Happy Hour
Every hour is happy here in Lafayette. While other areas might boast about their “2-for-1” cocktails or drink specials, we package all of our favorite things into our happy hours.
Almost every day of the week, you’ll find specials ranging from freshly caught oysters to some unique pizza creations, and yes, even those coveted 2 for 1 drink specials.
Breweries
Some treat brewing as a craft. Here in Cajun Country, local businesses are transforming it into an art form. Acadiana already has three established breweries that locals and visitors know and love.
Bayou Teche Brewing and Cajun Brewing continue to expand production and distribution as more and more people clamor to get a taste of Lafayette.
Po-boys in Lafayette
The po-boy is Louisiana's most widely eaten homegrown sandwich. Similar to the hoagie or submarine, the po-boy — variously spelled poboy, po'boy, or poor boy…
Best Happy Hours and Affordable Eats in Lafayette
Whether you're looking for a post-work happy hour or craving something filling for under $10, Lafayette offers plenty of options that combine great taste with local flavors…
New Restaurants Open in Lafayette
Lafayette restaurateurs can give themselves a pat on the back for opening so many new eateries in town over the past year. From breweries to soda fountains, there’s a new…
Plate Lunch Trail
Though most visitors to Lafayette might sooner associate the area with our more famed Cajun and Creole culinary fare (jambalaya, crawfish, and gumbo), it is the rice and…
Festivals
Kick your year off with a Mardi Gras celebration like no other. Right up the road from New Orleans, we’ve got all the excitement and revelry of carnival season in a family-friendly atmosphere. Or, if you’re looking for a more “traditional” experience the Courir de Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday Run”) is an experience you’ll only find in South Louisiana.
The good times keep on rolling through April when we celebrate the largest outdoor Francophone event in the world with Festival International de Louisiane. Hundreds of performing and visual artists from 17 countries, along with Lafayette’s own artists, converge on six stages across Downtown Lafayette for five days of world music.
The fall is even busier kicking off with Festival Acadiens et Creole, a Cajun and Creole experience like no other. Taking place the second full weekend of October, this free three-day festival welcomes locals and visitors alike to share in food, music, dancing as well as arts and crafts that make the region so unique.
Concert Series
Kick off your weekend starting Wednesday in Pelican Park with the Mercredi Concert Series.
The good times keep rolling on Thursday with Rhythms on the River, a free evening concert series held in River Ranch’s Town Square.
Friday's are a double header with Bach Lunch, a free popular lunchtime music series that takes place on Fridays in Downtown Lafayette coupling local food offerings with music for all ages.
The fun continues into the evening on Friday with Downtown Alive! another local favorite concert series offering free music from regional artists of all genres.
Lafayette Weekly
A weekly curated playlist by local musician Philippe Billeaudeaux featuring music by Lafayette, LA musicians with a weekly rundown of live music happening in and around the area…
Cajun & Creole Instruments: Triangle
The triangle is a simple, percussive rhythm instrument central to Cajun music. Consisting of two parts, the baton, or striker, and the triangle itself, the instrument was…
Swamp Pop Music
Swamp pop, according to its foremost historian, Shane K. Bernard, represents the cultural collisions of "Cajun and Creole, black and white, French and English, rural and…
Cajun & Creole Instruments: Fiddle
A bowed string instrument, the fiddle is central to Cajun music's sound, culture, and history. The history of the fiddle, an instrument more or less synonymous with the…
Historic Lafayette Trail
Lafayette Parish has a long and profound history. The indigenous Atakapa-Ishak, Choctaw, Chitimacha, and Opelousa were some of the first to inhabit the area. Numerous Acadian refugees settled in this area after being expelled from Canada after Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years' War. They married other settlers, forming what became known as Cajun and Creole cultures. Both cultures spoke French and were deeply Catholic.
Lafayette Parish is still at the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole country, with a living and vibrant history that is evident whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat, visiting a gallery or museum, or dancing to Cajun or zydeco music at a local dancehall.
Click here to discover Lafayette's historic places.
Acadian Cultural Center
The Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette, Louisiana tells stories of the origins, migration, settlement, and contemporary culture of the Acadians (Cajuns) and other area groups. Ranger programs, films, exhibits, and events share a variety of local traditions including music, story-telling, dance, and food as well as exploring the mysteries of the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana’s wildest place.
Swamp Pop Music
Swamp pop, according to its foremost historian, Shane K. Bernard, represents the cultural collisions of "Cajun and Creole, black and white, French and English, rural and…
Performing Arts in Lafayette
When most people think of Lafayette, Louisiana, they picture lively festivals, flavorful Cajun and Creole cuisine, and toe-tapping rhythms—but the performing arts scene here…
Creole Music
An early 20th-century precursor to zydeco, la-la music melds indigenous American, African, European, blues, nascent rhythm and blues, and Louisiana Creole and Cajun traditions to…
Bringing the World to Lafayette: History of Festival International
During the last week of April, residents are decked out in hats, dancing shoes, and smiles along the streets of downtown Lafayette. Refrains of "Happy festival" are…
Bayou Vermilion
Whether you’re a professional photographer or you’re looking for that perfect Instagram photo, Bayou Vermilion is the perfect backdrop for your getaway. The Vermilion runs 70-miles through Lafayette and Vermilion Parish. The Vermilion is also home to plenty of wildlife including a variety of birds and the occasional alligator in the northern portion. There are many access points in Lafayette Parish as well as many routes you can take. Rentals are available at Bayou Vermilion District as well as guided tours.
Click here for more information on the Vermilion including swamp tours, canoe, and kayak rentals and more.
Nature Station
Opened in 1978, the Acadiana Park Nature Station is located on a 150-acre facility complete with a 6-mile trail system. The trail system will introduce you to some of the native flora and fauna of the area and the Nature Station staff is on hand to answer any questions. In addition, they also offer plenty of programming for all ages including excursions and night hikes. Surrounding the Nature Station is a public park complete with playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields, pavilions, and a 36-hole frisbee golf course that’s perfect for a long afternoon walk or a picnic.
Click here for more information on Acadiana Park and the Nature Station.
Top 5 Gardens in Lafayette
Lafayette, LA, is a place where natural beauty and history come together in stunning gardens that captivate visitors year-round. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless…
Top 5 Parks in Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana, is home to various beautiful parks, each offering unique outdoor experiences. From sprawling green spaces and scenic trails to playgrounds and event spaces…
Vermilion Voyage
"The Vermilion, by its union with the gulph, forms the natural communication of its inhabitants with the sea. The time is not far remote when many thousands of people will…
5 Epic Outdoor Experiences in Lafayette
Lafayette, 135 miles west of New Orleans, is a bustling city nestled in French-speaking Louisiana. With its laid-back vibe and vibrant culture, it’s no surprise that…
Antique Shopping Trail
Lafayette is a town of culture, food, music, festivals, and history. There is plenty to do no matter the time of year, but shopping is a nice, cool, option. Here in Lafayette, there are plenty of places to shop, but if you prefer a bit of a treasure hunt be sure to check out some of our antique shops and perhaps even take a piece of history home with you.
Click here for the complete Antique Shopping Trail guide and accompanying map.
Market at the Horse Farm
Experience the beauty of one of the largest green space parks in Lafayette while shopping and supporting local farmers and artisans. With local food vendors, artisans, jam sessions, park tours, and educational seminars it’s a great way to spend a Saturday. The park and farmer’s market is open every Saturday rain or shine from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., but you can remain in the park to stroll about or plan a family picnic.
Click here for more information about the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market at the Horse Farm.
Lafayette Pet Friendly Guide
Traveling with your furry friend? You’re in luck—Lafayette is a great place to explore with pets in tow! From dog-friendly patios and spacious parks to pet-friendly…
Holiday Shopping Guide in Lafayette, LA
Let's unite to support our neighbors and make a difference in our community by shopping local. From cozy boutiques to delicious eateries, Lafayette is filled with unique shops…
Souvenirs in Lafayette
Your adventure in Lafayette is drawing to a close, but the warmth of the hospitality, the rhythm of zydeco, and the taste of boudin will linger with you long after you depart. But…
Thrift Stores in Lafayette
Thrift stores are making a comeback. Whether you're looking for that ultra-rare rock tee or just an affordable pair of shoes, Lafayette has everything from resale designer…
