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Cajun Country: New Orleans to Lafayette: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 5-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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5
days
220 km
distance
8.3 h
driving
32
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 Baton Rouge & Plantation Country
- Transit
- 2h21
- Finish
- ~17:20
- Temperature
- 13.8°C–25.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~16
- Daylight
- 12.7h
10:45
11:50
13:30
Explore this 19th-century castle-turned-museum with rich historical exhibits.
50 min · Baton Rouge & Plantation Country
open: Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM
14:30
Marvel at the impressive Art Deco skyscraper that dominates the city skyline.
50 min · Baton Rouge & Plantation Country
15:30
Tour the elegant official residence of the governor of Louisiana.
50 min · Baton Rouge & Plantation Country
16:30
Overnight here
e.g. DoubleTree Baton Rouge · Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
Day 4 Around Baton Rouge & Plantation Country
- Transit
- 2h05
- Finish
- ~17:35
- Temperature
- 13.8°C–25.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~16
- Daylight
- 12.7h
09:00
11:15
12:15
Take in rotating art exhibitions and performances in the city's newest cultural hub.
90 min · Baton Rouge & Plantation Country
13:55
15:20
16:45
Capitol Park Museum louisianastatemuseum.org map ↗
Discover Louisiana culture with exhibits like Armstrong's bugle and a Civil War submarine.
50 min · Baton Rouge & Plantation Country
Overnight here
e.g. DoubleTree Baton Rouge · Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
Day 5 Lafayette & the Atchafalaya
- Transit
- 2h17
- Finish
- ~17:15
- Temperature
- 15.7°C–25.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~16
- Daylight
- 12.7h
10:20
Explore a sprawling campus with a hidden swamp and alligators near the Student Union.
50 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya
11:20
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
12:20
Admire this grand cathedral, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette.
50 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya
13:20
Experience Cajun life through costumed interpreters and traditional craft demonstrations.
50 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya · $8 adults
open: Tu-Su 10AM-4PM
14:20
15:45
Sky Zone skyzone.com map ↗
Bounce and flip in a lively indoor trampoline park filled with energy.
90 min · Lafayette & the Atchafalaya
🔍 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.