Spend any time in Lafayette, and you’ll hear the phrase, “your mom and them”. It’s a colloquial term for family and friends, your social circle, your peeps. “How’s your mom and them?” You may hear or even get asked. Or, “I saw your mom and them at the grocery store.” I don’t think any cultural…
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Within a short drive from Lafayette lie two unique wetlands that offer excellent wildlife viewing — Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge, a swampy ecosystem that’s home to nesting water birds, native plants, and alligators, and the Atchafalaya Basin, the nation’s largest river swamp. Visitors may spot…
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Lafayette, Louisiana, offers more than just incredible food and live music. It’s also a destination for sports, recreation, and active experiences in the Happiest City in America. Whether you’re traveling with a team, looking to stay active on vacation, or just want to mix in a little competition…
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Crawfish, also known as crayfish, crawdads or mudbugs to some visitors, are freshwater crustaceans found in the swamps and marshes of south Louisiana. Crawfish have become as much a staple of Cajun & Creole culinary culture as the accordion or fiddle is to our music. The crawfish season differs from…
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Spring in Lafayette is when everything comes alive. From the music in the streets to the flavors on your plate. It’s the season of crawfish boils, world-class festivals, and perfect weather for exploring Lafayette’s outdoors. Whether you’re dancing downtown, paddling a bayou, or digging into your…
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Our beloved Acadiana poet Darrell Bourque once referred to early America’s free-form poets as “marvelous rebels” for breaking the rules of traditional form and allowing their works to be shaped by the spirit inherent in each one. In a modern world like ours, where the contours of our lives are so…
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Long before “farm-to-table” became a trend, Lafayette was already living it. In Lafayette, the term “farm to table” is a necessity. As a native myself, I grew up among the rice fields and crawfish ponds of the Acadiana area. Buying boiled crawfish at a restaurant was a foreign concept to me until…
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Each spring, Downtown Lafayette comes alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Festival International de Louisiane, the largest free Francophone festival in the U.S. This five-day event transforms the city into a global stage, where music, art, and culture from around the world take center…
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The origins of some of South Louisiana’s deepest traditions may have been lost in time, or perhaps in the revelry. But rituals of faith still play a large role in how we celebrate, what we eat, and when we rest. As you explore this region’s rich culture and history, it’s worth a visit to many of its…
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Since the very first Festival International de Louisiane in 1986 photographer Philip Gould has captured moments that show how the unique festival has grown to become one of the largest non-ticketed Francophone events in the world. We have partnered with him to showcase some his most memorable…
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