Tabasco Hot Sauce Museum & Factory Tour – Avery Island, LA

Discover Tabasco Hot Sauce Factory in Avery Island

Explore 150 years of hot sauce history at the Tabasco Factory & Museum on Avery Island, Louisiana.

The Tabasco Factory & Museum on Avery Island is more than just a factory tour — it’s a flavorful journey into one of America’s most iconic food brands. Set on a lush, salt-dome island in the heart of Louisiana’s bayou country, the visitor experience blends history, culture, and culinary traditions. Guests can stroll through the Tabasco Museum, step into greenhouses where peppers are cultivated, and watch the famous red bottles filled on the production line. With tastings of multiple Tabasco varieties, a restaurant featuring Cajun-inspired recipes, and the surrounding Jungle Gardens to explore, the experience is both educational and delicious.

Why it’s special:
Unlike many food factory tours, Tabasco keeps its heritage alive at the very place where it all began in the 1860s. The entire production — from growing peppers to aging mash in oak barrels and bottling — still happens on Avery Island, offering visitors a rare look at a farm-to-bottle process. The setting itself is rich in natural beauty, with live oaks, wildlife, and marshlands all around.

History/Story

Edmund McIlhenny first crafted Tabasco sauce in 1868 using red peppers grown on Avery Island, local salt mined beneath the island, and high-quality vinegar. His simple recipe — fermenting pepper mash in oak barrels for up to three years — remains unchanged to this day. The McIlhenny family still owns and operates the company, now in its sixth generation, and Tabasco sauce is sold in over 195 countries.

Avery Island itself has a long cultural history, from Native American use of its salt dome to its role in the Civil War and beyond. Today, the island houses not only the Tabasco factory and museum but also Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre botanical garden and bird sanctuary established by E.A. McIlhenny in the 1890s. Together, the Tabasco Factory and Avery Island create an immersive destination where history, food, and nature come together.

What You’ll See & Do

• Visit the Tabasco Museum, featuring artifacts and 150+ years of hot sauce history.

• Walk through the greenhouse pepper plants (seasonal).

• Watch the factory line where Tabasco is bottled and packaged.

• Explore the barrel warehouse where pepper mash ages for up to 3 years.

• Sample a variety of Tabasco sauces and products at the onsite store.

Hands-On Elements: Sauce tastings, interactive displays, and seasonal pepper garden.

Photo/Video Policy: Photography allowed in museum and public areas; restrictions in active production zones.

Souvenirs & Extras:

• Tabasco Country Store with sauces, apparel, and kitchen items

• Onsite restaurant (1868! Restaurant) featuring Cajun dishes with Tabasco recipes

• Combo tickets with Jungle Gardens (Avery Island’s botanical gardens and wildlife sanctuary)

Practical Info

Duration: 1–2 hours
Format: Self-guided walking tour with exhibits and viewing windows
Schedule & Seasonality: Open daily, 9 AM–4 PM; closed major holidays. Last admission at 3 PM.
Audience: Families, foodies, history enthusiasts, school groups
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; paved paths; service animals permitted
Safety & Restrictions: Indoor/outdoor mix; watch for seasonal weather on outdoor paths
Languages: English; select materials available in French and Spanish
Group & School Visits: Discounts for groups; educational resources available; bus parking onsite

Pricing:

• Adults: $12.50

• Children (5–12): $9.50

• Children under 5: Free

• Combo passes with Jungle Gardens available

What to Bring/Wear: Comfortable shoes for walking, light jacket in cooler months
Facilities: Restrooms, gift shop, restaurant, picnic areas, parking
Closures & Downtime: Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day

Location & Booking

Getting There: Free onsite parking; accessible via LA Hwy 329; ~45 minutes from Lafayette, LA
Booking: Tickets available at Tabasco Tour or onsite
Cancellation & Refunds: Refunds available up to 24 hours before visit for online bookings
On-Site Extras: Tabasco Country Store, 1868! Restaurant, Jungle Gardens combo

Nearby

• Jungle Gardens (Avery Island botanical gardens & wildlife sanctuary)

• Vermilionville Historic Village (Lafayette)

• Shadows-on-the-Teche (historic plantation home)

FAQs

Can I take photos inside the factory?
Photos are welcome in museum and outdoor areas; restricted in live production areas.

Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, it’s family-friendly with tastings and interactive exhibits.

What should I wear?
Casual clothing and comfortable shoes; outdoor portions may be warm and humid.

Is the tour accessible?
Yes, the museum and visitor areas are wheelchair accessible.

Do you offer group tours?
Yes, with advance reservations and group discounts.