Lafayette, known as the Happiest City in America, is at the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country.
Lafayette is located in South-Central Louisiana and is a key part of Acadiana, known for preserving Cajun culture and traditions, like zydeco music and Courir de Mardi Gras.
Cities & Towns Near Lafayette
Cities in the Lafayette area include Lafayette itself, home to family-friendly museums, Creole restaurants and outdoor activities at Cypress Island Nature Preserve. Visit Eunice and Opelousas for the zydeco music, and Breaux Bridge for the crawfish. Visit St. Martinville — one of Louisiana's oldest towns and a significant part of the Acadian legacy — to see its beautiful architecture and many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other nearby towns and municipalities include Arnaudville, Cankton, Grand Coteau, Krotz Springs and Sunset.
What to Do Near Lafayette
Visit museums, antique markets and historic churches. You must try the region’s famous boudin, dance to live music and visit one of the many festivals happening year-round. Get tickets to the Festival International de Louisiane, the Sweet Dough Pie Festival or Courir de Mardi Gras.
Once you’ve had your fill of crawfish, sweet dough pies, cracklins, étouffée and catfish, take a swamp tour to explore the boundless wonders of the Atchafalaya Basin, containing almost one million acres of bayous and backwater lakes.
Plan Your Trip
For more information, head to Lafayette Travel, the city’s official destination marketing organization. You can also visit St. Landry Parish to learn more about nearby cities, including Arnaudville, Eunice, Grand Coteau, Opelousas and Port Barre. Find statewide trip ideas, itineraries and regional guides on Explore Louisiana, Louisiana’s official tourism website.
Plan your next Lafayette area day trip.