Opelousas

In the heart of St. Landry Parish, Opelousas is the third-oldest town in the state—Poste de Opelousas was founded in 1720 by the French as a trading post with the Opelousas Indians. It's a sleepy spot with a historic central square and a provincial museum, and it hosts an annual zydeco festival. Look for two murals located in a pocket park–parking lot adjacent to the St. Landry Bank & Trust Co. building. One depicts the history of the area and historical monuments in St. Landry Parish, and the other illustrates the legend of the Seven Brothers Oak, which is located south of Washington, a charming nearby town. While it currently feels like a town past its prime, there are still ample opportunities to learn about its past as well as to experience zydeco music.