This Affordable Louisiana Getaway Blends Waterfront Charm, Bayou Boardwalks, And Rich Cajun Heritage

Deep in the prairies and marshes of Louisiana's Cajun Country, Lockport is a small, hidden gem of a community in Lafourche Parish, offering an authentic taste of Cajun culture and bayou beauty. Cajun Country, or Acadiana, is renowned for its tapestry of architecture, cuisine, and music. You'll find it woven into everyday life in Lockport, the nearby under-the-radar scenic Louisiana foodie city of Thibodaux, and many other scenic towns throughout the region.

Located just 50 miles south of New Orleans, Lockport is easily accessible for locals and those flying in via US-90 East. Cajun Country gives itself away early when even the closest airport to Lockport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, is one of the five best airports in America for food. Greyhound does offer service from New Orleans to Raceland, Louisiana, roughly 8 miles away from Lockport, but with no public transportation options for the remainder. Rental cars are available at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Lockport's affordable restaurants, hotel accommodations, and quaint bed and breakfast stays mean you can enjoy local eats and take in all of Lockport's charm without the classic tourist city price tags. Stroll along the Lockport Elevated Wetlands Boardwalk through the wildlife-filled native swamps, or take in the area's maritime history and Cajun traditions at the Bayou Lafourche Folklife & Heritage Museum. Lockport can be an idyllic, family-friendly escape, a base for exploring all that Cajun Country has to offer, and a getaway packed with culture and natural beauty all in one.

Located on Bayou Lafourche, Lockport offers a scenic slice of bayou life, perfect for visitors looking to unwind and reconnect with nature. On the edge of town located just off Highway 308, the Lockport Elevated Boardwalk is the only elevated wetland boardwalk of its kind in the area. Admission to the boardwalk is completely free, during its open hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for visitors each day. The 440-foot boardwalk winds through Lockport's scenic swamps, offering an ideal setting for spotting the area's native plant and bird species, like Mottled Ducks, Green Herons, Barred Owl, and others. 

Back in the heart of Lockport, right off Bayou Lafourche, The Bayou Playhouse is a convergence of live performance and laid-back bayou scenery. Located in the original Lockport Locks district, named for its locks along the waterway that worked to move riverboats from the Mississippi River to Bayou Lafourche, the Bayou Playhouse gives visitors stunning bayou views from the outdoor deck between performances.

Lafourche Parish offers multiple boat launches in Lockport and its surrounding areas to explore the bayou up close. The Lockport boat launch is near the town's Bayouside Park on Canal Street. There are also nearby docks, launches, and boardwalks in Thibodaux, Raceland, Leeville, and other communities.  After a day on the bayou, Lockport and all of Lafourche Parish invite you to indulge in the rich flavors, traditions, and culture that define Cajun Country.

Lockport is steeped in Cajun culture, and it shows in its cuisine and community. In Lafourche Parish, the Cajun Bayou Food Trail highlights the events, festivals, and eateries in the area. Beginning at the Louisiana Cajun Bayou Visitor Center in Raceland, visitors can follow the trail map to 24 unique events, festivals, and restaurants. You can even download a passport to have verified at five stops on the trail in exchange for a free t-shirt.

Kajun Twist & Grill is a Lockport stop on the Cajun Bayou Food Trail known for authentic Cajun cuisine, like black-eyed pea jambalaya. Locally revered Chef Anthony Goldsmith, who comes from a lineage of legendary chefs, owns two Kajun Twist & Grill locations in Lockport and Galliano. Beyond the restaurants, Lockport's Cajun heritage comes alive during its festivals. 

La Fete Des Vieux Temps, or the "Festival of Old Times," is an October celebration of Cajun music, dancing, and, of course, cuisine, including a sauce piquante cookoff, and all with free admission. La Fete Du Monde is another Lockport food festival that takes place annually in April. It combines all the Cajun food, music, and dancing of La Fete Des Vieux Temps with games and carnival rides. So whether you're savoring boudin and jambalaya in a laidback city in the heart of Louisiana's scenic Bayou Country or exploring the history that shaped the little town of Lockport, this affordable Cajun destination offers a peek at bayou life.