LoveSummerRoadTrips
Jun 2024
First of all, you will find the kindest and most hospitable employees here. That begins and ends your tour with a smile on your face. It was so interesting how Avery Island began. It was nice going through the various stages of making Tobasco sauce. We got to see the barrels and the bottling plant. I imagine it would be hopping on the weekdays. We went on a Saturday. Being that we went in June, be forewarned that it is hot and humid. Make sure you are hydrated. We were able to taste the various flavors of sauces. And we will be ordering some online. We had lunch plans and were not able to taste what the restaurant had to offer, but I imagine it would taste excellent. The highlight of the tour was the Jungle Garden. You drive it in your own car, but we saw people walking it. You are surrounded by beautiful green trees and plants. We even encountered an alligator. As people who did not grow up with these creatures, it was fascinating and a little scary at the same time. The one we encountered went from its head barely above water to scampering up the bank in a very quick second. As we were in the car, we were not too concerned, but it was a sight to see. We went to the Buddha statue, but the doors were closed. However, it was a peaceful spot. If you walk over the bridge, there is a tree with exposed roots that looked like a snake head. The best part of the Jungle Garden, the Bird City. I could have sat around all day long. It is a little bit of a trek from the parking area. The path was uneven on cement blocks. But when you got there, it was absolutely stunning. The placard mentioned three types of birds, but there were more than that. A gentleman showing his family around said that whenever you buy a bottle of Tobasco sauce, you help support this beautiful sanctuary. These birds were endangered. Building this City helped bring them back. While there, I heard alligators and fish in the water. If it was not so hot and humid, I would have stayed longer. One tip: If you are going to walk around, use bug spray. I was very vigilant of any insects around me and did not get bitten. We really enjoyed the tour, and I highly recommend the tour.