Things To Do In Lafayette, Broussard and Acadiana! 

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT University Art Museum - UL Lafayette UAM is the premiere art museum serving the citizens in an eleven-parish area. It currently occupies 3,200 square feet within the UL School of Art and Architecture with a new and larger facility in the works. The permanent collection includes examples of Pre-Colombian Art, Folk Art of the American South, African Art, 19th and 20th Century Louisiana Fine Arts and Decorative Arts plus the museum hosts national and international traveling exhibitions. Alexandre Mouton House - Lafayette Museum Louisiana's first Democratic governor, Alexandre Mouton, once lived in this pre-Civil War antebellum town house with square columns and two galleries, which today is home to the Lafayette Museum. Inside, in addition to antiques, paintings and historic documents, there's a colorful collection of Mardi Gras costumes that were worn by Lafayette's krewe kings and queens. Cajun Country Museums and Historic Sites Cajun Country's rich history can be explored in many small town museums, open homes and storied historic sites. Located in charming towns set along rivers and bayous, getting there will be half the fun. Opelousas Museum of Art This museum displays loan exhibitions from major museums and private collectors. It is located in Weir House, a former tavern dating back to 1810 and a rare Louisiana example of classic Federal architecture. Shadows on the Teche Shadows-on-the-Teche is an antebellum historic house museum dedicated to bringing alive a nineteenth-century southern Louisiana plantation. Tour the magnificent home and view a collection of original photographs, furnishing and over 17,000 paper documents testifying to the life of its former inhabitants. Southdown Plantation House Southdown Plantation House is a 19th-century sugar manor and home to the Terrebonne Museum of history and culture. Built in 1859, exhibits include original bedroom furniture and other antique furnishings, a history and culture room, Mardi Gras room, Native Peoples room plus changing works by local artists and more. Acadiana Symphony Orchestra The ASA's primary mission is the promotion of music and music education throughout the entire Acadiana region. The orchestra presents a classical program series, along with pops concerts, free education concerts for school children as well as chamber music and outreach concerts to underserved communities. LSU Opera LSU Opera offers two main stage opera productions in the 1200-seat LSU Union Theater. Productions are fully staged, costumed and accompanied by the outstanding LSU Symphony Orchestra with most performances sung in the original languages translated by super titles. Acadiana Center for the Arts The Acadiana Center for the Arts is a multi-faceted arts and cultural facility. Upon completion in 2006, it will include exhibition space for national and international touring exhibits, diverse arts-education spaces plus a 300-seat theater equipped for dance, music, theatrical and broadcast productions. Cajun/Zydeco Music and Dance Learn about the wonderful sounds and dance steps unique to this region. Find a club or performance and start moving to the music. Liberty Theater Rendezvous Des Cajuns Laissez les bons temps rouler! Every Saturday night, live performances of the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns radio show happen at the Liberty Theater offering live music and dancing. Shows start at 6pm and admission is a very reasonable $5.00. Cajun Country Mardi Gras and Festivals They don't just celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Acadiana does Mardi Gras Cajun style with all the pomp and pageantry plus a Zydeco spin. You can also enjoy festivals galore, year round, that celebrate the customs, culture, color, food and music of this unique region. Duchamp Opera House St. Martinville revives its 19th century role as the Cajun Paris and a center for literary and performing arts, with renovation of the Duchamp Opera House. Enjoy a series of plays, concerts and cultural activities as well as the Evangeline Players, the town's own theater company performing classic American plays and musicals. Cajun Music and Dance Lafayette Find a local Zydeco music or dance event that tickles your fancy. Many clubs offer dining options featuring famed Cajun specialties. Mardi Gras in Lafayette Just as the Cajun and Creole cultures are known for their wonderful food, so Cajun Country is known for the fabulous spice it adds to the Mardi Gras celebration. Only in Lafayette will you find the mystery of Mardi Gras blended with Cajun and Creole magic to cook up one of the most colorful and unique pre-Lenten celebrations in the world. Performing Arts Society of Acadiana PASA activities include performances by exemplary artists as well as a wide range of educational opportunities and special stage presentations.

SPORTS AND RECREATION Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve was established to preserve the rich natural and cultural resources of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region. Tour sites in Lafayette, Thibodaux, and Eunice that interpret the Acadian culture of the area and offer sensational recreation opportunities. Louisiana Ice Gators Hockey The Gators play professional hockey as part of the AA ECHL league. Take in an exciting game at the Cajundome, Lafayette's world class arena. Ragin' Cajun Athletics Cheer on the hometown University of Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns! The Ragin Cajuns and their feminine counterparts, the Lady Cajuns, compete in the NCAA Division 1, the highest level of Collegiate Athletics in nine sports. Lafayette Parks and Recreation Lafayette maintains nearly 700 acres of parkland, 22 parks, and 6 miles of urban trails. Enjoy urban green spaces that provide places to retreat from city noises with space for recreation offering a haven from the heat and the stress of modern living. Parks in Lafayette Parish The parish's 12 parks are open to visitors year-round. Lafayette validates Louisiana's reputation as a sportsman's paradise with immediate access to extraordinary fishing, hunting, water-skiing, boating and camping. Louisiana State Parks Louisiana's State Parks offer you and your family an environment of incomparable natural beauty where you can hike, fish, bike as well as enjoy birding and nature trails. Most state parks feature a waterfront location, campsites and picnic areas designed to reflect each park's cultural environment and ambiance. Louisiana Fishing and Hunting They don't call Louisiana the "Sportsmen's Paradise" for nothing. Some the nation's finest fishing and hunting grounds are located in Acadiana conveniently close to wherever you are. Hunting, Fishing and Boating Licenses Find out seasonal statutes as well as licensing information and then get outside and have fun. Wildlife Management Areas Discover areas of untouched open space where you can hunt, fish, go birding or boating. Louisiana Sportsman Magazine For more than twenty years LSM has been documenting the outstanding recreational opportunities available in the state. Find out where the fish are running, what catch is in season and the best places to get outside and enjoy nature's bounty. Beaches From the shores of Lake Charles to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, swim and sunbathe in beautiful locations offering pure pleasure for the whole family. Le Triomphe Golf and Country Club Located in Broussard, you can tee it up on an 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones. This gorgeous course has been named the best in Acadiana!

SHOPPING Southwest Louisiana Artisanal Shopping Explore the unique cultural heritages of the Cajuns, Creoles, Native Americans and cowboys of the area by visiting their galleries, studios and shops. Shop Lafayette From local specialties in outdoor markets to chic apparel in upscale boutiques, you'll be certain to shop till you drop when you take on Lafayette. Don't miss the Jefferson Street Market featuring fifty shops specializing in antiques, arts and crafts and more. Broussard Business Directory Plenty to buy in Broussard, from the mundane to the unique, you'll find it close to home. Mall of Acadiana Located right in Lafayette, the Mall of Acadiana is southern Louisiana's shopping destination. Boasting more then 120 department and specialty stores plus dining and entertainment options, you're certain to find exactly what it is you're looking for.

DINING Prejeans Prejeans serves inspired variations on Cajun classics accompanied by live music nightly. Their extensive menu offers an amazing array of dishes from rich seafood gumbos to roast duck in a spicy-sweet cane syrup glaze while one of their specialties, the wild mushroom and andouille bisque is said to be the perfect soup as earthy mushrooms and smoky local sausage combine in a spicy cream base. Blue Dog Café Two attractions in one, the Blue Dog is a renowned restaurant and an amazing art gallery. Award winning Cajun cuisine is served amidst the largest private collection of artworks by world famous artist, George Rodrigue. Old Tyme Grocery Locally famous and wins all the polls for best po-boy sandwiches in the region. Monster sandwiches come overstuffed with anything from perfectly fried shrimp to shaved pastrami to spicy meatballs in red tomato gravy. T-Coon's Restaurant Home of authentic and acclaimed home-style Cajun cooking. The savory smothered rabbit is a specialty and the tasty yeast rolls are out of this world. Recommended Restaurants in Acadiana Recommended by locals who ought to know, savor the flavors of this spicy region boasting delicious dining in every price range.

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS Acadian Village Tour eight authentic Acadian houses dating back to 1800 as well as a General Store that was the main gathering place for the community. Visit a chapel with a floor made with long leaf pine that is over 200 years old and a blacksmith shop complete with historic tools. Acadiana Trail By taking US Highway 190, visitors are taken into the heart of Louisiana that's rich in culture, scenery, and history. The Acadiana Trail was first used by Indians and animals as a primitive path that connected streams, portages, and early water routes. Today, the Acadiana Trail takes you from Baton Rouge to Beaumont through some of the oldest townships and friendliest communities in Louisiana. Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Stunning St. John Cathedral constructed in 1913 is one of the prominent landmarks of Downtown Lafayette. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places the grounds include the almost 500-year-old Cathedral Oak tree as well as a cemetery, museum and gift shop. Children's Museum of Acadiana A museum for children dedicated to exploring everyday life, world cultures and human differences through hands-on exhibits. Exhibits include a mock television station where kids can even watch themselves live on the screen. Festival International de Louisiane The largest outdoor, free Francophone event in the U.S., the Festival places special emphasis on highlighting the connections between Acadiana and the Francophone world. Each year performing, visual and culinary artists from Europe, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean and the Americas are invited to share their talents with Louisiana artists, residents and visitors. Vermilionville Vermilionville authentically portrays a way of life preserved with a distinctly French accent. Situated on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion, this Cajun/Creole heritage and folk life park recreates life in the Acadiana area between 1765 and 1890. Casino Gaming It's a sure bet that Southwest Louisiana has a game of chance for you. From horse racing to live poker to slots to table games, let lady luck smile on you in a local casino or race track. Zoo of Acadiana Acadiana's animal kingdom is located right in Broussard. On the grounds are over 300 animals plus a train ride through an African Savanna and a white tiger exhibit. University of Louisiana Lafayette UL Lafayette is one of the top universities in the state with a student population of more than 15,000. UL Lafayette offers 61 undergraduate degree programs and 29 master's degree programs in 11 colleges and schools and creates a rich intellectual climate that greatly enhances Lafayette's appeal.

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