How long does the full Avery Island experience take?

The combined Tabasco factory tour and Jungle Gardens walk typically last about two hours.

Are the tours wheelchair accessible?

The Tabasco Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible, but parts of the Jungle Gardens trails may be uneven and less accessible.

Can I buy Tabasco sauces and other products onsite?

Yes, the Tabasco Country Store offers a broad selection of sauces, merchandise, and gifts.

Is food available during the visit?

Restaurant 1868!® onsite serves authentic Cajun cuisine along with beverages like Bloody Marys.

Are pets allowed in the Jungle Gardens?

Pets are generally not permitted to protect the wildlife and plant habitats.

What is the best time of day to visit for photos?

Early morning or late afternoon light offers softer, more dynamic lighting for photography.

Avery Island Adventures with Tabasco Visitor Center | Food Tour | Attraction

Perched on a unique salt dome in Louisiana, Avery Island offers an outdoor adventure that’s as rich in history as it is in flavor. The Tabasco Visitor Center and Pepper Sauce Factory provides an immersive experience where nature and culinary heritage intersect. Visitors embark on a self-paced, 10-stop journey tracing the McIlhenny family legacy of TABASCO® Brand sauce production, spanning more than five generations. The tour begins amid vast red pepper fields where the fiery crop is cultivated, then guides visitors through the sauce’s fermentation and aging process inside the factory. Along the way, you’ll engage your senses with tastings of the iconic pepper sauce, plus specialty products unique to this legendary brand.

Beyond the factory lies the 170-acre Jungle Gardens, a botanical and wildlife sanctuary unlike any other in the region. Ancient oak trees stretch their limbs across winding paths that lead hikers through marshes and bayous, revealing native flora adapted to this salty island environment. Here, a 14-stop naturalist tour highlights everything from alligator sightings to exotic birds, adding an immersive layer to the outdoor component of the visit.

Meal options at the on-site Restaurant 1868!® offer authentic Cajun flavors, a perfect way to round out an adventurous day. What sets this experience apart is the seamless blend of culture, history, and natural surroundings all on one island. Avery Island’s salt dome geology creates a subtle natural elevation in an otherwise flat Louisiana landscape, affecting its unique ecosystem and agricultural heritage. Whether you’re a history buff intrigued by the McIlhenny family or a nature lover drawn to rare Southern ecosystems, this trip delivers a balanced and authentic taste of Louisiana’s outdoor adventure culture.

About Tabasco Visitor Center and Pepper Sauce Factory

The Tabasco Visitor Center and Pepper Sauce Factory in New Iberia, Louisiana, invites visitors to explore the production, history, and culinary influence of TABASCO® Brand Pepper Sauce. Operated on Avery Island, the site combines guided factory tours with hands-on culinary experiences and access to the famed Jungle Gardens.

Visitors can choose from a range of experiences: the Scheduled Tabasco Guided Tour, a 1.5 to 2-hour walkthrough of production buildings and exhibits; the Tabasco & Jungle Gardens - The Avery Island Experience, which pairs a multi-stop history tour with tastings and garden access; the Acadiana Culinary Experience, a one-hour tasting course featuring six local samplings; and cooking demonstrations that present four-course, TABASCO-inspired meals. Each experience includes expert instruction, tastings, and context about regional flavors and production methods.

The facility emphasizes transparency by offering guided access to five factory buildings and eight exhibits that explain sauce-making steps. In addition to factory insights, guests may self-tour Jungle Gardens to appreciate local plantings and wildlife. Ticketed experiences and scheduled tours provide structured, educational visits suitable for culinary travelers, history enthusiasts, and families. The Visitor Center and Factory is associated with the McIlhenny family legacy on Avery Island and is widely referenced as the production home of TABASCO Brand Pepper Sauce. Information about tours, schedules, and reservations is available through official visitor resources for accurate planning. On-site exhibits and tasting stations highlight pepper cultivation, aging processes, and bottling techniques, giving guests practical insight into the ingredients and methods behind the iconic sauce on Avery Island.