8 Eclectic Small Towns In Louisiana

The lovable side of Louisiana is that each of its towns possesses the kind of “neat fact” we all love to show off to our friends. Whether you are stumbling into mysterious Cajun flavors, the origin of unique Creole music, or bizarre doll collections, each place has something wonderful to talk about, which captures curiosity by the handful. These are old areas, too— some date back to the early 1700s, which has left plenty of time for odd events and history to boil up. So dig in here, and you might end up discovering something remarkable.

Natchitoches

Wrapped around a river-shaped lake, Natchitoches’ creative side has been a guarantee since its beginning three hundred years ago in 1714. It is the oldest permanent European settlement from the original 1803 Louisiana Purchase, so the town has built up wonderful districts with French and Spanish influences within a 33-block area. The scenery is so iconic that the film Steel Magnolias could not resist filming there. Equally tempting are the Natchitoches meat pies whipped up at Cajun restaurants like Lasyone’s. Right within reach of the town are also notable stops like the Natchitoches Shooting Range, the Gator Country Alligator Park, and Northwestern Hills Golf Course for a more traditional evening. Hopefully, the gators leave you alone long enough to make par.

New Iberia

Globally, New Iberia is the first ‘Iberia’ to become peninsula-free. The name comes from Spanish settlers in 1779 who desired to feel a little closer to their far-away home. Yet the little town sells products that stretch even farther than Andalusian Spain; Tabasco originated here in 1868 within a salt dome on Avery Island, where the Mcllhenny Company is still headquartered, and the Mcllhenny family still operates it and allows self-guided tours. Older still, the 1831 Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation is around the corner and is worthwhile enough to be on the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It hosts a tour that features Louisiana colonial architecture and original furnishings, as well as exhibits honoring the enslaved persons who handled the dangerous affair of sugar processing. For a less weighty afternoon, there is a world championship Gumbo cookoff each October that still might add a few pounds to ya’.

Covington

Covington is a place of quality craftsmanship during the day, seen in its workshops and stone facades, and then leisure in the evening. Kayakers gather along the Bogue Falaya River, which I can assure you has no record of alligator attacks: better yet, the state of Louisiana only has no pattern of incidents throughout its recorded history. That assurance of safety has helped attract brilliant residents like Walker Percy, author of The Moviegoer, who lived comfortably in Convington until his passing in 1990. Other creatives continue to pour themselves into the works hosted at the St. Tammany Art Association, whose patterned deer sculptures and hanging enigmas fit the definition of eclectic to a ‘T.’ Finally, the main stretch of road along South Tyler Street features Japanese, Barbecue, Italian, Chinese, and ice cream back-to-back, so you can be certain that folks in Covington value their variety.

Opelousas

The name is tricky to say, but boy, it’s easy to stay. The region's richly-green appeal earned its first settlers in 1720, which makes Opelousas the third oldest city in Louisiana. Original tools and documents, as well as photos and oddities like gnomes and miniatures, are collected at the Opelousas Museum just off of North Main St. Those are not the only originals, either: the legendary music style of ‘Zydeco’ was born here by the talents of Creole-descended Black musicians, roughly around 1930. The creole influence runs deeper, and travelers can experience the full flavor from seasonings sold at The Country Store or Targil Seasoning & Butcher Supplies. Apparently, these secret blends “will make any dish you whip up taste amazing.”

Abbeville

Abbeville is close to the Gulf and right up the road from Vermilion Bay and Palmetto Island State Park, but it still retains a distinct personality. The town was originally built around the 1842 church of St. Mary Magdalen, then it was named by a Capuchin missionary a year later in reference to a commune in France, and finally, Abbeville was incorporated in 1850. The Magdalen Square is, to this day, a site for gathering and events like garden shows, farmers markets, and musical performances. Another peculiar gathering happens in November at Abbeville’s cultural center, and truly, the name “Giant Omelette Celebration” speaks for itself. Chefs cook a 5,000+ egg omelet over a small bonfire, and guests eat it— the anticipation is large enough that the official website hosts a countdown clock.

Morgan City

The current state of Morgan City is nothing short of an engineering marvel, considering it is crowded in by lakes, wetlands, and rivers on all sides— one might almost imagine it is sinking, but alas, these are a determined people. Residents thrive in this wetland environment, and that skill is evident in the angler community around Lake Palourde, where finfish and shellfish are prized. Originally, the town was famous for its oyster harvesting practices during the late 1800s, and today, there is a Shrimp and Petroleum Festival during each Labor Day weekend. Despite the limited space, a little over 11,000 people have managed to find a nook of their own on this island community. Although the circumstances are remarkable, the town’s collection of parks, buffet restaurants, and petting zoos help Morgan City citizens pass each day with routine joy.

DeRidder

Inland and in line with the pride of Lousiana culture, DeRidder is stuffed with family-owned shops and historical artifacts. The 1914 Gothic Jail is the first stop, and it wields an imposing, fortress-like series of gabled roofs and towering structures. The jail, both institutional and cathedral in nature, was financed by local timber barons, and today, it still holds original metal lattice bunks and, allegedly, hauntings. The timber industry of the early 1900s was large enough to supply the majority of the town’s prosperity, so the Beauregard Museum honors that legacy through its preservation of antiques and legends of the era. For more modern attractions, the Beauregard Parish Fair Grounds comes complete with a Ferris wheel, and the Lois Loftin Doll Museum hosts a wildly extensive collection of life-like dolls.

Plaquemine

Plaquemine is perfectly situated just southwest of the commercial center, Baton Rouge, and between the three wilderness areas of Cat Island, Atchafalaya, and Attakapas. On top of that, it is nestled right up against the Mississippi River. To see how much this waterway has influenced the town, check out a cooky life-sized model of a classic houseboat in the Iberville Museum. One glance is enough to imagine yourself drifting a hundred years ago, sitting on a wooden chair on a thin porch, on a bobbing wooden box home with windows and paddles to steer. Up the road, you can also find the Plaquemine Lock historical site; the lock was once lauded as an innovative method of moving heavy boats between different bodies of water at different elevations. Incredibly, the engineer who built it later played a major role in designing the world-significant Panama Canal, which operates on similar principles.

Even for those who already live in the Bayou State, visiting these towns is a beautiful way to widen your horizons. At the end of the day, though, a town is only as eclectic as its people. Centuries of oddball behavior set a foundation for traditions like shrimp festivals and 5000-egg creations. These historical figures, by their liberated behavior, indirectly encourage future citizens to do and try anything of their own will, too, which is seen in artworks at galleries like Covington's St. Tammany Art Association. So, to find inspiration of your own, or just something to marvel at, consider a trip to Louisiana to loosen up your ideas.