Heading to southern Louisiana

[GreenBananas]

We are heading to southern Louisiana the last week of March and will be staying at Tickfaw State Park. Looking for feedback on the park/campground itself as well some must see/do/eat things in the area. Thanks for the suggestions!!

[MichDoc]

We stayed at Fountainbleau a few months ago, and you DEFINITELY want the new section. We got stuck in the old one, and had a hard time maneuvering into the site.....even with a small Class C. The utilities are also on the wrong side at some sites. When we drove through the park and saw the new section, we were REALLY disappointed with where we were at.......especially since there were so many open sites in the new section. If we had been staying any longer than two days, we would have tried to move.
As to food, I'm more familiar with the places near Breaux Bridge and Lafayette, but just look for anything with the word "Cajun" in it! You definitely want to try the crawfish boil, boudin, shrimp etouffee, and whatever type of gumbo they happen to be serving that day (sausage, chicken, seafood, whatever). For breakfast, try to find a place that serves fresh beignets (fried dough with powdered sugar) and couche couche (kinda like cornbread served as cereal with milk and sugar or molasses). I don't think that I EVER found any Cajun food that wasn't worth remembering!
While there, ask around for any neighborhood bars that have live Cajun music. It's worth standing in line for.
Have fun.

[sbucknervp]

Does anyone have updated info on the "new" vs. the "old" section at Fontainbleau SP? I've read conflicting reviews. Our first choice was Fairview-Riverside SP but it's full in mid-October because of a festival.
Thanks!

[GreenBananas]

Thank you for all the suggestions we have changed our reservations from Tickfaw to Fontainebleau just so we don't have to worry about the possibility of flooding! Looking forward to the trip! This will be our first with just the DH and myself with no kiddos!

[ng2951]

Yes flooding can be a problem since it is in a swamp. Lots of things for the rug rats to do. The swamp is considered quite an attraction.

As far as eats go, there is plenty nearby. Tin Lizzies is a popular place and there is a German place whose name escapes me. People love going there for breakfast.

Both Ponchatoula and Hammond are full of great places to eat too.

[GOTRO]

Be aware that Ticfaw is experiencing flooding on certain sites - we met a couple this past weekend because they had to transfer campgrounds because their sites were flooding! We are from south Louisiana & would never stay at that park - too many other parks in the area that is very nice without our site being surrounded by low, damp, and/or water surrounding our site!! We highly suggest Fairview Riverside State Park in Madisonville or Fountainbleau State Park in Mandeville both are very nice parks!! Ticfaw may have to cancel at the last minute & you will have no reservations to accommodate your rig etc - reserve now because the two parks I listed do book up but Fountainbleau State Park is bigger than Fairview Riverside State Park!

[Charlie_D_]

When we lived in that area, we liked Fairview-Riverside the best. Especially the loop with larger sites. It even has a laundry. All have free WI-FI. Fairview is in Madisonville with several good restaurants. The back loop and resturants are on the river, Fountainbleu, another favorite is near Mandeville. It is open to lake Ponchartrain. Between both on hwy 90 and east of the hwy. 90 and 59 south junction is a restaurant called Red Headed Lady with all you can eat shrimp and catfish. Both are very close to the causeway bridge to N.O.

Tickfaw is a little more remote but a good choice. Pretty much have the campgrounds to yourself during the week. Lots of people during spring break.

[Windwalker55]

I just checked some reviews on this park and 9 out of 10 said it was excellent, 1 had poor to fair because it was boring. Don't know how someone can get bored with Baton Rouge and New Orleans so close and so many wildlife areas to explore. We could spend days at the wildlife areas. We found Louisiana state parks to be excellent places to stay. Can't help you on the eating establishments. The best thing we have found is to ask the locals working at the park where the locals go and have discovered some great restaurants that way.
Have fun and get warm, winter has not been kind to us Missourians this year.

[ljr]

The park is not near a swamp it is in it. Probably not a great place to be during the summer but kind of neat when the creepy-crawlies aren't out. There has been quite a bit of rain and the campground is very prone to flooding so you may want to call ahead before you leave just to be sure. I got there shortly after they reopened due to flooding a couple years ago.

[easttexan]

It's spring. You eat crawfish, crawfish or crawfish.