Louisiana has no shortage of unique small towns that make for wonderful day trips. If you’re looking for a funky little town with personality out the wazoo, well then you need to hop on over to Rayne, one of the most eccentric towns in Louisiana.
With a population hovering just under 10,000 residents, Rayne is one of those little-big towns that still has held onto its small-town charm throughout the years.
Leonce Lionet/Google And there’s plenty to see and do, so be prepared to spend an entire day exploring.
When you visit Rayne, you’ll be overwhelmed with frogs.
Mike Sewell/Google Not only is Rayne nicknamed the “Frog Capital of the World,” but it’s also the “Louisiana City of Murals.”
In the 1900s, three Parisians operated a fairly large business exporting frogs from Rayne to restaurants all over the country.
Russell Lee/Wikimedia Commons These local delicacies became so popular that they practically put Rayne on the map as the leader in frog legs. While that business has died down, you can still find frog legs on just about any menu in town.
Rayne is very proud of its frog history, and just about everywhere you look, there’s a cute little frog sculpture, mural, or window display.
Rayne Frog Festival/Facebook It’s hard not to smile when you see these whimsical frogs around the town.
The town even has a frog festival!
Rayne Frog Festival/Facebook Louisiana will throw a festival for just about anything, but the Rayne Frog Festival is one of the most beloved festivals in Cajun Country. It’s been an annual tradition for many since it began in 1973.
Perhaps the most eccentric part of town is the cemetery at Rayne’s St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Google Maps It might look like your average cemetery at first glance, but it’s actually facing the wrong way! Traditionally, Christian graveyards are placed in an east-west position to metaphorically represent life and death in relation to the rising and setting of the sun. Well, either the builders weren’t Catholic or they were directionally challenged, because they ended up building a north-south graveyard, and by the time the mistake was realized, it would have been too costly to adjust. The cemetery is the only cemetery in the Judeo-Christian world that faces north-south rather than east-west, and has been featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”
After a day of walking around Rayne, you’re bound to work up an appetite.
Melissa Mercer/Google Rayne is home to several locally owned and operated restaurants where you’ll be treated to delicious Cajun cuisine.
Chef Roy’s, in particular, is an ideal spot for lunch or dinner.
Chef Roy’s Frog City Cafe/Facebook Known for having some of the best Cajun fare in the state, Chef Roy’s menu covers all of your traditional Louisiana favorites in addition to perfectly seasoned steaks, burgers, and plenty of fried seafood options.
And before you pack up the car for the journey home, we have one more stop for you.
Matt Ison/Google And this one will make you feel like a kid again.
Before you leave Rayne, be sure to stop into Candyland Cottage to stock up on all your favorite sweet treats.
Erecka Bowers/Google Not only will you find all of your favorite candies, but there is also a wide array of nostalgic and hard-to-find candies from your childhood, plus some of the best fudge you’ll ever taste.
Have you ever visited Rayne? Let us know in the comments!
Leonce Lionet/Google
And there’s plenty to see and do, so be prepared to spend an entire day exploring.
Mike Sewell/Google
Not only is Rayne nicknamed the “Frog Capital of the World,” but it’s also the “Louisiana City of Murals.”
Russell Lee/Wikimedia Commons
These local delicacies became so popular that they practically put Rayne on the map as the leader in frog legs. While that business has died down, you can still find frog legs on just about any menu in town.
Rayne Frog Festival/Facebook
It’s hard not to smile when you see these whimsical frogs around the town.
Louisiana will throw a festival for just about anything, but the Rayne Frog Festival is one of the most beloved festivals in Cajun Country. It’s been an annual tradition for many since it began in 1973.
Google Maps
It might look like your average cemetery at first glance, but it’s actually facing the wrong way! Traditionally, Christian graveyards are placed in an east-west position to metaphorically represent life and death in relation to the rising and setting of the sun. Well, either the builders weren’t Catholic or they were directionally challenged, because they ended up building a north-south graveyard, and by the time the mistake was realized, it would have been too costly to adjust. The cemetery is the only cemetery in the Judeo-Christian world that faces north-south rather than east-west, and has been featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”
Melissa Mercer/Google
Rayne is home to several locally owned and operated restaurants where you’ll be treated to delicious Cajun cuisine.
Chef Roy’s Frog City Cafe/Facebook
Known for having some of the best Cajun fare in the state, Chef Roy’s menu covers all of your traditional Louisiana favorites in addition to perfectly seasoned steaks, burgers, and plenty of fried seafood options.
Matt Ison/Google
And this one will make you feel like a kid again.
Erecka Bowers/Google
Not only will you find all of your favorite candies, but there is also a wide array of nostalgic and hard-to-find candies from your childhood, plus some of the best fudge you’ll ever taste.
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Address: Rayne, LA 70578, USA
