- Where can visitors experience Cajun culture in Louisiana?
- The draw of Cajun culture in the state of Louisiana can be found everywhere in Thibodaux and the surrounding Lafourche Parish.
- What makes Thibodaux a unique destination?
- Just a bit southwest of New Orleans, this "Cajun Country" is a place where adventure, music, nature, history, and delicious food can be found in abundance.
- What attractions can visitors explore in Thibodaux?
- Visitors will find history sites like the E.D. White Historic Site, college town activities through Nicholls State University, and fun-filled learning for kids at the Bayou Children's Museum.
- Where can visitors enjoy Cajun and Creole cuisine in Thibodaux?
- For authentic Cajun and Creole fare, visitors can dine at places such as Spahr's Seafood Downtown and Fremin's Restaurant.
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1. Bayou Children's Museum
The culture of Louisiana comes to life in Thibodaux at the Bayou Children's Museum. The hands-on museum offers an ideal design of recreational learning for kids with a lasting impact on their development. Play is an instrumental way for children to find out about things around them and is crucial to creativity, discovery, and scientific exploration. The exhibits at the Bayou Children's Museum correspond to the Grade Level Expectation and encourage more hands-on activities in education. The museum also includes the Bayou Boutique, a colorful and fun space offering toys and unique gifts for people of all ages.
211 Rue Betancourt, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 985-446-2200
2. Nicholls State University
Located in the town of Thibodaux, Louisiana, the Nicholls State University is a regional university home to a diverse student population of both nontraditional and traditional students, named after Francis T. Nicholls who served on the Louisiana Supreme Court and as governor of Louisiana. Originally opened to the community and students in 1948, the university is the only one that has served the state’s Bayou Region. Spanning across more than 280 acres, Nicholls State University benefits from its rich culture and prime location along the Bayou Lafourche by offering programs in environmental science, maritime management, geomatics, culinary arts, and more.
906 E 1st St, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 877-642-4655
3. E. D. White Historic Site
The E. D. White Historic Site is situated in Thibodaux among sugarcane fields and centuries-old oak trees on the Bayou Lafourche. This plantation home in the Bayou is one of the most historic properties in the state of Louisiana. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the site was once the home of two of the state’s foremost political figures: Edward Douglas White and his son Edward Douglass White. The first was the governor of Louisiana from 1835 until 1839, while the latter was appointed in 1894 to the U. S. Supreme Court and was the Chief Justice from 1910 through 1921.
2295 LA-1, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 985-447-0915
4. St. Joseph Co-Cathedral
The St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in the town of Thibodaux is a Catholic cathedral and is the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux’s seat, along with Houma’s Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales.The oldest parish of this diocese, the rectory and church building of the St. Joseph Co-Cathedral were added to the country’s National Register of Historic Places as a part of the Thibodaux Multiple Resource Area. Mass takes place at the cathedral on weekdays at 6:30am and 5:30am, Saturdays at 6:30am with a vigil at 4:00pm, and Sundays at 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am, and 6:00pm.
721 Canal Blvd, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 985-446-1387
5. St. John's Historic Cemetery
Another historical site of Thibodaux, Louisiana on the National Registry of Historic Places, the St. John's Historic Cemetery was established back in the year 1843. The cemetery features many uniquely constructed monuments and tombs that represent past cultural traditions and craftsmanship. The St. John's Historic Cemetery has also been called a sculpture garden due to its beautiful granite carvings and sculptures that lead the grounds to give a feeling of a work of art instead of just a cemetery. Several prominent founders of the town, the Lafourche Parish, and the Bayou region, along with Louisiana statesman, are buried here.
718 Jackson St, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 985-447-2910
6. Chef John Folse Culinary Institute
Known worldwide as "Louisiana's Culinary Ambassador to the World,” the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute dedicates itself to preserving the rich culinary heritage of the state of Louisiana. Located on the Nicholls State University campus, the kitchen of the culinary institute is both a home-away-from-home and a classroom on campus for the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute’s students. Situated within the heart of the Bayou Region, the culinary institute welcomes aspiring chefs who have an insatiable want to work in the restaurant industry and have an adventurous palate. It also operates Bistro Ruth, a student-run restaurant that lets students perfect their skills.
175 Bowie Rd, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 985-493-2700
7. Fremin's Restaurant
Inspired by the parents of the Fremin brothers, Myrtle and Lester Fremin, Fremin's Restaurant celebrates the rich Italian and Creole flavors of the area. Open Tuesday to Saturday and situated in downtown Thibodaux, the restaurant harmoniously combines Italian cooking and Creole style, from its flavored butters and fresh baked bread to a variety of signature pastas, steaks, seafood, and salads. Offering a fine dining experience and a relaxed atmosphere within a historic 1800s building, Fremin’s Restaurant serves authentic food that represents local heritage and influences, with one of the eatery’s most popular dishes being the chargrilled oysters.
402 W 3rd St, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 985-449-0333
8. Spahr's Seafood Downtown Thibodaux
Spahr's Seafood Downtown Thibodaux is part of three different Spahr’s locations within Lafourche Parish, originally founded in the Des Allemands fishing community in 1968. Each of the Spahr’s Seafood restaurants offers wild-caught, fresh Louisiana seafood served using authentic Creole and Cajun recipes. Spahr's Seafood Downtown is especially well known for its three signature dishes consisting of the famous seafood gumbo, the made-from-scratch Bloody Mary, and The Original catfish chips. The restaurant aims to surpass all expectations of guests with its authentic Cajun dining experience. Spahr's Downtown is open all day, seven days a week.
601 W 4th St, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 985-448-0487
9. Bourgeois Meat Market
The Bourgeois Meat Market is an old-fashioned Cajun market that specializes in fresh meat, along with beef jerky, turkey cheese, hogshead cheese, boudin, and several other Cajun food products. Open Monday to Friday from 7:00am until 5:00pm and on Saturday from 7:00am until 1:00pm, the market is known best for its one-of-a-kind Cajun beef jerky that has created numerous near-addicted fans over the years. In fact, the Bourgeois Meat Market sells around one thousand pounds of its beef jerky every week. The unique beef jerky is one of the main reasons both locals and tourists visit the market.
543 W Main St, Thibodaux, LA 70301, Phone: 985-447-7128
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