We got some pretty positive responses from my post last month about possibly doing a Louisiana MeatUp. I was considering either Lafayette or New Orleans for the host city, but I think we’ve reached a decision on what would be best for anyone going. From speaking with a couple of Pit members, and personal experience, I definitely feel Lafayette would be the best choice. It would not only be a little closer for most of us, but also less expensive. Having visited Lafayette many times in the past, there’s a ton of great restaurants, beautiful scenery and a lot of cool places to visit and things to do! It’s also easier to get around than New Orleans would be. Lafayette it is! 
DATES: Any weekend in October is fine with me, I can make it anytime. I’m going to promote this as a Thur-Sun event, but of course anyone can stay longer or for a shorter time than that. If anyone that wants to go has a particular weekend that works best for you, please let me know! We’ll try and schedule it for the weekend that works best for the most amount of people.
ACCOMMODATIONS: I’ve already spoken with the Lafayette Visitors Center today and requested a list of hotels that would meet our requirements. It first of all has to have an outdoor seating area with tables and chairs that can accommodate 15-25 people. This would be our meeting space for coffee in the morning or cocktails in the evening. It will also have an indoor seating area, much like The Hampton we just stayed at for the NC MeatUp. These hotels will be giving us a discount off the normal rate by booking a certain number of nights with them, this we should easily reach, I feel. I asked that our rates from any hotel bidding for our business to be between $100.-$150. per night max. Someone recently made a comment about bringing their dog with them on the next MeatUp so I also requested that these hotels be PET FRIENDLY. As is the norm, there is usually an additional charge for pets. I hope to have the list of hotels that meet our requirements in the next week or two. Thanks WayneT for the excellent idea of letting the Visitors Center do all the leg work for us!
RESTAURANTS: The visitors center has already sent me a list of their best Cajun Restaurants they recommend. I told her we don’t want any “tourist traps” and wanted places that are popular with the locals….Small Mom and Pop joints were fine with us too! Sometimes they’re the best anyway. Remember, this is a NO BBQ WEEKEND! Cajun food only! 🤓
ACTIVITIES: Having been on a swamp tour myself, this is definitely a fun, entertaining and interesting thing to do! I spoke with a Swamp Tour Operator today called Airboat Swamp Tours. I’ve never been on an airboat before and would love to do this. They’re located about 20 minutes outside Lafayette near the Atchafalaya River Basin Bridge. This is the I-10 bridge that stretches 18 miles across the basin. [you might remember my pictures I posted recently] This is also something people could do if they wanted, travel across the bridge and back….Folks, it’s definitely a treat to remember!
Another possible thing to do is tour the McIllenny Tabasco Sauce farm and factory. It’s located just 30 minutes south of Lafayette on Avery Island. There are self guided tours where you can see the whole process of how Tabasco Sauce is made, from the peppers they grow on the island to the final bottling process. There’s also a museum and Tabasco Store that sells all kinds of Tabasco related goodies. This is supposedly a must see thing, according to the locals. On Avery Island there is also a beautiful place called Jungle Gardens that you can drive through. I’ll post links to all the activities to give you more info.
There’s also many small Mom and Pop Cajun meat markets/grocery stores in the area, selling almost any kind of Cajun products….meats, seasonings, sausage, boudin…even alligator! You can bring your coolers and stock up for the drive home.
This isn’t all the activities available in Lafayette by any means, I just highlighted a few. If anyone is considering this, trust me, Louisiana is a beautiful state with friendly people and some of the best cuisine there is…..you won’t be disappointed!
I’m tired of typing right now, but I’ll post pictures and links to these places soon….🥸
DATES: Any weekend in October is fine with me, I can make it anytime. I’m going to promote this as a Thur-Sun event, but of course anyone can stay longer or for a shorter time than that. If anyone that wants to go has a particular weekend that works best for you, please let me know! We’ll try and schedule it for the weekend that works best for the most amount of people.
ACCOMMODATIONS: I’ve already spoken with the Lafayette Visitors Center today and requested a list of hotels that would meet our requirements. It first of all has to have an outdoor seating area with tables and chairs that can accommodate 15-25 people. This would be our meeting space for coffee in the morning or cocktails in the evening. It will also have an indoor seating area, much like The Hampton we just stayed at for the NC MeatUp. These hotels will be giving us a discount off the normal rate by booking a certain number of nights with them, this we should easily reach, I feel. I asked that our rates from any hotel bidding for our business to be between $100.-$150. per night max. Someone recently made a comment about bringing their dog with them on the next MeatUp so I also requested that these hotels be PET FRIENDLY. As is the norm, there is usually an additional charge for pets. I hope to have the list of hotels that meet our requirements in the next week or two. Thanks WayneT for the excellent idea of letting the Visitors Center do all the leg work for us!
RESTAURANTS: The visitors center has already sent me a list of their best Cajun Restaurants they recommend. I told her we don’t want any “tourist traps” and wanted places that are popular with the locals….Small Mom and Pop joints were fine with us too! Sometimes they’re the best anyway. Remember, this is a NO BBQ WEEKEND! Cajun food only! 🤓
ACTIVITIES: Having been on a swamp tour myself, this is definitely a fun, entertaining and interesting thing to do! I spoke with a Swamp Tour Operator today called Airboat Swamp Tours. I’ve never been on an airboat before and would love to do this. They’re located about 20 minutes outside Lafayette near the Atchafalaya River Basin Bridge. This is the I-10 bridge that stretches 18 miles across the basin. [you might remember my pictures I posted recently] This is also something people could do if they wanted, travel across the bridge and back….Folks, it’s definitely a treat to remember!
Another possible thing to do is tour the McIllenny Tabasco Sauce farm and factory. It’s located just 30 minutes south of Lafayette on Avery Island. There are self guided tours where you can see the whole process of how Tabasco Sauce is made, from the peppers they grow on the island to the final bottling process. There’s also a museum and Tabasco Store that sells all kinds of Tabasco related goodies. This is supposedly a must see thing, according to the locals. On Avery Island there is also a beautiful place called Jungle Gardens that you can drive through. I’ll post links to all the activities to give you more info.
There’s also many small Mom and Pop Cajun meat markets/grocery stores in the area, selling almost any kind of Cajun products….meats, seasonings, sausage, boudin…even alligator! You can bring your coolers and stock up for the drive home.
This isn’t all the activities available in Lafayette by any means, I just highlighted a few. If anyone is considering this, trust me, Louisiana is a beautiful state with friendly people and some of the best cuisine there is…..you won’t be disappointed!
I’m tired of typing right now, but I’ll post pictures and links to these places soon….🥸
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