During a stay in Lafayette, you can combine different interests: Acadian heritage, Louisiana history, music and art, as well as nature and play areas. Each attraction has its own focus. When planning, it’s worth distinguishing fixed event dates from the exhibitions and park features described here.
Acadian Heritage and Louisiana History
LARC’s Acadian Village was founded in 1976 to preserve the heritage of Acadiana. Its houses are authentic examples of Acadian architecture: they were restored on site and furnished with antiques from the early 19th century. Visitors interested in buildings and historic furnishings will find a tangible connection to Acadian heritage here.
Vermilionville offers a broader historical and cultural perspective. This 23-acre historical and folklife park portrays the cultures of the Acadians, Creoles and Native Americans from 1765 to 1890. The two attractions offer different perspectives: the architecture and furnishings of houses at LARC’s Acadian Village, and the longer time span and multiple cultures represented at Vermilionville.
The Lafayette Museum Historic Home & Gardens interprets artifacts associated with the families who lived there, their eras, and the events that contributed to the development of Lafayette and the surrounding region. The Acadian Cultural Center explains how the Acadians from Nova Scotia became Louisiana’s Cajuns; its exhibitions also tell the story of Louisiana’s history and cultures. These topics offer different points of focus: family history and regional development on one hand, and Acadian history and Louisiana’s cultures on the other.
Exhibitions, Art and Events
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Science Museum combines various exhibitions with a planetarium and covers topics related to Earth, the sea and space. Its exhibition area spans 10,000 square feet. No single subject takes center stage; the areas described range from nature to space. The Crawl Space features insects and arachnids in 10 terrariums. Since exhibitions and planetarium programs may change, it’s a good idea to check the current schedule before visiting.
At the Hilliard Art Museum, the Create & Play Café is a monthly hands-on activity for children aged 4 and up. Its age requirement and hands-on format can help you decide whether it fits your visit plans. Dates are subject to change. At AcA, exhibitions are the main focus of Lafayette’s monthly ArtWalk. In addition, AcA’s performing arts program includes a wide variety of performing arts experiences. The ArtWalk provides a monthly point of reference, while the performing arts program offers a broad range of experiences.
Green Spaces and Trails
Moncus Park is a 100-acre central green space in the heart of Lafayette, with nature and play areas. Described features include a treehouse, a playground and a splash pad. The Acadiana Park Nature Station offers a different way to experience nature: its trail system is more than 3 miles long and is located in a wooded part of Acadiana Park.
Planning Opening Hours and Dates
Vermilionville is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission ends daily at 3 p.m. Check opening hours before you travel, as they may change. Festival International de Louisiane takes place annually, is free, and brings international music and art to downtown Lafayette. Exact dates vary from year to year. If the festival is a priority for your stay, plan your travel dates around the event schedule for that year.
Discover more destinations: Broussard, Carencro, Youngsville, Duson.
Go to the parent travel guide: Lafayette County.
