The Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville honors the 3,000 men, women `nd children who found refuge in Louisiana after British forces exiled them from Acadie, their homeland on the Atlantic coast of Canada, in the mid 18th Century. Next door, the Evangeline Oak marks the spot where legend has it that two Acadian lovers were reunited after that deportation - the event that inspired Longfellow's "Evangeline."

A 150-acre expanse of Japanese iris, magnolias, azaleas and a variety of seasonal flowers surround the calm black waters of Swan Lake, where all eight known species of the world's swans swim. A "Braille Trail" encloses a tour-and-scent garden for the visually impaired. The garden hosts the annual Sumter Iris Festival each Memorial Day weekend.

Living history museum where costumed guides lead visitors on tour of working village (1805-1819). Cabinetmaker's shop, print shop, confectionary shop, library, post office.

Leading attraction in Montgomery. 6th largest Shakespeare theater in the world, with more than 200,000 visitors annually. Variety of classical and contemporary theatrical productions year-round.