My Fall Bucket List in Louisiana
Now that the weather is (supposedly) cooling down a little bit, I'm always on the look out for some fall adventures here in my home state. Let's be honest, we have pretty good temperatures for outdoor adventures for most of the year, but there's just something about the lower humidity that makes us Louisianians a little frisky!
Anyway, you can do some of these at other times of the year, but why not explore some of the cool and unique things that make us, us, this fall. Have fun, y'all!
- Attend a Gumbo or Chili Cook Off. The World Championship Gumbo Cook Off in New Iberia is a good start!
- Buy seafood right off the boat - there really is nothing fresher than grabbing your ice chest, heading to the docks in Delcambre, and buying seafood right off the boat. Delcambre Direct Seafood has a Facebook page that updates when the boats are arriving, and what they have to sell. You can also check out the Delcambre Seafood and Farmers Market once a month on Saturdays during the fall.
- Participate in a Second Line Parade - these are inspired by the famous jazz funerals in New Orleans, and usually include a brass band, people decked out in the finery of whatever it is you are celebrating, and lots of dancing in the street. It's kind of like a block party for a funeral, or memorial. You can also get a permit for a wedding second line in the French Quarter. These are not hard to find, and might be the most 'Louisiana' thing on this list!
- Go on one of Louisiana's many Culinary Trails - each region of our beautiful state has a type of cuisine they are famous for. They are all delicious, and they are all different. Try heading out on a day trip for some fresh seafood, smoked meats, or boudin and cracklins. You won't be disappointed. And since these are self guided tours, you might find exploring the Louisiana back roads a big bonus for your adventure.
- Cheer on the home team - Geaux Saints, Ragin' Cajuns, and Tigers! Football is king on our weekends in the Bayou State!
- Travel the River Road - Louisiana has a long history of preserving architectural buildings, and the antebellum homes and historic sites along the Mississippi River are no exception. These centuries old buildings are also the frequent sites of movie and tv series being filmed here. Oak Alley, Laura, San Francisco, and Destrehan Plantations are some of my favorites. You can visit them for a tour, or maybe even go to one of the events they have on the grounds during the fall. Several of them also hold annual arts and crafts festivals on the beautiful and lush grounds, and they are really, really fun.
- Visit the grave of Marie LaVeau - Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau is buried in St Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans. Her final resting place is a destination for lovers of the occult, and regular people, who leave gifts, and 'X' marks on her mausoleum in hopes that she will grant their wishes. I've never been, but it is an really creepy place that is a major destination for tourists and locals alike all year long.
- Attend one of our many fall festivals - Louisiana has over 400 festivals each year, and some of the best happen when the temps drop a little bit
- Pick Your Own Farms - we have a fantastic selection of places around the state to pick your own fruits and vegetables during the fall. I love to go apple picking, and if I can find a place, pumpkin picking as well. This is a really great way to introduce your kids to the 'farm to table' concept.