Things To Do 

Lafayette, LA is located in the Sportsman's Paradise, an area known for its swampland dotted with moss-draped cypress trees teeming with wildlife. Lafayette is the perfect destination for birding, paddling, fishing, and numerous other outdoor activities. No matter where you end up, you can be sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience enjoying Lafayette's outdoors and leave with a smile on your face.

In addition to being known as the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun & Creole Country, Lafayette is also known as the Heartbeat of Acadiana, and with good reason. Our distinctive mix of Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco have people coming down from all over for a two-stepping good time. On any night of the week, you can listen to live music while sampling some authentic Cajun & Creole cuisine or kickback with a cocktail that will have your taste buds dancing as much as your feet.

Lafayette is at the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun & Creole Country, an area known as the Happiest City in America. The area has a long and profound history of various cultures. The indigenous Atakapa-Ishak, Choctaw, Chitimacha, and Opelousa 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 Acadians married other native, French, Spanish, and African settlers, forming what became known as Cajun and Creole cultures. Today, tourists flock to Lafayette for a rare taste of the genuine Cajun & Creole experience, from traditional food fixings and music to the warm hospitality that greets you at every turn.

Immerse yourself in the untouched purity of a cypress and tupelo swamp. Sway your hips to the upbeat tempo of accordions and washboards or let the seductive flavors of Cajun and Creole cooking dance on your palate. Join in on a colorful Mardi Gras celebration and experience the largest non-ticketed Francophone festival in the country. All these experiences await in Lafayette, Louisiana, the Happiest City in America. Set within the heartbeat of Acadiana, Lafayette is unquestionably uniquely seasoned. Each time of year presents new possibilities making this the kind of place you'll want to visit often.