From diving into the Cajun and Creole meals, music, and tradition, to exploring the swamps, listed below are our prime issues to do in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Once we locked in our journey to Lafayette within the southern state of Louisiana within the USA, there was one important factor we wished to see – swamps!
As we began to analysis our journey although we rapidly realised there was much more to see and do than bounce on a ship and cruise by means of the flooded plains.
Seems Lafayette is a little bit of a cultural gem, and we managed to fill an itinerary with loads of actions.
White not as well-known as its neighbor, New Orleans, Lafayette gives an unbelievable glimpse into the multicultural roots of this nook of the USA’s South.
Recognized for conventional Cajun and Creole tradition, Lafayette opened our eyes and minds to superb delicacies, conventional music, and world-class festivals which occur 12 months spherical.
Along with the wealthy tradition, there are tonnes of fascinating nature spots and wildlife to see close to Lafayette.
There are quite a few wildlife sanctuaries, islands, botanical gardens, hen colonies, and extra scattered across the swamps of southern Louisiana.
You may tour the character with an area information through boat or kayak like we did, or simply wander by means of the marked strolling trails by yourself.
Whether or not you’re into tradition, historical past, or nature, Lafayette is saturated with all three.
So when you’re planning your individual trip to take a look at all of the issues to see in Lafayette, our newest journey information is strictly what you want.
The Finest Issues to Do in Lafayette Louisiana
There are such a lot of enjoyable actions to do within the space that you just’ll end up wishing you had extra time right here!
Study Cajun tradition by means of stay music occasions, meals excursions, and historic villages.
Get your repair of science on the Lafayette Science Museum, or artwork on the Paul and Lulu Hilliard College Artwork Museum. Tour a swamp or eat some crawfish.
No matter your pursuits are, you might be certain to search out one thing that excites you on this record of the perfect issues to do in Lafayette.
1) Go on a Swamp Tour
One of many important issues we wished to do in Louisiana was try the swamps. We had heard a lot about them and seen them in films, however wished to know what they have been actually like.
So after we discovered we have been coming to Lafayette, we found that the most important swamp within the US, the Atchafalaya Basin, was a brief drive away. Hell yea!
After performing some analysis on how we may greatest go to the swamp we discovered McGee’s Swamp Excursions, a family-run eco enterprise that does boat excursions out to the basin.
We signed up for a 90-minute gradual boat swamp tour and it was sensational!
We cruised round on the lookout for wildlife and exploring the large delta basin. It was a lot greener than we thought it might be, and was truly very lovely. Nothing like what we anticipated.
There are those that stay on the swamp in small houseboats, and our legendary information Skip (who grew up on the swamp himself) instructed us all concerning the historical past, tradition, and life of individuals right here.
It was truthfully so incredible and we liked each second of it. This is likely one of the greatest guided boat excursions yow will discover for the swamps.
If you end up in Southern USA positively add a swamp tour to your bucket record.
2) Eat Some Crawfish
If you get to Louisiana, everyone will ask you if in case you have tried crawfish but.
It’s the primary meal right here within the state, and crawfish boils are an enormous a part of the native tradition.
There was no method we may depart Lafayette with out seeing what all of the fuss was about.
Kaylie, a Lafayette native, caught up with us for dinner and was keen to indicate us how you can eat the favoured delicacies.
She rose to the problem, and took us to a small but fashionable diner referred to as the Crawfish Spot to present it a go.
Curious to know what it was like? Try our video from the expertise and tell us when you’d give it a go too!
3) Tour the Tabasco Manufacturing facility on Avery Island
Do you know that the unique (and solely) Tabasco Manufacturing facility is discovered close to Lafayette, on Avery Island in Louisiana?
Once we discovered you’d have thought Jarryd was a child going to Disneyland. He LOVES Tabasco sauce.
Tabasco sauce was invented proper right here in Louisiana in 1868, and remains to be the one place on the earth the place it’s made.
You may tour the manufacturing unit the place all of the magic occurs, and wander the attractive grounds.
We discovered all concerning the well-known scorching sauce and the way it was made, with the chili mash fermenting for 3 years in whiskey barrels earlier than being combined with vinegar for a month after which bottled and distributed.
The elements and recipe for this well-known scorching sauce is virtually unchanged for 150 years.
Visiting the Tabasco Manufacturing facility is definitely among the best issues to do in Lafayette Louisiana.
4) Get in Contact with Nature at Jungle Gardens on Avery Island
After getting your fill of scorching sauce, discover extra of Avery Island and head to the tranquil Jungle Gardens.
Positioned on Avery Island in South Louisiana, Jungle Gardens is a big inexperienced area dwelling to some fascinating points of interest.
There are about 170 acres of botanical gardens and wildlife sanctuaries. There’s additionally a bamboo grove and a historic Buddha statue.
Chicken Metropolis is an egret colony and sanctuary designed to guard native egrets, as hunters used to kill them for his or her feathers to make use of in women’ hats.
These days, you’ll be able to go to Chicken Metropolis to admire these majestic, snowy white birds having fun with life within the marshes.
Jungle Gardens additionally hosts birding and wildlife excursions so you’ll be able to see all of the wildlife that thrives within the marshes round Avery Island. Discover extra data on their web site!
- Deal with: Hwy. 329, Avery Island
- Hours: 9am – 5pm every day
- Worth: $12.50 adults, $9.50 children (consists of Jungle Gardens and Tabasco Manufacturing facility admission)
5) Keep in a Historic Plantation Residence
Whereas visiting Lafayette, you can at all times prolong your sightseeing and cultural immersion to your lodging.
As an alternative of staying in a traditional lodge, why not keep in a historic plantation dwelling?
There are some actually beautiful locations to remain in and round Lafayette the place historic buildings have been transformed into locally-run mattress and breakfasts.
One of many very best choices is Maison Mouton B&B, which is the place we stayed throughout our time in Lafayette.
This cozy, centrally-located mattress and breakfast is about in a restored Creole home from the 1820s.
Surrounded by gardens and small cottages, and full with charming, comfy rooms, the B&B is stuffed with character, but nonetheless has all the fashionable facilities you’d ever want.
There isn’t a higher place to expertise Southern hospitality and historical past than staying in a historic dwelling corresponding to Maison Mouton.
6) Discover Downtown Lafayette
On our record of issues to do in Lafayette Louisiana, we needed to embody taking a while to discover the Downtown space and chat to locals.
Downtown Lafayette is a energetic space that doesn’t get almost as a lot consideration because it deserves.
With quite a few distinctive native eating places, stay music venues, sporting occasions, museums, artwork galleries, and extra, there are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do downtown.
We’ll get into extra element about a number of the prime points of interest in a while this record of the perfect issues to do in Lafayette Louisiana.
However simply meandering by means of the easily-walkable streets of Downtown is an effective way to get a really feel for the “Hub Metropolis”.
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7) Broaden Your Thoughts on the Lafayette Science Museum
Visiting the Lafayette Science Museum is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do downtown.
When you’ve got any curiosity in science and the pure world, this museum is a should.
From geology, to marine biology, to paleontology, and extra, you’ll be able to be taught a lot when exploring this unbelievable museum.
There’s a planetarium, a present store, sculptures and work about pure historical past, and loads of interactive reveals.
Go to the web site to see what particular interactive reveals are on on the Lafayette Science Museum once you’re on the town.
- Deal with: 433 Jefferson Avenue
- Hours: Saturdays 10am – 6pm, Sundays 1pm – 6pm
- Price: $12 Adults, $8 children
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8) See the Lafayette Museum (The Alexandre Mouton Home)
The Lafayette Museum is a historic dwelling and backyard that preserves the historical past and tradition of the city.
Constructed round 1800 by a number of the first settlers in South Central Louisiana, the home is thought for housing Alexandre Mouton in 1825.
Mouton was the primary Democratic Governor of Louisiana. His dwelling has been preserved as a museum in order that guests to downtown Lafayette can catch a glimpse of what life was like again then.
For extra details about occasions and admission, in addition to photograph galleries and tales concerning the historical past of the museum, try the web site.
- Deal with: 1122 Lafayette Avenue
- Hours: 10am – 4pm Tuesday – Saturday
- Price: $5
9) Go to the Acadian Cultural Heart
Visiting the Acadian Cultural Heart is one other among the best issues to do in Lafayette Louisiana.
Acadian historical past is a big a part of the native life in Lafayette, and it’s price studying a bit about it.
“Acadians” refers back to the group of people that migrated from France to Nova Scotia and different elements of northeastern North America within the seventeenth and 18th Centuries.
A few of them additionally settled in Louisiana, and the descendants of the Acadians finally turned generally known as “Cajuns”.
The Acadian Cultural Heart used reveals, movies, artwork, and occasions to coach guests concerning the historical past, actions, and tradition of the Acadians and their descendants, the Cajuns.
It’s free to go to, so when you’re within the tradition and historical past of the world, it’s price trying out the Acadian Cultural Heart.
- Deal with: 501 Fisher Highway
- Hours: 9:30am – 4:30pm, Tueday – Saturday (closed on holidays)
- Price: Free
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10) Step Again in Time on the Acadian Village
For extra schooling concerning the historical past of Cajun nation, additionally contemplate visiting the Acadian Village.
The Acadian Village sits on 32 acres of land only a 15 minute drive exterior downtown Lafayette.
Designed to protect Cajun tradition, the village is a formidable duplicate of an genuine 1800s Cajun village.
There are 11 buildings in whole, 7 of that are precise houses which have been donated to the Acadian Village by descendents of the unique inhabitants. There’s additionally a blacksmith store and plush farmland, all with a peaceable bayou operating by means of the village.
To see what a Cajun group actually seemed like lots of of years in the past, positively see the Acadian Village once you go to Lafayette.
- Deal with: 200 Greenleaf Drive
- Hours: 10am – 4pm, closed Sundays
- Price: Free
11) Tour the Vermilionville Residing Historical past Museum
Vermilionville Historic Village, also called the Residing Historical past Museum, is a novel place to go to in Louisiana Bayou Nation.
Devoted to educating guests concerning the historical past of the world’s native individuals, Vermilionville Historic Village gives an enriching and interactive studying expertise.
The village celebrates and appreciates the tradition of Native People, Creoles, Acadians, and different teams of people that thrived within the space all through historical past.
Study concerning the instruments of Cajun and Creole music, flick thru historic artifacts, tour seventeenth, 18th, and nineteenth Century houses, and extra.
- Deal with: 300 Fisher Highway
- Hours: 10am – 4pm, Tuesdays – Sundays
- Price: $10 adults, $5 college students
12) Discover Cypress Island Nature Protect on Lake Martin
One of the enjoyable issues to do in Lafayette Louisiana for nature lovers is head out to Lake Martin and tour the Cypress Island’s Nature Protect.
This can be a excellent place to see native wildlife, particularly as a result of it’s much less swampy than different nature preserves within the space.
You may simply drive there and discover the swamp through strolling, canoeing, or kayaking with none hassle.
Positioned in between Lafayette and the small city of Breaux Bridge, Lake Martin is dwelling to a lot of reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
A stroll alongside the strolling trails of Cypress Island will most certainly give you views of hundreds of nesting shorebirds. It’s additionally doubtless you’ll spot some alligators within the waters.
There’s a kayak rental store on the finish of Lake Martin Highway if you wish to get out on the water and paddle round Lake Martin.
For guided excursions by kayak or canoe, try Pack and Paddle, an area firm that runs excursions of the world.
Cypress Island Nature Protect is run by the Nature Conservancy, and their aim is to revive and protect the wildlife and atmosphere of the swamps on this nook of Louisiana.
You may go to Cypress Island Nature Protect totally free throughout daylight. The Customer Heart is open from 10am – 4pm on Wednesdays by means of Sundays.
13) Style the Native Delicacies with Cajun Meals Excursions
Among the best issues about touring in Louisiana is indulging in loads of genuine Cajun delicacies.
Made with contemporary native elements and bursting with taste, the Cajun meals round Lafayette is mouthwatering.
Guided meals excursions are the simplest option to style all the perfect dishes from the perfect native locations.
Cajun Meals Excursions is a top-rated native firm that takes its company by means of the center of Cajun nation. Pay attention, be taught, and most significantly, eat!
Cajun Meals Excursions combines historical past classes with culinary experience and means that you can pattern the easiest of the native delicacies.
You may be a part of a strolling meals tour by means of downtown Lafayette or hop on a meals tour by personalized tour bus that travels to some additional spots like Breaux Bridge.
They actually have a full day Cajun expertise that features a swamp boat tour of Lake Martin and Cajun dance classes, whereas after all that includes native Cajun dishes all through the day.
14) Watch or Play Reside Music at a Cajun Jam
One of the enjoyable issues to do in Lafayette Louisiana is head to a Cajun Jam.
That is basically a laid-back, casual stay music jam the place anybody can take part. Free to enter and open to all, a Cajun Jam is a energetic and thrilling option to expertise Cajun music and native tradition.
Among the greatest musicians from the Lafayette space attend the Cajun Jams, so it may be tremendous spectacular to only watch. When you’re a musician, be a part of within the enjoyable!
Two of the preferred stay music occasions in Lafayette embody:
Cajun Jam on the Moon
Cajun French Reside Music Jam
15) Catch Reside Zydeco Music
Cajun tradition and music is fairly well-known in Lafayette amongst vacationers, as the world is a part of “Cajun Nation”.
However a lesser recognized sort of music that’s completely price trying out is Zydeco Music.
This style of music which originated in southern Louisiana is an intoxicating mixture of black Creole, French Creole, and Native American sounds, language, and beats.
Accordian and guitar are fashionable devices, and the music blends rhythym and blues with jazz and conventional people music. It’s extraordinarily distinctive and exquisite.
Among the greatest stay music venues for listening to Zydeco tunes in Lafayette embody El Sid-O’s Zydeco and Blues Membership and Blue Moon Saloon.
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16) Attend a Free Music Competition
As a result of Lafayette is such a vibrant, multicultural, creative place, the town typically hosts unbelievable music festivals which might be utterly free!
So when you’re a music lover and also you’ve already hit up a Cajun jam or a stay music venue, contemplate heading to Lafayette throughout one in every of these superior festivals.
The preferred is the Competition Worldwide de Louisiane, hosted yearly on the final weekend on April. This five-day competition celebrates French heritage by means of superb stay music performances and many scrumptious meals.
One other among the best festivals in Lafayette is the Festivals Acadiens et Creoles. Hosted on the second full weekend of October, this free music competition makes a speciality of Cajun, Zydeco, and Creole music.
17) Tour the Paul and Lulu Hilliard College Artwork Museum
The Hilliard College Artwork Museum is a prime attraction in Lafayette for artwork lovers.
Positioned on the College of Louisiana in Lafayette, the Hilliard Artwork Museum is a visible arts museum that focuses on schooling.
With three important galleries showcasing worldwide artwork in addition to American Southern Gulf Coast artwork by means of work, artifacts, sculptures and extra, there may be a lot to see right here.
See historic Egyptian artwork, Japanese prints, and images from native Louisiana artists. There are additionally rotating particular reveals, which you’ll be able to be taught extra about on the web site.
The museum was initially named the Paul and Lulu Hilliard College Artwork Museum, after Paul and Lulu Hilliard who donated $5 million to the development of the museum.
- Deal with: 710 East St. Mary Boulevard
- Hours: 9am – 5pm Tuesday – Saturday (shut at 8pm on Wednesdays and open at 10am on Saturdays)
- Price: $7.50
18) Carry the Kiddos to the Youngsters’s Museum of Acadiana
When you’re touring by means of downtown Lafayette with children, that is the right place to entertain them for a day.
The Youngsters’s Museum of Acadiana is for kids ages 10 and beneath. It promotes schooling and group engagement, so it’s an effective way to get your children concerned within the native tradition.
With a concentrate on interactive reveals and actions, the Youngsters’s Museum will get your children concerned in native crafts, cultural lessons, video games, and different hands-on initiatives.
- Deal with: 201 E. Congress Avenue
- Hours: Time slots out there on the web site
- Price: $7 (Free for infants beneath 1)
19) Go to the Rip Van Winkle Gardens at Jefferson Island
A fast 30-minute drive south of Lafayette will carry you to Jefferson Island, a stunning attraction stuffed with nature and historical past.
Jefferson Island is known as after Joseph Jefferson, an American actor who turned well-known for enjoying the position of Rip Van Winkle on stage. The position was primarily based on the nineteenth Century brief story of “Rip Van Winkle”.
The southern plantation type dwelling of Joseph Jefferson and the encircling Rip Van Winkle Gardens are a powerful attraction on Jefferson Island that makes a pleasant little tour from Lafayette.
Wander by means of the semi-tropical gardens, admire the Victorian structure of the mansion, and marvel on the timber which might be over 300 years previous.
- Deal with: 5505 Rip Van Winkle Highway
- Backyard and Present Store Hours: 9am – 5pm
- Residence Excursions: 10am -4pm
- Price: $12
20) Take pleasure in Some Treats at a Native Bakery
When you’re craving one thing a bit of completely different than crawfish and Cajun meals, head to one of many cozy native bakeries in downtown Lafayette and revel in some dwelling baked items.
Lafayette has some superb bakeries that promote contemporary bread and pastries, in addition to meals and take away snacks.
An area favourite is Poupart Bakery. Opened in 1967, that is the oldest authentically french bakery on the town.
Poupart Bakery is family-run and has every day specials out there. Try their instagram and check out not drool over the beautiful, colourful truffles!
Talking of cake, Piece of Cake Lafayette is the perfect place to go for artisan truffles. This can be a favourite amongst locals for elaborate, custom-order truffles, however it’s also possible to pop in for a scrumptious slice of cake or pastry to-go.
One other genuine french bakery is Keller’s Bakery Downtown. Positioned in a historic constructing, the bakery was based by the Keller household, a household of bakers who migrated to the USA from the Alsace Area of France within the 1700s.
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21) See a Present on the Acadiana Heart for the Arts
Final on the record of the perfect issues to do in Lafayette Louisiana is heading to the Acadiana Heart for the Arts.
This cultural middle has so many issues to see and do, from ticketed performances to free public occasions to artwork galleries and extra.
You would come for a stay present, corresponding to a dance recital, a play, or a musical. There’s a lot music that performs on the Acadiana Heart as properly, from rock bands, to people teams, to opera singers.
There are at all times touring arts performances coming by means of the Acadiana Heart. You would simply see a well-known band at some point after which see a small native artist the following.
The Acadiana Heart for the Arts can be dwelling to visible artwork exhibitions and galleries that you would be able to see at any time. Cease in to browse, or ebook a present upfront for once you’re on the town.
- Deal with: 101 W Vermilion St.
- Hours: Galleries are open Tuesday – Saturday from 9am – 5pm
- Price: Is determined by which occasions/exhibitions you might be attending. Discover extra data on the web site.
The place To Keep in Lafayette, Louisiana
Now that you realize what to do in Lafayette, listed below are a number of the top-rated lodging choices to your keep.
Sadly there aren’t any hostels in Lafayette, as the town is just not but on the favored vacationer path of the USA.
However there are some nice funds accommodations and motels for these trying to economize. And there are many nice mid-range lodging choices, in addition to some pricier choices for these with money to spend!
Finest Price range Lodging: Woodspring Suites
For lodging beneath $100 USD per night time, Woodspring Suites has a number of the greatest rankings.
It isn’t immediately within the metropolis middle, so having a automobile could possibly be useful as it’s a few kilometers to most points of interest. However this can be a beautiful, quiet place to stick with all of the facilities you might want, like a health middle, flat display screen television, and kitchen services.
Finest Mid-Vary Lodging: Hilton Backyard Inn
The Hilton Backyard Inn is a top-rated lodge close to downtown Lafayette that’s nonetheless very moderately priced.
With rooms costing round $150 USD per night time, you get to get pleasure from prime quality rooms and repair with out spending a fortune.
There’s an on-site restaurant as properly, and the lodge is near all of the highlights of downtown.
Finest Luxurious Lodging: Maison Mouton B&B
We talked about this unbelievable historic plantation dwelling mattress and breakfast earlier within the article. However when you’re on the lookout for the perfect lodging in Lafayette, that is it.
The very best factor about Maison Mouton B&B is that the costs are very cheap for such a surprising place.
A keep in a beautiful, cozy room with backyard views surrounded by big oak timber is just round $150-200 USD per night time, relying in your dates. You additionally get a scrumptious dwelling cooked breakfast, after all.
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