Travel to Lafayette, Louisiana – Episode 671

Hear about travel to Lafayette, Louisiana as the Amateur Traveler talks to Susan Moore from solotripsandtips.com about this center of Cajun culture.

Susan says, “Lafayette, Louisiana is an amazing place and a whole region, Acadiana. It’s a unique cultural experience. The food, the music is not something you are going to get anywhere else in the United States. You should experience the food, the music and the outdoors. You’ve got the bayous, the incredible fishing, interesting hiking, and kayaking. You can go kayaking with alligators. Where else are you going to do that? It’s an adventure.”

“Cajun is short for Acadians. Acadians were French-speaking people living in what is now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in Canada. In 1755, the British expelled them from the country. 1764 is when the first Acadians made their way to Louisiana.”

Susan starts us downtown, where a number of the local festivals are held in Parc Sans Souci (without care). Throughout this episode, Susan recommends a number of local restaurants to try. After you check out the local music scene in some record stores, Susan takes us to the Vermilionville living history museum.

After exploring downtown, we are heading out to Lake Martin for a swamp tour. Lake Martin is 25 minutes out of town.

Lafayette is known for its Marid Gras, which has a number of fancy balls but is very family-friendly compared to New Orleans.

You can take a tour of the Tobasco factory on nearby Avery Island (not an island) and then grab some lunch at the Rip Van Wrinkle Gardens. You can visit the Evangeline Oak and the Acadian Memorial on the way back.

On this 7-day itinerary, you will be exposed to the local music, history, and food of a region that is both delicious and unique.

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Show Notes

Solo Trips and Tips
Lafayette
Lafayette Travel
Parc Sans Souci
Downtown Alive!
Parc International
Cinema on the Bayou
Blackpot Festival
Mardi Gras Lafayette
Lagniappe Records
Parish Ink
Vermilionville
Lake Martin
Lake Martin Eco-Tour
Saint John’s Cathedral
Avery Island
Jungle Gardens
Rip Van Winkle Gardens
Joseph Jefferson Mansion
St. Martinville
Acadian Memorial
African American Museum
Rock N Bowl
Lake Martin – Pack N Paddle
Girard Park
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Cypress Lake
Saint Street Inn (closed)
Artmosphere
Eunice
Eunice LA
Prairie Acadian Cultural Center
Cajun French Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Eunice Depot Museum
Liberty Theatre
Arnaudville
NUNU Arts & Culture Collective
Bayou Teche Brewing
Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge
Acadian Village
Acadiana Park Nature Station
Olde Tyme Grocery
Acadiana Center for the Arts
Lafayette Science Museum
Makerspace
Alexandre Mouton House
Acadian Cultural Center
Mattea Studio
Sans Souci Fine Crafts Gallery
Opelousas
Ville Platte
Swamp Pop Museum
Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning
Chicot State Park
Red Lerilles
Seven-Day Lafayette Itinerary
11 Awesome Day Trips from Lafayette Louisiana
Awesome Things to Do in Lafayette Louisiana

Places to eat in Lafayette

Black Cafe
Rusted Rooster
French Press LA
Johnson’s Boucaniere
Wurst Biergarten
Hawk’s Crawfish
Pamplona Tapas Bar
Blue Moon Saloon
Cafe Vermilionville
Pop’s Po’boys
Best Stop Supermarket
Spoonbill Watering Hole and Restaurant
Cafe Jefferson
Little Big Cup
Bach Lunch
Poupart Bakery
Hilliard University Art Museum
Zea Rotisserie and Bar
Buck and Johnny’s
Bon Temps Grill
Laura’s 2
Tsunami
Central Pizza
Carpe Diem Gelato and Espresso

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On Africa Overland – Johannesburg to Victoria Falls – Episode 670

Hi Chris,

My friends and I are regular listeners and appreciate what you do. I have a quick question after hearing the latest Africa Overland trip. I understand your trip was a package from Intrepid with other listeners. Anytime I look at the prices of these packages, I find it hard to budget for the overall trip even with descriptions of inclusions and exclusions. My question is: how do we budget for expenses beyond the package price ? I am thinking about expenses during the trip itself — it is easy to estimate airfare to the starting point.

Thanks,
Sandhitsu

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