Fun Indoor Activities in Lafayette, Louisiana and the Surrounding Area

Louisiana is home to beautiful swamps and wetlands, so it’s only natural we need a lot of rain. Our mild climate allows locals and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities year-round, but on rainy days, we take the fun inside. Cajuns love to host the best parties, and we promise to keep you well-fed and well-entertained rain or shine.

 

Local Culture

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

Outside the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, LA
Image courtesy of Kent Hutslar

Acadiana is a richly Catholic community, dating back to the mid-18th-century when French Canadians of the Catholic faith were exiled to Louisiana by the Protestant British Governor. While the area is home to many Catholic cathedrals, one of the most exquisite is St. John’s downtown. Guests of all religious backgrounds are invited to admire the gorgeous Romanesque cathedral with Italian marble and stain glass along with the above-ground cemetery and centuries-old oak tree. Daily self-guided audio tours are available in English, French, and Spanish. SaintJohnCathedral.org

Prejean’s

People dining at Prejean's Restaurant in Lafayette, LA
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/Prejeans/

Food and music are perhaps the best way to experience Cajun culture. Prejean’s offers both under one roof. Operating for nearly 40 years, Prejean’s has become an institution. Adults and kids alike love the fish-camp atmosphere—complete with a giant gator. Order a plate of crawfish enchiladas or some duck gumbo and get ready for some foot-stompin' fun. Live Cajun music is offered nightly at 7 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday performances at 11 a.m. Prejeans.com

Randol’s

Guests dancing at Randol's in Lafayette
Image courtesy of facebook.com/RandolsRestaurant

Randol’s is another local staple to get your fill of Cajun cuisine and music. Local specialties include boudin balls, fried alligator, fried crab fingers, chicken and sausage gumbo, and crawfish—in season winter and spring. Tables are lined around the dance floor, where locals do the two-step to burn off those extra calories. Bands begin nightly at 6:30 p.m. Randols.com

Cajun Food Tours

Foodies lined up by the Cajun Food Tour Bus
Image courtesy of www.facebook.com/CajunFoodTours

Lafayette has been named the Tastiest City in the South. Hop on a tour bus and spend three heavenly hours sampling Cajun originals like boudin, king cake, etouffee, gumbo and cracklin’ from a half-dozen restaurants. CajunFoodTours.com

Rodrigue Studios

Dog artwork from the Rodrigue Art Studio
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/GeorgeRodrigueArt/

Local Acadiana artist George Rodrigue became an international sensation when his iconic Blue Dog paintings were picked up by Absolute vodka’s advertising campaign. Rodrigue passed away in 2013, but his fan base is stronger than ever. Stop by to see his early works, admire his famous Blue Dog series, and even chat with his childhood friend who runs the shop today. Closed Sun-day. GeorgeRodrigue.com

Blue Dog Cafe

Blue Dog Cafe Tables and Seating

For more works by Rodrigue, head to the nearby Blue Dog Cafe, which showcases favorite paintings from the Blue Dog series. Enjoy a classic Cajun menu along with live music almost every night of the week and brunch on Sunday. Lafayette.BlueDogCafe.com

Hand Star Clay Studio

Artists decorate clay artwork at the Hand Star Clay Studio
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/HandStarDesigns/

Also in the Oil Center is this charming pottery studio. Stop by for a free studio tour, or sign up for a private class to learn wheel throwing and hand-building. They’ll glaze your work and ship it back to you! Call for hours. (337) 296-7292. HandStarClayStudio.com

Hilliard University Art Museum

Family admire artwork at the Hillard University Art Museum in Lafayette, LA
Image courtesy of Hilliard University Art Museum

Open Tuesday through Saturday, the Hilliard University Art Museum is located on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Special programs are held throughout the week including yoga classes on Saturday. HilliardMuseum.org

Alexandre Mouton House

Outside the Alexandre Mouton House
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/pages/Alexandre-Mouton-House/

For an interactive history lesson, head downtown to the Mouton house, which was built in 1800 and was the childhood home of Alexandre Mouton, the first Democratic governor of Louisiana. Today, the building serves as a living history museum. Open Tuesday through Saturday. LafayetteMuseum.com

Tabasco Tour

Four different TABASCO flavors

Your favorite brand of hot sauce got its roots in Acadiana—literally from hundreds of peppers planted by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868 on Avery Island. A 10-stop factory tour takes guests through the Tabasco Museum, greenhouse, barrel warehouse, factory building, country store, and restaurant. (Come back on a pretty day to explore the trails of McIlhenny’s Jungle Gardens across the street.) Tabasco.com

Cooking Class at Tabasco

Lawn area outside the TABASCO Musuem in Lafayette, LA

Want to cook like a Cajun? Chef Lionel Robin hosts cooking classes several times a week at 1868 Tabasco Restaurant. Learn some of the secrets to making Tabasco-infused cuisine then enjoy a four-course lunch. Tabasco.com

Shadows on the Teche

Shadows home on the Teche in Lafayette, LA
Image courtesy of Mickey Delcambre via Facebook.com/ShadowsontheTeche/

Built near the sugar plantations in 1834, the Shadows is a classic Revival-Style home with a Louisiana Colonial floor plan. Located on New Iberia’s beautiful Main Street, the home is on the National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours are offered Monday through Saturday. ShadowsOnTheTeche.org

Books Along the Teche

Books Along the Teche sign for New and Used Books in Lafayette
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/Books-Along-The-Teche

After touring the Shadows, stop in this local bookstore for unique, regional reads. For the kids, pick up a copy of “Evangeline” and “Cajun Night Before Christmas.” Adults can select a few thrilling mysteries by James Lee Burke—this is his hometown, after all. Closed Sunday. BooksAlongTheTeche.com

 

Fitness, Sports & Day Spas

River Spa

Woman with hot stones along spine at the River Spa in Lafayette
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/riverspa/

Head to the upscale new-urbanism community of River Ranch and spend a relaxing afternoon at River Spa, where massages, facials, mani-pedis, and waxing services are offered. Closed Sunday. RiverSpaRiverRanch.com

The Refinery

Bourbon and whiskey on display at The Refinery in downtown Lafayette
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/RefineryDowntown/

Guys flock to this hip downtown salon and barber spa for an old-fashioned hot-towel shave, haircut or massage. (Ladies are welcome, too!) Guests even bring in their own bourbon to enjoy the experience, and regulars keep their own bottle on site with an engraved name tag. Closed Mon-day. RefineryDowntown.com

Red Lerille’s

Weightlifters bench pressing at Red Lerille's Health and Racquet Club
Image courtesy of RedLerille's.com

With all the rich Cajun cuisine, it’s only fitting the South’s largest health club is located here. Red Lerille’s Health and Racquet Club covers 20 acres and encompasses 195,000 square feet. Grab a day pass and enjoy fitness classes, indoor tennis courts, childcare, indoor swimming pools and even a restaurant and bar. Open daily. RedLerilles.com

X-Golf

Friends watch as man tees up indoors at X-Golf in Lafayette, LA
Image courtesy of XGolf Louisiana

Outside the greens are wet, so check out this indoor golf facility, complete with six simulators and a sports bar. Open daily.

 

Fun for All Ages

Lafayette Science Museum

Lafayette Science Museum Plantarium seating

Cloudy skies outside, but they’re all clear inside the Lafayette Science Museum downtown. Oth-er exhibits include fun and educational subjects ranging from virtual reality to insects, dinosaurs and meteorites. Closed Monday. LafayetteScienceMuseum.org

Lafayette Lanes

Bowlers at Lafayette Lanes
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/pages/Lafayette-Lanes/

Whether it’s a group of friends, a baseball team or the whole family, bowling is always a fun outing. Open daily. LafayetteLanes.com

The Grand Theatre

Outside the Grand Theater in Lafayette on a rainy day
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/pages/Grand-Theatre/

With two locations in the heart of Lafayette, The Grand Theatre features all the new releases. During summer showers, head to the Grand for a children’s feature film and popcorn offered weekdays for just $5. Open daily. TheGrandTheatre.com

Lunar Mini Golf

Lunar Mini Golf under black lights
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/LunarGolfLafayette/

Take your crowd to Acadiana Mall for indoor mini golf, complete with black lights and glow-in-the-dark fun. Open daily. GlowMiniGolf.com

Unravel Live Escape Game

Family Survived the Unravel Escape Game in Lafayette
 

You’re locked in a mysterious room and have just 60 minutes to get out. Located near the University of Louisiana, this interactive and challenging experience makes for a creative date night or a stimulating night with friends. Closed Monday.

Clayfish Bisque

Kids coloring their clay at Clayfish Bisque
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/ClayfFishBisqueInc/

Kids (and grown-ups!) can unleash their creative side as they create their very-own pottery. Paint and personalize platters, piggy banks, figurines, vases, pet bowls and more before it’s professionally glazed. Open Monday-Friday and walk-ins welcomed. ClayfishBisque.com

 

Just for Kids

Lafayette Children’s Museum

Kids learning at the Children's Museum of Acadiana
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/cmalaf/

Ideal for preschool and elementary-aged children, this hands-on museum features a make-believe grocery store and restaurant, bubble factory, crafts room and other educational exhibits. Open Tuesday-Saturday. ChildrensMuseumOfAcadiana.com

SkyZone

Boy doing backflip on a trampoline at Sky Zone in Lafayette
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/skyzoneusa/

When the kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s time to take them to SkyZone indoor trampoline park where they’re actually encouraged to bounce, jump, run and play. Open daily. SkyZone.com

Elevation Station

Kids bouncing and playing at Elevation Station in Lafayette, Louisiana
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/ElevationStationBroussard/

Another popular trampoline park, Elevation Station is located in nearby Broussard with trampoline basketball, a trapeze, gladiator pit, games and more. Closed Monday. ElevationStation.com/Broussard

Kart Ranch

Kids go-karting at Kart Ranch in different colored karts
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/Kart.Ranch/

If it’s too wet for the go-kart track, the arcade and huge indoor playground are enough of a draw to keep the kids happy on a rainy day. Enjoy traditional games like skee-ball and basketball as well as simulators and video games. Open daily. KartRanch.com

 

Shopping

Shops at River Ranch

Jewelry at kiki in the Shops at River Ranch
Image courtesy of Facebook.com/ShopKiki/

If it’s a light drizzle, duck into a few locally owned boutiques for unique jewelry, purses and clothing at kiki, Maven or Hemline. In a downpour seek shelter at Paul Michael, a mega home-decor store where you can easily spend an hour. Open daily. MainStLiving.com PaulMichael-Company.com

Mall of Acadiana

Acadiana Mall
Image courtesy of Acadiana Mall

This updated indoor mall is a draw for all of Southwest Louisiana. More than 85 stores include Banana Republic, Build A Bear, Chico’s, Brookstone, Charming Charlie, Dillard’s, Gap, J. Jill, Macy’s, Sephora, White House Black Market and more. Open daily. Acadiana-Mall.com

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Rainy Day Resources

Lafayette Travel

Their friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to give you lots of vacation ideas—in sunshine and rain! LafayetteTravel.com

WAITR

Don’t want to get out in the rain? Download this app and get food from most every major Lafayette restaurant delivered to your doorstep. WaitrApp.com