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Attractions & Lodging

There is much to be seen while touring Jeff Davis Parish. Exceptional museums, outdoor and wildlife attractions, gaming and more can all be found within this distinct southwestern Louisiana parish.

A museum not to miss is the Welsh Museum, a project of the Friends of the Welsh Museum. Housed within a brick structure (circa 1903), the museum features more than 500 copies of historic photographs and an assortment of memorabilia showcasing the rich history of the Welsh community. An antique grocery store from the early 1900s, "Little Cove," is situated adjacent to the Welsh Museum and provides plenty of tourist information. The Welsh Museum is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m-noon and 2-4 p.m. (337) 734-3811

Welsh is also home to Joe’s Train Room, a site that showcases several electric trains in operation, as well as a static display of older trains and a wealth of photographs depicting the railroad history of the community. This display is only available during the Christmas holiday season. (337) 734-3502

Spend the day outdoors by visiting Lake Arthur’s Pieta Prayer Garden, housing an Italian reproduction of Michelangelo’s Pieta— a notable attraction found in Rome’s St. Peter’s Cathedral. The garden can be accessed on the north side of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and is open 24 hours a day. Also be sure to visit Founders Park, nestled in the center of downtown Jennings. The park was constructed as a tribute to the history and founding fathers of Jennings and features a hand-painted, historically significant mural by artist John Zant. Additionally, bird watchers relish in the Flyway Byway, as all kinds of migratory birds pass through Jeff Davis Parish.

See, and even hold, live alligators at the Chateau des Cocodries—"The Alligator House." Located at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park, this attraction allows visitors to safely engage with the previously endangered alligator species in its open-air enclosure year round. (337) 616-4311 or (800) 264-5521

For those who want to try a hand at Lady Luck, the Coushatta Casino is readily available for all your gaming and entertainment endeavors. Within 40 minutes of Jennings, gamers can access 10,000 square feet of gaming space featuring more than 2,800 slots and 70 table games. The resort also offers six restaurants, live entertainment, more than 500 guest rooms and luxury suites, an RV park with 100 chalets, and the 18-hole Koasati Pines Golf Course. (800) 584-7263 www.coushattacasinoresort.com.

The nearby community of Iowa is the site of I-10 Motocross, which features a one-mile track and a peewee track for MX riders; a quarter-mile flat track, a 300-foot dirt dragstrip and a mud track and mud pit for four-wheel riders; and an RC track for remote-controlled races. I-10 Motocross is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-dusk. Admission is $20 per rider or $5 for general admission. (337) 540-8802 www.i10mx.com

Additionally, Iowa, Louisiana, is home to the Hayes E Daze Ranch, a 100-acre ranch offering opportunities for riders of all ages and skill levels. (337) 258-5782Lodging

Visitors to Jeff Davis Parish are assured a great night’s sleep at one of the area’s comfortable lodging sites. Choose from

a cozy bed and breakfast set in serene surroundings or a conveniently located hotel or motel, perfect for the business traveler and those looking for affordable prices. For the outdoor enthusiast, camping and RV facilities are available as well.

Hotels/Motels:

Holiday Inn
603 Holiday Drive (I-10 Exit 64)
Jennings, LA 70546
(337) 824-5280

Quality Inn
607 Holiday Drive (I-10 Exit 64)
Jennings, LA 70546
(337) 824-8589

Hampton Inn & Suites
310 Zigler Memorial Drive (I-10 Exit 64)
Jennings, LA 70546
(337) 824-2699
(Due to open in February 2009)

Bed and Breakfast:

La Maison des Chenes
(Bed and Breakfast, RV Park, and Marina)
40522 E. Lake Shore Road (11 miles south of I-10)
Lake Arthur, LA 70549
(800) 888-0960

RV Sites:

Cajun Elite RV Park
Highway 97
Jennings, LA 70546
(337) 824-2110

Coushatta Casino Resort
Highway 165
Kinder, LA 70648
(800) 58-GRAND

Myers Landing
169 Myers Landing Road
Lake Arthur, LA 70549
(337) 774-2338 or (337) 774-5531 (night)

Paradise Park
1108 S. Lake Arthur Avenue
Jennings, LA 70546
(337) 824-0312

Sonnier Parkside Village
3304 N. Frontage Road
Jennings, LA 70546
(337) 774-0093 or (337) 247-4444

W. H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum

Step back in time and experience 20th century life in rural Louisiana at the W. H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum. W. H. Tupper opened his General Merchandise Store in 1910, eventually closing its doors in 1949. Though the store was not in operation, the original inventory remained on the shelves until 1971 when all of the merchandise was warehoused. The inventory continued to exist in the warehouse until Joe Tupper, Jr., W. H.’s grandson, donated the items in order to create the museum. Today, visitors can tour the museum, which is lined with antique toys, school supplies, fashions and fabrics, hardware, medicine, and more.

The Louisiana Telephone Pioneer Museum is an excellent option for those interested in the history of the telephone. Located in the W. H. Tupper General Merchandise Museum, this attraction includes exhibits and audiovisual presentations, along with a number of interactive learning displays. Children of all ages revel in the Children’s Telephone Museum, which complements the Louisiana Telephone Pioneer Museum and offers an interactive learning experience designed to educate children on the science of communication and the development of the telephone.

The W. H. Tupper Museum, the Louisiana Telephone Pioneer Museum and the Children’s Telephone Museum are all located at 311 N. Main Street in Jennings. Hours for the museums are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission for adults is $3, and for children and students, it is $1.
(337) 821-5532
www.tuppermuseum.com