3 Out of the Ordinary Things to Do in Lafayette

Lafayette, Louisiana, is in the heart of Cajun and Creole Country and known as the ‘Happiest City in America.’ This title is for good reason, as there are numerous things to see, do, and taste that will delight the senses. With a rich cultural history, a thriving Cajun and Zydeco music scene, and some of the fresh and delicious Creole cuisine you’ll find, Lafayette is a city that punches well above its weight. Check out these best out of the ordinary sites you shouldn’t miss in Lafayette.

1. Vermilionville Historic Village

Learn the history of Lafayette at Vermilionville, a Cajun and Creole living history museum that opened in 1990. The 26-acre park preserves and interprets folklife cultures such as Native Americans, Creole and African descent, and Acadian that inhabited the area between 1765 and 1890. Numerous period buildings are onsite and ready to be explored, including seven original buildings that were moved to Vermilionville and restored to their former glory.

Self-guided tours allow you to visit with local historians and gain a deeper understanding of the historic significance of the buildings and land. Watch as artisans demonstrate crafts performed by the settlers and enjoy hands-on exhibits. The site also includes flora and fauna exhibits, as well as demonstrations on Louisiana’s weather.

Vermilionville Historic Village is located at 300 Fisher Road and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

2. Swamp Tour

With swamps surrounding Lafayette, a swamp tour is a must when visiting the area. Immerse yourself in this unique ecosystem by joining a guided tour on an airboat, renting a canoe and paddling yourself around, or enjoying the views from a sunset tour. Wildlife is in abundance and you’ll likely spot egrets, ibises, alligators, frogs, and more. Book a photography tour to take full advantage of the guide’s knowledge of the swamp and capture the perfect pictures from your trip. You’ll find several tour operators that leave from Breaux Bridge, about 9 miles northeast of Lafayette, to explore the Atchafalaya Swamp.

3. Jungle Gardens

Explore the natural beauty of semitropical gardens and visit the centuries-old statue of Buddha at Jungle Gardens in Avery Island, about 30 miles south of Lafayette. The 170-acre garden stretches Bayou Petite Anse and includes colorful azaleas, and camellias sprawling over a rolling landscape. Jungle Gardens is also home to one of the country’s oldest bamboo groves with more than 64 varieties growing on site. In addition to the beautiful flora, you’ll also find wild animals such as deer, raccoons, black bears, muskrats, and of course, alligators.

Bird lovers can schedule a Bird Tour through Bird City to see where snowy white egrets take refuge and listen to songbirds in the springtime. Also be on the lookout for little blue herons, Louisiana herons, night herons, anhingas, least bitterns, ibises, great blue herons, and roseate spoonbills.

Jungle Gardens is located at Highway 329 in Avery Island and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s easy to spend a day, weekend, or even a week exploring all of the amazing and out of the ordinary sites in Lafayette.

Image via Pixabay.com | CC 0 | Cropped from original

Posted in Community | No Comments »