New Iberia, LA

1. Take a tour of Shadows on the Teche

Shadows on the Teche is a historic house and garden in New Iberia’s Main Street District, on the banks of Bayou Teche, among magnificent live oaks covered with Spanish moss. Spread over 3,750 square feet, the Shadows was built in 1834 for sugar planter David Weeks and his wife.

The two-and-a-half-story, sixteen room house tells the story of life of the four generations that lived in it. The Shadows was built in a Classic Revival-style with a Louisiana Colonial floor plan. It was furnished with Federal-style and Empire-style furniture the owners brought from the East Coast. Shadows on the Teche is owned and managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The house is the National Historic Landmark.

317 E Main St, New Iberia, LA 70560, Phone: 337-369-6446

2. Learn about local history at the Bayou Teche Museum

The Bayou Teche Museum is located on the Louisiana, New Iberia’s Main Street. It tells the story of one of the country’s most colorful, fascinating and historically important areas. Interactive exhibits showcase the lively blend of cultures, industries, artists and lore inspired by the land surrounding the winding curves of this lovely South Louisiana bayou. There are several permanent exhibitions. Civil War exhibit talks about the Civil War in the Teche region. George Rodrigue Studio was moved from Carmel, California and includes the painting he was working on and the paint-splattered floor.

131 E Main St, New Iberia, LA 70560, Phone: 337-606-5977

3. Have dinner at Jane's Seafood

Jane's Seafood is a contemporary, spacious, unpretentious eatery serving fresh seafood and classic Chinese dishes.

Established in 1991 by a family of Vietnamese immigrant fishermen, the restaurant is very popular for its eclectic mix of food - Jane’s offers everything from boiled seafood and Chinese food to Cajun specialties. The restaurant is described as “Southern Cajun food with an Asian flair.” The space is large, with high ceiling and industrial touches such as exposed pipes. It is full of light and in spite of its size has pleasant, family atmosphere. Jane’s specialties include boiled seafood – crawfish, crabs and shrimp, snow crab and Dungeness crab as well as Fried Special Seafood Platter. There is an oyster bar serving raw and charbroiled oysters. On one side of the dining room is a full-service bar. Jane’s menu also includes authentic Chinese dishes such as Fried Rice, eggrolls, Lo Mein, Sweet & Sour and more.

1201 Jane St, New Iberia, LA 70563, Phone: 337-365-5412

4. Enjoy the gazebo overlooking the pond at Landry's

Landry's Seafood & Steakhouse was established in 1969. The small, cheerful wood-paneled dining room with red and white checkered tablecloths is located in a lovely, rustic Acadian- style home with a gazebo overlooking the pond.

There are also a few private banquet rooms on weekend days and weeknights for any occasion. Landry’s is very popular with locals for its traditional Cajun dishes and large, juicy steaks. But, the real crowds come on Friday and Saturday night when they offer large buffet, live music and dancing. The buffet is also offered for lunch on weekdays. A la carte menu is huge and includes just about anything Cajun you might wish.

3704 Jefferson Island Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560, Phone: 337-369-3772

5. Take the kids to Caribbean Ice Co

Caribbean Ice Co was established by a couple of artists who wanted to provide something for their neighbors to cool off with.

They started with shaved ice in 70 flavors, snowballs, homemade ice cream, and small concession food stand in front of their little red building on the outskirts of town. As the winter came and people did not need cooling off, they added food. Today, they have an extensive menu that includes a bit of everything: hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, snowballs, shakes and ice cream. They have a couple of picnic tables outside where their guests can enjoy their cones or food under the shade of a colorful umbrella.

2905 Loreauville Rd, New Iberia, LA 70563, Phone: 337-367-0094

6. See The Bunk Johnson Collection

The Bunk Johnson Collection can be found within the main branch of the Iberia Parish Library and is perfect for jazz fans and enthusiasts.

The collection is dedicated to the remarkable career and achievements of Bunk Johnson, a New Iberian jazz musician who is recognized and celebrated for being, in addition to an exemplary musician, the teacher and mentor of iconic jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong. Open to visitors by appointment from Monday to Friday, the Bunk Johnson Collection features exhibits about Johnson’s life, musical career, and even features a listening room that resembles a nightclub from which visitors can listen to his music and discover other sub-genres of jazz. The collection also regularly shows a silent film with footage from Bunk Johnson’s career, as well as other documentaries and interviews via video cassettes. For those who wish to pay their respects, Bunk Johnson’s grave is also a short walk from the library at the St. Edwards Cemetery.

445 E Main Street, New Iberia, Louisiana 70650, Phone: 337-364-7024

7. Go bird watching at the Jungle Gardens

Escape the business of day-to-day life at the Jungle Gardens, a tranquil and lush oasis perfect for bird-watching enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Founded by Ned McIlhenny in 1936, the Jungle Gardens is known for its many unique features and its overall success as a sanctuary for wildlife. For example, the Jungle Gardens have long been a refuge to wildlife like alligators, raccoons, and deer that roam the gardens’ marshes and hills. Additionally, the Jungle Gardens is also home to a rookery that has been in existence since 1890.

For decades, Jungle Gardens has welcomed snowy white egrets and other water birds to what is often called Avery Island’s flying cage. However, the focal point of the Jungle Gardens is undeniably the 900-year-old Buddha Statue that was gifted to Mr. Ned in 1936. This charming statue rests in a majestic shrine within the heart of a thriving garden and is a favorite feature of loyal patrons.

Highway 329, Avery Island, Louisiana 70513, Phone: 337-369-6243

8. Book a cottage at Rip Van Winkle Gardens and spend a night

Set off on a weekend getaway to the beautiful Rip Van Winkle Gardens, your gateway to a lush paradise filled with interesting historical sites and a semi-tropical garden paradise in New Iberia. Guests can make a 2-day trip out of their visit to the Rip Van Winkle Gardens thanks to Acadian cottages for rent along Lake Peigneur. The accommodations offer luxuries like a hand-crafted king-size bed, complimentary bottles of wine, and an unbeatable view of the lakefront, among other things. At the gardens, guests can also enjoy a guided tour of actor Joseph Jefferson’s hunting lodge and painting studio. An architectural treasure in its own right, the house, which was built in 1870, is home to many of the actor’s paintings which pay homage to the South after the Civil War. Other unique sites to visit at the Rap Van Winkle Gardens include the garden’s bell and tea house, and an authentic hand-carved Balinese Gateway that was brought to the gardens in 2008.

5505 Rip Van Winkle Road, New Iberia, Louisiana 70560, Phone: 337-359-8525