Itineraries

Opelousas. Start off your morning by stopping in at the Opelousas Tourist Information Center, located within Le Vieux Village just off of I-49 on Hwy. 190 at Exit 19B. Here you'll be given material listing the various points of interest, antique shops, restaurants, music venues, accommodations and a helpful map. Must see attractions for your day:

• Old train depot museum of the "Orphan Trains" located in Le Vieux Village (now open for tours) 
• The Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center on Main St. The Center is comprised of a Main Exhibit Room, The Civil War Room, The Geraldine Smith Welch Doll Collection, and The Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival Archives.
• Michel Prudhomme's home, one of the oldest structures in Louisiana - tours can be scheduled 
• The St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square, located in the heart of the Historic District, is filled with quaint cafes and wonderful gift shops.
• Crossroad Antiques is a 20,000 sq. ft. antique-lovers dream. Visit multiple vendors in one great location! Ample motor-bus parking available.
• Evangeline Downs Racino (race track & casino) with slots and a complete quarter horse and thoroughbred racing schedule.
• Zydeco - Yes, Opelousas is the ?Home of Zydeco Music and any weekend you will find great Zydeco, Cajun and Swamp Pop music at the many local dance halls.

In Opelousas you'll find several new and renovated hotels/motels (National franchises include Holiday Inn & Suites, Super 8, Days Inn and America's Best Value Inn), making Opelousas a good base to settle while spending time touring the rest of the interesting towns in the area. www.cityofopelousas.com

Eunice. Whether you travel the Zydeco -Cajun Prairie Scenic Byway or Hwy. 190 going west, you can reach Eunice, the Prairie Cajun Capital! Your drive will take you along fields of rice, soybeans, sweet potatoes or crawfish ponds, all adorned with prairie wildflowers, depending upon the season. Must see attractions for your day include:

• Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, a branch of the park located on Park Ave., features extensive exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of this region's Acadian population, known today as the Cajuns.
• The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center (open Tues. - Sat. and offers music sessions and native craft and cooking demonstrations) 
• Cajun Prairie Restoration Site, located on the corner of Magnolia & Martin Luther King Drive, efforts are being made to showcase the beautiful landscape of the prairie.
• The Eunice Depot Museum
• Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
• Liberty Theatre, every Saturday night the ?Rendez-Vous des Cajun Radio Show? takes place! This world-renowned live radio program features Cajun and Zydeco music and dancing.
• Historic Downtown, a three-block area including local landmarks, music and gift shops and local restaurants featuring traditional Cajun fare!

National hotel franchises include Best Western, Days Inn and Holiday Inn. Several well-managed local hotel/motels can also be found in Eunice. www.eunice-la.com

Washington. By traveling north from Opelousas on Hwy. 182 or Exit 25 off I-49, you can enjoy a day and night in the historic steamboat town of Washington. As you enter, you will notice that much of its 19th century architecture and character has been preserved, as more than 80% of the buildings are on the Historic Register.

• The Washington Museum and Tourist Center, located on the corner of Main Street (Hwy. 182) and Hwy. 103, houses fascinating displays and artifacts from Washington?s past. The Museum will also provide assistance in scheduling tours of some of the lovely antebellum homes and gardens, like Magnolia Ridge.
• And if antiques are your weakness, then you?ve come to the right place! The art deco school now houses over 100 antique dealers, plus a dozen or more shops can be found throughout the town.
• Worked up an appetite after all of that shopping? Perfect! Sitting along Bayou Courtableau, is one of the state?s most unique restaurants, found in a restored steamboat warehouse.

Then round out your visit with a peaceful night at one of the many beautiful Bed and Breakfasts found in Washington.
www.washington-la.org

Grand Coteau. Sunset. Just 8 minutes south of Opelousas along I-49 at Exit 11, you?ll make several delightful discoveries, in the small community of Grand Coteau.

• Academy of the Sacred Heart - Rich in religious history and historically significant architecture, The Academy was established in 1821 and is the site of a documented miracle that led to the canonization of St. John Berchmans. The moss draped oaks that surround the school; church and cemetery instill a sense of serenity and days of long ago.
• Stop in at the various shops springing up in restored cottages through out Grand Coteau and enjoy a relaxing meal at the local café or at an up and coming restaurant that features New Louisiana Cooking!

Continue your day in the country by traveling back to I-49. Going under the interstate heading west, you will arrive in the town of Sunset, where tours of various historic homes are available including a unique Bed & Breakfast that utilizes restored "train cars" and the beautiful plantation, Chretien Point. Follow Hwy. 93, The Real French Destination Scenic Byway, to reach the plantation where you can drive by and imagine a life filled with stories of pirates, ghosts and days of the Civil War. www.sunset.govoffice2.com

Port Barre. Several RV parks can be found in the area, including The Bayou Teche RV Park in Port Barre, LA. Located only 5 miles east of Opelousas on Hwy 190, here you can learn about the history of Bayou Teche and see where it begins! Don't forget to stop in at Bourque?s Supermarket & Deli to try their very own jalapeno, sausage & cheese bread!