Lafayette
Come for the food, stay for the taste of the area
It is hot (città)…Lagniappe means “a little something extra.”That’s fine (good). There are traces of Cajun, French, and Creole in South Louisiana’s society and language, no matter how you say it. Lafayette has a lot to offer: lively events, delicious food, outdoor activities, beautiful scenery, and a lot of history.
Everything Louisianan
If you like Cajun and Zydeco music, you might also be interested in the cultures of South Louisiana. The Jean Lafitte Acadian Cultural Center has events, films, programs, and more that will teach you about the history and customs of the Acadians (Cajuns). Acadian Village is a folklife museum with restored Acadian houses filled with antiques that are only found in that area. You can take guided tours and watch craftspeople at work. In Vermilionville, you can walk along the banks of Bayou Vermilion through a folklife park and an old town where you can see costumed artists, take dancing lessons, and go to a cooking school. Check out Lafayette’s spiritual history by going to St. John Cathedral, a famous Dutch Romanesque building that was built in 1916.
Putting music and food together
The Cajun two-step is fast and spinning, while the prima dancer swirls gracefully. The music in Lafayette ranges from funky Cajun dance hall beats to symphonic violin concertos. The food ranges from spicy boiled crawfish to the best Creole food. Take the Avery Island TABASCO Tour to really get your food tour started. This tour will take you through the famous sauce’s museum, greenhouse, warehouse, and plant building.
Lafayette was named Best Food City in the Rand McNally Best of the Road Rally, Southern Living’s Tastiest Town of the South, and a Top 10 Foodie City by Livability.com. It’s easy to see why. Lafayette is the center of all things Cajun and Creole. At Prejean’s, you can try real Cajun food and enjoy live music. There are concerts, Cajun jam sessions, and Cajun and Zydeco dancehalls to choose from to reach that goal. This back-porch honky tonk is a great place to hear roots music.
Organic Farming
The city also has a professional symphony orchestra, many art shops, and world-class art museums. It also has some beautiful outdoor spaces, like Cypress Lake and Lake Martin. You can see snakes, birds, swamps, and cypress trees at both. Visit the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market at the Horse Farm, which is a large green area with music, park walks, and food vendors from the area. There is a music series called Downtown Alive! every Friday night. The spring and fall are especially fun times for it. The series has been going strong for decades and is a hit with both tourists and locals.