5 of the Best Museums to Visit Near Lafayette, LA

Lafayette, LA, which was named the Happiest City in America in 2014, is definitely a place you should visit. Famous for its festivals, traditional music and delicious food, it is also home to some of the best museums in the state.

1. Lafayette Science Museum

Lafayette Science Museum is situated in an elegant, modern building, perfectly located in downtown Lafayette, walking distance from parking lots and good places to eat. Kids and grownups equally enjoy the impressive Dino exhibits, the Acadiana 360 virtual reality, the fossils, gems, and meteorites.

The museum offers a very interactive experience and is the perfect place for children to learn more about science. The planetarium with its entertaining presentation will teach you to recognize stars and planets. A memorable experience for a very low price.

2. Acadian Cultural Center

Hidden in a forested part of Lafayette, the center offers a free trip into the Acadian culture. The cultural center is comprised of a small museum, a gift shop, and a free parking lot. A short film that runs hourly, depicts the struggle of the Acadian people and their settlement and subsequent prosperity in southern Louisiana.

The knowledgeable staff will enlighten you with emotional stories about the people, the area, and the Cajun culture as a whole. This educational journey ends at the gift shop filled with books and objects symbols of the local culture.

3. Vermilionville Historic Village

If you want to learn about Louisiana’s rich history, you should visit Vermilionville Historic Village. Set on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion, the village includes restored original homes and demonstrations of Native Americans and early settlers’ crafts performed by costumed artisans.

You can explore the village at your own pace, watch the short movie about the founding of the area in the small theatre, rent a canoe, or enjoy a delicious meal at the nice little restaurant that is open until 2pm.

4. Children’s Museum of Acadiana

This museum is a great place to bring your little ones on a hot or rainy day. Kids can happily spend hours there enjoying the many real-life activities that will constantly keep them entertained. The sensory sea, the bubble-making area, the make-believe ambulance, supermarket, and restaurant won’t leave them bored for even a second. For the more energetic ones, there’s also an outdoor playground with artificial grass that helps to keep the kids clean even when it rains.

5. LSU Museum of Art

For a nice and quiet weekend experience, you could visit this beautifully located museum, offering a lovely view of the Mississippi river through a wide window, a cool restaurant on the 6th floor rooftop, and a boutique on the first floor.

The museum offers a variety of artworks as well as a mixture of historic and modern pieces. You can enjoy art by significant Louisiana artists, decorative arts, a portrait gallery, Asian art, and much more. The bottom floor is devoted to students’ artworks.

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