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Cajun Country: New Orleans to Lafayette: 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 3-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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3
days
220 km
distance
5.0 h
driving
20
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.7 hours of daylight in April — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Crawfish season peaks, festival calendars stack — Jazz Fest, Festival International — and the swamps green up before the summer steam.
Day 1 New Orleans
- Transit
- 0h39
- Finish
- ~15:55
- Temperature
- 17.7°C–24.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~18
- Daylight
- 12.7h
09:00
Explore a sprawling campus dotted with historic buildings and green spaces.
50 min · New Orleans
10:05
Enjoy smaller shows and Pelicans games in this lively arena beside the Superdome.
50 min · New Orleans
11:05
Home to major events, this iconic stadium dominates the skyline.
50 min · New Orleans
12:05
13:05
Admire the grand architecture and the towering statue of the Virgin Mary in the courtyard.
50 min · New Orleans · Free
open: The cathedral is open for self-guided tours daily from the end of morning mass until 4PM; see website for mass times
14:05
14:55
Remoulade remoulade.com map ↗
Savor the tangy remoulade and classic shrimp remoulade in a relaxed setting.
60 min · New Orleans
open: daily 11:30AM-midnight
Overnight here
e.g. The Roosevelt · Creole Gardens Bed and Breakfast Inn
Day 2 Around New Orleans
- Transit
- 0h57
- Finish
- ~16:10
- Temperature
- 17.7°C–24.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~18
- Daylight
- 12.7h
09:00
Explore the historic colonial city hall turned museum, rich with Louisiana's past.
50 min · New Orleans · $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under
open: Tu-Su 9AM-4PM (last ticket sales 3:30pm)
10:00
11:00
Discover exhibits on Mardi Gras and the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
50 min · New Orleans · $7 adults, $6 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under
open: Tu-Su 9AM-4PM
12:00
Visit the former home of a renowned 19th-century local architect.
50 min · New Orleans · $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/children 8-18/AAA members, free for children under 8. Joint admission with the Hermann-Grima House $18 adults, $15 …
open: M F 10AM-2PM, Sa noon-3PM
13:05
14:20
15:10
Acme Oyster House acmeoyster.com map ↗
Savor fresh oysters and Southern delights, though expect a line for the feast.
60 min · New Orleans
open: Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM
Overnight here
e.g. The Roosevelt · Creole Gardens Bed and Breakfast Inn
Day 3 Lafayette & the Atchafalaya
- Transit
- 3h22
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 15.7°C–25.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~16
- Daylight
- 12.7h
11:55
Explore a sprawling campus with a hidden swamp and alligators near the Student Union.
50 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya
12:55
Discover a diverse collection of American, European, and Asian art spanning centuries.
50 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya · $4/adult, $3/senior, $2/student
open: Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM
13:55
Admire this grand cathedral, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette.
50 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya
14:55
Experience Cajun life through costumed interpreters and traditional craft demonstrations.
50 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya · $8 adults
open: Tu-Su 10AM-4PM
15:55
16:45
Relish classic ice cream, dishes, and refreshing soda fountain treats.
60 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya
open: Noon - 8PM
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.