If you’re looking for a day trip or weekend destination with a charming, down-home spirit, look no further. Check out one of our three favorite small towns within a short drive of Lafayette, LA.
3 Charming Small Towns You Can Drive to Near Lafayette, LA
Arnaudville, LA
Just a 30-minute drive from Lafayette, Arnaudville is one of the state’s oldest and smallest cities, with a population of less than 1,800 residents. Almost 40% of households here primarily speak Cajun French, and you’ll find live Cajun and zydeco bands at many of the local spots around town.
Spend a day strolling the Deux Bayous Cultural District, where you can catch live music and practice your French at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective. This artisan market and gallery is located at 1510 Bayou Courtableau Highway. We like to visit Arnaudville in the spring to catch the Etoufee Festival, held each year at the end of April to celebrate the food and culture of Southern Louisiana.
St. Francisville, LA
You can check out this unique small town by driving about 90 minutes from Lafayette. Nestled along the Mississippi River, St. Francisville is full of historic homes and buildings that date to the town’s founding in the early 1800s. In the quaint downtown district, you can see an original hardware store and blacksmith shop or stay in a bed-and-breakfast that once served as a private home.
St. Francisville is also a popular shopping destination with boutiques that sell everything from jewelry and antiques to clothing, bath products, and kitchen wares. If you want to experience the area’s natural beauty during your visit, stop by Afton Villa Gardens at 9347 Hwy 61. We’ll be planning to visit St. Francisville for the Southern Garden Symposium, held annually in the fall.
Jeanerette, LA
You’re sure to have a sweet visit to Jeanerette, which has the nickname Sugar City because of its prominent place in the local sugar industry. This town of about 6,000 residents is about a 45-minute drive from Lafayette. While you’re here, you can tour historic homes and explore the city’s cultural legacy at the Jeanerette Museum, located at 500 Main St.
While you’re here, don’t miss a stop at LeJeune’s Bakery, which appears in the National Register of Historic Places. You can tour the building and taste cake and French bread made with equipment and recipes that date back more than a century. It’s located at 1510 Main St. The bakery is part of the Historic Jeanerette Trail, a self-guided walking tour that spans about 2.5 miles.
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Photo courtesy of Pixabay
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