Visiting Cajun Country

Lafayette, approximately 140-miles from New Orleans and 60-miles west of Baton Rouge, is the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Culture. A rich mix of French, Spanish, Catholic and Protestant heritage, Lafayette is a modern blend of Creole American culture. Convenient for automobile travelers along Interstate 10 and Interstate 49 or by air through Lafayette Regional Airport, this is where an authentic Cajun adventure begins. From the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Lafayette, to the Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum and swamp tours in the Atchafalaya Basin, visit Lafayette and Lafayette Parrish for your Acadiana experience.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is hub of culture and activity for the community. The UL, Lafayette Ragin’ Cajun Division 1 athletics, gives sports fans nearly year-round entertainment. This is the season to catch the season-end for men and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and track.

The Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum on the campus at University of Louisiana at Lafayette celebrates Louisiana’s bicentennial with exhibits from historic Louisiana artists. Through May 26th, paintings and drawing from New Orleans artist George Schmidt are on display in the exhibit "Satire, Scandal, and Spectacle: The Art of George Schmidt."

Historic downtown Lafayette hosts the 2012 Festival International de Louisiane during the last week of April. With five full days of entertainment and arts, downtown Lafayette features six stages for live entertainment, food and beverage, plus arts and crafts boutiques. Visit downtown April 25th through the 29th and enjoy the full breadth of Acadiana culture in one location.

Eunice, 40-miles northwest of Lafayette, proclaims itself Louisiana’s Prairie Cajun Capital. Located in the top crawfish producing area of the US, Eunice celebrates their natural bounty at the Annual World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off. The 2012 event is March 25th, at Eunice’s Northwest Pavilion. This is the place to sample award winning and authentic Cajun crawfish etoufee at its best. Enjoy the fun as amateur and professional cooks compete for the judges and local bands entertain the crowds.

East on Interstate 10, the cities of Lake Charles and Sulphur anchor southwestern Louisiana. They serve as gateways to Louisiana’s outback and the Creole Nature Trail, an All-American Road. Travelers enjoy 180 miles of natural Louisiana bayous, marshlands and wildlife. Fill the gas tank for the trip, this is natural Louisiana at its finest and an adventure along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. Be on the lookout for alligators and enjoy the birding, shelling and fishing as you venture through the Creole Nature Trail.

Visit Sulphur in May for the 2012 Sulphur Heritage Days celebration. Held Memorial Day weekend, May 25th and 26th, join the Sulphur community at downtown Heritage Square for a weekend of fun and down home entertainment. While in Sulphur, stop by the Henning Culture Center for the latest exhibit of southwestern Louisiana culture.

Cajun Country Hotel Map