Looking for some great galleries, museums, and outdoor art parks to check out in Lafayette? Locals are lucky to have a wonderful art community where you can not only view local art, but get involved in it, too. Be sure to check out these four fantastic art centers and museums.

Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum

The Hilliard Art Museum located on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is certainly one of the most spectacular museums in the area. They have seasonal exhibits from international artists as well as a permanent collection of outstanding art from around the world. You’ll find one of the best collections of Louisiana artists including paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, and sculptures.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and is a bargain at only $5 per adult and $3 for students. Children under five years old get in free. If you enjoy night viewings, the museum is free every Wednesday between 5 and 8 p.m.

Acadiana Center for the Arts

The Acadiana Center for the Arts is a fantastic local art center where you can view art of all mediums. The center works to nurture the creative arts in people of all ages. There is a gallery inside the center where you are free to explore paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more modern art pieces created by community members over the years.

The center is also home to dance, theater, and film groups that put on events throughout the year. Whether you want to get involved with one of the groups, or simply enjoy it as a spectator, get down to the Acadiana Center this weekend to learn more about the different performing arts available to the Lafayette community.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Community | No Comments »

If you’re looking for a great new car and haven’t considered a luxury sedan like the 2018 Cadillac ATS, you’re definitely going to want to take a closer look. Many people think luxury brands like Cadillac are out of their price range or that they don’t offer enough to justify paying more for a car, but neither of these things could be further from the truth.

Here’s your 2018 Cadillac ATS buying guide.

Power and Performance

The 2018 Cadillac ATS comes standard with a 2.0-litre turbo engine capable of producing up to 272 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 295 pound-feet torque at 3,000 rpm. This means you’re getting quite a lot of power from a relatively small and efficient engine. The 2018 ATS also comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. If you prefer, you can opt for a six-speed manual transmission instead.

Fuel Economy

This is where the 2018 Cadillac ATS really stands out, making it well worth the initial investment. The 2018 ATS is capable of offering up to 22 miles per gallon on city streets and as much as 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Those numbers are slightly higher than industry standards for a car of this size and mean you’ll spend less time and money at the gas pump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Lafayette Cadillac Dealer, New Cadillac Vehicles | No Comments »

The new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse is a great vehicle not only for day-to-day life, but also for weekend adventures. Go from city streets to camping and exploring the great outdoors with ease when you’re behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Traverse.

Space for Everything

The traverse can fit all of your camping equipment and still manage to fit the entire family with ease. There is seating for seven, but both the second and third row of seats can fold flat to allow you to make space for tents, camping chairs, or even a barbecue grill.

Worried about leaving your personal belongings in the car while you’re off on a hike? Fear not. The Chevrolet Traverse has a hidden compartment behind the infotainment system where you can store wallets, keys, cash, and cards without worrying about someone seeing what you’ve left inside.

Traction and Off-Road Performance

You can’t explore the great outdoors without a vehicle that can get you there. The traverse offers tons of power and excellent performance that can get you from perfectly paved roads to challenging road surfaces without skipping a beat.

The Traverse offers an available traction control mode that allows you to adjust the vehicle’s performance on uneven terrain or slippery roads. There is also a four-wheel-drive mode, a snow mode, an off-road mode, and a tow/haul mode for when you’re hauling a large load.

The Traverse also offers fantastic gas mileage so that you never have to worry about finding the next gas station. It gives you a whopping 27 miles per gallon on the highway to keep you going on any adventure. It also comes standard with an intelligent stop/start technology that helps you save gas when you are getting out of the city.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Lafayette Chevrolet Dealer, New Chevrolet Vehicles | No Comments »

There are so many great activities to experience t in Lafayette this summer. Whether you want to listen to live music, indulge yourself at a food festival, or head to a family-friendly festival, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy this summer.

Salutations & Libations Summer Solstice

If you enjoy beer and yoga, you’ll love this summer festival taking place June 21, the day of the Summer Solstice. The Salutations & Libations Summer Solstice Event is a yoga class that takes place inside Cajun Brewing’s brewery. Enjoy the smells of the fermenting beer as you move through the Vinyasa flow.

The event will start at 6 p.m., and after an hour of yoga, you’ll move on to a brewery tour where you can learn all about Cajun Brewing, Lafayette’s very first craft brewery. You can ask questions about the brewing process and then head into the tasting room where you can try all of their current beers on draft. The entire event only costs $16.

Krossfyre Concert

Krossfyre, one of the hottest and most energetic bands in Louisiana is coming to Lafayette for one night only this summer, so don’t miss a chance to see them play their eclectic mix of pop, funk, rap, and R&B songs at the Grouse Room in downtown Lafayette.

The concert will be Saturday, June 30, from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. General admission is a very reasonable $10, but if you want a seat or you want to grab a table, you’ll have to pay for the number of seats up front, even if you don’t know how many people you’ll be bringing just yet. It’s possible to reserve up to a 10-person table.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Community | No Comments »

The Cadillac CT6 has only been in production for a few years, but it’s already taken the luxury automotive market by storm. The 2018 Cadillac CT6 is poised to improve upon its predecessors in just about every aspect. Here are some of the features that will take your breath away.

Options Galore

Although the 2018 Cadillac CT6 comes in only four different trims, you’ll be blown away by the options they offer you. The first trim is the Standard model, available starting at $54,090 and sporting 18-inch aluminum wheels with a Blade Silver finish. The second configuration is the aptly named Luxury model. This trim starts at $59,195 and includes 19-inch machine-finished wheels, a 10-speaker surround sound audio system, and an upgraded engine.

The third trim is the Premium Luxury CT6, and it certainly lives up to its name. This model has all-wheel drive, a rear camera mirror, and a power-operated sunroof, all for a starting MSRP of $65,295. The final configuration is the Platinum model. Arriving at a starting MSRP of $84,295, this version of the CT6 has its own upgraded chassis, 20-way adjustable seats, 20-inch wheels, and a rear-seat infotainment system.

Horsepower to Spare

Choose between four different engine options in the 2018 Cadillac CT6 across its various trims. The Standard and Platinum trims are packed with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that generates 265 horsepower. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission to allow you to shift gears easily.

The Luxury and Premium trims come standard with a more powerful 3.6-liter engine that produces 335 horsepower. However, each of these trims can also be upgraded to a 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine if you want to harness 404 horsepower under your hood instead. Finally, a hybrid powertrain is also available.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Cadillac, Lafayette Cadillac Dealer | No Comments »

Spending the night watching a band perform at a live music venue is a fun way to hang out with friends and relax. You can order a mixed drink or a craft beer while listening to local and national acts. Here are some notable live music venues in Lafayette to check out with some friends.

Blue Moon Saloon and Guesthouse

Blue Moon Saloon and Guesthouse is located at 215 E Convent St. It’s a bar with beds for rent and event space. However, most people come here for the live music. You can listen to a wide range of musical genres, including some New Orleans inspired Cajun, zydeco, reggae, and country performed by up and coming artists and more established bands. Plus, there’s room for dancing to the live music and having a good time with friends.

If you’d rather take it easier and enjoy the friends you’re with, you can enjoy a delicious local craft beer. There is even some homemade jambalaya available for purchase, though you may have to pay separately with cash. The staff members are known to be friendly and courteous.

The Freetown Boom Boom Room

Located at 300 McKinley St. in Freetown Port Rico, The Freetown Boom Boom Room is a wonderfully casual bar with live music, comedy shows, and strong drinks. It has a good selection of liquor and Louisiana draft beer. It’s a little away from downtown, which only adds to its appeal.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Community | No Comments »

Situated on the Vermilion River, the city of Lafayette serves as a great base to explore the region’s swamps and marshes. Whether you’re looking for a guided tour or the chance to paddle your own kayak among the cypress trees, you’ll have a wonderful time with one of these local tour operators.

Champagne’s Swamp Tours

Head northeast from Lafayette on LA-94 to start your trip with Champagne’s Swamp Tours, which launches its excursions from the town of Breaux Bridge. You’ll head out onto the nearby Lake Martin Cypress Island Preserve Swamp, where you can join a guided tour at a reasonable cost. You can also rent your own kayak or canoe to explore the swamp at your own pace.

If you’re interested in an even more exciting adventure, book an airboat swamp tour with the company. Champagne’s airboats can reach areas of the Atchafalaya basin that kayaks and canoes can’t access, affording you an even more exclusive experience.

Cajun Country Swamp Tours

Book a trip with Cajun Country Swamp Tours to explore an incredible cypress/tupelo swamp environment near Breaux Bridge. The company’s tour guides are qualified commercial fishermen with a wealth of outdoor experience, and every tour is undertaken with special care to have as little environmental impact as possible. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot iconic wildlife such as alligators, herons, and egrets.

Your guides will also point out some of the largest moss-covered cypress trees scattered throughout the bayou. Cajun Country’s eco-friendly tours are conducted year-round, so it’s always a good time for an adventure.

Posted in Community | No Comments »

If you appreciate the style and power of a full-size luxury SUV , consider the 2018 Cadillac Escalade, one of the best on the market. This newest model of the popular vehicle is available in four different trims, and each has its own features and price point. Learn more about the distinct characteristics of each trim level to decide which is right for you below.

Standard

Despite its name, there’s nothing standard about the 2018 Cadillac Escalade’s entry-level configuration. This SUV packs a tremendous 6.2-liter V-8 engine under its hood, which gives you access to an incredible 420 horsepower and 460 pounds per foot of torque. The SUV is equipped with Magnetic Ride Control, which is a specialized, intelligent damping system.

You’ll also get to take advantage of other high-tech features, such as automatic parking assistance and surround-vision cameras. Because the Escalade is first and foremost a luxury vehicle, its interior is equipped with 12-way power-operated heated seats and a heated steering wheel. The Standard trim starts at $74,695.

Luxury

Consider the Luxury trim if you’re satisfied with the basic features of the Standard trim but are looking for a few more creature comforts. This second configuration comes with a rear camera mirror, power-operated tilt/slide sunroof, and color heads-up display (HUD). The Luxury trim also offers Cadillac’s Driver Awareness Package, which uses traffic recognition software to determine speed limits, identify potentially imminent collisions, and help you stay in your lane on the road.

The trim also utilizes the manufacturer’s Theft-Deterrent Package, lending an extra sense of security when you must park your vehicle in public places. The Luxury model starts at $80,295.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Cadillac, Lafayette Cadillac Dealer | No Comments »

If you are looking for a sedan that offers a good balance of performance, style, and features, then you are likely familiar with the Chevrolet Cruze. Chevy developed it some years ago and has been making steady improvements ever since to give you the best possible driving experience. Chevy, like other leading manufacturers, made significant improvements in technology over the past decade. Now, many of those improvements are being added to the 2018 Cruze. Here is a look at four new and exciting features of the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze.

4G LTE Wi-Fi

Traveling often means that you will use up all of your phone data very quickly. Instead of jumping between hotspots, you can get a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot installed in your new Chevy Cruze. That way, you will be able to use your Wi-Fi connection for up to seven devices anywhere you go. The service is provided by ONSTAR, so you won’t have to worry about signal strength.

Turbo-Diesel Engine

If you are looking for more performance out of your Cruze, you can go for the available engine upgrade. You can get the Cruze with a 1.6L Turbo-Diesel Engine, which will give you an impressive 52 mpg (highway). It also produces 240 lb.-ft. of torque, which is good for better acceleration and handling. Overall, you’ll be able to travel over 700 miles on a single tank of gas making the Cruze a good option for city and long-range driving.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in New Chevrolet Vehicles | No Comments »

Meet the crossover that’s here to change the crossover game – the first-ever Cadillac XT4. Cadillac’s newest model makes a bold statement that will catch everyone’s eye on the road without having to try. Check out some features to expect in the upcoming Cadillac XT4.

Brand-New Engine

An entirely new 2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was built from the ground-up just the XT4, packing an impressive amount of power in a compact form. The engine’s horsepower and torque output reaches 237 hp and 258 lb-ft. respectively. The All-new Cadillac XT4 offers a 9-speed automatic transmission FWD and also a dual-clutch transmission with AWD option. So whatever adventure is on your mind, you can trust that the XT4 has the power to get you there!

Sophisticated and Bold Design

Signature design features like the famous Cadillac light blades combined with a fresh sculpted body and exterior lines on the XT4 ensure you’ll never blend into the crowd. A dominating mesh grille makes a confident statement at every turn while the swooping roof commands attention. It may have a brand new look, but it’s still unmistakably a Cadillac!

The XT4 will have 3 trims to choose from: Luxury, Premium Luxury and the range-topping Sport model. Each level has its own unique exterior and model features, such as 18-inch or 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, selectable drive modes, rear and front park assist, power liftgate, and more.

Re-sets Interior Expectations

Beautifully crafted and delightfully bold, the interior of the XT4 is sure to please any driver and passenger. The words ‘spacious’ and ‘backseat’ finally go hand in hand thanks to the class-leading rear leg-room in the all-new XT4. Set the perfect mood for your passengers too with the optional cabin ambient lighting on the Premium Luxury model. Leather seating surfaces and the choice of Carbon-fiber or wood interior décor emphasize the luxury that XT4 brings to the table.

The XT4’s interior also features a Cadillac rotary controller for the 8-inch infotainment system – a first for Cadillac. The infotainment system also has 4G LTE capability to allow access to navigation, news and a your favorite apps. You’ll stay more connected than ever on every drive thanks to easy phone integration with Apple® CarPlay^TM† and AndroidAuto^TM†, a 15-watt wireless charging pad, four USB ports, three 12V outlets and an SD card reader in the center console. The interior of the XT4 was truly crafted with everyone in mind.  

The first-ever Cadillac XT4 will be available in Fall of 2018, and we can’t wait to get them on our lot! Don’t want to wait until Fall to buy? Contact Service Chevrolet Cadillac to learn more about the XT4 and reserve yours today!

Image via Cadillac.com

Posted in Lafayette Cadillac Dealer, New Cadillac Vehicles | No Comments »