Things to Do in Lafayette, Louisiana (2026 Guide)

Lafayette is a bustling city in the heart of southwest Louisiana that defies the norms of middle America. Known locally as a “little-big town” and once you arrive, you will understand why. It has the energy and ambition of a bigger city, yet everywhere you turn there are signs of tradition. Family recipes have been passed down for generations. Lifestyles remain relatively unchanged for years while festivals, often unapologetically Cajun, are a cherished part of local culture.

Known by many names, Lafayette can be called the Hub City, Cajun Country, Boomtown, Laffy, the Flats, or even the Cajun Heartland. Lafayette has quietly built a reputation as one of the American South’s most underrated destinations, drawing visitors from around the world with its legendary food, its music, and a hospitality that feels genuinely earned rather than performed. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a week, you won’t run out of things to do.

As a place of tradition, people love the idea of things staying the same. However, given the nature of the city’s art scene, the creativity and influx of progressive ideas has helped Lafayette to grow in new ways. Each time I visit, I’m amazed to find out what the latest activities that the city has. The cool thing is, that like most cities, the best things to do are frequently free or spending money is optional. Here’s the best of what Lafayette has to offer.

Cajun Culture & History

A curated list of exclusively Cajun things to do in the Lafayette area.

Vermilionville Historic Village

The best introduction to Cajun culture in the city.

Conveniently located near the Lafayette Regional Airport, Vermilionville is a replica of an Acadian village. Each building or house tells a different series of stories about the cajun people and lifestyle. Although the modern cajuns are primarily known for their food traditions, the historic road to the life they live now was arduous. Vermilionville also has frequent events showcasing local musicians, such as the CFMA Cajun Jam on Saturdays from 1-3:00PM (13:00-15:00) or Le Bal de Dimanche on Sundays from 1-4:00PM (13:00-16:00).

📍 300 Fisher Rd, Lafayette, LA 70508 🕐 Tue–Sun, 10am–4pm 💵 $12 adults / $10 Seniors / $7 Students / Free for kids under 5 🔗 bayouvermiliondistrict.org/vermilionville/

Blue Moon Saloon & Guest House

An intimate and social gathering with a mixed international crowd.

The Blue Moon Saloon is Lafayette’s only hostel offering accommodation for backpackers and more bohemian style travelers. On Wednesdays at 8:00PM, Blue Moon hosts their weekly Cajun Jam attracting a range of local and international musicians. They have a range of other events as well. Check out their schedule to get a taste of Cajun culture just outside of downtown in the neighborhood of Freetown.

📍 215 E Convent St, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 Wednesdays starting at 8PM 💵 Free, sometimes with a cover charge 🔗 bluemoonpresents.com/live-music

LARC’s Acadian Village

To get a deeper understanding of Cajun housing construction and history

Acadian village offers an alternative perspective on the cajun lifestyle and way of life. Similar to Vermilionville, Acadian Village is exactly as the name suggests, a village of Acadian homes. It’s located in a quiet area in the outskirts of Lafayette. Complete with a General Store, it can be a great place for souvenirs and other local cajun knickknacks.

📍 200 Greenleaf Dr, Lafayette, LA 70506 🕐 Mon-Sat, 10:00-4:00PM 💵 $11 adults / $10 Seniors / $9 Students / Free for kids under 4 🔗 acadianvillage.org/

La Table Française

A great way to connect with native French speakers aspiring francophones

The greater Lafayette area is home to a number of French tables where people interested in either maintaining their grasp on French or learning more French meet and talk, hang out or play games. The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), which is the Agency of Francophone Affaires for the State of Louisiana has an event list which documents all the French tables (La Table Française). There is usually at least one a week at different places such as Vermilionville or restaurants like Johnson’s Boucanière. If you want to practice your French and your pronunciation of Laissez les bons temps rouler, then be sure to join a Lafayette French table.

📍 Various 🕐 Check schedule 💵 Usually free, depends on the event 🔗 codofil.org/tables/

Zydeco breakfast at Buck and Johnny’s

To dance, listen and eat Cajun life all at the same time

The Zydeco breakfast was made famous by Café Des Amis, which hosted it for many years. Café Des Amis was a breakfast place in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, just outside of Lafayette proper. A few years ago, the world famous Zydeco breakfast in Breaux Bridge underwent a transition and is now hosted at Buck and Johnny’s. Each Saturday morning, they serve you breakfast while you listen to live Zydeco/Cajun music. They also have dancing so brink your dancing shoes and get ready for a boogie! Pro tip: Seating is first come first serve, so arrive early as it can get quite crowded.

📍 100 Berard St, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 🕐 Saturdays from 8:30-11:30AM 💵 $10 cover charge 🔗 buckandjohnnys.com/

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles

To get a heavy dose of Cajun culture in a jam packed weekend

The Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is the largest Cajun and Creole festival in the United States, held annually at Girard Park in Lafayette. It was started in 1974 by the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL). The open air festival is a free three-day celebration that showcases the music, food, and artisans from the surrounding Acadiana region.

📍 500 Girard Park Dr, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 October every year 💵 Free 🔗 festivalsacadiens.com/

Food & Drink

Cajun food is known throughout the world as some of the most unique and flavorful food. Lafayette was voted Best Culinary Town in the South by The Local Palate in October 2024. USA today also named Lafayette as a Best Food City in the USA. It’s no surprise that people continuously return to the Hub City for a tasty treat.

The Burger Challenge

An unofficial competition between local burger joints. Try them all and see which you love best.

If you ask anyone in Lafayette where you can find the best burger, you might get different answers. That’s because there are some food rivalries in Lafayette, which all claim to offer the best burger in town. (Honorable mention for the original Southside Bakery serving their award-winning hamburgers and sweets, which closed its doors in 2018)

Judice Inn

Fun fact: Judice Inn is a Lafayette staple, and has been in the same location since 1947.  Interestingly, Judice Inn does not serve French fries. Why? Ask them, they just never have.

📍 3134 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Open Mon-Sat from 10 AM–9:30 PM 💵 See menu 🔗 judiceinn.com/

Twin’s Burgers

📍 2801 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Opene Mon-Sat from 8:30 AM-8 :00PM 💵 See menu 🔗 twinsburgersandsweets.com/

Pete’s

📍 3903 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Open daily from 11 AM–8:00 PM 💵 Free 🔗 peteslafayette.com/

Fill up on a Poboy

Eat one of Louisiana’s iconic sandwiches

A poboy is effectively Louisiana’s spin on the iconic submarine sandwich. Although, there are mixed opinions on how poboys got their name, everyone agrees on one thing: they are delicious. If you’ve never had one, then you are in for a treat. Most theories point to New Orleans to a time when day workers, would use their hard earned coin to grab a hearty sandwich for lunch. The poboy word is a southern derivative of poor boys. Over time, that fluffy french bread sandwich stuffed with your protein of choice evolved to become an iconic sandwich known as a po’boy.

You can eat a great poboy in Lafayette from Olde Tyme Grocery or Pop’s Poboy. You can’t go wrong with either!

Try the local brew

Drink a flight of beers from a local brewery

The greater Lafayette area is home to several microbreweries which have sprung up in the last 15 years. Lafayette brands capitalized on the wave of popularity by those seeking to try unique beers as they travel the country. A fan of trying new beers? You’ll be pleased to find out that you can easily access one of the most popular growing breweries around, Parish.

Parish Brewing Company

Parish Brewing Company is actually located in Broussard, just outside of Lafayette. Their most popular beer is Canebrake, has been a staple in local bars for years, but several other items have risen in popularity as well. Parish Brewing gives free tours every Saturday at 1, 2, and 3PM when their Taproom is open. During the free tour, you can taste the beers offered by the company. Alternatively, you can visit their taproom just about any day of the week for an ice cold beer.

📍 229 Jared Dr, Broussard, LA 70518 🕐 Opened daily 💵 Check their menu 🔗 parishbeer.com/

Tchoup’s Adopted Dog Brewing

More of a dog lover? You’ll be excited to know that there’s a brewery in Lafayette called Adopted Dog Brewing, which is technically the only microbrewery within the city limits. The owners, Ryan and his wife are huge advocates for pet adoption and have used the brand to advocate for pet ownership. It’s obviously dog friendly and also serves food. Non-drinkers, can still enjoy themselves as they serve non-alcoholic beers too.

📍329 Dulles Dr, Lafayette, LA 70506 🕐 Weds-Sun, 11 :00AM–8:00 PM 💵 Check their menu 🔗 adopteddogbrewing.com/

Wildcat Brothers Distilling at Gator Cove

Trying a cajun take on popular Caribbean spirits

Wildcat Brothers Distilling at Gator Cove is a craft rum distillery located in Lafayette, recognized as Acadiana’s first distiller of craft rum. It specializes in producing French-style rum made entirely from locally-grown Louisiana sugarcane, distinguishing itself through small-batch, artisanal methods and deep cultural roots in Cajun heritage.

📍Gator Cove, 2601 SE Evangeline Thruway, Lafayette, LA 70508 🕐 Tours are usually scheduled, check their website for more info 💵 Free 🔗 adopteddogbrewing.com/

Get late night diner food

Southern comfort food meets the classic American diner

Lafayette has two diners that really excel at the American classic diner. Both of these diners have the feel of walking into a 1950s establishment, bright colors, deep booths with cushions and hearty breakfasts. If you find yourself wondering around after hours, don’t hesitate to stumble over to a diner. You’ll be in good company with locals.

Mel’s Diner

📍 2956 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Opened daily for 24 hours 💵 Per menu 🔗 themelsdiner.com/

Hub City Diner

📍 1412 S College Rd, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Daily 6:30 AM–9 :00PM 💵 Per menu 🔗 hubcitydiner.com/

Marie’s Cajun Food Tour

A roaming Lafayette food tour you can’t miss

Cajun Food Tours was founded by Marie Ducote Comeaux in 2012. She offers multiple options for food tours in Lafayette. The tours are typically 3-5 hours and can visit up to five to seven local establishments, featuring signature dishes such as boudin, gumbo, king cake, cracklins, and grilled oysters. Currently she offers a standard food tour, an All-Day Cajun Experience, a Breaux Bridge Walking Food Tour, and an Around the World in Acadiana Taste Tour supporting over 30 local vendors.

📍 See website for details 🕐 By appointment only 💵 Based on tour package 🔗 cajunfoodtours.com/

Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market (at the horse farm)

Bring the family to enjoy fresh local products, gifts and easy going cajun jam in the park

Each Saturday, vendors and artisans from around Lafayette gather to bring together the weekly farmer’s market. You can find fresh prepared food from Lafayette’s vibrant international community as well as local cajun food. Farmer’s bring their fresh produce and food staples to offer the best farm to table experiences you can find in Lafayette. The Farmer’s market has come a long way in the past few years. They added a physical building to the space. It is open rain or shine and is very family friendly so it’s a great option if you have children. Come ready to eat, support local businesses and listen to live cajun music. The market is a perfect Saturday morning outing. After you finish with the market, head over to Moncus Park for a digestive walk and relax in nature.

📍 2913 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Saturdays 8:00AM-12:00PM 💵 Free 🔗 marketatmoncuspark.com/

Nature & Outdoors

Lake Martin

The best wildlife refuge and swamp close to Lafayette (with great sunsets too)

Lake Martin is a 800-acre wildlife preserve in St. Martin Parish, just outside Lafayette. Created in 1952 when a five-mile levee was built around a seasonal swamp, it transformed what was once an extended part of the greater Atchafalaya Basin, which was alternately flooded and dry depending on the season, into a year-round habitat for wildlife and recreation.

Today, roughly 200 acres are open water, with the rest a permanently flooded cypress-tupelo swamp. It’s now part of The Nature Conservancy’s Cypress Island Preserve and home to one of the most significant waterbird rookeries in the United States. This is a must visit for bird watching. The Lake is also home to many alligators, which can satisfy your checklist of seeing a real living dinosaur. If you want to get a sense of the preserve is like, then take a walk around Lake Martin. Be sure not to miss the sunset!

Lake Martin is a great because you can hike, kayak, fish, bird and then watch a beautiful sunset before the mosquitos carry you away.

📍 See Maps link 🕐 Opened daily 💵 Free 🔗 Lake Martin on Maps

Cypress Lake at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

An easy way to spot an alligator without leaving the city

📍 See Maps link 🕐 Opened daily 💵 Free 🔗 Cypress Lake on Maps

Acadiana Park Nature Station

A quick nature escape from the city hustle

The Acadiana Park Nature Station is an educational and recreational center located in Lafayette, that combines a natural history museum with extensive hiking and camping trails. The site is known for its flat, accessible trails which includes wooden boardwalks that allow visitors to explore regional flora and often see local reptiles, birds, and more.

📍 See Maps link 🕐 Mon-Fri 8:00AM-5:00PM; Sat-Sun 11:00AM-5:00PM 💵 Free 🔗 Acadiana Park Nature Stations on Maps

Moncus Park

An oasis of nature in the heart of Lafayette

Moncus Park is a 100-acre public park located in the heart of Lafayette. By locals, it was formerly known as the “Horse Farm,” and was owned by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In 2005, a community campaign called “Save the Horse Farm” succeeded in preserving the land from commercial development. In 2018, the park entered into a 100-year lease with the city of Lafayette and is now operated by Lafayette Central Park, Inc., a nonprofit organization. 

The park is has nature trails, an inclusive playground, a wading pool, an amphitheater, a dog park, and a small lake called Lake Reaux. It receives nearly 500,000 visitors annually and offers free wellness, arts, nature, and family event programs.

📍 2913 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Daily 5:00AM-10:00PM 💵 Free 🔗 moncuspark.org/

Girard Park

A community oriented park near the University

Girard Park is open to the public and it has free public parking. There is a track for running or walking and outdoor equipment for exercising. For sports enthusiasts, they have basketball, wallball, and tennis areas. There is also a pond for fishing. If you want you can cook up a barbecue and have a picnic for your family and friends. At various times throughout the year, there are several prominent festivals in the park.

📍 500 Girard Park Dr, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Open 24 hours 💵 Free 🔗 Girard Park Maps

Avery Island

A spicy stop with a twist of nature

A beautiful island owned by the McIlhenny family, the makers of the world famous Tabasco sauce. The island showcases scenic drive-thru of wildlife, where you can see a wide variety of flora and fauna. The island has a bird sanctuary called Jungle Gardens and a large collection of bamboo. The flowers on the island are a special treat in the springtime. In addition to all this, you can also take a tour of the factory where they make the sauces to ship worldwide.

📍 32 Wisteria Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513 🕐 Open 24 hours 💵 Free 🔗 tabasco.com/visit-avery-island/

Pack & Paddle

Find events to connect with other nature-minded people

Pack & Paddle is Lafayette’s most well-established hiking gear and outdoors store, but it is also much more than that.  Pack & Paddle offers weekly workshops, gatherings, socials, and outdoors excursions for people with common interests in all things fun.  The majority of these events are free and all that is required it for you to show up.  Check out their website for upcoming events and other outdoorsy things to do in Lafayette.

📍601 E Pinhook Rd, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 Mon-Fri 10:00AM-6:00PM; Sat 10:00AM-5:00PM 💵 Free 🔗 packpaddle.com/

Festivals & Seasonal Events

As a state, Louisiana is no stranger to festivals. In fact, there’s a festival for just about anything in Louisiana. Often, the festivals are so prevalent that you have to choose between which events you want to attend. The city of Lafayette and surrounding areas offers a large amount of festivals with some notable headliners. Within 30 minutes of the greater Lafayette area, there is a festival for Crawfish, Shrimp, Frogs, Alligators, Catfish, Sugar Cane, Rice, and an Octoberfest to name a few.

For an entertainment break, here’s a song called Welcome to Louisiana by a local rapper named 2nd Samuel which mentions many festivals in Louisiana.

Festival International de Louisiane

To experience one of the largest free outdoor music festivals in the United States

Every April musicians from around the world come to Lafayette to perform for nearly 400,000 people. Festival International has grown substantially over the last decades from its inception in 1987.  It is a fun outdoor festival with live music from around the globe. Further, it is a bilingual festival where all announcements are made in both French and English. It’s a great festival for Francophones, although you will hear many more languages spoken at the festival. In the 2026 festival, musicians hailed from Canada, Colombia, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mali, Peru, Puerto Rico, South Korea and many other origins.

📍 315 Lee Ave, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 Last weekend in April 💵 Free 🔗 festivalinternational.org/

Lafayette Holi Festival – Acadiana’s Festival of Colors

A taste of India in Lafayette

As an ancient celebration that was introduced to Lafayette in 2011 by the Acadiana Indian Association (AIA), Lafayette Holi welcomes people of all backgrounds to celebrate the arrival of spring with vibrant color throws, Bollywood music, dance performances, and authentic Indian cuisine. Lafayette Holiday Festival, also known as Acadiana’s Festival of Colors takes place annually on the last Saturday of March. The event has grown into a regional cultural highlight and is officially recognized by the City of Lafayette. It is a great festival in Lafayette if you happen to be in town for March. The location is typically in Girard Park.

📍 500 Girard Park Dr, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Annually in March 💵 Free 🔗 lafayetteholi.org/

Artwalk

A monthly arts focused event, great for date night

ArtWalk Lafayette is a community celebration of local artistic talent in Acadiana. Every second Saturday of the month, cultural venues in downtown Lafayette open their doors to showcase works by local artists, host live performances, and create a festive atmosphere that’s open to everyone. There’s no single organizing body: each gallery or studio hosts its own unique event.

📍 See Maps link 🕐 Second Saturday of every month (rain or shine) 💵 Free 🔗 Downtown Lafayette Maps

Downtown Alive!

Lafayette’s longest running free outdoor concert series

Downtown Alive! (also known as DTA!) is Lafayette’s longest-running series of free outdoor concerts, having been held since 1983. This event brings live music to the heart of Acadiana, serving as a hub for culture, food, and art in the city center. It is family-friendly, featuring a variety of genres including Cajun, Creole, indie pop, rock, soul, country, folk, and R&B. For up-to-date information on artists and specific schedules for the season, visit the official Downtown Lafayette Facebook page.

📍 (Parc Sans Souci) 201 E Vermilion St, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 First Friday of the month during spring and fall seasons, 6:00PM-8:30PM 💵 Free 🔗 Downtown Alive Facebook Page

Noel Acadien Au Village (Christmas)

Romantic Christmas lights in a historic Acadian setting

Noel Acadien au Village is an annual 23-night Christmas festival held at LARC’s Acadian Village in Lafayette. The event transforms the grounds into a winter wonderland with over half a million lights. It runs nightly from December 1 to December 23, typically from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. depending on the weather. It features live entertainment, carnival rides, local cuisine, holiday shopping, and photos with Santa, while serving as the primary fundraiser for LARC, a nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

📍 200 Greenleaf Dr, Lafayette, LA 70506 🕐 December 1st-December 23rd, 5:30-9:00PM (weather permitting) 💵 Check website for the latest prices 🔗 acadianvillage.org/noel-acadien-au-village/

Arts & Museums

Lafayette may be a relatively small city, yet it even has an appeal for the arts. If you are the museum-type, then you may enjoy checking out one of Lafayette’s museums or art institutions.

Hilliard Art Museum

It is a space where local art meets global dialogue, rooted in Acadiana and open to the world

Although the art museum was founded in 2004, its official origins date back to 1968 with the opening of the Art Center for Southwestern Louisiana. It was renamed in honor of the Hilliard family after a large donation, which initiated the construction of a new building for the museum. The museum is known for its rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and community events such as “Hilliard Fête” and yoga in the galleries. It features more than 3,000 works in its permanent collection, including American, European, Asian, African, and ancient Egyptian art, with a special focus on artists from the U.S. Gulf South. It showcases notable works in its collections including works by the modernist Henry Botkin, Japanese prints, and American vernacular art.

📍 710 E St Mary Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Tues-Thurs 10:00AM-5:00PM, Fri 10:00AM-3:00PM, Sat 10:00AM-4:00PM 💵 $10 adults / $8 Seniors / Free for children and students 🔗 hilliardartmuseum.org/

Acadiana Center for the Arts

A center for supporting arts of all kinds

The Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA) is a nonprofit organization located in Lafayette, Louisiana, that has been promoting art and culture in the Acadiana region since 1975. Located in Downtown Lafayette, the center serves as a cultural hub featuring museum-quality art galleries, a theater with adaptive acoustics, and spaces for arts education. The center serves a region spanning eight parishes and reaches more than 300,000 people annually, offering a variety of exhibitions, live performances, and educational programs for local artists and students.

📍 101 W Vermilion St, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 Tues-Sat 9:00AM-5:00PM 💵 Check events for the latest prices 🔗 acadianacenterforthearts.org/

Children’s Museum of Acadiana

A great place to inspire curiosity in the next generation

The Children’s Museum of Acadiana (CMA) is a hands-on, interactive museum in downtown Lafayette, dedicated to learning through play for children from infancy through age 10. Since opening in 1996, it has offered immersive exhibits like a life-sized ambulance, grocery store, bubble factory, and Louisiana Culture Corner, promoting STEAM education and social development. The museum hosts educational programs, field trips, summer camps, and inclusive events such as sensory-friendly mornings and literacy workshops. Serving over 45,000 annual visitors from across the region, CMA fosters curiosity, creativity, and community engagement in a welcoming, child-centered environment. Nowadays with so much screen time, the Children’s museum is a great place to go for all things inspiration.

📍 201 E Congress St, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 Tues-Sat 10:00AM-5:00PM, Sun 1:00PM-5:00PM 💵 $10 🔗 childrensmuseumofacadiana.com/

Lafayette Science Museum

A fun science focused museum for all ages

The Lafayette Science Museum, located in the heart of downtown Lafayette, is a regional science center that offers educational and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Founded in 1969 as the Lafayette Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, the museum has evolved into a dynamic space dedicated to promoting careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The museum features over 10,000 square feet of exhibits, including a state-of-the-art planetarium, terrariums with live insects, and exhibits on nanotechnology, aviation, evolution, fossils, meteorites, and space exploration. Highlights include interactive exhibits such as The Crawl Space, Digital Divide, and To Space and Back, an immersive presentation on space exploration.

📍 433 Jefferson St, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 Weds-Fri 9:00AM–5 :00PM; Sat 10:00AM-6:00PM, Sun 1:00PM-6:00PM 💵 $15 adults / $12 Seniors / $10 Kids (2-15 years old) / Free for kids under 2 🔗 lafayettesciencemuseum.org/

Shadows-on-the-Teche

An up close view of a bygone era

Shadows on the Teche is an antebellum-style home that is listed as a national historic site. Located on the Bayou Teche in downtown New Iberia, this plantation home carries southern tales of an older time in the south. Plantation life, as gruesome as it was, is as much a part of the history as other things. And like other things, it’s important to learn from our past.

📍 320 E Main St, New Iberia, LA 70560 🕐 Thurs-Sat 10:00AM–4 :00PM 💵 $18.00 adults / $12.50 Seniors / $10 New Iberia locals / Free for kids under 6 🔗 shadowsontheteche.org/

Zoo of Acadiana (Zoosiana)

A family focused activity to see wildlife from around the world

Although the zoo might not be a museum, in a lot of ways it’s a great way to learn about animals. The Zoo of Acadiana is a small but complete zoo on the outskirts of Lafayette. They have a variety of animals including several exhibitions for some local fauna such as alligators, turtles, and fish that can be found in nature around south Louisiana.

📍 5601 Hwy 90 E, Broussard, LA 70518 🕐 Daily from 9:00AM–5 :00PM 💵 $21.95 adults / $20.95 Seniors / $15.95 for children / Free for kids under 2 🔗 zoosiana.com/

Music, Nightlife & Alternative Entertainment

If you are looking for something else to do that just doesn’t quite fit into the other categories, then here are a few more things. We’ll update this list as the city grows!

Downtown nightlife (Jefferson Street)

Get a taste of Lafayette’s nightlife by walking Jefferson Street

Lafayette has a unique nightlife (for Louisiana standards at least). If you get the chance try one of the many bars and clubs that the city has to offer. Most are located on or near Jefferson Street, but there are a few bars spread out around the city.

Cajun dancing

Find a dance hall and laissez les bons temps rouler

The Cajun people have rich traditions in language, music, and of course cuisine. Their musical influences have evolved over the years to develop into a specific style of dancing. Cajun dancing is fun and unique to Louisiana. In the greater Lafayette area, there are a number of dance halls, bars or even weekly events where you can see Cajun dancing. Here are a few examples of places: La Poussiere, Vermilionville, Blue Moon Saloon, Buck & Johnny’s, and The Hideaway.

Brazilian Samba night

An evening of Brazilian Samba music, dancing and friends

A recent addition in the Lafayette food scene, Santa Picanha restaurant offers a Brazilian samba night. Friends gather around and sing classic songs from Brazil while musicians play rhythms from O Gigante Verde. Samba nights are a fun way to meet new people, dance and practice your Portuguese!

📍 406 Garfield St, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 Tuesday from 7:30PM 💵 Free 🔗 santapicanha.com/

Attend a sports event

Get a front row seat at the game

Lafayette is home to a number of local sporting teams. Believe it or not, Lafayette used to have a semi-professional hockey team called the Icegators! If you happen to be around in season, then you can probably catch an American football game, basketball or baseball.

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino

See the races at Evangeline Downs

Evangeline Downs is Lafayette’s horse racing field. The field is actually located a short drive from the city, but it can be a great stop for anyone interested. Evangeline also has Casino slots.

📍 2235 Creswell Ln, Opelousas, LA 70570 🕐 Check schedule on their site 💵 See their offerings on the site 🔗 evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/

St. John’s Cathedral and the Oak

See what a 500 year old tree looks like

St. John’s Cathedral is a Lafayette landmark. The cathedral is beautifully constructed and sits just behind a 500 year old live oak tree. It is located on Cathedral Street in Downtown Lafayette.

📍 515 Cathedral St, Lafayette, LA 70501 🕐 Check schedule on their site 💵 See their offerings on the site 🔗 evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/

Conrad Rice Mill

An experience of the United State’s oldest rice mill

Take a tour of the Conrad Rice Mill. Conrad Rice Mill is America’s oldest rice mill that produces rice for a popular rice brand called Konriko. Much like other parts of the world, rice is a foundation of the local economy and diet. Ask anyone from Louisiana, rice and gravy isn’t just lunch, its what’s for dinner.

📍 307 Ann St, New Iberia, LA 70560 🕐 Check schedule on their site 💵 $5.50 Adults / $4.50 Seniors / $3.50 Children 🔗 conradricemill.com/

Red Lerille’s Health and Racquet Club

A world class gym and spa

Red’s, or Red Lerille’s Health and Racquet Club, is probably one of the top gyms that you will ever go. The service is spot on and you will have everything that you need there, times two. Even someone only mildly interested in fitness can find something to do at Red’s. Sadly, Red himself passed away but he worked diligently each day at the gym.

📍 301 Doucet Rd, Lafayette, LA 70503 🕐 Open daily, hours vary 💵 Check website for latest prices 🔗 redlerilles.com/

Join a pickleball team

Enjoy some challenges and socialize with some new friends

The pickleball craze has hit Lafayette as much as anywhere else. There are multiple leagues, tournaments and courts to play from in Lafayette. The latest new addition would be the Pickleball Club.

📍 500 Verot School Rd, Lafayette, LA 70508 🕐 Check the schedule 💵 Check website for latest 🔗 playlpc.com/

Visit a crawfish farm

Find out what all the craw-fuss is about

Crawfish are small lobster-like crustaceans that grow in freshwater converted rice ponds of south Louisiana. They are harvested seasonally and are a local delicacy. Outside of restaurants, you can find many local families cooking up crawfish in a crawfish boil, which is the method used to cook them. See this article for a video and explanation of the process for boiling crawfish.

Get invited to a cochon de lait

Enjoy the slow life, while you sit around a cook

A cochon de lait literally means  “pig of milk” or “suckling pig” in Cajun French; however, it is commonly referred to as a pig roast in English. A cochon de lait is a common family gathering where many people get together to share food and drinks. It usually takes place on the weekends and takes several hours to cook. It’s a great way to get to know some people in a more close-knit setting.

Unique places to stay in Lafayette

Maison Madeleine

A country style bed and breakfast located in Lake Martin

For a taste of tranquility with a personal touch, look no further than Maison Madeleine. It is a bed and breakfast converted from an original Acadian home. It’s on Lake Martin so it can be a great hub for nature lovers. It is a neat place, and the owner is a warm and hospitable host.

📍 1015 John D Hebert Dr, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 🕐 Open daily 💵 Check website for the latest prices or book directly here online 🔗 maisonmadeleine.com/

T’Frere’s House Bed & Breakfast

For a potentially spooky night in Lafayette

T’Frere’s is an acclaimed Bed & Breakfast that’s been in Lafayette for decades. If you are looking for a unique experience in a Acadian style home, this can be it. In Cajun French, T’Frere means little brother. By the way, it’s rumored to be haunted, so definitely make sure you tuck yourself in tight for the night!

📍 1905 Verot School Rd, Lafayette, LA 70508 🕐 Open daily 💵 Check website for the latest prices or book directly here online 🔗 tfrereshouse.com/

Checklist for Lafayette

After reading through this list of ideas for your trip to Lafayette, I can imagine you are wondering what makes a complete trip. It’s unlikely that you would be able to do all of these things in a single visit to Lafayette, but if you could leave with the essence of Lafayette, then I’d call that a success. Here is my suggested checklist of challenges for you. Assuming you do all these, I think you’ll find that you had a good taste of all things Lafayette.

✅ Speak some French

Visitors to Louisiana might not fully appreciate the meaning of being able to speak a language freely, but French was not always appreciated. In the 20th century the US government campaigned to ban any language but English. Children were beaten, punished and shamed for using the language. Sadly, the language was almost lost. Thanks to programs like CODIFIL, the usage and legacy of the French language in Louisiana continues. Be a part of that trend!

✅ Spot the big 5 animals

Years ago, I wrote an article on the big 5 animals of Louisiana. To date, I think if you can find them all, you’ve seen a valuable piece of Louisiana. All of those animals can be found around Lafayette, with some exception to seasons.

✅ Get yourself a heart cajun meal

Lafayette is known as a mecca of food. You would be remised if you left town without trying Cajun food. Get a bowl of gumbo, or a Crawfish étouffée. Try a poboy, some boudin or cracklins. Food in Louisiana may not be the healthiest option on the menu, but you’ll appreciate having tried the cuisine.

✅ Connect with nature

Louisiana has a unique nature. Although the flora and fauna of Louisiana can be found elsewhere, the swamps of Louisiana are special. They are eerie, elusive yet majestic and beautiful. If you have the opportunity, don’t pass up a trip to the bayou.

✅ Learn the meaning of “Laissez les bons temps rouler”

To learn the true meaning of this phrase is to learn the soul of the cajun people.

Which is your favorite?

Have you visited Lafayette or planning to? We’d love to know what you liked best. By leaving a comment below, you can help other travelers with the latest insights. Tell us your favorite Lafayette activity!

Final Thoughts

Hopefully this has been a good overview for you if you plan to visit Lafayette. Lafayette offers deep traditions, which are evident in the daily lives of the people who live there. There are many things to do in Lafayette, Louisiana, and surrounding areas. Many memories to be had. Y’all come back now!

FAQ

Special thanks to Ronnie for some great pictures of Louisiana culture – rest in peace.

This article has been updated as recent as May 1st, 2026.