearby basin towns like New Iberia, St. Martinville & Breaux Bridge, like my grandfather. Today, absolutely nothing remains of the native American "swamp community." The government loves to destroy, "order thru chaos" next it will be "fill in the blank" community. It's history & memories buried underneath the murky waters of the Atchafalaya Basin. It's only visible reminder of what once was, is ugly cut down ancient cypress tree stumps from the loggers that will never grow back. Not for centuries, if ever. Long time ago, my Grandfather had a fishing cabin here, his father b4 him. We all have many great childhood stories & memories staying with my grandfather in Breaux Bridge. With my father away at war, mother visiting her parents, my grandparents, I was born here, in Louisiana, even thou we lived in Pensacola at that time. All that I have left, all that remains of it now, is this photo I have of my mother & her cousin, my Uncle playing outside there on the Atchafalaya Basin. You can see the iconic trees in the background. My mother sure does look adorable in her cowboy boots. A real beauty like none other just like the Atchafalaya basin. My heart aches for a people erased, a one of a kind ancient forest lost. But my memories of her, and our time together there, will forever remain. Highest recommendations.

I do love a good bridge! And even better is when they seem to be stable and not so scary you feel…read moreyou will fall from. This has a peaceful view that is relaxing. It is a long bridge over a bayou/swamp area, I guess the Atchafalaya Basin. I can imagine boaters going along fishing, swamp creatures doing their thing, wild boars doing whatever they do. Being fairly straight, at some times the sides narrow in, at least there is a breakdown lane for the most part. I can also imagine a hunting or fishing shack being somewhere in the middle and a family having owned it since the beginning of time. I really like this bridge.

The Atchafalaya River is a supporting cast member for the Mighty Mississippi River and only gets…read morehonorable mention when the great floods from the north threaten people and property along Old Man River. The Morganza Floodway, which leads to the Atchafalaya Basin and the Atchafalaya River in south-central Louisiana is opened to divert water from the Mississippi River during major flood events this is accomplished by flooding the Atchafalaya Basin, including the Atchafalaya River and the Atchafalaya Swamp. The spillway and adjacent levees also help prevent the Mississippi from changing its present course and threaten NOLA, but the Cajuns that make the Atchafalaya Basin home rarely get mentioned no matter how these events affect their lives and livelihoods. Bridges are a powerful symbol--a metaphor for "crossing over." And our lives are all about making different crossings - as we try to peer to the other side of the bridge, we wonder...What is waiting for us on the other side? In this case it's Krotz Springs that sits quietly along US Highway 190, famous for its artesian spring water that was accidentally discovered while drilling for oil. These Atchafalaya Bridges are dual cantilever bridges built in 1973 and 1988 to replace the original 1933 truss bridge. The muddy water that flows to the Gulf of Mexico are filled with rich sediments and are home to an array of wildlife and fish species that provide a living for those that call this beautiful swamp land home. No there isn't anything that makes these structures unique and they look like hundreds of other we've all crossed over, but to the people that rely on these bridges everyday to live their everyday lives they mean everything so that makes them pretty special...

I love this bridge! I have started taking back roads to get to Baton Rouge from Lafayette which is…read morehow I happened upon this bridge recently. Side note-as someone who strictly took interstates to get around, I highly recommend taking back roads when you can. The scenery is much lovelier and the drive/traffic is way less stressful. Try it! Once I saw this bridge approaching I knew I was in for a treat. It's fairly new and the bridge is smooth, smooth, smooth. Normally that would lead me to start going fast because I love to drive fast, but this time I went the limit and took in the view. That's probably a good thing since after reading the reviews I've learned cops like to hang around at the bottom. Do yourself a favor and take the back roads slow and easy and enjoy this beautiful bridge. Bonus-Billy's Boudin just opened a new location in Krotz Springs right before or after you cross this bridge, depending which direction you're going.

The tallest capitol building in the United States is well worth a visit. The lobby is gorgeous and…read moreyou can take the elevator up to an outdoor viewing area with 360 degree views of the city. There is a small gift shop up there, too. You can also peek into both the state legislature rooms which are amazingly detailed and decorated. Don't forget to find the back hallway on the ground level where Huey Long was shot. There are still many, many bullet holes in the walls from that incident, believe it or not. It's free to visit and well worth checking out.

This state capitol feels like a monument to both old and new. Sprouting out amongst the nearby…read morebuildings as a concrete obelisk, you probably wouldn't think much of the Louisiana State Capitol. Its greens are a bit underwhelming but as you get closer to the building you do get a sense of its historic significance. Once you're in and past security you're greeted with an art deco style interior that feels old and outdated but in a bit of a charming way. Going on a Friday before a long weekend meant the place was a ghost town but that was nice as we felt we had the whole place to ourselves to explore. There wasn't much going on when we went but they do have an amazing observation deck that allows for beautiful views of the Baton Rouge area (for free!). You do have to take two elevators to reach the top but it's well worth it. Keeping with the theme both elevators are small and old fashioned which kind of adds to the charm. There's also a gift shop at the top where we bought some magnets from for a reasonable price. This was a fun pit stop we hit along the way to New Orleans which is how we would view this place as a whole. There's nothing here that would make you go out of your way for it, especially with how difficult parking can be around there (we walked 10 minutes from our spot). However, if you're on your way to NOLA or are very interested in Louisiana's state history, then this place would definitely be for you.

Like I said in my review of the state capitol, I was born here, my grandparents lived here. My…read moregrandfather worked downtown. We spent a lot of time as kids downtown Baton Rouge AKA "Red Stick" its french. OuiOui. My brother & I leaned to roller skate in the Capitol park here when we were kids. It's an amazing place indeed. French Louisiana *is* the state with the most spectacular history, food & ART. No one can deny its relentless beauty and uniqueness. Especially "Downtown Baton Rouge" right on the Mighty Mississippi River. Home of the LSU Tigers baby meow! Laissez les bons temps rouler. OuiOui. Highest Recommendations.

We had a great visit. Family, Fun, & Great food…read more "Southern hospitality", is a real thing!

I came recently because I was in the area. Their most recent rotating exhibit was about Creole Folk…read moreTales and artwork. The rest of the museum was still very interesting and well worth a visit. Reasonable admission price, friendly employees. They also hold events that are open to the public and sound very interesting.

Not only is the West Baton Rouge Museum worth visiting, but the events that they put on here make…read moreit easy to want to support this museum. The exhibits are surprisingly well curated and showcase Port Allen's history, and the assemblage of buildings capture a lot of the area's local intrigue. There's a lot of good history in this area and this museum is worth stopping at.

We enjoyed visiting the old buildings and reading the history of each. They had a live musician…read moreplaying cajun music and he was very pleasant and entertaining. The place is nicely kept.

We adored our time at the Acadian Village. However, we visited at night during their Noel Acadien…read moreAu Village Christmas event, not during regular hours when they offer their history tour. I fondly remember visiting as a child and having the wonderful opportunity to learn how the early Acadian settlers homesteaded in their quaint Acadian cottages. Everything from making soap with lard, to spinning linen from cotton. They even used indigo flowers to make blue dye. Our visit for Christmas, although absent of a history tour, included a beautiful stroll through an illuminated Acadian Village. There was a beautiful manger set up, as well as the village chapel decorated with thousands of lights. Definitely worth a very inexpensive entry fee to meander through the village and experience some holiday cheer. They also had an amusement park decorated in lights, but we didn't get a chance to check out any rides, as the lines were pretty long for most of them, and we arrived late. Our visit definitely put me in the holiday spirit though! I plan to come back after the holidays for a history tour. It's such a nice place rich in history and culture.

Visited Laura Plantation on February 28, 2026 and had a really great experience overall…read more Our tour guide, Christine, was fantastic. She was not only very informative but also incredibly kind and personable. She had a way of explaining the history that made the tour feel engaging rather than just a typical scripted presentation. By the end, it almost felt like you were being shown around by a friend rather than just a guide. The tour itself is about 2-3 hours long and involves a fair amount of walking, so I definitely recommend wearing comfortable shoes. One tip: if you're planning to visit and don't have your own vehicle, make sure to purchase the ticket option that includes transportation. It will make things much easier. Also keep in mind that there aren't many food options nearby. Unless you're planning to walk quite a distance, it's a good idea to eat beforehand or plan your meal for after the tour. There's also a small museum on the property that's worth checking out. It's close by and provides additional background and stories that help give more context to the plantation's history. Overall, this was a very informative and meaningful tour, and I would definitely recommend it if you're visiting the area.

I visited Laura Plantation back in June 2017 and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The architecture of…read morethe buildings and the grounds are lovely. But if you're a history buff, it provides a lot of detail, from the Civil War to the creole plantation owners, and the lives of the enslaved. I found it to be very informative. The plantation is about 1-hour west of New Orleans (good for a day-trip), but it's in the middle of nowhere.

Arrived after tour time, but was offered a personal tour instead of waiting for next tour time…read more Friendly staff. Great tour

We really enjoyed this tour. It was incredibly educational…read more The guides were very informative and personable. The education timely!

I think of the three or so plantation tours I've done in New Orleans, this has been my favorite…read more The grounds, while very comprehensive and complete, are not the fanciest (a la Southern Oaks Plantation). However, the tour itself is the very very best. I had a local native, Renee, as my tour guide, and she is an 18-year veteran at giving the tours. Since it's just her, they only offer Mon-Sat 11:30 and 2pm tours. (She gets a little half hour lunch break in there.) + Experienced local guide + Tour includes Creole era (1700s French/German), Antebellum era (Louisiana purchase/slaves/America), post-war through Great Depression, after the Great Depression (restoration of house and grounds) + Comprehensive grounds with the original slave quarters, kitchen, garconnieres, pidgeon houses, 1900s boxwood gardens, Creole interior, and Greek Revival exterior + Owner cares for main house and is an avid period furniture collector + Senior discounts - Cash only - Limited tours (11:30am, 2pm, no Sundays) Renee is half Creole and half American. To me, it was always hard to understand what is a Creole vs. a Cajun or American. She does a great job of explaining it all: the relevant time periods, the change in ownership, the architectural and garden additions, the functions and placements of the various buildings, and even the difference in slave treatment during the Creole vs Antebellum periods. You can take pictures everywhere except the interior of the house, as it is still in use by the owner. As a history buff and a little bit of a school nerd, this was by far my favorite plantation tour in the Vacherie region.

Very educational visit. The premises is stunning. The house itself is so beautiful. 2 reasons why…read morewe stopped by 1.) It was in the movie Django and Antebellum. 2.) It is on the way to Oak Alley plantation from New Orleans. This place too had an alley that had lined Oak trees. Tickets must be reserved online. It is great to know that your ticket prices goes to restoring the place and for maintenance on the property. Definitely a must go. Highly recommend to others.

Long time ago before I moved to New York City from Louisiana, when my grandmother was still alive,…read moreour grandfather had this little "crawfish shack" (fishing cabin) near Breaux Bridge. I miss them so much. They were the best grandparents ever. My nanny was always cooking & needing fresh seafood, a fabulous Chef & my pawpaw always gave us $5 bucks & let us go fishing at his crawfish shack in Breaux Bridge. It wasn't unusual to have a crawfish shack or a fishing shack back in those days, everyone had one. In Louisiana, everyone learns to fish, go crabbin & has a favorite crawfish hole. They don't call Louisiana "sportsman paradise" for nothing lol Everyone goes fishing. Those were the days, my friend, those were the days. Anyhoo, moi, my brother & his BF would always go over to Breaux Bridge to pawpaw's crawfish shack "fishing" lol mostly we were drinking grandpaws beer or helping ourselves to a bottle of grandmas Montrachet, always gettin into all kinds of trouble, but we spent a great deal of time there, such an enchanted place full of natural beauty, aquatic ecological wonderment & of course, fantastic crawfish. Till this day I love fresh seafood, that's where my love of fresh seafood began, right here in Breaux Bridge. Breaux Bridge is not just a bridge it's also a cool little town. Just a tiny place, less than 7 square miles & has less than 8 thousand people living there. It has a tiny downtown, but a enormously interesting torrid history. A great read & I highly suggest researching its history if you are interested in Louisiana history & how Breaux Bridge, became the legendary Crawfish capital of the world. The quick background story about Breaux Bridge; in 1765 a man named Firmin Breaux arrived & built the first "foot bridge" for his family for easy crossing, then later on in 1817, Firmin's son Agricole built the first vehicular bridge. Breaux Bridge is also where the crawfish festival is located/held each year. If you haven't been to The Crawfish festival you don't know what your missing. By 1959, the Louisiana legislature officially designated Breaux Bridge as "la capitale mondiale des écrevisses" AKA "The Crawfish capital of the world." Another great thing about Breaux Bridge, "la capitale mondiale des écrevisses" is that they have amazing French food, duh! Less than 7 square miles, less than 8 thousand people & you can find the BEST Cajun food on the planet here. There are several Cajun restaurants near Breaux Bridge that will knock your freakin socks off. I always find a reason to visit. Mostly bc I am hungry! Lol I feel so blessed to have experienced this place, I got to grow up in two fantastic American cities, New Orleans & New York City, loved every second livin in the big Apple. Loved living over seas, loved living in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma etc., However, still to this day, nothing, anywhere, can compare to "la capitale mondiale des écrevisses" There is no place like home. "Miss you so much Nanny & pawpaw." Highly recommend.

Best city in Louisiana. Please come on down. If you watch news, I recommend KLFY 10 (Cox Channel…read more11).