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.
Lafayette Parish is a truly unique destination for student groups. Experience its vibrant living history through traditional cuisine, music, and warm hospitality at the guide below.
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
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
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
Downtown Alive!
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.
Annual Music Festivals
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
Bach Lunch
Free lunch hour concert features different musicians performing from noon to 1 p.m. *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.
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
Acadian Culture Day
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
Cajun and Creole Christmas
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.
Creole Culture Day
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
For 50 years this free festival has offered locals and visitors alike the opportunity to experience three days of nonstop...Read More
A music, food & craft festival that features the sounds, flavor & crafts of south Louisiana. *French Experience
Mardi Gras
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.
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