Lafayette has plenty of unique festivals, bars, and restaurants to visit, with new additions popping up constantly. Outside those activities, Lafayette is packed with exciting things to try alone or with friends. If you are sporty, artsy, or somewhere in between, there is something for you to love. These sites are sure to please locals and visitors alike.

For a complete listing of weekly events and upcoming festivals, click here.

Magnolia LA BMX and Skate Park

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Magnolia LA BMX and Skate Park

Are you a fan of the X-Games that has been waiting for an opportunity to try your first 360? Maybe you're a novice roller skater hoping to gain confidence or a veteran BMX rider looking to gain a hobby. Regardless of your history with skating, Magnolia LA BMX Shop and Skate Park has a place for you.

The business has been in soft opening phases for a few months but celebrated its grand opening in May 2023. It serves as Acadiana's only indoor skate park. Open seven days a week, Magnolia LA is owned and operated by Lafayette native Joseph "Ooti" Billeaud. Billeaud became a part of the BMX community during the 90s as the sport began to gain popularity.

" I think it is every BMX biker and skater's dream to have their skatepark," Billeaud explains. "The first skatepark I rode was in 1995, called Buck Nutty's Skate Ranch. I've been traveling the country to ride my bike at different skateparks ever since."

He created the space to be inclusive to all riders regardless of age or skill level. He hopes to grow Lafayette's thriving skating community and welcome more people to learn about the vast sport.

"Lafayette has a rich skateboard culture built over multiple decades, but it currently doesn't have any indoor or outdoor skateparks in the city, so its impact will be incredible for the community as it's very much needed."

Magnolia will be offering a summer camp and private lessons at the facility. If you need help figuring out where to start with equipment, check out the shop portion of the building. Magnolia LA has an admission price of $10 and welcomes BMX, wheelie, and MTB bike riders, roller skates, roller blades, scooters, and skateboards.

Click here for additional information on allowed equipment, safety, group pricing, and more.

Escape360

Escape 360

Thrill chasers and puzzle enthusiasts rejoice a new escape room has opened in Lafayette. Located next to Sam's Club on Ambassador Caffery, Escape360 allows you to heighten your logic skills with different intense challenges. If you've never heard of or participated in one, an escape room is a timed game where participants solve puzzles to unlock the room or receive a prize.

Escape360 currently offers two different puzzles with varied difficulties. Both are family-friendly and open to anyone over the age of 7. The owners recommend being 13+ to get the most out of the game.

If solving these rooms with strangers makes you nervous, don't worry. Escape360 operates differently than most escape rooms because they only put you in a room with members of your party. Each session requires a minimum of four people to participate and has a cap of 8. Reservations can be placed at Escape360.net, walk-ins are accepted, but reservations are strongly encouraged.

Pottery Alley

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Pottery Alley

Pottery Alley

Everybody loves a good conversation piece, so why not make one yourself? Pottery Alley offers various crafting courses, workshops, and private sessions for all skill levels. Pottery Alley first opened in 2007 and recently opened a new location at 2605 Johnston St. It is a wonderful way to spend the weekend or a great addition to your travel list if you are visiting. Pottery Alley is the only place in Acadiana where you can throw, fire, and glaze pottery, offering a fully immersive experience.

If you are a local or have been in town for a while, you should take advantage of the monthly class offerings. Students can choose from wheel or hand building as their medium and schedule four 3-hour courses to master that skill set. These classes are open to anyone 12 or older and can be booked in advance by clicking here.

If you are looking for more than one experience? They have you covered! Each month Pottery Alley offers a variety of workshops to help learn the fundamentals and seasonal craft ideas. These classes are open to anyone eight years and older. Currently, they offer three workshops: Wheel for Dummies, Handbuilding for Dummies, and Seasonal Workshop. The seasonal course is centered around holidays and nature of that month and is open to children six and older and adults. Clay, glaze (paint), and firing are included in all services. Summer day camp is also offered for children 8-17. Campers can focus on sculptures or wheels.

 

Zen Den Yoga Studio

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Zen Den Yoga Studio

Zen Den Yoga Studio

If you are looking for a more peaceful way to spend a day, try a session at Zen Den Yoga Studio off Johnston St. Zen Den specializes in hot yoga but don't let that scare you away. Hot yoga has many proven health benefits and is believed to improve mental health. And at Zen Den, they curate courses suitable for all skill and comfort levels. Zen Den is owned by Emoni Harbor, a native of Lafayette and a long-time yoga lover. She has always appreciated the feeling you get when doing hot yoga and wanted to share that power with others.

Zen Den classes are heated between 90 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit and range in difficulty level. Hot Slow Flow, Slow Burn, and Heal and Strech are suggested classes for beginners. These classes are open to more advanced yogis as well.

Specialized courses and workshops are posted on their social media pages monthly. Each Saturday, Zen Den offers a $5 course, an excellent opportunity to get a feel for the class structure. Classes are offered Monday through Saturday, with one class on Sundays for expecting mothers.

Zen Den offers membership packages ranging from one-day to one-year membership options. For more information click here.