Media Contacts: Fran Thibodeaux and Céline Alis
337.365.1540 or 888.942.3742, fran@iberiatravel.com and celine@iberiatravel.com
2513 La. Hwy. 14, New Iberia, LA 70560
IberiaTravel.com

Discover a captivating culture teeming with lush tropical gardens on tranquil islands, famous factories, museums, charming historic districts, stately plantation homes, art galleries, live theater, shopping, fishing, scenic drives and walking tours, colorful birds, golf, canoeing, festivals, contagious Cajun and zydeco music and renowned cuisine.

Three Reasons to Visit
1. New Avery Island Experience: Avery Island's TABASCO® Factory and Country Store just expanded its tour, offering visitors a more in-depth look into the making and history of the sauce. They also offer a cafeteria-style restaurant and a food tour featuring Cajun culture and samplings of local cuisine. Cooking classes and private factory guided tours are also available. Nearby Jungle Gardens added new signage and private birding tours for individual travelers and groups.

2. New Iberia's Historic Commercial and Residential District: The Commercial District won the 2005 Great American Main Street Award® sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation®. The Residential District includes Shadows-on-the-Teche, Louisiana's only National Trust for Historic Preservation® house, museum and garden.

3.Easy Access and Abundance of Tourism Opportunities: In the heart of Cajun Country, enjoy and explore rich culture and history, festivals, delicious food and people who never meet a stranger. Iberia Parish is located 30 minutes from Lafayette and two-and-a-half hours from New Orleans.

Make Sure to Experience
Famous Attractions: Tour the famous TABASCO® factory, century-old KONRIKO®/Conrad Rice Mill, National Trust plantation home Shadows-on-the-Teche and award-winning historic Main Street. Stroll the lush Jungle Gardens, Antique Rose Ville and Rip Van Winkle Gardens/Jefferson Mansion. Learn about Iberia's history and industry at the Bayou Teche and Jeanerette Museums.

Openings and Accolades
1. Bayou Teche Paddle Trail: Recently named to the National Paddle Trail System, the historic and cultural trail map was entered in the Library of Congress and received an award in the 2015 Cartography and Geographic Information Society Map Design Competition.

2. New Shopping Opportunities on New Iberia Main Street: An antiquemall, a fudge/sweets shop, several local retailers and a monthly food truck festival are all new to the New Iberia Main Street.

3. City of Jeanerette: Jeanerette has a new self-guided, historic walking/biking tour and coffeehouse.

4. James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux Detective Novel Series: This detective series was recently praised by The Guardian and The New York Times. New Iberia hosted the first Dave Robicheaux's Hometown Literary Festival April 8 - 10, 2016.

5. Town of Delcambre: Delcambre received the Spirit of Community Award at the Gulf of Mexico Climate Outreach Community of Practice's annual meeting. Bayou Carlin Cove, a dock and pavilion for the monthly seafood and farmers market and other community events, is Delcambre's latest addition.

6. Two new farm tours are available at the Iberia Community Garden and Gonsoulin Land and Cattle Ranch, which raises grass-fed cattle.

7. Iberia Parish has a large Lao population, which congregates at the Wat Thammarattanaram Buddhist Temple in Coteau. Temple tours are now available by appointment.

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