Louisiana defies description. A melting pot of Indigenous, French, Spanish, African, and Acadian cultures, it has produced a culture of food, music and celebration that is entirely its own. And while New Orleans should rightly be on the bucket list of any traveller, the soul of Louisiana stretches far beyond the French Quarter, into the bayous, backroads, and small towns where the real story of the state is still being told. In this episode of Wanderlust: Off the Page, we head deep into Louisiana, from the plantation homes along the River Road and the living history museum in Lafayette to the swamp tours of the North Shore, the Cajun food scene of Acadiana and the music halls that have shaped American culture from zydeco to jazz. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to take the road less travelled into one of America’s most fascinating states. Joining host Aaron Millar is Jacqui Agate, Wanderlust's North America editor and a long-time Louisiana aficionado, who has explored the state from the North Shore to the Gulf Coast. And Jay Steiner, a Cajun food tour guide and historical interpreter at Vermilionville, a living history museum in Lafayette that brings the Acadian, Creole and Indigenous cultures of 18th and 19th century South Louisiana to life. As Jay puts it in the local French: Allons manger, allons boire, allons danser. Let's eat, let's drink, let's dance. Highlights include: The Louisiana beyond New Orleans Lafayette, the heart of Acadiana, is two and a half hours west of New Orleans and a world apart: a city defined by Cajun and Zydeco music, food traditions that trace back generations, and a living French-language culture that is still thriving today. The Whitney Plantation Located within an hour of New Orleans along the River Road, stands apart from other historic plantation homes: as a non-profit dedicated entirely to telling the stories of the enslaved people who lived and worked there, it offers one of the most honest and necessary history lessons in the American South. Cajun Food Tours Chicken and sausage gumbo, fried shrimp po’ boys, boudin, chargrilled oysters, fried alligator (yes, it tastes like chicken) and cane cake. Plus, a strong case for why the best crawfish in Louisiana is not in New Orleans. Juke joints, accordions and foot-stomping music From the Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette, where the Creole String Beans will drag you to the dance floor whether you planned it or not, to Teddy's Juke Joint outside Baton Rouge, a neon-soaked, Mardi-Gras-beaded institution run by the man born in the very house it now occupies. Beauty of the Bayous Disney gave the bayou a bad reputation, but the real thing is beautiful: Spanish-moss-cloaked cypress trees, alligators, birdlife and extraordinary stillness. Discover our favourite Louisiana road trip Jay's back-road loop from New Iberia through Saint Martinville, Breaux Bridge and Grand Coteau takes in Tabasco's island home at Avery Island, the Acadian Memorial, a remarkable African American museum and Lake Martin for swamp tours. Find Out More Plan your Louisiana adventure at explorelouisiana.com Thank You to Our Guests Jacqui Agate, Wanderlust North America editor and travel writer — follow her on Instagram @jackieagate and read her work at wanderlustmagazine.com Jay Steiner, historical interpreter at Vermilionville and Cajun food tour guide — book a tour at cajunfoodtours.com or visit vermilionville.org Intrepid Travel Thanks to our series sponsor Intrepid, the leading specialists in small group adventures. To plan an adventure of your own, check out their small group trips at intrepidtravel.com Wanderlust: Off the Page Take the road less travelled with us and subscribe to the show so you never miss an adventure. Wanderlust Magazine Wanderlust is the UK's leading independent travel magazine, taking the road less travelled since 1993. Find out more at wanderlustmagazine.com Become a Wanderlust Club Member to join a community of passionate travellers, with print editions, exclusive content and more. Credits This episode was produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Lyn Hughes and Peter Moore introduce the show. Aaron Millar is the interviewer and script editor. Audio production by Charles Tyrie.
