Sponsored by the Ascension Parish Tourism Commission
The Sweet Spot of South Louisiana Along the River Road, a respite in Ascension Parish
B
etween the metropolitan cityscapes of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, sprawling stretches of sugarcane fields roll along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi for miles. Concrete jungle gives way to towering old oaks, cypress swampland, and winding back roads that lead to the heart of plantation country—Ascension Parish. Within the small towns and river communities that make up Louisiana’s Sweet Spot, a treasure trove of historic, cultural, and culinary gems await. Set off on a self-guided walking tour of Donaldsonville’s Historic District (the second largest in the state!), and see firsthand how five centuries of multiculturalism shaped the city into what it is today. Seven trail panels form a 2.5-mile path throughout downtown, tracing the area’s cultural influences through time. While perusing the past, you may even get a glimpse of the future—several local preservation projects are currently in the works as part of Donaldsonville’s Main Street revitalization program. Continue your historic tour at the River Road African American Museum, an institution that brings important stories to light through
powerful storytelling. The museum captures the rich legacy and perspective of the region’s rural Black communities, ensuring that the oft-overlooked contributions of both enslaved and free people of color are recognized for generations to come. Enriching exhibits commemorate the fortitude and achievements birthed by a generation of artists, educators, doctors, craftsmen, politicians, and musicians. Delve even further into remnants of the Riverboat Era at the newly opened Great River Road Museum. The 35,000-squarefoot space features period art, antiques, and artifacts exploring nineteenth century life on the Lower Mississippi in addition to housing Dixie Café, a casual dining spot where you’ll find large breakfast and lunch buffets. Plus, it all happens to be located within one of the parish’s most popular (and breathtaking) attractions—Houmas House, which you’ll find is most deserving of a day trip (or at the very least, a detour) to Darrow. A vision of Southern grandeur for more than two hundred and fifty years, the nineteenth century-era sugarcane estate certainly lives up to its title as “the crown jewel of River Road.”
The splendor of the historic manor is matched only by the stunning, lush landscape surrounding it. Sprawling thirty-eight acres, the Gardens of Houmas House represent a range of flourishing Louisiana flora. In addition to hosting guided tours, the grounds are also home to fine dining restaurants Latil’s Landing and The Carriage House, along with The Turtle Bar, The Wine Cellars at Houmas House, and a luxurious inn for overnight guests. For some sweet spot shopping, The Cajun Village is a must. Housed in a collection of restored Acadian dwellings, seven specialty boutiques offer a range of Louisiana-made goods and souvenirs, from handcrafted art and antiques to pottery and swamp candy. There’s even an on-site coffee shop and nearby B&B, so you have all the more reason to stick around, sip on a café au lait, and watch the daily feeding of the village’s two resident alligators, Big Boy and Nubby. Now that’s what we call camp living, Cajun style.
Just like sugarcane coaxes out the flavor in everything it’s added to, Louisiana’s Sweet Spot is sure to bring out the best in every guest.
visitlasweetspot.com
// S E P T 2 1
27
