Student Groups

Lafayette Parish’s long and profound history as the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun & Creole Country makes it a unique destination for student groups.

The indigenous Atakapa-Ishak, Choctaw, Chitimacha, and Opelousa were the first to inhabit the area. After being expelled from Canada, numerous Acadian refugees settled the area after Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years' War. They married other settlers, forming what became known as Cajun and Creole cultures, which both spoke French and were deeply Catholic.

Today, Lafayette Parish is known as the Happiest City in America. People visit with a smile on their face for a rare taste of the area's living history, with traditional food fixings and music to the culture, history, and warm hospitality that greets you at every turn.

Whether your passion is for their rich cultural history, the bustling culinary scene, the French language, or the distinctive blend of Cajun and Zydeco music, you can be sure your student group will leave beaming from ear to ear.

Click the link below to claim you Lafayette Student Group Guide Download

Irene Hodge

Tourism & Convention Services Manager

Eugenie Mitchell

Vice President of Tourism Sales

Find out how your group can become honorary Cajuns by filling out the form below.

* Indicates a required field.



Education with Curriculum programing/Lesson plans/STEM/STEAM

Lafayette's oldest authentic vision of life in 19th century Southwest Louisiana and a showcase of historic homes alongside winding bayous, depicting unique Acadian architecture of the time. Acadian Village exists as the fundraising arm of LARC. *French Experience

Arts in Education. Through our programs we providing arts experiences for students as well as tools and support for educators. We present a broad range of quality arts events and workshops, all of which are designed as interdisciplinary learning adventures that connect real-life experiences to academic instruction. Our nationally renowned program has been a Kennedy Center Partner for over 20 years. *French Experience

DoReME! is a music enrichment curriculum currently taught at Truman Early Childhood Development Center by two educational professionals employed by ASO. Our educators instruct at least five, 30 minute classes, per day integrating music into the school's standard lesson plans, utilizing basic instruments such as maracas, sand blocks, rhythm sticks, as well as introducing classical instruments and classical music, to stimulate creativity as well as assisting with the development of fine and gross motor skills - enhancing the early educational experience for over 500 students per school year. *French Experience

To improve the water quality and the aesthetics of the Bayou Vermilion within the Parish of Lafayette in an effort to promote the bayou as a recreational and cultural asset. *French Experience

Hands-on participatory museum serving children and their families, schools, and community organizations by providing interactive exhibits, special services, performances, and workshops. *French Experience

Students will learn the concept of S.T.E.M. in a total in a totally interactive and entertaining manner.

A dynamic, education-oriented museum that serves as a center for interdisciplinary learning. Exhibitions and programs are designed to meet the educational and cultural needs of Louisiana's highly diverse population and to foster intellectual discourse. *French Experience

The Acadian Cultural Center, a unit of the National Park Service, depicts the story of the Acadians who settled the prairies and wetlands of south Louisiana. *French Experience

A regional STEM-based museum with exhibition space dedicated to showcasing the scientific expertise held within the community. A digital planetarium takes visitors on an adventure through the cosmos without ever leaving their seats. *French Experience

McGee's Swamp Tours has been a must-see for visitors to Cajun Country for more than four decades. Passengers on McGee's sightseeing airboats and swamp boat tours will be able to observe the vastness and beauty of one of America's greatest swamps, the Atchafalaya Basin.

Cajun/Creole/Native American Heritage & Folklife Park. Historic village represents life in Acadiana from 1765-1890. Features self-guided tours; costumed, bi-lingual artisans, live music, cooking school, restaurant, boat tours and gift shop. *French Experience

We bring together music, dance, and theatre to express ourselves as individuals, to enlighten our community about the world around us, and — of course — to entertain!  Our school is full of students and faculty whose lives and careers are built around performing, and we want to share our passion for the arts with you. At UL Lafayette, our joie de vivre is so closely tied to the arts — and we want you to be a part of it. *French Experience

Performance Venues

ArtWalk Lafayette occurs every second Saturday in Downtown Lafayette. The monthly event features exhibits, live music, theatrical performances, and immersive artistic experiences in the shops, galleries, museums, and streets of Downtown Lafayette.

CYT Lafayette is a youth theatre organization dedicated to developing character in children through training in every aspect of theatrical arts.  They do 5+ performances a year with the production of wholesome family entertainment musicals at Angelle Hall, University of Lafayette

An exciting large-scale concert series attended by thousands of concert-goers. The center for great food, live music, arts and culture, and incredible events. Spanning genres from Cajun and Creole to Indie Pop, Rock, Soul, Country, Folk, and RnB—DTA is an event for music lovers of all kinds. *French Experience

A 100-acre green space located in the heart of Lafayette, Louisiana. A gathering space to come together to celebrate, relax, learn and take advantage of the endless opportunities that a regional park of this size provides.

No matter what time of year you visit us here in Cajun & Creole Country we will have something for you to celebrate. There is literally something happening every week. *French Experience

Free lunch hour concert features different musicians performing from noon to 1 p.m. *French Experience

One stop for dining, live music, and bowling.

We bring together music, dance, and theatre to express ourselves as individuals, to enlighten our community about the world around us, and — of course — to entertain! Our school is full of students and faculty whose lives and careers are built around performing, and we want to share our passion for the arts with you.

Located at Vermilionville. Styled after an old agricultural building, with sliding exterior walls. *French Experience

One stop for dining, live music, and bowling.

Music Based Attractions/Interest

High-end studio specifically designed and built for the purpose of mixing and mastering music of virtually all genres. *French Experience

Handcrafted and Drumsticks creation sourced from regional materials and suppliers. Every board used is hand selected before it becomes drumsticks.

Cajun accordions manufacturer. Tour of factory with an hour of Cajun music after the tour. For groups of 15 or more. *French Experience

Owner Anya Burgess is a violin maker, restorer and player. Her work blends interests in craft, design and music. Group presentations are available. *French Experience

Major Festivals

Live music; tintamarre parade; traiteur traditions; local art of; cooking, accordion construction and repairs; spinning and weaving, wood carving, open hearth cooking and other demonstrations. *French Experience

The heart of Cajun & Creole Country, Lafayette, LA, is transformed into a winter wonderland throughout the months of November and December with a Cajun and Creole Christmas. From light shows to parades, tour of homes, performances, carolers and much more you can be sure to find something to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Cajun accordions manufacturer. Tour of factory with an hour of Cajun music after the tour. For groups of 15 or more. *French Experience

Largest Francophone music festival in the country. Held during the last weekend in April, the festival celebrates the Cajun & Creole cultural influences through music, dance, food, cinema & other performance arts. *French Experience

A music, food & craft festival that features the sounds, flavor & crafts of south Louisiana. *French Experience

Mardi Gras season signals a time of celebration. The more common Mardi Gras celebrations span two weekends and festivities include parades, old-fashion Mardi Gras runs or courir de Mardi Gras, and of course, plenty of king cake.

Extracurricular Activities

Come and enjoy our many attractions, games, prizes and more. With over 68,000 square feet of fun under one roof, we’re ready to play rain or shine!

A 37,000 square foot fun factory offering a variety of trampoline activities.

Go-karts, water wars, miniature golf and a huge arcade, our adventures are like no other

Come and enjoy our many attractions, games, prizes and more. With over 68,000 square feet of fun under one roof, we’re ready to play rain or shine!

Trip Planning Resources

Cajun Restaurants in Lafayette, LA

Here in Lafayette, we are known for our rich Cajun heritage and delicious cuisine, attracting visitors from all over the world to experience the unique... Read More

Lafayette Weekly

Los Angeles-based psychedelic rockers La Luz are on a tour of the south this month and will make a stop in town this week. The trio released a new... Read More

African American Musical Legends in...

June is African American Music Appreciation Month. A time to honor, celebrate, and reflect on all the musical accomplishments Black Americans have given... Read More

June Events Spotlight

If you're looking to spend some time in the Hub City and want to know what events are happening in June, you're in the right place. We'll... Read More

Getting to Lafayette

The city of Lafayette, LA is located in the center of Lafayette Parish at the intersection of I-10 and I-49 between New Orleans and Houston and only 35 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. The eight parishes that comprise the area are Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion. Acadiana is made up of 22 South Louisiana parishes that extend from south of Alexandria in the center of the state, to Lake Charles on the west, south of New Orleans on the east, and to the Gulf of Mexico in the south.

Plan Your Escape

Lafayette, LA is at the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun & Creole Country, an area known as the ‘Happiest City in America’ and it’s no mystery. Whether your passion is for our rich cultural history, the bustling culinary scene or distinctive blend of Cajun and Zydeco music, you can be sure you will leave beaming from ear to ear. Plan your escape to the Happiest City in America.

Allons is the official tourism publication of Lafayette Travel. Request a Copy View Digital Version