A Bird Watcher’s Guide to Lafayette
Southern Louisiana is alive. All the lowlands, swamps, and dirt that flows along the Mississippi River contribute to a dense biomass that includes algae, trees, insects, gators, and birds of all kinds. All of this makes Lafayette a great place for birdwatchers to start from, and if you have any interest in the hobby, there are a few things you should know about the area.
Where to Look
All kinds of birds live in and migrate through Cajun country, and Lafayette is close enough to the Louisiana wetlands that you can go to the east part of town to start birdwatching. Still, if you’re looking for the best birding spots, the state of Louisiana has several trail loops you can drive along to find good spots. Some of these trails pass through Lafayette or travel through the region, including the Atchafalaya Loop that passes up through the Atchafalaya Basin and down to New Iberia and the Vermillion Loop that starts in Lafayette and heads down to Vermillion Bay.
When to Look
Thanks to southern Louisiana’s warm climate, it very rarely freezes during winter. This lets many bird species live in the area year-round, but there’s more to it than that. Between the warm weather and sitting at the southern end of the Mississippi River, Cajun country and the rest of Louisiana is a winter destination for birds that come from all across America. You can spot birds near Lafayette any time of the year, but if you want to make the most of your birdwatching time, then you should definitely head out in late fall or winter.
The Chevy Silverado dates back to 1998, although Chevrolet and GM have been selling full-size pickup trucks for most of the brand’s history. You can see all those decades of experience in today’s Silverado: all the toughness, reliability, and capacity you get from today’s Chevy truck came from adding technology and refining the design of all the pickup trucks that came before it. With so many upgrades and good qualities, it’s no wonder that the Silverado inspires some impressive customer loyalty.
Utility
The bed is an important part of every pickup truck. After all, if you didn’t need the open space for heavy or oversized cargo, you could’ve bought another vehicle. That’s why Chevrolet makes the Silverado’s bed light but tough, using roll-formed steel to get extra strength with less weight compared to a stamped-steel bed. The new 2019 Silverado also improves the cargo area while adding useful features like a 120-volt power outlet, LED bed lights, and 12 tie-down points rated to 500 pounds. You can even get a bumper step with enough room for steel-toe boots.
Power
The Silverado has always had some of the most powerful GM engines under the hood, and by offering several choices at once they let you choose a balance between power, efficiency, and price. The 2018 Silverado has one V-6 and two V-8s with up to 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque to offer, and the 2019 model will have six options, including a surprisingly potent turbo I-4. Combined with 10-gear transmissions and dynamic fuel management technology, these engines are adding extra efficiency with no drop in power or towing ability.
There’s nothing more satisfying than a freshly baked loaf of bread, muffin, cookie, scone, pie, or other delicious treats. The perfect mix of crispiness, chewiness, and either a sweet or savory flavor mixes beautifully, giving both your taste buds and olfactory senses something they can’t experience just anywhere. If you’re in Lafayette, Louisiana, you might just be in for a bigger treat than you know. With dozens of local bakers churning out fresh items each morning, you’re sure to find a delectable baked good to quell your hunger.
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Poupart Bakery Inc.
Founded in 1956 by Mr. Poupart (as he likes to be called), Poupart Bakery Inc. has been a part of Lafayette’s baking scene for over 60 years. After studying as a pastry chef in Paris, Poupart fell in love with Acadiana and settled here to start a family and craft some of the most delicious treats in southern Louisiana.
In true Louisiana fashion, the most popular item here is the king cake, made with fresh ingredients, sweet icing, the colors of Mardi Gras, and the baby baked right inside. Choose between two different fillings to make the cake your own.
Poupart Bakery has two locations in Lafayette to serve you. The original location is at 1902 W. Pinhook Road. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The downtown location is at 100 E. Vermillion St., Suite 130. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Keller’s Bakery
Located in downtown Lafayette at 1012 Jefferson St., Keller’s Bakery is one of the oldest and most popular bakeries in the city. Started in 1929 and moved to the current building in 1948, the Keller’s bakery is a story of quality, perseverance, and a time that’s almost seemingly gone. The Kellers were a family of bakers from France, and when they moved to Louisiana in the 1760s, they continued their trade. Everyone who walks in the door is sure glad they did.
From pecan rolls and cinnamon rolls to elegant cakes fit for special occasions, Keller’s Bakery dishes out some sweet treats you can’t get enough of. They also offer take-and-bake pot pies and quiches for a delicious, easy dinner. Hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Zuhause Bakery & Coffee
A pastry is certainly delicious on its own, but throw in a cup of coffee and it’s a match made in heaven. At Zuhause Bakery & Coffee that’s just what you’ll get. Known for their freshly made coffee, danishes, beignets, and croissants, Zuhause is the ideal place to sit back and unwind.
Zuhause is located at 6774 Johnston St. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Whether you’re searching for a sweet morning pick-me-up or a savory afternoon snack, these Lafayette bakeries dish out some of the best-baked items you’ve ever tasted. When you’re at one of these places, don’t worry about overindulgence. No one’s here to judge.
Image via Pixabay
2018 Impala vs. 2018 Malibu: Which is Right for You?
The Malibu is Chevrolet’s midsize sedan and the Impala is the company’s full-size offering. Both cars have plenty of interior space for people and for cargo, and both cars have decent engines and a long list of features. So which one is the right sedan for you? Read on to learn what separates these two quality vehicles.
Price Range
Smaller vehicles have lower prices. Unless you’re looking at a luxury car, you can count on that as a fact, and even for most luxury brands, the costs go up with the size. As such, while the 2018 Chevy Malibu starts at $21,680 and ends at $31,895, the 2018 Impala starts at $27,895 and ends at $37,495. That’s a similar price range between the top and bottom trims, but the Malibu is clearly less expensive to the tune of $6,000. The extra cost does come with extra features and extra room, but for pure price, the Malibu wins.
Interior Space
Just like how the price always goes to the smaller car, the interior dimensions are always better in the bigger car. In the Malibu, backseat passengers can expect up to 38.1 inches of legroom, but Impala passengers can get up to 39.8 inches. It doesn’t sound like much, but with this number every inch helps. As for the trunk, the Malibu can store up to 15.8 cubic feet while the Impala bumps that number up to 18.8 cubic feet. That’s a big number even when you compare it to other full-size sedans.
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.
Your 2018 Cadillac ATS Buying Guide
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.
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.
4 Upcoming Summer Events You Don’t Want to Miss
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.
How the 2018 Cadillac CT6 Will Take Your Breath Away
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.
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.
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