12 Best Things to do in Lafayette, Louisiana (2024)

This city was founded in 1821 as Vermilionville, and later renamed Lafayette in 1884. Its locals are known as Creoles and Cajuns as they have a mixed heritage, descendants of colonial French, African Americans, and Native Americans. More specifically, Cajuns originate from French immigrants who were forced to leave Canada and made their way down to Lafayette.

The Cajun culture is still strong in Louisiana, and there are several things to do in Lafayette that enable you explore its history. The city is also known for its delicious traditional food – if you’re a foodie you’re going to love Lafayette! The region is famous for its countless festivals where the rhythms of the popular Cajun and Zydeco music will have you up on your feet in no time!

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12. Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum

The University Art Museum was founded in 1968, though it has changed buildings a few times since then. The museum was renamed after Paul and Lulu Hilliard after they donated five million dollars towards the construction of the current museum, which opened in 2004.

The museum is owned by the University and forms an important part of the art faculty. During your visit you’ll spot students sketching and professors in thought amongst the various tourists. The museum runs educational programs for adults and kids and encourages everyone to get creative!
They have artwork from the 18th century through to the 21st century from Europe, America, and Asia in their permanent collection. They rotate their vast collection, and sometimes have travelling exhibitions. It’s a great place to spend a peaceful afternoon.

11. Children’s Museum of Acadiana

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This non-profit organization in Lafayette has a hands-on approach to education and allows children to learn by doing. They have lots of themed rooms, where kids can try out different jobs and plan their future careers!

They can have a go at being a doctor, vet, scientist, dentist, chef, waiter, and just about anything else! The museum is great for families with young kids. There’s lots of other kids around they can socialize with, too.

The museum has a sensory area with an array of textures and colors little ones can explore. At the end of the trip, they can broadcast the day’s events from the museum’s make-shift TV station. The perfect place to spend a rainy day.

10. Rip Van Winkle Gardens

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The Rip Van Winkle Gardens are just under a 40 minute drive away from the city. The property and gardens were built in 1870 by Joseph Jefferson, who played Rip Van Winkle in the silent black-and-white film.

He came to his home near Lafayette to hunt and paint, finding inspiration in his home’s silence and surrounding nature. Even now, you can see some of his paintings in the old mansion. The house is surrounded by beautifully landscaped semi-tropical gardens, full of exotic plants.

Once you’ve visited the mansion and gardens, head down to the lakeside and watch the sunset over Lake Pigneur. If you fancy it, you can also stay at one of the Rip Van Winkle accommodations and wake up in the colorful and exotic landscape that make up this unique property. There’s a café and gift shop on-site, too.

9. Take a Cajun Food Tour

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Lafayette and the nearby towns are known for their delicious traditional food. The recipes brought into the area by French colonists are unique to Louisiana. You absolutely cannot visit without tasting at least three of the popular dishes!

There are many tours suited to a variety of budgets that you can do by foot or on board a tour bus. Along the way you’ll stop off at some of the most popular restaurants and diners in the area. Make sure you come hungry; you’ll need the extra space!

Sample a delicious pot of gumbo soup, try the famous boudin sausages and crawfish, then finish off with a sweet pecan pie. If you’re lucky you’ll get to try some alligator meat, one of the strangest dishes around.

8. Lafayette Science Museum

This educational museum is a perfect balance between learning and fun! They teach science, history, and technology to adults and kids in an engaging way, and there’s lots of interactive exhibits you can test out for yourself.

One of the most popular areas of the museum is the planetarium. Gaze up and find your favourite galaxies and constellations, then read all about the incredible planets in our solar system.

The Lafayette Science Museum is perfect for a family day trip, especially on a grey, rainy day when you can’t get out and about. There’s lots to keep kids and adults of all ages entertained.

7. Take a Swamp Tour

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Lafayette is surrounded by bayou and swampland that make up the area’s unique landscape. The best way to explore this wet, boggy land is by boat. Once you’re in the water you can get deep into the bayou and explore the local flora.

You can take a thrilling airboat tour or opt for a bigger and slower boat. You’ll be guided by a friendly local who knows the waterways like the back of his hand. If you want to try something a bit different, there are kayaking and fishing tours on offer too!

Keep an eye out for native wildlife! The area is riddled with birds, alligators, turtles, and slithering snakes; if you’re lucky you’ll spot one from onboard. You’ll also get the opportunity to learn about crawfishing, which has been practiced for generations in Lafayette.

6. Acadian Cultural Center

On your visit you’ll find out about the history of the Acadian people, and how they found themselves in Lafayette and became Cajun after they were expelled from Nova Scotia in Canada and set up their homes in Louisiana.

The center has displays of old and new artifacts that illustrate the historical and contemporary ways of life of Acadians. The French colonists brought with them music, stories, and delicious recipes that are still an important part of Lafayette’s culture.

The half-hour long documentary at the center will tell you all you need to know about the hardship and prosperity of the Acadians. They also have a little gift shop, full of local crafts.

5. Lake Martin Rookery

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Just twenty minutes away from Lafayette by car, there is a local wildlife hotspot, the Lake Martin Rookery. The destination has a lake and rookery and is famous for birdwatching. The ideal stop-off for an afternoon walk.

You can go kayaking or boating on the lake, another great way to explore the area. There are lots of oaks and tupelo trees around, these beautiful trees add to the fairy-tale appearance of the rookery.

Keep an eye out for blue herons, egrets, and ibis on your visit. The birdwatching is especially good in spring when the birds come to the rookery to nest. It’s estimated that 60% of the US bird species can be spotted here! It’s not rare to spot alligators either!

4. Acadian Village

The Acadian Village is on the outskirts of the city. This quaint neighborhood has many of the city’s oldest and most historically significant homes. The oldest house in the village is the Bernard House, that was built in 1800 and is full of art that depicts the journey of the Acadians from Canada to Louisiana.

You can also visit the home of Lafayette’s first resident dentist and explore the replicas of the old blacksmith and chapel. Once you’ve done that, head over to the Castille House that was pillaged during the Civil War, but is still in remarkable conditions.

This is the perfect destination for a short stroll that you can combine with getting to know about the Acadian way of life, architecture, and décor!

3. Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

The old cathedral was built in 1916 in the Dutch Romanesque Revival style. The exterior was constructed in red and white brick – it’s quite the large and spectacular structure. You can hardly walk past and not notice this unique building.

The cathedral is open to visitors and worshipers. Come in and learn about the building’s history and faith in the area. The colorful stained glass windows and life-like religious statues inside are just as impressive as the building’s exterior.

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is in downtown Lafayette and it’s a popular destination amongst tourists and locals alike. If you’re religious you should attend a mass, it’s a unique way to experience a community and city.

2. Visit Avery Island

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Forty-five minutes’ drive away from Lafayette is the magnificent Avery Island. The island sits on a salt deposit that extends for thousands of miles into the Earth. The deposit is thought to be left over from an old sea that once would have covered this stretch of land.

Avery Island is still home to the Tabasco sauce factory, so if you’re a fan of nature, geography, and Tabasco this is a must-see for you! The island is covered in breathtaking subtropical gardens and moss-covered trees that you can take a gentle walk through.

Once you’ve seen the gardens and factory, head over to the island’s bird sanctuary and get up close to the local birds that are kept and looked after on the island.

1. Vermilionville

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Hop in your car for a short ten-minute drive from the city center and you’ll be at the Vermilionville Historic Village. The name of the attraction is the same as the historical name of Lafayette, which gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect!

The village is full of period houses, decorated with traditional furnishings and brought to life by friendly staff in traditional clothing playing music and re-enacting the daily activities carried out in a typical 18th century day. You can watch them spinning, carving, and dancing.

The village has a little restaurant that serves delicious Creole and Cajun food, a trademark of Lafayette. Make sure you try the gumbo before you leave! Vermilionville takes you on a journey into the past of this city, when Native Americans and French colonists lived here.

Map of Things to do in Lafayette, Louisiana

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12 Best Things to do in Lafayette, Louisiana (2024)

FAQs

What is Lafayette Louisiana best known for? ›

Welcome to Lafayette — the heart of Cajun and Creole Country, the cultural center of Louisiana's heritage, the “Happiest City in America,” “Tastiest Town of the South” and a “Top Music Mecca.”

Is Lafayette, Louisiana worth visiting? ›

Q: Is Lafayette worth visiting? Yes, Lafayette is worth visiting as it's a lively city with a rich Cajun history and Creole culture, plus there are numerous festivals in the city throughout the year.

What famous person is from Lafayette, Louisiana? ›

Some of the notable people that were born in Lafayette: Danneel Ackles, television actress, One Tree Hill. Felecia Angelle, anime voice-over actress. Fernest Arceneaux (deceased), zydeco musician.

What is the happiest city in Louisiana? ›

Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission turns 50 this year, and we're giving you 50 reasons to visit our Cajun and Creole city in the heart of South Louisiana. Learn why Lafayette's been named the "Happiest City in America."

What is Lafayette best known for? ›

Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (6 September 1757 – 20 May 1834), often known simply as Lafayette, was a French aristocrat, a general in the American Revolutionary War and a leader of the Garde nationale during the French Revolution.

Is Lafayette a walkable city? ›

Lafayette's Downtown is small but mighty. Contained within less than 2 square miles, the entire area is incredibly walkable and bikeable.

What is the crime rate in Lafayette LA? ›

With a crime rate of 49 per one thousand residents, Lafayette has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 21.

Is it expensive to live in Lafayette LA? ›

Lafayette, Louisiana's cost of living is 12% lower than the national average.

What rock star is from Lafayette in? ›

Did you know that Axl Rose, (born William Bruce Rose, Jr.), an American singer-songwriter, musician and lead vocalist for the hard rock 1980s band Guns N' Roses, was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana?

What is the racial makeup of Lafayette LA? ›

Racial distribution of Lafayette population: 61.01% are white, 29.16% are Black or African American, 0.13% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.37% are Asian, 0.08% are Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 0.94% are some other race and 6.31% are multiracial.

Why is it called Lafayette Louisiana? ›

Later, in 1823, Lafayette Parish was carved from St. Martin Parish, named after Marquis de Lafayette, a revolutionary hero. The town evolved into Lafayette and became the central hub of Acadiana, blossoming with a railroad stop, a dynamic population, and a bustling business district.

Who is the richest person in Lafayette LA? ›

In Louisiana, Todd Graves, founder and CEO of fried chicken chain Raising Cane's tops the list with an estimated worth of $9.1 billion. He launched Raising Cane's in 1996, using his savings and an SBA loan.

How many millionaires are in Lafayette, LA? ›

But there is an astonishing amount of money for a city of 85,000 people. Arthur Broussard, president of the Guaranty Bank, Lafayette's largest, estimates that there are ''a thousand, perhaps more'' millionaires in town. Others say there are as many as 2,000.

What is Lafayette remembered for? ›

Marquis de La Fayette 1757–1834. The Marquis de La Fayette distinguished himself with his military deeds during the American War of Independence (1775-1783), earning the nickname “Hero of two worlds”.

Is Lafayette, Louisiana a good place to live? ›

Lafayette is a city in Louisiana with a population of 121,706. Lafayette is in Lafayette Parish and is one of the best places to live in Louisiana. Living in Lafayette offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Lafayette there are a lot of restaurants and parks.

Why go to Lafayette LA? ›

Lafayette is at the heart of Louisiana's Cajun & Creole Country, an area known as the Happiest City in America where people visit for a genuine Cajun & Creole experience. Lafayette has a distinct culinary identity as the epicenter of Cajun & Creole cuisine that's earned them the title Best Food City in the USA.

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