Driving to Lafayette, LA? Check Out These 5 Nearby Tourist Attractions

Lafayette, LA, is the state’s fourth-largest city and boasts an array of fascinating tourist attractions. Take a drive in a Cadillac or Chevrolet to an 1800s Cajun village, learn about Acadian, Creole, Native American, and African history, culture, and music, explore a lush subtropical island and glide through the unique ecosystem of the bayou on an exhilarating airboat tour.

Driving to Lafayette, LA? Check Out These 5 Nearby Tourist Attractions

1. Avery Island

Avery Island, in the heart of the Louisiana bayou country, is a 30-mile drive from Lafayette on Highway 90 E, Avery Island Road, just outside Emma. The 2,200-acre lush subtropical island boasts an array of fascinating attractions, including Jungle Gardens, Bird City, and the Tabasco Factory, where you can learn more about the making and bottling of this famous fiery sauce.

Take a stroll through the nature preserve filled with azaleas, camellias, and bamboo and see deer, alligators, and egrets. Before you hit the road, enjoy a delicious Cajun dish at Restaurant 1868.

2. Acadian Village

While driving around Lafayette, you must visit the Arcadian Village at 200 Greenleaf Drive. Arcadia Village is a 32-acre private park with a replica 1800s village that boasts eleven buildings, of which seven are historic 19th-century homes donated by the ancestors of the people who once lived in them.

The high peaked roofs and mud walls of buildings are perfect examples of the construction techniques of the period. Acadian Village is open from Monday to Saturday between January and October.

3. Vermilionville

You can learn more about the Acadian, Creole, Native American, and African history, culture, and music in the Attakapas region at Vermilionville, a living history museum at 300 Fisher Road in Lafayette. Take a self-guided tour through the 23-acre park along the banks of the Bayou Vermillion to visit 19 attractions and watch the artisans showcase the early settlers’ crafts. Vermilionville is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum

The Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum on the University of Lafayette campus at 710 E St. Mary Boulevard in Lafayette is one of the city’s top attractions. The 33,000-square-foot art museum boasts an 11,000-square-foot exhibition space displaying an art collection of over 4,000 pieces.

The primary exhibit features American, European, and Asian artworks from the 18th century to the 21st century. Other collections include work from local Louisiana artists, ancient Egyptian art, and Japanese woodblock prints.

5. Swamp Boat Tours

No visit to Lafayette is complete without taking an exhilarating airboat tour or a leisurely cruise through the unique ecosystem of the bayou. You can experience the thrill of gliding over the water at high speed or slowly drifting along, catching glimpses of wildlife and, of course, alligators along the way. Various companies in the city offer guided boat excursions led by knowledgeable local airboat captains.

Visit the exciting attractions and experience the city’s rich art, history, and culture. While driving around Lafayette, drop by Service Chevrolet Cadillac to take a closer look at the luxury new and pre-owned Cadillac models on display.

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Tags: Acadian Village, Avery Island, Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum, Swamp Boat Tours, Vermilionville
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