Lafayette is a city in Louisiana located only 2 hours away from New Orleans. But the city – with its unique Canadian-French influence – seems to exist universes away. Famous for being the heart of Cajun culture, Lafayette is the hub of Cajun Zydeco music, incredible cuisine, culture, and miles upon miles of amazing swampy landscape.
Acadian Village
Interested in learning about Acadian history? Visit the Acadian Village in Greenleaf Drive – scenic 32-acre farmland which is a recreation of an authentic Cajun village in the 1800s. Built with a mission to preserve Acadian history, the village houses authentic 19th-century buildings donated by people whose families once owned and lived in the houses. Visitors can walk around on their own or go on several guided tours available in the village.
The Acadian Village is one of the top attractions in the city. Located close to downtown Lafayette with great hotels such as the OYO Hotel Lafayette LA I-10 & University, a trip to this historic village is easy and accessible.
Avery Island
Are you someone who needs a dash of Tabasco sauce with everything you eat? Then a visit to the home of this world-famous condiment at Avery Island is a must! Visitors can take the Tabasco Pepper Sauce Factory tour for a first-hand glimpse into the bottling process. Restaurant 1868 on the island is a great place to try local Cajun dishes. The island – located in the heart of bayou country - is also an excellent location for nature lovers with its gorgeous azaleas, camellias, bamboo, deer, egrets, and alligators.
Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum
Pail and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum is one of the top attractions in Lafayette. It is the art museum for the University of Louisiana and features over 4000 art objects from the 18th to 21st century. The collection includes artwork from America, Europe, Asia, Egypt, Japan, and local Louisiana artists.
Children's Museum of Acadiana
Keep the kids gainfully engaged at the delightful Children’s Museum of Acadiana in Lafayette. The museum features a range of experiential and hands-on exhibits that aim to teach children about concepts such as health, food, and money, among several others. Children could also sign up for several interesting workshops, classes, Scouts programs, and field trips.
Acadiana Dancehall
If you’re looking for a great night on the town, look no further than the local dance halls in Lafayette. From zydeco dancing, spectacular Cajun beats, or a good old-fashioned honky-tonk, the dance halls are the place to be in Lafayette. You can find the locals dancing the night away on any night of the week, and all you need to do is join in.
Food in Lafayette
There’s no better place than Louisiana to try some of the most delectable Cajun cuisine. Stop by for incredible food and history at places such as the Cajun Donut Market, Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn, and La Cuisine De Maman.
Getting to Lafayette
The nearest airport is Lafayette Airport just 1.8 miles away from the city. Other airports near Lafayette are in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Jackson, and Alexandria. Greyhound also operates a bus from New Orleans to Lafayette 4 times a day.
Best accommodation in Lafayette
Enjoy a comfortable stay at various OYO hotels in Lafayette. With a vast array of amenities like free Wi-Fi, comfortable bed, ensuite bathroom, tea/coffee maker, and parking among others, the hotels will cater to all your travel needs when in the city.