Travel South Magazine Travel South low (kasey daleo's conflicted copy 20 | Page 54

One staple to the area’s unique cui-
sine is the smoked pork and rice del-
icacy known as boudin. While the
ingredients are basic, the variations
of how to cook boudin are endless,
which is why you need to take a trip
down the Boudin Trail. Stretching
across the metro area, there are a
dozen restaurants cooking boudin
every which way you can imagine,
and some you can’t.
Outdoor
Lafayette also happens to be situ-
ated on the Mississippi Flyway
and the Atchafalaya Loop of
America’s Wetland Birding
Trail. Nature watchers and pho-
tographers have access to
some of the best birding sites in
North America, including Spanish
Lake. At last count, birders have
spotted 240 species in its expansive
shoreline and bottomland hardwood
forest.
If paddling is your passion Lafayette
is the perfect starting point to explore
their rivers, swamps and bayous. The
newest addition to Lafayette’s paddle
trail is the creation of a three-day
overnight paddle trip called the Ver-
milion Voyage that takes you down
the Vermilion River just before the
Gulf of Mexico.
“THERE’S NO OTHER PLACE WHERE YOU CAN EXPERIENCE
MULTIPLE TYPES OF FRESH AND SALTWATER FISHING ALL
WITHIN A SHORT DRIVE OF LAFAYETTE.”
At just over 50 miles, this paddle
adventure takes you through two
parishes and multiple cities along
the way.
There’s no other place where you
can experience multiple types of
fresh and saltwater fishing all within
a short drive of Lafayette. Cast your
line from the shore of some of the
most peaceful fishing spots along
the banks of Lake Martin or the
Atchafalaya Basin. Paddle or launch
your boat near the Gulf of Mexico
to discover the abundant species
of fish, crabs, and shrimp that can
all be caught and cooked in a day.
Whether your passion is for their
rich cultural history, the bustling
culinary scene, or distinctive blend
of Cajun and Zydeco music, you
can be sure you will leave beaming
from ear to ear.