It sounds great, but I’m most likely vacationing with the LW in November. We’ll see how the dates shake out.
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I know several of you considering this have just got back from the NC MeatUp and are wondering…..”Why is this moron putting out another MeatUp so soon!?” I was wondering too…
Hell, CaptainMike ain’t even home yet! As most of you know, planning something like this requires several months of lead time before the actual event. In order for us to get enough rooms blocked off, this is a must with hotels. With everyone staying at the same hotel, it makes for a smoother and less stressful MeatUp, not to mention more camaraderie! Here’s what helps with anyone considering attending this, after we’ve decided on a place to stay, in almost all cases, with 24-48 hours notice, you can cancel your room with no charge if the need arises. Once we’ve decided on a place to stay, all the details will be given concerning cancellations.
For anyone flying in for THE CAJUN COUNTRY MEATUP, Baton Rouge is the closest city to Lafayette with a decent sized airport, Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. From there it’s only about 55 miles to Lafayette, less than an hours drive. New Orleans is the next closest city to Lafayette with a major airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. It’s about 135 miles from Lafayette, a 2 hour and 15 minute drive. [1 1/2 hours if I’m your Uber driver] 🥸
Anyway, I’ll be posting more later with links to other possible activities and restaurants. Based on feedback I’ve gotten and having experienced a swamp tour myself, here’s my initial thoughts. I’d like to include a swamp tour for that Saturday afternoon when the most people can go, if they want. They offer several at different times throughout the day and they last for 1 1/2 hours. Price is $65. per person for an airboat tour, $39. for a traditional swamp boat tour. We could all meet for lunch somewhere ahead of time and then make a 2:00 tour, without being rushed after lunch. We’ll be right near the Atchafalaya River Basin bridge if anyone wants to experience that afterwards. Round trip would take about about 45 minutes or less.
Anywho, the good thing about these MeatUps is no one is pressured to do or go anywhere they’re not interested in. If a swamp tour doesn’t float your boat…🙄 there’s plenty of other places you might like going to! Enough for now, I’ll shut up.
EDIT: Lafayette does have a small regional airport….see my info. below.
Last edited by Panhead John; May 21, 2023, 07:08 AM.Comment
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Is the swamp tour with or without snakes in the boats? Watch those low hanging limbs! -
I failed to mention that Lafayette does have an airport….Lafayette Regional Airport. Here’s who services the airport and destination cities……
DESTINATIONS AND AIRLINES
Lafayette has three (3) passenger airlines servicing four (4) U.S. cities.
American flies to Dallas, Charlotte, and beyond.
Delta flies to Atlanta and beyond.
United flies to Houston and beyond.
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I think I would spring the big bucks and go for the airboat tour simply because I’ve never ridden one and it would probably be scary to Mrs. JLR, which would provide entertainment, uh, I mean great memories.Comment
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Great klflowers ! The airboats hold 10-12 people each, so if we have 20 people let’s say, they’ll put the others on another airboat and they’ll stay close to each other so we can all be near each other for the whole tour. -
I bet your mantle is lined with "Husband-of-the-Year" trophies!! -
I went to Mardi Gras with a bunch of college buddies a few years after we graduated. We did a swamp tour by boat and it was awesome! Would have been even better on an air boat. The guide threw out marshmallows for the alligators and they came really close to the boat which was crazy!!!
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We'd love to make it work. Watching this thread with interest.Comment
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Just throwing out a few possibilities for Friday activities. These were suggestions from The Visitors Bureau….
If we visit the Tabasco Plant and Factory on Avery Island, this place is right there and supposedly very beautiful. Rip Van Winkle Gardens……click on “explore” at the top of their website.
https://www.tabasco.com/visit-avery-.../tabasco-tour/ Tabasco info.
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MBMorgan klflowers One of my best buddies grew up, just up the road in Opelousas, La. I met him when he lived in Houston during the 90’s and we rode our Harleys together. After he moved back to Louisiana I’d trailer my bike to visit him in Lafayette and stay for the weekend. He took me to Prejean’s several times. I remember the first time I ate there, I was like….damn man, this %&$# is good!Last edited by Panhead John; May 16, 2023, 02:42 PM. -
MBMorgan I believe that with the comments you just made about Prejean’s….well, you’ve pretty much just committed yourself to attending. 🥸
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I'm paying close attention to this one! My married name was Prevost, met and married in Beaumont, Texas barely outside of Louisiana. Please don't hold on the 1st or 3rd weekend of October!Comment
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Here’s her recommendation for the best po-boys in the city….Old Tyme Grocery. Been around forever. It’s right up my alley, she described it as a funky hole in the wall place….👍 I will not leave Lafayette until I’ve had a kick-ass oyster po-boy! Website ain’t much but here it is.
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Sounds like fun John, if it’s later in October I may be able to make it.
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Good deal smokenoob Would love to finally meet you! I’m definitely gonna try and accommodate as many people as possible. Just so I can kind of keep track of the requests, are you saying the last 2 weekends of October might work? Or just the last one? -
Panhead John unfortunately I’m booked until the last weekend
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I'm clear for any weekend in October.Comment
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58limited Got an idea and wanted to see if you’d like to join me, or meet me there. Once I get the hotel list and we’ve narrowed the choices down to a couple of possibilities, I’d like to go there on a Saturday morning and do a “recon” visit and come back Sunday. Maybe visit a couple of hotels from the list to see them in person, check out a restaurant or two and bring back some Cajun meat/goodies from The Best Stop, or from somewhere else. Would you be interested? -
Panhead John Yes, I'm up for that (but not this weekend - got invited to a whole hog BBQ). -
Good deal. It’ll be a couple of weeks probably. Danielle told me she requested all the hotels to have their bids in by 6/1. I’ll keep you posted.
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Have not been here, but it has a wood fired grill in view of the dining room. Figured that might qualify as Dinner and and a show. Might be pricier than other places, however.
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I don't know Panhead John. I am curious about the smoked ham brood and the 38oz tomahawk pork chop. -
Panhead John , I’ll be happy to order from the menu for you. I understand the words ‘oven’, ‘daily’, ‘market’, etc.
Seriously, I wouldn’t turn that place down out-of-hand just because they don’t show prices on their very eclectic menu.
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Danielle is the lady I’ve been speaking and emailing with at The Visitors Center. Great lady and very responsive to all my questions! She sent me this list of restaurants and attractions if anyone feels like checking them out ahead of time. Most of them have no links, but feel free to Google them if something catches your eye.
John,
So great to connect with you via the phone. I would suggest trying to come during Festival Acdiens which is October 13-15,2023. It would be great to add to your adventure to Lafayette. The link to the festival is https://festivalsacadiens.com/
Some other fun things to do is Vermilionville, Acadian Village, Cajun Food Tours (super fun) , Tabasco Avery Island. This link gives you lots of ideas for day trips https://www.lafayettetravel.com/blog...ity-day-trips/ . If your going to Avery island you could easily add a few things out there in New Iberia like Shadows on the Teche and Rip Van Winkle Gardens. There is also a new pie place called Pie Bar which is part of the Cane River Pecan Company. If you’re wanting to do a Swamp Tour I’d say start the morning Saturday or Sunday at Buck and Johnny’s for Zydeco Brunch then do the swamp tour. The city website is https://www.lafayettetravel.com/ if you want to take a look. I’ll circle back with some leads for hotel rooms for you.
Lafayette has Some wonderful restaurants:- T-coons (great for breakfast or lunch)
- Old Tyme Grocery…..Best poboys in town
- Poorboys Riverside Inn ( my personal Favorite)
- Whiskey and Vine
- Vestel
- Luna
- Mercy Kitchen
- Hideaway on Lee
- Tchoups Midcity Smokehouse- ( cool place inside and outside seating very good)
- Prejeans – either location
- Marcellos
- Charlie G’s
- Pats Fisherman Wharf
Dessert places: ( great to just pickup some goodies and bring back to hotel)- Caroline Cookies
- Bonnie Vie macaroons.
- Pouparts ( French bakery)
Bars/ Brewery:- Adopted Dog brewery ( new with cool outdoor space)
- Bayou Teche Brewing Co
- Wildcat Brothers at Gator Cove ( Rum distillery )
- The Wurst Biergarten ( downtown with cool outdoor space)
- Rock n Bowl- has live music every weekend
Last edited by Panhead John; May 17, 2023, 01:54 PM.Comment
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Oooh….I just checked out the website to Danielle’s personal favorite restaurant, Poorboys Riverside Inn. Check out these gumbo pics! If there’s 2 things I’m not leaving Lafayette without eating, it’s gumbo and an oyster po-boy! Go to their website and look at their food pics, wow!
Seafood Gumbo
Chicken and andouille sausage gumbo…..
Last edited by Panhead John; May 17, 2023, 02:27 PM.Comment
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CaptainMike If that's fake food I'm not leaving this Matrix... -
Draznnl We would like nothing more than for you and your wife to attend! I can assure you, it’ll be worthwhile my friend!
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