5 Best Shopping in Side Trips from New Orleans, Louisiana

Stuff your face with Cajun favorites on-site or fill your cooler with boudin, cracklins, stuffed pork chops, quail, and a variety of sausages. There's another location at 104 Highway 726 in Carencro, also just outside Lafayette.

From fine antiques to slightly rusted kitchen utensils, this is a treasure hunter's paradise. Be prepared to spend more than an hour at this unique store.

The fresh French bread and pastries made here are outstanding. The shop also sells specialty sauces and preserves, as well as king cakes, available during the Carnival season.

If you are looking for authentic Louisiana crafts, you've come to the right place. Pottery, furniture, items made out of gourds, metal, and wood, and corn-husk dolls and jewelry are all created by members of the Louisiana Crafts Guild, headquartered here.

One of Grand Coteau's historic cottages houses a collection of regional cookbooks and cooking supplies, in addition to gifts and other merchandise, including prints, books, and greeting cards by famed local photographer John Slaughter. In the tea room, scones, cookies, and a specialty pecan torte called gateau-na-na are served.