Houma Louisiana
Colorful concrete sculptures decorate Chauvin Sculpture Garden
Chowing down on locally caught shrimp and crawfish at The Shack of Houma
An alligator encounter at Greenwood Gator Farm
Lively parades and decorations light up downtown Houma during Mardi Gras
A misty morning fishing excursion on Bayou Black
Hiking the oak-lined paths of the Mandalay Nature Trail
Taking a spin on the Jolly Inn’s dance floor
Kayaking a serene lake near Montegut
Taking in the scenery on a swamp tour
A blue heron coasts over the backwaters
- Major Airports:
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans (MSY)
- States:
- Louisiana
Bayou Country in the Houma area of Louisiana offers rich culture, history, heritage, and fun for the whole family near the Gulf of Mexico
Savor Local History and Art
No visit to Houma is complete without touring local museums that pay homage to the people and places of Louisiana’s bygone eras. One highlight is the Regional Military Museum, whose immersive galleries display aircraft and artifacts from nearly a century of military history. Enjoy down-home charm at the Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center, where you can take part in Cajun culture at community events ranging from quilting and wood carving classes to weekly Cajun dances. Embrace Houma’s artistic side with a visit to the Chauvin Sculpture Garden. Set on the banks of the scenic Bayou Petit Gaillou, this fascinating collection of concrete and brick sculptures created by Kenny Hill offers a poignant look into the outsider artist’s personal struggles and captivating perspective.
Family Fun and Natural Delights
All ages will enjoy learning about life on the bayou at the Bayou Terrebonne Water Life Museum, where hands-on exhibits explore the ecology of the area and the history of the Acadian people who settled the area in the 1800s. No visit to the area would be complete without an iconic swamp tour; for a walk on the wild side, climb aboard a boat and embark on a voyage into the heart of Louisiana’s wetlands. Sign up for an outing with A Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours for a fully immersive experience, complete with engaging tour narration and authentic Cajun music to accompany your wildlife watching. Nearby in Montegut, you can rent kayaks to explore South Louisiana’s waterways with the whole family. When it’s time for a refreshing treat, relax at Scarlett Scoop, a vintage ice cream parlor that has been serving up nostalgic treats for more than 40 years.
More Water Than Land
From Houma, you won’t have to go far to spend a peaceful weekend – or longer – on the water. The fishing community of Cocodrie, located about an hour south of the city on Terrebonne Bay, is a local hotspot for boaters and anglers. Fish for speckled trout, flounder, catfish, mackerel and more on the bayous, or charter a boat to the Gulf of Mexico for an exciting offshore fishing excursion with CoCo Charters. Cap off your day with a meal of fresh seafood, shrimp and crab at CoCo Marina’s Lighthouse Restaurant, a legendary local spot overlooking the water.
Fun Fact
Annie Miller’s Swamp Tours, the first ever swamp boat tour in the state of Louisiana, set sail from Terrebonne Parish in the early 1970s.
Photo: Mark Bonvillan
The film “Beasts of the Southern Wild” was inspired by the culture of the Houma area.
Photo: Matthew Noel
The word “Houma” means “red” in the native language of the United Houma Nation, a local Native American tribe, and is said to be a reference to their war emblem, a red crawfish.
Photo: Matthew Noel