Unique Things To Do in Lafayette, LA

Lafayette Parish has a long and profound history full of a wide array of cultures, starting with the indigenous Atakapa-Ishak, Choctaw, Chitimacha, and Opelousa peoples who were some of the first to inhabit the area. About 18,000 Acadian refugees settled in the area after being expelled from Canada in 1755 when Great Britain captured the land from France. The Acadian immigrants and other settlers of French, Spanish, and African descent formed the diverse cultural landscape of Lafayette.

Music has been a staple to Lafayette's identity, blending Cajun, Creole, European, and Native American influences into a unique sound all its own. Lafayette resonates with the sounds of Cajun and Zydeco music, complemented by folk, country, rock, rhythm and blues, and swamp pop. Despite its size, Lafayette Parish boasts a rich musical heritage, nurturing GRAMMY-nominated artists and hosting many concert series and festivals that showcase its vibrant musical culture.

No matter what time of year you visit us here in Cajun & Creole Country we will have something for you to celebrate. That’s in large part because Lafayette, LA is teeming with festivals year round-from beer to boudin, shrimp to sugarcane, gumbo to gratons-there is literally something happening every week.

In a region renowned for its rich cultural soundtrack, the ways musicians acquire their instruments is rarely, if ever, discussed. Yet without those instruments—many of them specialized for the musical world of South Louisiana—the music would not exist. There are several places to watch instruments being made—or pick one up yourself!

For foodies looking to travel to Lafayette or locals in search of somewhere new, it's hard to go wrong. In fact, the biggest challenge will be working out what not to eat and what to leave off your itinerary. If you are planning a food tour or just looking to explore the best Lafayette has to offer, see below for the city's best foodie delights.

Lafayette, LA has the Cajun & Creole flavors you crave, along with the freshest in Louisiana Gulf seafood. New generations of chefs are putting an inventive spin on time-honored recipes using the freshest local ingredients making Lafayette, LA an incredible place to eat. Whether your table is set with a white tablecloth or a white paper napkin, you can be sure it’s going to taste incredible. Here are a few suggestions to get an overview of our unique cuisine or tour a facility that is creating such goodness. 

Lafayette exists on high ground, but close by, visitors will find bayous, lakes, swamps, and the Atchafalaya Basin, North America's largest freshwater swamp. Numerous outfitters aim to get people on the water and close to nature. Here are a few:

South Louisiana’s waterways provide a gateway to outdoor adventure like no other. Exploration of this region in a kayak or canoe is an unforgettable wilderness experience and offers the perfect opportunity for wildlife spotting, birdwatching, and photography. Spend some time discovering the beauty of bottomland hardwood forests in and around Lafayette! Here are our top five picks for places to paddle in the area.

Nature watchers and photographers have immediate access to some of the best birding sites in North America, including Lake Martin, with its expansive shoreline and bottomland hardwood forest. At last count, birders have spotted 240 species here. In the evenings, snowy, great and cattle egrets, little blue herons, green herons and yellow-crowed night herons gather to roost.

Are you currently learning French and looking to practice speaking it? Are you looking to brush up on the French you learned in your youth? If the answer is yes, then look no further! We've compiled a list of places in Acadiana and beyond of French Tables to help you on your French-speaking journey. For a complete list of French Tables around the area click here.