Trail Blog

July 12, 2011

Friday: Houma and Morgan City

Three-day weekend along our Bayou Bounty Trail

Work up an appetite: If the hit History Channel show “Swamp People” has you digging bayou life, take this opportunity to become swamp wise with a swamp tour in Houma (http://www.houmatravel.com/). Learn more about Louisiana’s wetlands and encounter the diverse wildlife—including mighty gators.

Lunch: Now that you’re familiar with the local landscape, get to know the local cuisine of Houma at Abears Café (985.872.6306). This Cajun restaurant has been around for nearly 50 years, has great plate lunch specials, and is known for their catfish Abear. Save room for one of their homemade desserts. (If you really enjoy your lunch, hang around for dinner. They are only open for dinner on Fridays, but the menu also includes a side of live Cajun music.)

Work up an appetite: In Chauvin, south of Houma, find the Chauvin Sculpture Garden and Nicholls State University Art Studio (http://www.nicholls.edu/folkartcenter/park.html). The studio and garden are home to works by folk artist Kenny Hill, a reclusive bricklayer who lived there in the late 1980s. He created more than 100 concrete sculptures, many with religious references, on the property before he abandoned his art. After touring the garden, drive to Morgan City and spend some time shopping and sightseeing along Main Street (http://www.morgancitymainstreet.com).

Dinner: Sample the Cajun Coast cuisine of Café JoJo’s, on the river in downtown Morgan City (985.384.9291). The crab cakes come highly recommended!