3 Favorite Local Attractions to Discover Near Lafayette, LA

Our city of Lafayette, LA is located on the banks of the Vermilion River and is over 200 years old. We have a unique mix of cultures, including Cajun, Creole, Native American, and others, and our city’s attractions reflect this diverse mix. These are just a few of our favorite local attractions, picked from the many that surround our wonderful city.

Vermilionville

This village is a faithful recreation of an 18th-century Arcadian settler village. The staff dress in period costumes and perform the artisan roles of the population of a working village. Creole, Cajun, and Native American culture are all very well represented, and the village itself is a wonderful mix of well-kept gardens, bayou, shady trees, and realistic buildings.

The buildings and artisans represent facets of our city’s past from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. This makes for a fascinating experience of traveling back in time and experiencing the culture of the area at different periods of its development. The village also has a restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Cajun and Creole food, and the arts and crafts produced by the artisans are all for sale at the gift shop.

Cypress Island Preserve 

For the bird watcher and nature lover, this site just east of Lafayette is a paradise. It comprises 9,500 acres of cypress-tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood forest and is home to a wide variety of animals and birdlife. Great blue herons, cattle egrets, and roseate spoonbills all nest here and rear their young. A walking levee trail winds through the preserve and provides amazing views of the local birdlife and plants.

A wide selection of amphibians and alligators also call this area home, and it’s very possible to view the beautiful sight of a family of alligators basking in the sunshine. If you have your boat or kayak, you can launch it for free and sail on the peaceful water. There is also a marvelous family-owned store that offers swamp tours, boat rentals, snacks, and cold drinks.

Cathedral of St John the Evangelist

This magnificent cathedral was built in 1916, on the site of several much earlier churches. It is designed in Dutch Romanesque Revival style and built of red and white brick. The alter is fashioned from beautiful Italian marble, and numerous stained glass windows, depicting the life of the patron saint help to illuminate the interior.

The peaceful garden outside the church is highlighted by the 500-year-old St. John oak tree, whose massive limbs provide much-needed shade on a summer’s day. The cathedral can be found at 515 Cathedral Street.

From wonders of the natural world to magnificent buildings and living history, our city has something for everyone. Once you have visited some of our fantastic landmarks, come and visit us at Service Chevrolet Cadillac. We have been a part of Lafayette’s life since 1972, and for the highest levels of customer service, courtesy, and commitment we are the dealer for you.

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