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No trip to Lafayette is complete without spending time downtown, the soul of the city. The original Cajun town of Vermilionville was established here before the American Revolution. In 1820, prominent property owner Jean Mouton designed the downtown we see today, with a central courthouse and streets named for U.S. presidents. Today Jefferson Street remains the heart of downtown, combining Main Street charm with trendy restaurants, shops, and galleries. Downtown is the perfect place to grab an upscale meal before a performance at the Acadiana Center for the Arts or a casual lunch with the kids after visiting the Lafayette Science Museum and Planetarium, Acadiana Children’s Museum and Parc Sans Souci. Popular downtown events include April’s Festival International; Friday’s Downtown Alive from March through May and from September through November; Movies in the Parc held Saturdays in May and September; and ArtWalk, the second Saturday of the month.