Visit the official Jambalaya Capital of the World
Just as sugar coaxes out the flavor in everything it’s added to, the fusion of many influences and ethnicities in Ascension Parish add flavor to its rich heritage of cultural and culinary traditions. Use these ideas below to help you experience, explore and enjoy a day in Gonzales, LA.
A sweet spot for fun
Gonzales is the main hub of Louisiana’s Sweet Spot. Located right off interstate-10 you will find plenty opportunities for entertainment, shopping, dining, and a multitude of brand name accommodations. With over 60 designer and manufacturer outlet stores Tanger Outlets and Cabela’s offer a premium shopping experience for visitors. This popular exit off of I-10 is also boasting with signature restaurants like Mike Anderson’s and Don’s Seafood, brand name accommodations like Holiday Inn and Springhill Suites by Marriot. Also, located nearby is Lamar Dixon Expo Center, Ascension Parish’s premiere event venue. This expansive property hosts the majority of our area’s events like The Ascension Hot Air Balloons & Boucherie Festival, indoor and outdoor live music concerts, holiday markets, sporting and equestrian events, and much more.
Experience our culinary flare. 
Jambalaya found its way into Creole cookery in the late 1700's where it soon took on the flavor of added local ingredients. Today it is a Cajun/Creole dish made from a mixture of meats, rice and seasonings blended to produce a delicious dish. No trip to Louisiana is complete without a plate of Jambalaya, and there is no better place to get it then Gonzales, the Jambalaya Capital of the world! After a long day of travel stop into Pot and Paddle or Jambalaya Kitchen for a taste of our cities signature dish. But, the best place to experience this unique culinary tradition is the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival, held every Memorial Day weekend in Gonzales, this festival has been held here for over 50 years, attracting festival goers from near and far with its expansive set up of multiple live music stages, shopping vendors, food, kids carnival, and cook-off competitions. Each year the competition gets more intense with over 100 cooks battling for the chance the become the next world champion.
What’s new?
As one of the fastest growing areas in the state, Ascension is becoming a sweet spot for new business ventures. Recently added to our roster of experiences are Sugarfield Spirits and Gilla Brewery. Both located in Gonzales, and both creating hand crafted spirits and specialty brews from fresh local flavors. Visitors can tour their facilities for insights into their unique processes like how to juice fresh local sugarcane to make rum or how to incorporate fresh fruits and candy to create one of a kind limited release brews.