5 Best Sunday Drives Around Lafayette

Nov 21, 2016

Of the many great things to do on a beautiful fall day in South Louisiana, taking the family for a Sunday drive has to rank near the top. We have unique scenery that is hard to match, and great hidden secrets waiting to be found with just a little exploration. But, while it’s the journey that’s important, it’s nice to have a destination in mind when setting out on a family excursion. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 best Sunday drives around Lafayette.

Bayou Teche Scenic Byway

As the name suggests, this byway follows Bayou Teche. You can teach your kids about vegetation and wild life as you follow the meandering path. Start by heading south on Highway 90. Then take a left on Highway 96 and head to St. Martinville, where you can stop off at the Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site or take in Lake Fausse Point State Park. From there, continue south on Highway 31 towards New Iberia. If you choose to follow the map in the link, you can take the byway all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico, or follow it to Morgan City. Either way, you’re sure to encounter a multitude of great sites along the drive.

Avery Island

Known worldwide for Tabasco Sauce, Avery Island is a must visit for every South Louisiana family. It takes about an hour to get there from Lafayette. You’ll take Highway 90 South to New Iberia. From there, turn left on Highway 14 and then right on Highway 329. Highway 329 will take you the rest of the way. Once there, you can tour their museum and factory, or visit the wildlife preserve at Jungle Gardens and Bird City. While some road trips call for packing a lunch, Avery Island offers Restaurant 1868, which is as rich in flavor as the sauce they make.

Candyland Cottage

Located in Rayne, Louisiana, Candyland Cottage is a sugar rush that is frozen in time. You get there via the interstate, but this is about Sunday drives, so we recommend taking Highway 90 westbound (Cameron St.) all the way to Rayne. Once at the end of Highway 90, turn right on Highway 35. Candyland Cottage will be on your left just before I-10. They have ice cream, homemade fudge, and a candy shop that features variety that you won’t find at most stores! One you’ve had your fill of candy, take a ride on their train or carousel. Rayne is also known as the frog capital of the world. If you have time, it’s worth your while to drive the streets of Rayne to look for the frog inspired murals on different businesses.

Abbeville

Just south of Lafayette is Abbeville, Louisiana. Take Highway 167 South to get there. Once there, you can tour Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum, the C.S. Steen Syrup Mill, or you can even stretch your legs with a Downtown Abbeville Walking Tour. Overall, you’ll take in a lot of nature, great architecture, and Cajun culture at every turn.

Cypress Island Preserve

This Sunday drive is a little off the beaten path, but isn’t that the point of a Sunday drive? Start on Louisiana Avenue and head east on Highway 94. Turn right on Highway 353, also known as Prairie Highway. This will take you all the way to Lake Martin and the Cypress Island Preserve. To call this trip a nature overload would be an understatement. The preserve is only open during daylight hours. There is also walking trail along the Lake Martin Levee or stroll along the boardwalk to take in the views of the lake and the wildlife. This trip is virtually guaranteed to spark a love of nature in your kids.

Of course, half the fun of a Sunday drive comes from the car you’re driving. If you’re in a Volkswagen, from the Golf all the way up to the Touareg, you will find a sporty ride that puts the safety and comfort of your family at the forefront. If you find that your current vehicle isn’t up to the challenge of hitting the back roads of South Louisiana over the weekend, please give us a call at Southwest Volkswagen and we can help you find a car more suited to your lifestyle and desire to explore.