Snuggled right in the heart of Louisiana, this captivating island is much more than a spot on the map –it's a hidden treasure chest full of different kinds of plants and animals, cool stories from the past, and yummy foods just waiting for you!
Avery Island is home to the famous Tabasco Factory, where the famous hot sauce has been produced for over 150 years! But there's so much more to Avery Island than just spicy peppers. Read on to find out why we love to visit.
Twelve Thousand Years of History... And Salt!
On this special island in Louisiana, there are lots of interesting plants and towering live oak trees draped in Spanish moss. It's like a green blanket covering everything! This island is one of five in the area that are higher than the flat marshes around them. It's about as big as 2,200 football fields! Underneath the ground, there's a huge chunk of salt rock that's even deeper than the tallest mountain in the world! Scientists think it used to be under the sea a long time ago, but now it's pushed up to the top and covered with a layer of fertile soil. It is believed that these salt springs may have attracted prehistoric settlers to the Island as early as 12,000 years ago!
A Spicy Family Tradition
Visiting Avery Island is like stepping back in time. The Tabasco Museum allows visitors to learn about the McIlhenny family, who created the Tabasco sauce recipe in the 1860s. Take a guided tour and see how the sauce is made from start to finish including a process called fermentation. Sample different varieties and even try some unique flavors only available at the factory.
Jungle Gardens & Bird City
Avery Island has a super cool landscape that makes the people that amazes the people that live there. Lots of animals, like birds and butterflies, love living there too. One of the highlights of Avery Island is the Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre botanical garden filled with exotic plants and wildlife including a bird sanctuary! Watch out for sun bathing alligators, blossoming azalea flowers, herons, and snowy egrets. This island even has the the second largest group of giant bamboo trees in the world
An Aquatic Invasion
There is a unique creature that has made itself at home in the bayous and wetlands of Louisiana. Nutria look like big, chubby rats with orange teeth and long tails. They love water and are really good swimmers, like tiny furry Olympic athletes!. These fascinating creatures are super hungry herbivores, which means they mostly eat plants like grasses and roots. Sometimes, nutria rats munch on too many plants, which can cause problems for the environment. But people are working to keep their population balanced and protect the places they live. There are so many nutria on the island that people were once encouraged to eat them!
As you bid farewell to Avery Island, you carry with you memories of an enchanting journey through nature, history, and flavor. Whether you come for the hot sauce, the wildlife, or the beautiful landscapes, this hidden gem of Louisiana will leave an impression. So pack your bags, head down, and let Avery Island cast its spell on you.
Learn More At the Sites Below:
Atchafalaya Water Heritage Trail
Nutria | National Invasive Species Information Center
Explore Louisiana: Avery Island
Avery Island: Home of TABASCO®