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Are you searching for Things to do in Lafayette with kids? I’ve got our handpicked things to do here!
When we visit a new destination, we’re always looking for unique things to do. Lafayette Louisiana has that in spades. It is an unlimited culture-rich area filled with history, food, exotic nature, and did I say food? If you want an authentic experience unlike any other, these things to do in Lafayette LA are sure to keep you and your kids and teens entertained.
The city of Lafayette is the main part of the Cajun country in south Louisiana. It’s about 2 hours from New Orleans and the second-largest city in Louisiana.
The city is the epicenter of the Acadian people who immigrated to the area from exile in Canada. Many residents have roots in Acadian culture, also known as Cajun. It’s always great to visit a place such as Lafayette where the residents take great pride in their culture.
Your kids and teens can learn from the passion the residents show in what they do, without, of course, realizing they are learning. These destinations make lasting impacts.
We visited Lafayette, La as part of a conference. Many of our experiences were provided by Lafayette Travel.
Best Lafayette LA things to do
I’ve spent a few days exploring what to do in Lafayette LA and its many attractions. With my family of four – two adults and two teenage kids– I’ve found that the city has a lot to offer for everyone. On our trip to the area, we’ve gone on a Cajun Food Tour, enjoyed the exhibits at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana, and visited Vermilionville Living History & Folklife Park.
We also stopped by some of Lafayette’s local eateries, which offer delicious Cajun cuisine. We especially enjoyed getting a taste of boudin and cracklins at Don’s in Broussard! And no trip to Lafayette is complete without a stop at Café Vermilionville for some classic Louisiana dishes.
My family had an amazing experience exploring all the fun places in Lafayette LA with kids and teens! In fact, I think you’ll find that Lafayette is one of the best places to visit and has the best things to do in Louisiana.
1. Downtown Lafayette
First up on the list of things to do with kids in Lafayette LA is Downtown Lafayette.
Staying in the downtown area provides a great hub for visiting the rest of Cajun Country.
Older kids and teens may enjoy wandering the downtown area in the city of Lafayette. The walkable few blocks are home to unique bookstores, record stores, and coffee shops.
Plus, send your teens on a mural hunt in many of the colorful blocks. Lots of great places to take selfies. And if you need a hint as to what you can find, explore the public art listed here for your scavenger cheat sheet.
Many great restaurants are in the downtown area, including Johnson’s Boucanaire, Vestal, Bordens, and Cafe Reve to name a few. Learn about these and other places to eat in Lafayette here.
Be sure to stop in Parc San Souci to get your picture as the Y in their block Lafayette sign. From past pictures of the sign that I’ve seen, it seems the sign gets repainted every so often for special events. It’s a reason to go back in my opinion!
The park seemed to be one of the popular places to go in Lafayette to hang out and you may stumble on a special event or live music as you wander around. Find some of the Downtown events here, for free things to do in Lafayette, LA.
Check out the map here for places to stay close to downtown Lafayette. Click on the filters to find the perfect place for your family.
2. Lafayette Science Museum
Located downtown, the Lafayette Science Museum is home to hundreds of things to see and do in its 3 story location.
Visit there to explore space, biology, architecture, paleontology, meteorites, and even nanotechnology.
Visit the planetarium, which is included in the cost. University of Louisiana partners with the science museum to promote scientific education to the community and beyond.
3. Children’s Museum of Acadiana
If you have young kids, it’s never a bad idea to pop into a children’s museum. And the Children’s Museum of Acadiana, located in the downtown area, entertains kids with hands-on interactive exhibits and fun activities.
If you ever need to know what to do in Lafayette LA during a hot or rainy day, this is t. They have many of the typical attractions of children’s museums, making it a great place to run off some energy during a rainy day.
There are areas dedicated to the history and culture of the Lafayette area including Heymann’s Grocery Store and Louisiana Cultural Center.
4. Acadiana Center for the Arts
The Acadiana Center for the Arts is an important destination for Acadian art and culture. Featuring works of art, exhibits, and performances from local Louisiana artists in Lafayette, as well as an additional seven parishes in the region.
The ACA is also in Downtown Lafayette, making this yet another reason to stay in the downtown region.
The museum is a unique space as it also has a world-class performing arts venue where you’ll find jazz performances, among other Louisiana-based talents. Be sure to check their events page for a rich cultural performance that your music or comedy-loving teens would enjoy.
5. Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
For one of our unique things to do in downtown Lafayette, visit an old cathedral. The Cathedral of St. John, located in the center of town, would not be a normal item on a “what to do with teens” checklist. However, if your teen is interested in history or architecture, the Cathedral is open to visitors and self-guided tours.
The Catholic Church has roots in French Catholic and Acadian history, dating back to Vermilionville in the early 1800s. while the site has seen a few changes, the present structure is over 100 years old.
Behind the church, a quintessential Louisiana cemetery, complete with raised tombs, fills the grounds. As long as the gates are open, you can stroll through the picturesque rows of tombstones and pick out names that are important to Lafayette’s history. The cathedral s also often open for a self-guided tour. Please be sure that young kids do not disturb worshipers or other visitors to the grounds.
Next to the Cathedral is one of the largest southern oak trees in Louisiana. The tree is also a site to see and makes for some great photos next to the cathedral. Measuring nearly 30 feet in circumference, it’s considered one of the top 100 live oaks of Louisiana.
6. Tabasco Factory and Avery Island
if you’re looking for a unique experience, and your taste buds can handle it, head over to Avery Island for a tour of the Tabasco Factory. Here you’ll find the home of the McIlhenny family, who’ve made Tabasco for over 5 generations. The factory tour and museum show how you take peppers to the most popular hot sauce brand of Tabasco. Then pop over to the Tabasco restaurant or Jungle Gardens, also located. on the island.
The tour is approximately 45 minutes and costs between $12.50 to $15.50. If your teens are into cooking, consider adding on an Acadiana culinary experience or a cooking demo experience. visiting the Jungle Gardens is included and features a botanical garden, statues, and wildlife.
🌶️ Reserve your tickets here and pay later, with free cancellation. 🌶️
7. Rock’n’Bowl De Lafayette
Bowling may not seem like a unique thing to do for teens and kids in Lafayette. But it is when you take them to Rock’n’Bowl.
We were lucky enough to bowl one night in this extraordinary venue. It is an industrial-sized location with bowling lanes on either side of a dance floor and stage. Easily this place was one of the most fun things to do in Lafayette LA.
Each night live music entertains bowlers with a variety of musical acts from Zydeco, country, tribute bands, 80s music, and more. It’s a fantastic concept with a full bar and dining and two levels of seating. You’ve never bowled like this before!
We had a blast bowling here while dancing to live Zydeco music. It’s another location right downtown and a great way to end an evening with entertainment in Lafayette LA.
8. Vermilionville Historic Village
One of our favorite things to do when we’re traveling is to visit a living history museum and village. Vermilionville is a historic village located just 10 minutes from downtown Lafayette. It is a place where you can take part in the culture of early French settlers who came to this area of Louisiana more than 200 years ago.
Located along the Vermilion River, you can also do a guided kayak tour with Pack and Paddle. If you have adventurous teens, a 10-mile paddle down the Vermilion River clocks in at about 4 hours and ends at the historic Acadian village. Here we saw Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, a variety of woodpeckers, and even some boars along the shoreline.
Once we arrived at the Vermilionville living history village, we enjoyed a well-deserved southern cuisine lunch at La Cuisine de Maman. Here is another place where you can enjoy a plate lunch special.
After lunch, we toured the Vermilionville Historic Village. At various structures and historic buildings are live demonstrations and educational programs with different aspects of Cajun culture including cooking, folk art, and dance.
Get your Vermilionville tickets here with reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation.
9. Acadian Cultural Center
If you really want to experience and learn the local culture, the Acadian Cultural Center is the perfect place to get started. Located in the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, the culture center is just one part of the National Park.
There are six sites of the historical park throughout south central Louisiana.
The Acadian Cultural Center is on Fisher Road in Lafayette. Here you can learn the origins of the Acadians, their exile from Nova Scotia, and how certain traditions in music and food became an integral part of Louisiana’s unique group of people.
Young kids can participate in Junior Ranger programs.
Older kids, especially those who play their own instrument, may enjoy joining the Cajun Dulcimer Society for Cajun, country, Celtic, and folk music every first. and third Saturday.
10. Cajun Food Tours
The best way to learn about a place is to eat! My teens love a good food tour. Join the Cajun Food Tour, where you’ll go from restaurant to restaurant tasting dishes like Crawfish Étouffée, Alligator Sausage, Fritters, and more.
The best part is ending your tour at the oldest authentically French bakery. Pouparts is the only authentic French bakery in Lafayette. It is worth the stop even if you’re not on the food tour.
You’ll also have an opportunity to learn about local Cajun dishes and culture while exploring the surrounding areas of Lafayette.
Book your Cajun Food Tour here. 🦞
11. Cajun Swamp Tours
A swamp tour may not be something that’s unique just to Lafayette, but it’s definitely not something you find in many other parts of the world. Swamp waters, rivers, and bayous surround the town. This is Louisiana Bayou country after all!
The whole family can enjoy an open swamp boat that’s designed to get you into the heart of the Cypress Tupelo Swamp, and pass through giant cypress trees, Spanish moss, and lots of alligators on your way to Lake Martin.
Yes, it is almost guaranteed that you will see alligators on any guided boat tours. Your guides know where to find them of course.
But just as with any wildlife, they have their own agenda and may hide from view. However, this is their natural habitat and you’ll not only see large alligators, but you’ll also see other birds and wildlife.
Check out Cajun Country Swamp Tours for great pictures and what you can do on their 1.5-hour tour.
12. Lafayette Louisiana Festivals
Lafayette is billed as the Happiest City in America. I’m not sure if they are happy because there are so many festivals, or if it’s because they are happy they throw so many festivals. Either way, Lafayette celebrates with festivals nearly every week of the year.
Mardi Gras is not just celebrated in New Orleans. It’s a big family-friendly event in Lafayette. The parade starts on Jefferson Street, goes down Kaliste Saloom Road, turns onto Girard Park Drive, then ends at the Youth Center parking lot. There will be floats, marching bands, dancers, and lots of beads!
Crawfish Festival- The Crawfish Festival features live music, food trucks, a beer garden, a crawfish eating contest, carnival rides, and more!
Boudin Cook-Off – Watch the best boudin chefs show off their cooking skills by cooking up boudin stuffed potatoes, jambalaya, and desserts made from this wonderful local delicacy.
Other big festivals include Festival International de Louisiane, Festival Acadiens et Creole, Blackpot Festival, Cook-off, and more. You can guarantee there will be live music, often Zydeco, and loads of food. Check the special events and festivals on Lafayette Travel to plan your trip around one of these signature events.
Nearby Lafayette Things to do
Rip Van Winkle Gardens is the perfect destination for travelers in the Lafayette area. Located near New Iberia and Jefferson Island, it’s an oasis of beauty and tranquility. Visitors can take in the lush gardens and gentle waters flowing from Lake Peigneur, or explore the charming paths that meander through sculptures, fountains, and topiaries.
In addition to its natural beauty, Rip Van Winkle Gardens hosts events like outdoor concerts and art exhibits, making a visit to this picturesque spot even more memorable.
Best time to Visit Lafayette Louisiana
The best time of year to visit Lafayette with a family is during the spring or fall months. You can take advantage of all that the city has to offer without having to worry about humidity and heat.
Plus, there are many festivals throughout the year in Lafayette so you can catch some great music, food, and fun when you visit during these months. From Festival Acadiens et Creoles to Festival International de Louisiane, there’s something for everyone!
Lafayette, Louisiana is known for its humid days and mild winters.
A typical summer in Lafayette can range from 70°F-90°F during the day with high humidity levels. Winters tend to stay mild, rarely dropping below 40°F.
However, there are occasional cold snaps that can bring the temperature down significantly lower. Overall, Lafayette experiences hot summers and mild winters – making it a great place for outdoor activities year-round!
Where to stay in Lafayette Louisiana
There are three great options for families looking for an enjoyable stay in Lafayette: Staybridge Suites, SpringHill Suites, and Best Western Plus.
Staybridge Suites offers spacious suites with full kitchens, as well as a complimentary hot breakfast and evening socials. Their outdoor pool is perfect for cooling off in the summertime.
SpringHill Suites offers luxury amenities like flat-panel TVs, contemporary decor, and a fitness center. They also have a heated indoor pool that’s great for swimming after a long day of sightseeing.
Best Western Plus has comfortable rooms with queen beds and microwaves for making snacks on the go. They offer an outdoor pool, free continental breakfast, and plenty of nearby attractions to explore.
There are also a lot of great home rentals through VRBO that you can check out below.
Getting Around Lafayette
Lafayette LA is best explored by car, as the city is widely spread out and some of its most interesting attractions are often in more remote areas. There are plenty of parking spots available downtown, so visitors can easily find a spot to park their car for the day.
It’s also worth considering renting a car if you plan on making a lot of excursions outside the city, so you have your own transportation. Taking public transportation around Lafayette can be tricky since there isn’t always a bus or train available when you need it.
FAQ
Is Lafayette Louisiana Worth Visiting?
In short, yes! Lafayette has a unique culture not found in most of the United States
What is Lafayette Louisiana Best Known for?
Lafayette Louisiana is best known for its vibrant and growing culture, as well as its delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine. It is the home of many festivals like Louisiana’s Festival International de Louisiane and the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles. In addition, Lafayette is well-known for its unique architecture with buildings that have been around since the 19th century.
What to do in Lafayette Louisiana?
Explore Acadian culture
Eat authentic Cajun food
Visit living history museums
Visit the Lafayette Science Museum
Tour Tabasco Factory and Avery Island
Rock N Bowl De Lafayette
Cajun Swamp tours
Lafayette Festivals
and so much more.
What are the best Outdoor Activities in Lafayette?
If you’re craving some physical activity, there are plenty of hiking trails and cycling paths to explore. The Vermilionville Historic Village is a great spot for nature walks and birdwatching, while Evangeline State Park offers the ideal setting for camping and canoeing.
What is there to do in Lafayette at Night?
In Lafayette at night, there are plenty of things to do. The city is home to numerous live music venues, from intimate jazz clubs to popular music festivals. For those looking for something different, there are also theater performances, art galleries, and comedy shows.
Are there any family-friendly activities in Lafayette?
Yes, Lafayette is a great destination for families with children! There are many fun activities and attractions
designed for kids like the Children’s Museum of Acadiana, Evangeline State Park, and Heymann Park Splash Pad.
What is the best time of year to visit Lafayette for families?
Summertime is perfect for families looking to enjoy outdoor activities in Lafayette. Most parks and attractions are open during this time, making it ideal for outdoor exploration and fun.
Are there any museums or historical sites that would be interesting for my kids?
There are many family-friendly museums and historical sites near Lafayette! The Acadian Memorial provides educational exhibits about the history of Louisiana’s Cajun culture while the Vermilionville Living History Museum offers interactive experiences depicting life in Southwest Louisiana during the 18th century Acadian period.
Final Thoughts: Fun Things to Do in Lafayette Louisiana
In conclusion, Lafayette LA is a great place to take the family for a much-needed break. There are plenty of activities and sites to keep everyone entertained, from the Acadian Village to the Rock N Bowl. And once everyone is done adventuring, there are dozens of local restaurants to satisfy every palate. So why not make plans with your family today and experience all that Lafayette LA has to offer?
Be sure to check out our blog for more information about where to eat in Lafayette. We’ve rounded up a list of the best restaurants for every budget and taste — so don’t miss out on trying something new!
For other fun things to do in Louisiana with kids, be sure to check out my list of top attractions in New Orleans for kids.
