Morgan City, Louisiana travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Morgan City is a town of 11,000 people (2019) in Coastal Acadiana that revolves around shrimp and petroleum, so much so that it's major annual event is the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival.

4 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to eat · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Morgan City

Southwest Reef Lighthouse

An 1858 Egyptian Revival-style light that used to guide ships around the Southwest Reef and into the Atchafalaya River before being relocated to its present location across from Morgan City.

Rig Museum "Mr. Charlie"

Fort Star

The Union base that the Confederacy seized and obliterated in the most clandestine manner. Today just modest remnants of earthworks are about all that remain.

Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum

This is like a hodge-podge of aviation and sawmill curation that can be quite engrossing.

Lake End Park

A swamp beach of sorts on Lake Palourde but surprisingly one with nice almost white sand, and the quintessential cypress trees here and there popping out.

Brownell Memorial Park & Carillon Tower

Another park with water views and access, but this one with an appealing carillon tower.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Jan. (climate data from nearby Baton Rouge)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
BTR Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Baton Rouge — 58 mi away. Directions
LFT Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette — 59 mi away. Directions
MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 59 mi away (major hub). Directions

Morgan City is 68 miles (109 km) southeast of Lafayette, 64 miles (103 km) south of Baton Rouge, and 86 miles (138 km) west of New Orleans.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Rig Museum "Mr. Charlie", Fort Star, Swamp Gardens & Wildlife Zoo
Lunch Rita Mae's Kitchen
Afternoon Lake End Park, Brownell Memorial Park & Carillon Tower

Day 2

Morning Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

It used to be known as Tiger Island due to its watery boundaries and the occurrence of wild cat sightings there. It was in Morgan City that the Union was dealt a crushing blow during the Civil War when Confederate forces managed to ambush the star fort-shaped federal military depot in 1862 and accrue enormous Union supplies for themselves.

Get in

Morgan City is 68 miles (109 km) southeast of Lafayette, 64 miles (103 km) south of Baton Rouge, and 86 miles (138 km) west of New Orleans.

Morgan City is along Highway 90, the main east-west thoroughfare through Coastal Acadiana. You'll cross a lot of bayous getting here.

See

See Rig Museum "Mr. Charlie"

This is one of the few opportunities available for the public to access and explore an offshore oil rig, although this one is actually in the rather shallow waters of the Atchafalaya River and Bayou Boeuf. You can explore the platform, and the International Petroleum Museum & Exposition, Inc. with exhibits such as underwater diving dioramas to check out.

📍 111 1st St🕒 Mon-Sat 10AM-noon, 2PM-4PM☎ +1 985 384-3744⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Fort Star

The Union base that the Confederacy seized and obliterated in the most clandestine manner. Today just modest remnants of earthworks are about all that remain.

📍 600-698 Barrow St⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Southwest Reef Lighthouse

An 1858 Egyptian Revival-style light that used to guide ships around the Southwest Reef and into the Atchafalaya River before being relocated to its present location across from Morgan City.

📍 3246 Bellview Front St, Berwick⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum

This is like a hodge-podge of aviation and sawmill curation that can be quite engrossing.

📍 118 Cotten Rd, Pattersonfew miles west of Morgan City🕒 Tue-Sat 9:30AM-4PM💲 Free☎ +1 985 399-1268⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Do

Do Lake End Park

A swamp beach of sorts on Lake Palourde but surprisingly one with nice almost white sand, and the quintessential cypress trees here and there popping out.

📍 2300 LA-700🕒 Daily 8AM-5PM☎ +1 985 380-4623⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Do Brownell Memorial Park & Carillon Tower

Another park with water views and access, but this one with an appealing carillon tower.

📍 3559 LA-70⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Do Swamp Gardens & Wildlife Zoo

Petting zoo, probably more for kids.

📍 725 Myrtle St☎ +1 985 384-3343⚠ Last checked Sep 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Last but not least, don't forget to attend the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, usually held the first or second week of September along Front Street, next to the EJ "Lionel" Grazzafi Bridge.