Lafayette, Louisiana, is known as the heart of the state’s Cajun and Creole Country. With delicious food, a rich history, and a thriving cultural scene, the city is ripe with amazing sights both indoors and outdoors. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or live in Lafayette, be sure to check out these amazing spots the city has to offer for a day of fun.
1. Step Back in Time
Get a true sense of Lafayette’s history by visiting Vermilionville, a Cajun and Creole living history museum. The museum features period buildings, including seven original buildings that were moved to the site and restored. Explore the flora and fauna exhibits and watch demonstrations concerning the state’s weather. Take a self-guided tour of the grounds and soak up the knowledge from local historians located throughout the buildings.
At Larc’s Acadian Village, you’ll find 11 structures from the early 1800s, such as Doctor Salles’ House, the Billeaud House, and a Blacksmith Shop. Step inside the Doctor’s Museum to see a collection of medical and dental instruments, period furnishings, and medical books dated from the late 19th century. Guided tours are available.
2. Enjoy the Wildlife
Immerse yourself in nature by visiting one of the area’s top outdoor spots. Lake Martin and the Atchafalaya Basin are both teeming with a variety of wildlife, such as birds, alligators, crawfish, turtles, and more. Bring your canoe or kayak to explore the winding waterways or put on your hiking boats and head down one of the trails.
Lake Martin is a top spot for bird watching as it’s home to the state’s largest population of nesting colonies for a number of species, such as anhinga, snowy egret, and the great blue heron. To get an up-close view of nesting alligators, stop by Rookery Road, which runs along the shoreline, and peak out to the waters.
The Atchafalaya Basin is home to more than 300 species of birds, so bring your binoculars for a little bird watching. You might just spot ibises, herons, and egrets. For a real treat, be on the lookout for the bald eagle, as the basin is home to the largest nesting concentration of the species in the south central United States.
3. Get Spicy
Take a short drive to Avery Island, which is only about 20 miles south of Lafayette, to learn how Tabasco hot sauce is made. Although named an island, Avery Island is actually a salt dome that goes 8 miles beneath the ground. Take a self-guided tour of the factory and museum to see how pepper plants are processed into this tasty sauce. You’ll also see the mash warehouse where the Tabasco sauce sits for three years before it’s ready. Be sure to stop by the tasting room where you can try a variety of Tabasco flavors.
Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or a foodie, you’re sure to find a fun-filled day at one of these amazing sights in Lafayette. With so many great sights to see, you could spend the day or the weekend immersing yourself in the city’s great spots.
Image by Lynn F via Flickr used under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
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