4 Fun Day Trips You Can Take From Lafayette

Lafayette sits in the southern part of Louisiana, giving residents access to a number of nearby cities. If you’re looking to take a trip from Lafayette, check out these fun day trips that allow you to experience other areas and cultures without having to travel too far.

1. Henderson

Henderson is a small town located about 17 miles outside of Lafayette. According to census data, the town has just under 2,000 residents, 40% of which are Cajun French. Along the main road, you can find restaurants serving authentic Cajun fare, casual bars, and spots offering swamp tours. If you do take a trip to Henderson, be sure to check out Prehistoric Park, the state’s only attraction dedicated to the dinosaurs. It sits on 12 acres of land and features realistic dinosaur replicas, animated exhibits, and a sandbox where kids can dig for bones.

2. New Iberia

New Iberia is about 21 miles from Lafayette, and it’s a city in Louisiana that is rich with history. It is the birthplace of TABASCO hot sauce, one of the most popular hot sauce brands in the world. The company still operates at the same location where it started, which is a building on Avery Island. When visiting New Iberia, plan to spend some time there where you can take a tour of the factory, explore exhibits in the museum, or even dine on authentic Cajun and Southern fare at the restaurant, where all the TABASCO flavors are served.

New Iberia also houses several other museums, a number of restaurants and shopping areas, and Rip Van Winkle Gardens, an outdoor attraction with a beautiful mansion on the property.

3. Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge

If you’re interested in getting outdoors during your day trip from Lafayette, check out Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge. It’s about 35 miles northeast of Lafayette and has activities for everyone in your crew. The name of the refuge comes from a Choctaw Indian phrase that translates to “long river.” This vast, wild river swamp is situated on the southern part of the Mississippi River Valley and has areas for birdwatching, fishing, hiking, and kayaking or canoeing. You may even spot a few of the local residents, including alligators, Louisiana black bears, swallow-tailed kites, and neotropical songbirds.

4. Eunice

To learn more about Cajun history and culture in the state of Louisiana, pay a visit to Eunice. This city is 40 miles northwest of Lafayette and houses several attractions that offer insights into the culture. One of these attractions is the Prairie Cajun Cultural Center, which has exhibits on display and hosts free cooking demonstrations and live music on weekends. Savoy Music Center also hosts weekly jam sessions on Saturday mornings starting at 9 a.m. Anyone is welcome to join the jam session and play Cajun tunes, and the location accepts food donations from participants to support the community.

Get your family or friends together and head out on an adventure to one of these locations. Each spot is within driving distance of Lafayette so you can easily take a day trip without having to rearrange your schedule.

Image via Chevrolet.com | Cropped from original

Posted in Community | No Comments »