If you have ever spent time in Vermilion Parish, you know there are lots of pretty eye-catching spots to enjoy.

The area encompasses the communities of Delcambre, Erath, Abbeville, Kaplan and Gueydan, all linked by the Cajun Corridor that crosses the parish. Driving around this picturesque part of the state, you will see small towns built along side rice, cattle and sugarcane farms, waterfowl, tree lined bayous, museums, great eating establishments and much more.

"We're different from Lafayette in what we offer (as far as) historical and cultural aspects, " said Alison Miller, executive director of the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission. "We have a lot of unique things but unless you explore, you never know they are here. We have a lot (in the way of) eco tourism. Not everybody has that."

Miller suggests taking a drive down Hwy. 82 which is in the southern part of the parish. The area is filled with fresh and saltwater marshes, birds, alligators and other wildlife mixed in with small communities along the way.

There is plenty to keep visitors interested. In Abbeville, for instance, you can enjoy the town's historic structures, including St. Mary Magdalen Church. The newly refurbished catholic church is at the center of the town's square.

According to the church website, there have been four different churches on the present site.

"The initial chapel was destroyed by the Hurricane Isle Deniere in 1856. The second church served until 1884 when a larger church was needed. Built in 1885, the third church was gutted in 1907."

The present church was put into service in 1911 and completed in 1920.

The Romanesque style church, designed by George Harold, is cruciform in shape. It features three arches, stained glass windows, Gothic spires, and eighteen Ionic and Corinthian columns.

Miller said tourism officials know that many travel to Vermilion Parish simply to eat. Abbeville, Kpalan, Maurice and other towns are known for their authentic Cajun cuisine and fresh local seafood.

One local establishment has been a town favorite for generations.

Dupuy's Oyster Shop on Main Street in Abbeville was established by Joseph Dupuy in 1869. Dupuy would harvest his own oysters and sell them for a nickel a dozen. The tradition continued for three generations. Today, the white wooden structure stands on a conrer in the heart of downtown and across the street from St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.

"For 130 years we've enjoyed success in our original location," said Jody Hebert owner of Dupuy's. "This restaurant is world famous for it’s oysters on the 1/2 shell and outstanding seafood. When we took over in 1998, we just kept the tradition going with great food, hospitality and service. We do a lot of different oysters and now we are into chargrilled amd many other types of seafood, including fish that comes in weekly."

If you are looking for something more like a Po' Boy or casual lunch, Villager's Cafe in Maurice is a great spot for home cooked meals and Po Boys. Established in 1997 the restaurant is housed in an old, small wood framed building with a front screened porch where you can sit and enjoy a meal. Owner's describe the decor as charming with "wooden electrical spool tables and walls are covered with anything old."

Villagers Cafe is located at 8400 Maurice Ave. in Maurice.

Need a little after dinner music or entertainment? You might want to head to Kelvin's Piano Bar where you can enjoy piano music, bands and live music at downtown Abbeville's newest venue. Kelvin's features a large drink menu, as well as appetizers. It is located at 109 S. State St. in Abbeville.

Mon-Thurs 10 am-10 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am-midnight, Sun 10 am-10 pm

Here is a list of other restaurants located in towns throughout Vermilion Parish.

Where to Eat:

A Venue by Dupuy's

9511 Maurice Ave., Maurice



Barb's Cajun Kitchen

312 N. Railroad St., Delcambre

Phone: 337-685-2369



Big Daddy's Diner and Seafood

916 West Veterans Memorial Dr., Kaplan

Phone: (337) 643-7000

Big John's Seafood Patio

3630 Broadview Rd., Erath

Phone: 337-937-8355

Open 7 days a week, 5-10 pm

Billy's Kitchen

27024 W. Hwy. 82, Pecan Island

Phone: 337-737-2397



Bourbon Street Deli

520 W. Summers Dr., Abbeville

Phone: 337-898-9451



Cafe Veiller

1001 1st St., Gueydan

Phone: 337-536-7398

Mon-Fri 10am-2pm; Thurs-Fri-Sat Night 5pm-10pm

Cajun Claws

1928 Charity St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-9437



Cajun Diner

21218 Keno Rd., Abbeville

Phone: 337-642-9565



Cormier's Creole Kitchen

303 Main St. Gueydan

Phone: 337-536-9904

D&G Diner

404 N. Railroad St., Delcambre

Phone: 800-884-6120



Dupuy's Oyster Shop

108 S. Main St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-2336

Fax: 337-898-3188

Tues-Fri 11 am-2 pm, Tues-Thurs 5-9 pm, Fri-Sat 5-10 pm

dupuysoystershop@LCT-corp.net

Landry's Boiling Pot & Catering

500 W. Veterans Memorial Dr., Kaplan

Phone: 337-643-7531

Larry's Super Foods

1313 W. Veteran's Memorial Dr., Kaplan

Phone: 337-643-1423

(Winter season) 6am-8pm (Summer Season) 6am-9pm Mon-Sun

Moo-Noo's Grill

209 E. Lastie, Erath

Phone: 337-937-6971

Mon-Fri 9am-1pm; 5-8pm

catlandry@cox.net

Richard's Meat Market

117 Park Avenue, Abbeville

Phone: 337-898-0836

Tues-Fri 6:30a.m.-5:00p.m. Sat- 6:30a.m.-1p.m.

richards@ktctelecom.net

Richard's Seafood Patio

1516 S. Henry, Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-1693

Mon-Sat 5 pm

Richard's Seafood Too

901 Charity St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-385-2328

Open 7 days a week from 10 am-2 pm

Riverfront Restaurant, a Louisiana Grill

530 Park Ave., Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-3070

Tues-Thurs 11 am-9 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-10 pm, Sun 11 am-8 pm



Shucks - The Louisiana Seafood House

701 W. Port St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-898-3311

Mon-Thur 11 am-9 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-10 pm

Soop's Seafood & Steakhouse

8218 Maurice Ave., Maurice

Phone: 337-893-2462



Mon 11 am-2 pm; Tues-Sat 11 am-2 pm, 4-9 pm; Fri 4-10 pm

Stelly's Boiling Spot

1120 Veterans Memorial Dr., Abbeville

Phone: 337-740-0806



Tues & Sat 4-9 pm

Suire's Grocery & Restaurant

13923 Hwy. 35, Kaplan

Phone: 337-643-8911

Mon-Sat 5:30 am-7 pm, Sun 6 am-2:00 pm



T's Crawfish Trap

213 Main St., Gueydan

Phone: 337-536-5600

Villagers Cafe

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 10 am-9 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm

8400 Maurice Ave., Maurice

Phone: 337-898-1554



ZZ's Kitchen

2820 Charity St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-385-1965

Fax: 337-385-1966

10 am-2 pm

zzkitchen17@gmail.com

Activities

Looking to soak up some of the local culture? There are quaint museums, the historic St. Mary Magdalen Church and nearby Palmetto Island State Park which offers kayaking, fishing and overnight accommodations in cabins, RV parking sites or campgrounds.

The park is 1300 acres amid the swamps of Vermilion Parish along the Vermilion River, Palmetto Island State Park is surrounded by water and indigenous palmettos.

Things to do

Acadian Museum of Erath

203 S. Broadway, Erath

Phone: 337-937-5468

Call to schedule a tour on Monday to Friday afternoons



Bancker Grotto/Les Chretiens, Inc.

18314 Live Oak Rd., Erath

Phone: 337-937-5697

Open 24 hrs.

Downtown Abbeville Walking Tours

Magdalen Square, Abbeville

Phone: 337-898-4110



Gueydan Museum

212 Main St., Gueydan

Phone: 337-536-0443

Wed-Fri 1-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm

gueydanmuseum758@bellsouth.net

Le Musee de Kaplan

405 N. Cushing Blvd., Kaplan

Phone: 337-643-1528

Wed-Sat 9 am-1 pm



Leland Bowman Lock

16117 LA Hwy. 333, Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-6790

Open during the day

Louisiana Military Hall of Fame & Museum

911 Revis Sirmon Loop, Abbeville

Phone: 337-898-9645

Thurs.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm

Nonc's Hunting and Fishing Adventures

Phone: 337-207-4441

Call for tour times



Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum

304 S. State St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-8550

Tours by appointment.

The Depot at Magdalen Place

201 W. Lafayette St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-740-2112

Tues-Fri 10am-5pm

Visit Website

Vivian Alexander Gallery & Museum

6165 Picard Ln., Maurice

Phone: 337-898-0803 or 800-898-0803

Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm

alex@vivianalexander.com

Wells Fargo Building Tours

118 Main St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-898-6600

Tours available by appointment only

Shopping

There is no shortage of unique and quaint gift shops and stores in and around Vermilion Parish. If you want to skip the holiday lines, you might want to check out a few of these stores that definitely make 'shopping local' a breeze.

Belaire's Traditions & Treasures

9008 Rachelle Dr., Abbeville

Phone: 337-898-0303; 800-414-8881

Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm

traditionsandtreasures@connections-lct.com

Blush Boutique

307 Pere Megret, Abbeville

Phone: 337-517-7369



C&J Outfitters & More, Inc.

14120 Elm Street, Perry

Phone: 337-893-6900



C.S. Steen Syrup Mill, Inc.

119 N. Main St., Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-1654



Cajun Candle Factory, Inc., The

10113-A Hwy. 13, Kaplan

Phone: 337-643-8344; 800-667-6424



Cajun Cottage Gifts at Thrifty Way Pharmacy

2640 North Dr., Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-6304

Mon.-Fri., 8:30 am-6 pm; Sat 8:30 am-12:30 pm

Cajun Creations

1103 N. Herpin Ave., Kaplan

Phone: 337-643-6839



Cajun Scents & Gifts

35134 Ellis Bridge Rd., Gueydan

Phone: 337-536-7113

CajunPower Sauce Manufacturers

10218 LA Hwy. 82, Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-3856; 877-876-8748

M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Chloe Rose' Gifts

200 Park Ave., Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-4123

Mon-Fri 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4 pm

Classic Design and Gifts

112 S. State Street, Abbeville

Phone: 337-898-9350

Ed's Sporting Goods

21327 Chestnut Rd., Kaplan

Phone: 337-643-2518

Open 7 days a week, 7 am-6 pm



Fuzzy's Flower Shop

107 N. Hospital Dr., Abbeville

Phone: 337-893-0906



Gulfway Sporting Goods

11219 Hwy. 35 S, Kaplan

Phone: 337-643-8816

Open 4 am-6 pm

Shel-Des Gifts & More

231 E. Etienne Rd., Maurice

Phone: 337-892-7070

